School News
School Fee Direct Debit
Direct Debit is available for all families. Please ensure you return your Direct Debit Request Form if you wish to pay your school fees off throughout the year.
Camps, Sports and Excursion Funds (CSEF)
The Victorian government has provided support to families to cover the cost of extra-curricular activities such as school camps and excursions. Parents/Guardians who are the holder of a Centrelink Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession you are eligible to apply. If your application is successful the Government will pay $154 for each primary school studentThis amount is paid directly to the School and will be allocated towards camps and excursion costs for your child/ren. Existing families whose circumstances have not changed are not required to complete the form again.
Fresh Fruit Break
At St Mary’s, our daily fruit break is designed to provide students with a quick and healthy energy boost to keep them focused and engaged in learning. To maximise the benefits of this break, we ask that students bring fresh fruit rather than fruit yoghurt, jelly or fruit in tubs.
Fresh fruit is easy to eat quickly, minimising disruption to learning time. It also avoids the need for spoons, containers, and potential spills, ensuring that students can return to their activities without distraction. This small but important practice helps maintain a smooth and efficient classroom routine while supporting children’s concentration and overall well-being.
All other items that require refrigeration can be stored in the Nano Nagle Centre's fridge.
We appreciate your support in reinforcing this healthy and practical habit!
We’re excited to create a Sensory and Veggie Garden at St Mary’s, and we need your help! Join us for a Working Bee as we prepare the space for our students to enjoy.
Date: Friday 14th March
Time: 8:30am - 10:30am
Location: St Mary’s School
Whether you can lend a hand with digging, planting, or general setup, every bit of help makes a difference. This garden will provide a wonderful space for students to learn, explore, and unwind, and we’d love for our families to be part of making it happen.
Bring along some gardening tools if you have them, and let’s create something special together!
Thank you for your support—we can’t wait to see you there! 🌱🌿😊
Easter Egg Raffle
Wanted: St Mary's is asking for donations to bulk up the prize pool for our Easter Egg Raffle. Please drop off your donated eggs, bunnies or treats to the front office by Monday 31st March.
At St Mary's, we are always looking for ways to enhance our learning environment and provide meaningful experiences for our students. This year, our fundraising efforts will go towards developing a Sensory and Veggie Garden, a space designed to support student well-being, engagement, and hands-on learning.
The sensory garden will provide a calming and interactive area where students can explore different textures, scents, and sounds, helping to support emotional regulation and mindfulness. It will be particularly beneficial for students who thrive with sensory-based learning and those who need a quiet place for reflection during the school day.
The veggie garden will offer students the chance to engage in practical, hands-on learning about sustainability, nutrition, and the environment. Tending to the garden will foster responsibility, teamwork, and an appreciation for where our food comes from—valuable skills that extend beyond the classroom.
We are excited about the positive impact this space will have on student learning and well-being. Your support, whether through fundraising initiatives or volunteering, will help bring this vision to life. Thank you for being part of this wonderful project that will benefit our students for years to come!
$20 raffle ticket books will be coming home with your child next week; if you require more books, please notify the school. The raffle will be drawn on the last day of term, Friday, 4th April.
Please note: A small portion of the funds will also be diverted to our Caritas fundraisers.
Thank you for your purchase, and good luck!
Cross Country Helpers
Every year, the students compete in the Loddon Calder Cross Country. We are on the search for volunteers to be spread around the track on Friday, the 21st of March in Marong. Student permission forms will be sent out in the coming days asking if parents would like to help, can you please respond on the permission form or email Tayla Fenwick tfenwick@sminglewood.catholic.edu.au to let her know.
