From the Principal

Welcome to 2026

Welcome to the 2026 school year! I am very excited to be back at St Mary's after my sick leave in the second half of 2025. Once again, I thank you for your prayers and support during my illness.

A very special welcome to our Kindergarten families, new families, new staff joining St Mary's, and all of our existing families. I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and summer holiday break and spent some precious time with your families and friends.

The beginning of a new school year is always filled with excitement as children reconnect with their friends and classmates and share news of what they did in the holidays.

Last week Staff had two busy days of Professional Learning.  We explored our Vision & Mission, Code of Conduct, Child Safety Standards, Annual Improvement Plan, completed our full First Aid Training and prepared to welcome students back to school.

On the 28th January, our school staff gathered with staff from O'Connor, St Joseph Uralla, St Patrick's Walcha, St Mary of the Angles Guyra and Armidale Catholic Schools Office for Mass. Ms Regina Menz, our Director addressed the gathering about the 2026 Theme for our Diocese, ‘Our Hope-Filled Future’ taken from the 5 year strategic plan which begins this year.  The plan, "Our Hope-Filled Future," is framed around four core imperatives:

1. Our Catholic Identity: 

We commit to being a missionary, welcoming, and faith-filled community. Where we will continue to ignite the faith in our staff, students, and families, fostering strong partnerships with our parishes and creating opportunities for prayer, liturgy, and social justice. 

2. Our People: 

We are committed to fostering a thriving, faith-filled learning community where our young people, staff, and families all experience a deep sense of belonging. 

3. Our Learning and Teaching: 

We will continue to provide purposeful, future-focused education, ensuring all students, regardless of their background, have access to exceptional learning. 

4. Sustainability and Stewardship: 

We will steward our resources and environment responsibly, through ethical decision making.

All four imperatives are all working towards our vision: A Christ-centred inclusive learning community that supports young people to realise a hope-filled future.

Important Events Term 1

We have many important events to look forward to this term and I look forward to seeing our families at these events:

• Beginning of the School Year Mass Friday 13 February at 9:15am in the Cathedral
• Swimming Carnival Monday 16th February
• Ash Wednesday 18th February Mass 9:15am in the Cathedral 

• Parent-Teacher Information Evenings  in Week 5 (23-25 February)

  Monday 23rd Feb Stage 2  5:30pm

  Tuesday 24th Feb Stage 1  5:30pm

  Wednesday 25th Feb Stage 3  5:30pm

  Kindergarten Best Start Parent Teacher Meetings (Date TBC when the results have arrived).

• NAPLAN Yr 3 & Yr 5 in Week 7
• Armidale Show 
• Cross Country
• Easter, to name a few!

Welcome to our Kindergarten students who started on Wednesday 4th February!

We warmly welcomed our new Kindergarten students to school. Starting school is such a big milestone, and we look forward to supporting our new students and their families as they embark on their learning journey with us.

Beginning of School Year Mass -  Friday 13th February at 9:15 am in the Cathedral

Our first K-6 whole School Mass for 2026 is Friday, 13th February, starting at 9:15 am in the Cathedral. At Mass, Father Paul will bless the badges of our newly appointed School Captains, Vice Captains, House Captains, and Vice House Captains, officially commissioning them into their roles. We warmly invite everyone to join us in celebrating this important Mass.

Swimming Carnival Monday 16th February

Our Swimming Carnival is on Monday, 16th February. A notice has been sent to all families in Years 1–6 via Compass. We kindly request that you complete the consent process as soon as possible. If you are able to assist on the day, please indicate this by responding to the notice.

Term 1 Teachers / Parents Meetings

Parents are warmly invited to come along to the Meet & Greet Sessions in Week 5 for Year 1-Year 6. 

Monday 23 Feburary Stage 2 at 5:30pm, Stage 2 Classroom Block

Tuesday 24 February Stage 1 at 5:30pm,  Year 1 Classroom 

Wednesday 25 February Stage 3 at 5:30pm, Stage 3 Classroom Block

Parents are encouraged to attend and hear about the organisation, expectations, classroom timetables and other procedures. The evenings are an opportunity for questions and for families to introduce themselves to the classroom teacher.

Kindergarten teachers will hold individual parent teacher meetings when the Best Start  results arrive.

Parents of students with Personalised Plans (PP) will be contacted in Week 6 to arrange a meeting time to discuss your child's adjustments.

Update Family Details

If you have changed any details such as your address, contact numbers or your emergency contacts please contact the school office - email smaadmin@arm.catholic.edu.au 

Student Attendance

Please contact the school office if your child is absent from school by phone 6772 4441 or email smaadmin@arm.catholic.edu.au 

 It is a legal requirement that families inform the school when their child is absent.

School Uniform

The children look very smart in their uniform as they return to school.

Thank you parents for ensuring your child/children are fully dressed in their correct uniform each day.  Please remember it is black shoes only. That is black shoes with NO other colour on them, eg white soles, joggers with colours are not to be warn with the Summer Uniform. 

It is an expectation that everyone wears the correct uniform with pride everyday. 

 If your child is not able to wear the correct uniform please send a note to school explaining the reason.

2026 National Servicemen's Commemoration Day Service 15th Feb.

The Armidale and District National Servicemen's Association will be holding a Commemoration Service on Sunday the 15th of February commencing at 11am at the National Servicemen's Monument in Central Park Armidale.  The service is in remembrance of the national servicemen (conscripts) who were killed in action during World War 2 and Vietnam. 

St Mary's leaders have been invited to lay a wreath in memory of the departed national servicemen during this ceremony.