From the Principal

Term 3  Week 8

Book Week & Grandparents Day

Our recent Book Week & Grandparents Day was a joyful celebration! The creativity, effort and enthusiasm on display across all year levels were outstanding. A heartfelt thank you to all our families for your massive support in preparing costumes. A big thank you as well to our grandparents and friends who visited classrooms, explored the library and watched the parade you helped make the day such a wonderful success!   

Polding Athletics Carnival

Today was a big day for our students representing the diocese at the Polding Athletics Carnival at Glendale. Our students competed against the best athletes from all Catholic Schools in the northern region of New South Wales. St Mary's wishes our two students the very best of luck!

First Holy Communion

We hold in our prayers the children receiving the Sacrament of First Holy Communion this weekend. May this sacred milestone strengthen their personal connection with Christ and remain a cherished memory for their families.

Year 4 Lake Keepit Camp

Our Year 4 students had an unforgettable experience at the Lake Keepit Camp! A big thank you to our families and teachers for providing the opportunity for students to attend. The children had a fantastic time challenging themselves on the Orienteering and Commando course and taking to the water for canoeing and kayaking.

Term 3 Parent Teacher Interviews/Aboriginal Cultural Plans & Personalised Plans

Thank you to parents who have nominated a time to meet with the class teacher to discuss students Term 3 progress.

Students who have Personalised Plans, parents will have the opportunity to discuss the asjustments made for their child with the classroom teacher at the interviews.  

Aboriginal Parents are invited to come on Tuesday 22nd September (Wk 10) at 3:30pm - 4:30pm in the School Hall for the launch of the new Cultural Plans for Aboriginal students. These plans have been completed with our Aboriginal students and the Aboriginal Educational Assistants. It will be an opportunity for parents, students and teachers to add vital information to the plans for the future. Invitations have been sent to our Aboriginal families outlining the launch of the Cultural Plans.

NAIDOC Week Assembly Monday 21st September - Save the Date - 50 Years of Deadly

The celebrations will start at 10:50am with Morning Tea followed by whole school Assembly. 

Class Prayer Liturgies Term 3– save the dates 

During Term 3 each Class will host a Prayer Liturgy that parents are invited to attend. The Prayer Liturgy will be a celebration of the the classes current Religious Education Unit.

Class Prayer Liturgy - Thank you Yr 6, 5 & 2 

Thank you to Year 6, Year 2, and Year 5 for leading such beautiful Prayer Liturgies.  Your thoughtful participation, respectful reverent reflection and wonderful preparation helped make these moments of worship truly special for our school community.

AI Risks With Images

Following the recent advice from the e-Safety Commissioner about increasing AI risks and the misuse of images, our school and the wider Armidale Catholic Schools system are following guidelines to move to a safer digital environment.  We will regularly review our practices as the landscape changes to ensure processes are up to date.

To adapt to these emerging risks while continuing to celebrate student success, we are making the following updates to our digital communications:

• Focusing on Group & Contextual Photos: We will use wider-angle shots, group activities, and photos that showcase student learning, work, and participation from behind or at angles where faces are not fully identifiable.
• Reducing High-Resolution Photos: We will avoid posting close-up, high-definition photos of individual students on public platforms.
• Removing First & Last Name Combinations: Student names will not be published alongside their images on public social media.
• Using Internal Channels: High-resolution photos, individual achievements, and identifiable images will be reserved for secure, password-protected internal platforms (such as Compass) rather than public social channels.

We know how much our community values seeing the daily life of our school, and we remain committed to sharing the wonderful achievements of our students. However, protecting their privacy and long-term digital footprint must come first.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership, understanding, and support as we take these proactive steps to keep our students safe in an evolving digital landscape.

Thank you once again for your ongoing partnership, prayers, and active support of our school mission.

Transition Program - Term 4  2026

It won't be long before we begin welcoming our 2027 Kindergarten Students for Transition. It is scheduled to commence Week 3 Term 4 and run for five weeks. 

This is an important program in helping our Kinder students familiarise themselves with the school environment, routines and ensuring a smooth and confident start to their schooling journey.

Kindergarten 2027 Enrolments Open!

We're now accepting enrolment applications for Kindergarten 2027! If you're interested in joining St. Mary's School, please complete the enrolment form online. https://stmarysarmidale.catholic.edu.au/

We look forward to hearing from you!

P&F Mega Fete Raffle - Fete 17th October 

The P&F has organised a Mega Raffle for the Fete. A book of 10 tickets has been sent home with each student to sell. If you sell your book of tickets and would like more books please call into the school office for extra books.

Families who have a business and would be able to sell tickets at your reception desk please collect some raffle books from the School Office with a poster to advertise the raffle. 

Thank you in advance for supporting our P&F’s fundraising efforts for the Fete.

MEGA Raffle,  Price: $2 each ticket, 

Prizes:

• 30 min 2 Person Gorge discovery flight with Fleet helicopters (Kindly donated by Fleet Helicopters and St Mary's P&F)
• Western Plains Taronga Zoo family Pass (kindly donated by Western Plains Taronga Zoo)
• Voucher to the Cottage Armidale (kindly donated by Shane Ross at The Cottage)
• 4 Burner Jumbuck BBQ (kindly donated by Bunnings Armidale)
• Armidale Golf Club package Including 2 x $50 dinning vouchers and a 30minute golf lesson with the Pro. (kindly donated by Armidale Golf Club)
• FIKA Hamper (kindly donated by FIKA)
• Family Pass to Green Valley Farm (kindly donated by GVF)
• Load of wood (kindly donated by Ben Barker)
• Floor Rug (kindly donated by Harvey Norman Armidale)
• $100 gift voucher to Bicycle Central (kindly donated by Bicycle Central)
• Repco Car cleaning kit valued at $155 (kindly donated by Repco Armidale)

P&F Fete Donation Days 

The Fete Friday Collection Days are:

18th Sept Donation Day Books & Clothing

16th Oct   Donation Day Plants & Cakes

Fete Meeting

The next Fete meeting is Tuesday 22nd September at 5:30pm in the Staffroom.  All Parents & Friends are welcome to attend. 

New England Sings 2026

NEW ENGLAND SINGS! 2026 Combined Primary Choirs from Armidale and surrounding schools, students in Yr 4-6.

Saturday 31st October - Final Rehearsal and Sunday 1st November Concert. 

Concert: Sunday 1 November Time: Primary Choir 1 11:00am – 1:00pm (arrive at 9:30am)

Venue: Lazenby Hall, UNE

Students participating from St Mary's rehearsal dates this term are: Thursday 30th July, 20th August & 10th September. Thnak you Ms McNeall for organising our schools participation.

Premier's Reading Challenge 2026

The Premier's Reading Challenge for this year is approaching its conclusion. Congratulations to all students who took part. Please note that validations will close on Friday, 18th September. Should you have any questions or concerns related to the reading challenge, do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs Fittler in the Library.

Attendance: Every Day Counts

Consistent attendance is the cornerstone of academic success. We ask that all students aim for 100% attendance unless prevented by illness. If your child is absent, please ensure the school is notified via the office or our portal by 10:00 am. If you are unable to notify the school prior to 10am you will receive an sms reminding you to explain your child's absence.

Contacting Your Child's Teacher

Teachers welcome contact from parents, if you need to talk with staff please either contact the class teacher by phoning the school – 67772 4441 or email the school at smaadmin@arm.catholic.edu.au.

School Hours

Teachers commence duty at 8:20am and finish at 3:10pm if not on an afterschool duty.

Rusden Street Door Opens at 8:20am when supervision begins.

School starts: 8:50am 

Recess: 10:50am – 11:30am

Lunch: 1:30pm – 2:10pm 

School finishes: 3.10pm.