Mrs Ryan's Fortnightly Reflections

Thank you to every family who made alternative arrangements last Friday, while our school was closed for a professional learning day that focused on learner wellbeing and child safeguarding. The day explored positive education, classroom mastery, routines and expectations, and a review of how we uphold our child safe standards at St Mary’s. The day was robust in dialogue and provided yet another opportunity to listen and observe how passionate the staff are about always holding the learners at the centre of our core. 

We are well underway with our production, and the staff team has started rehearsals, dance choreography, costume, set, and prop design. Our team is very eager to introduce the main cast and gradually release snippets of excitement over the next seven weeks. We will dedicate a production section in our following newsletter to support families with costumes, ticketing, and parent support! 

Please be sure to place St Mary’s “One World, Many Stories” production on the calendar. 

Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th July (Matinee at 12:00pm and Evening Show at 7:00pm). 

Next term, we will trial our learning conversations on a closure day. Historically, we have remained open and combined the day with peer learning sessions and an activity to support the learning. Trialling this approach may be financially beneficial to the school and allow staff to focus entirely on these conversations with families. Please mark the 4th August on the calendar as a school closure day. 

Following this day, St Mary’s will participate in a diocese-wide closure day on the 5th of August. This day will be centrally facilitated, focussing on staff spirituality and four additional schools will join us. I thank families in advance for making or planning alternative arrangements on these days. 

Today, you will have received a Compass post regarding changes to the Moama bus service under New South Wales Transport. Please read this post and be aware that, moving forward, families will need to make alternative travel arrangements for the last day of each term. 

We are still experiencing a great deal of variation in our uniform, particularly with children who are not wearing St Mary’s uniform at all. Staff have identified this as an area requiring increased vigilance across the school. If patterns of incorrect uniform presentation are observed, staff may contact families for clarification. Please ensure your child is in full St Mary’s uniform daily. I thank you all for supporting the school’s expectations in this matter. 

We have ten school days remaining in the term, with lots still to learn and celebrate. We know that everyone is looking forward to utilising the final days of the term for great rewards. 

We look forward to seeing many of you over the coming fortnight..  

In faith, trust and love.  

Jasmine Ryan  

Principal