From the Principal

Fun Filled Days!

What a busy and productive time we have had at school since our Week 4 newsletter! Our students have been involved in a wide variety of academic, sporting, and spiritual activities that showcase the busy life of our school community.

• STEM & Innovation: The children have enjoyed the hands-on visit from Questacon and Year 6 put their problem-solving skills to the test during there Science & Engineering Day on Tuesday.
• Sporting Achievements: Well done to all our eight students who represented St Mary's at the Diocesan Swimming Carnival on Friday. The Golf Clinic has started this week which all children will participate in.
• Faith & Community: It is wonderful that our classes are able to come together with the Parish for Mass on Fridays. Our Mini Vinnies have been presented with their badges this week. Our Aboriginal Educational Assistants are working on our new Aboriginal Cultural Plans. All classes have entered Art Work in the Armidale Show this weekend.

• Partnerships in Learning: Thank you to all the families who attended our Parent-Teacher Nights. These conversations are vital for student success. Also our  Kindergarten parents have met with the Kinder teachers for the Best Start Interviews. 

  It has been a wonderful to have our parents come to the classrooms!

I would like to thank the staff and parents for their ongoing support in making these opportunities possible for the children.

We pray for World Peace -"Peace begins with a smile."  Mother Teresa

                              "Peace begins with a smile." — Mother Teresa

Let us pray that we carry the light of peace into our homes and communities, remembering that small acts of kindness at school can ripple out to change the world.

Amen.

Diocesan Swimming Carnival

The Diocesan swimming carnival was last Friday, 27th February in Inverell. Our  eight students who qualified had a fun day with four students going through to Polding: Shana, Harriet, Sofia & Florence. Congratulations to all our swimmers! A special mention goes to Harriet, who was named Runner-up Junior Girl. What a fantastic effort!

Thank you to the parents for taking the children to Inverell.

Term 1 Teachers / Parents Meetings

Parents if you were unable to attend the Parent Teacher Meetings we have included the sides form the meetings for you to read.

Stage 1 

Stage 2

Stage 3

P & F Welcome BBQ 

The P & F are hosting a welcome BBQ on the 11th March at 5:30pm in the school grounds. 

P & F AGM Meeting will be held on the 17th March at 5:30pm in the Staffroom. To RSVP to this event please click the link here.  RSVPs close Friday 6 March 2026.

Autumn Festival Parade 21st March

Save the date for the Autumn Festival Parade.  At 12:00pm — the iconic Autumn Festival Parade fills the streets with colour and creativity. The Parade starts in Tingcombe Lane, Central Park and finishes in Civic Park, Dumaresq Street. Children & parents are encouraged to walk with the school in the Parade. The children wear the full Summer Uniform, School Hat & bring their water bottle! Approval note  & more details have been sent home via compass yesterday. 

NAPLAN - Information for Year 3 & 5

We would like to wish our students GOOD LUCK  in their NAPLAN tests.

The National Assessment Program Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests will commence next week on Wednesday for all students in Years 3 & 5, and continue until March 23.

The assessments are an opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning. Along with their classwork, teachers use these results to meet the individual literacy and numeracy needs of all students. There are four tests covering Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language (spelling, punctuation and grammar) and Numeracy.  

Further information for parents and carers can be found here: 

https://www.nap.edu.au/naplan/parent-carer-support

I encourage all parents of students in Years 3 and 5 to explore the Public Demonstration Site with your child (click on button below).  Here you will find sample questions for each of the areas assessed. 

https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site

Click below to see a short video showing how to navigate the Public Demonstration Site.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ElaxjY7xKzPkl4QijbH_YPs9IRtkr8FU/view

The Armidale Show

Each class has entered a poster in the Show this weekend. If you go to the Show make sure you visit the pavilion.  Congratulations to all the children who have entered items in the Show, good luck!

ACS Winter Trials Friday

Best wishes to the St Mary's students who are participating in the Armidale Catholic Schools Winter Trials today in Armidale. 

Celebrating International Women’s Day

Sunday, March 8th, International Women’s Day—a global celebration of women’s achievements and a call for continued gender equality. It is the perfect time to pause and acknowledge the profound impact women have in our homes, our local communities, and around the world.

Let us all take a moment to express our gratitude to the remarkable women who inspire us every single day—our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, teachers, and friends. By working together, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and supportive future for all.