From the Principal

Term 3  Week 6

This week we celebrate Book Week & Grandparents Day with our dress-up parade, open classrooms, Library and morning tea. I am looking forward to seeing all the creative costumes and the smiles that this day brings! Watch out for our Week 8 Newsletter with all of the day's adventures. 

Thank you to parents, grandparents, students, teachers (Mrs Fittler in the Library), staff & the P & F for making Friday such a special day. 

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

Shortly you will receive a compass notification about Term 3 Interviews. Parents will be able to nominate a time to meet with the calss 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.  

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 will be sent to our Aboriginal families outlining the launch of the Cultural Plans next week.

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. 

2026 Survey My School 

Armidale Catholic Schools has once again collaborated with Survey My School in 2026 to facilitate parents, students and staff in giving feedback on the practices and procedures of St Mary's School. Thank you for completing the survey. 

School Advisory Council (SAC) Meeting Monday 31st August

The next School Advisory Council Meeting will be held Monday 31st August commencing at 5.30pm in the staffroom. 

Happy Father's Day 

Wishing a very Happy Father's Day to all of our incredible dads, grandfathers, and father figures! We hope you enjoy a wonderful day on Sunday, September 6th.

Kindergarten Prayer Liturgy

Thank you Kindergarten for leading a beautiful Prayer Liturgy on Friday. You highlighted the beauty of our families, and the Holy family Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Class 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 clebration of the the classes current Religious Education Unit.

First Holy Communion

Best wishes to all of our children who are preparing to receive there First Holy Communion this term. Please keep these students and their families in your prayers as they take the next step in their faith journey. We look forward to celebrating these special milestones together as a community!

Excursion Term 3

Week 7  Year 4 Lake Keepit Excursion, 3rd - 4th September.

Please be at the Jessie Street bus stop prior to 7am departure. 

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.

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.

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.

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.