From the Principal

Welcome back for Term 3!

It is wonderful to see all of our students, happy to be back, with their friends and ready to learn. We had 3 new students start at our school this term. We welcome Angus in Year 4, Ted in Year 5 and Kynan Year 6. 

On the Pupil Free Day last Monday, we used it to continue the Curriculum Reform that is happening in all schools in NSW.  The new curriculum will be implemented from 2023 until 2030 in all Key Learning Areas. On Monday we worked with the new English syllabus. 

This term is just like any other - busy!  From sporting opportunities: Gymnastics, Dio Athletics, First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion for Year 3 students, Public Speaking: St Joseph's Cup, Brain Olympia, Book Week: Book week Parade & Grandparents visiting open classrooms,  NAIDOC Week and Year 6 & Year 4 major excursions.  A term full of many opportunities for the children.

NAIDOC WEEK WEEK 2

This week started with an assembly to introduce NAIDOC week.  Aboriginal students led  the assembly with special guests in attendance. 

NAIDOC week provides an opportunity for all Australians to join in celebrating the culture, aspirations, and hopes of the country's First Nations peoples.

The children have been involved in cultural activities this week,  and eac student will contribute to the St Mary's canvas, (see the photo below), the canvas will represent our school at the CSNSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Conference in October. Thank you Mr Bob Blair for painting the echidna & our story lines for the children to add the dot to. 

The NAIDOC 2024 theme – Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud – celebrates the unyielding spirit of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and invites us to not only stand in solidarity but amplify our voices for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

100 Days of Kindergarten

What a fun day Kindergarten had to dress up for 100 days at school. One little kindergarten student said - 'it was the best day of my life.'

NAPLAN

NAPLAN results for Students in Year 3 & Year 5, have been sent home with the children. Please make sure you received the envelope.  We are very proud of the levels of proficiency that have been demonstrated by our students with 78 % of our Year 3 children achieving results in the top two levels for Reading, 87 % in Writing, and 65 % in the top two levels for Numeracy.  In Year 5, 77 % achieved proficiency in Reading, 70 % achieved in the top two levels in Writing and 79% in the top two bands for Numeracy. 

Our results are certainly worth celebrating, it is also important to remember that NAPLAN results are one of many ways that teachers gain information about students' strengths and what the next steps are in each child's learning journey.

Please click below to access information for parents and carers. This information answers frequently asked questions such as:

• How does NAPLAN assess students?
• What are the new proficiency standards?
• How do I read the NAPLAN report?
• How does NAPLAN help my child?

The three-minute video below explains how to read the NAPLAN Individual Student Report. 

UNESAP Let's Hang It! 

Congratulations to  Jake Siddell on being selected as a finalist. The exhibition will run until Sunday 11 August 2024 at  NERAM.

THANK YOU for the Pizza Lunch & BBQ 

Thank you for supporting the Pizza lunch & BBQ to assist in reducing the cost for the Yr 6 Excursion to Canberra this year and the Yr 5 jerseys for 2025.

Kindergarten Interviews for 2025

Kindergarten interviews for 2025 have started. Mrs McCann is contacting families to organise a time for parents and their child to come and meet with me. It is important if you know someone ready to start Kindergarten in 2025, and would like to come to St Mary's, they need to complete an enrolment form. Forms can be collected from the Office.

Census

This Friday is our Census day. We need to submit our student and staff numbers to the CSO who in turn send the government our data. This process begins the planning for 2025. Please read the Privacy Notice below. 

Diocesan Athletics Carnival

Congratulations to the students who have qualified to attend the Diocesan Athletics Carnival and represent St Mary's, on Friday 9 August in Tamworth. To qualify the children have to meet the standards put down by the ADPSC. Schools are only allowed to enter 2 competitors per event except for 100m and 200m.

Mr Lester & Miss Adams will be attending as the teachers for the day. This carnival is a selection event for the Polding Athletics Carnival in Newcastle on Friday 13th September 2024. Our Diocesan Policy is that students who attend this carnival must be available to be selected for the Polding Carnival.

FETE REQUESTS

1. Convenors are needed for several stalls. Are you able to organise one of the following?  Fairy Stall, Crazy Hair, Treasure Island or a Food Stall??                Please contact Sarah Clarke 0417 518 099 or Jo Ward 0429 831 382
2. Families with businesses that can donate Sponsorship or donations of prizes for the Fete.                                                                                                                             Pleasecontact Sarah Clarke 0417 518 099 or Jo Ward 0429 831 382

P & F Dates

FETE Save the Date Saturday 23rd November - St Mary's Fete

P&F Meeting, Term 3,Week 3 Wednesday, 7 August  5:30 pm - Staffroom

PIE DRIVE - delivery is Friday 2nd August.

FETE Meeting 20th August 5:30 pm

FETE Donation Day Friday, 2nd August Lollies and Chocolates

P&F TRIVIA NIGHT - 17th August School Hall

KINDERGARTEN ENROLMENTS FOR 2025 ARE OPEN

If you know anyone who has a son/daughter ready to start school next year please let them know that enrolments are now open. Enrolment forms can be obtained from the School Office. 

Attendance Matters Every Day Counts