From the Principal
Mrs Belinda Burton
Week 10 Term 1
It's hard to believe we are nearing the end of Term 1. With only one week left, how quickly this year is progressing! I will be taking Long Service Leave next week, so I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Blessed Easter. May you enjoy a relaxing and joyful break, spending quality time with family and friends and embracing the spirit of the season. The school will be in the very capable hands of Mrs Louise Reinke while I am on leave.
Easter Prayer Assemblies Friday 11th April
Please join the children next week as they complete the Lent & Holy Week Units in leading Easter Prayer reflections. I know next week's Easter Prayer Assemblies will be a beautiful and meaningful experience, where the children will lead our community in reflecting on our shared beliefs of Easter and the Risen Jesus.
The Prayer Assemblies will be in the School Hall, please enter and sign in through the Rusden Street entrance.
Kindergarten, Year 1 & Year 2 -10:20 am
Year 3 & Year 4 - 11:30 am
Year 5 & Year 6 - 12:30 pm
Easter Hat Parade Thursday 10th April
Parent & Friends are invited to the Easter Hat Parade on Thusday in the school Quadrangle. Thank you Year 6 for organising the Easter Hat Parade. Please enter and sign in through the Rusden Street entrance. All gold coin donations will go to Project Compassion - Caritas Appeal.
Caritas Project Compassion Boxes
Please return your boxes to the School Office before the end of Term (Friday 11th April).
Reconciliation - Thank you
Thank you Fr Eli for the sacrament of Reconciliation with Year 4, 5 & 6 on Tuesday.
Diocesan Jubilee Celebrations - Model of the Cathedral & Reliquaries
On Tuesday Year 5 & Year 6 proudly represented St Mary's Primary School at the special Jubilee Year Diocesan Mass. From the Mass the model of the Cathedral, along with reliquaries started their way to various parishes throughout the Diocese. These sacred items hold deep historical and spiritual significance, reminding us of the rich traditions and faith that unite our Catholic community. Our school will be able to view these items from Tuesday 1st of April until Monday 7th April in the Cathedral.
Thank you for your support - Autumn Festival Parade
I am looking forward to the parade with all of our children and families tomorrow.
I will be at the western side of the toilet block in Tingcombe Lane at 11:30am to meet you all.
Term Dates - Last day Term 1 / Term 2 Students Return
Term 1 last day is Friday 11th April,
Term 2 Students Return Tuesday 29th April
Parish Holy Week Schedule
Saints Mary & Joseph Catholic Cathedral
13th April - Palm Sunday 8am, 10am, 5:30pm
15th April Chrism Mass 11am
17th April Mass of the Last Supper 6pm
18th April Good Friday Stations of the Cross 9am Outdoor, 10:30am Indoor Commemoration of the Lord's Passion 3pm
19th April Holy Saturday Easter Vigil 7:30pm
20th April Easter Sunday 8am, 10am, 5:30pm
ANZAC DAY MARCH
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School proudly participate in the ANZAC Day March on April 25th. This year we will assemble in the East End Mall Beardy Street at 10.30am, where we will proceed with the March towards Central Park. The Commemoration Service will commence at 11:00am and be followed by a wreath laying service. Students are asked to wear their full WINTER school uniform, tie, black shoes and school hat and will march as a group behind the St Mary’s school banner.
Students will need to be collected at Central Park at the conclusion of the March (10.55am) or after the Commemoration Service which commences at 11.00am in Central Park. I encourage all families to support this important day in our nation’s history by participating in the ANZAC Day March. Please be aware that Anzac Day falls on the last Friday before school resumes on Tuesday 29th April for Term 2. Should the weather be inclement the Commemoration Service will be conducted in the Town Hall (Rusden Street). Such changes will be announced over the local Radio Stations.
A note has been sent home via Compass.
Kindergarten Enrolments for 2026
Enrolments are now open for Kindergarten 2026. Our school open morning for Kindergarten will be Tuesday 13th May 2025
Please contact the school for an enrolment package - 6772 4441 or email
CONFIRMATION - Sacramental Program Dates for 2025
Please return enrolment notes to Mrs Burton ASAP.
Lesson 1 Sunday - 30th March 9am Cathedral
Lesson 2 Sunday - 6th April 9am Cathedral
(School Holidays)
Lesson 3 Sunday - 4th May 9am Cathedral
Lesson 4 Sunday - 11th May 9am Cathedral
Lesson 5 Sunday - 18th May 9am Cathedral
Lesson 6 Sunday - 25th May 9am Cathedral
Lesson 7 Practice -Sunday 1 June 9am Cathedral
Pentecost Sunday - 10am Mass 8 June
P & F Dates Save the dates & helpers needed!
Term 2 Student Disco Week 1 Thursday 1st May
Armidale Classic Car Club 3rd May - Morning tea fund raising event
Art Show Auction - 4 items of Art have been donated by the Graham family to be auctioned at the School Art Show in Week 3 Thursday 15th May.
School Athletics Carnival - BBQ 19th May
School Fete November 15th (We are looking for a Fete Convenor ??????)
Parents urged to consider how their vote will affect their child’s education
- 2 April 2025
Jacinta Collins (NCEC)
The National Catholic Education Commission is calling on Catholic school parents to consider how their vote in the May 3 federal election will impact their child’s education.
In calling the election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese MP highlighted a number of key issues for Catholic education, including school choice and “fair funding for every school”.
National Catholic Education executive director Jacinta Collins said Catholic education will focus on these issues as well as ensuring Catholic schools can continue to operate and teach as faith-based schools, support disadvantaged students, student mental health and wellbeing, address teacher workforce issues, and building and innovating for the future.
“We have a two-pronged approach under the banner, “Catholic education benefits all Australians”, which highlights the value of Catholic schools to the community through educational excellence, serving disadvantaged students, building educational infrastructure, and saving billions of dollars for taxpayers,” Ms Collins said.
“At the same time, we will draw attention to our key priorities with both sitting members and candidates.”
In summary, the priorities are:
- Ensure affordability and choice
- Address hardship, wellbeing and disadvantage
- Build and innovate for the future
Ms Collins said the election campaign falling during the Easter school holiday and ANZAC day period and with the increasing preference for early voting, it is critical for school communities to communicate with their families and staff ahead of the election.
“We will ask school principals and our parent associations to send home our two-page document that highlights Catholic education priorities for the election,” Ms Collins said.
“We will also seek responses from the major parties, the Greens and the independent candidates on these priorities and make a scorecard available so families and staff can more easily identify whether their candidates support Catholic education.”
More information about the election will be available via the NCEC’s website.
Federal Election on 3 May – what you need to know to support your local Catholic school - FULL STORY - click here
