From the Principal

Term 3  Week 2                           

Welcome Back to Term 3!

It has been wonderful to see our students return and settle straight back into their routines with focus and enthusiasm.

We have a busy term ahead, filled with exciting classroom learning and many extra curricular activities. Coming up this term, we have:

• The Year 4 & 5 Excursions.
• Our much anticipated Book Week Parade & Grandparents Day. 
• Kindergarten’s 100 Days of School milestone!
• All classes Prayer Liturgies.
• Class & School Masses
• Sacraments of First  Reconciliation & First Holy Communion 
•  Diocesan Athletics.

• New England Sings, to name just a few.                                                                                         

  I am looking forward to the many wonderful events and achievements this term will bring. 

Living Well, Learning Well 

To start the Term our Living Well, Learning Well focus is centred on being a learner - arriving each day ready to learn, wearing the correct uniform with pride, and bringing all the necessary equipment to succeed. When students take ownership of these simple habits, they set themselves and their classmates up for a productive and rewarding term ahead. We appreciate your support in helping students be successful in this by ensuring the correct winter uniform is worn with pride and stationery supplies have been replenished. 

Kindergarten 100 Days of School!

Kindergarten is excited to celebrate the milestone of 100 Days of School on Wednesday 5th August! In just 100 days, our students have grown in confidence, developed new skills and formed lots of friendships. To mark the occasion, the children will enjoy a fun-filled day of learning with activities. We would like our kindergarten parents to join us on Wednesday afternoon at 2:45pm in our classroom. We will be showcasing our progress this semester and conclude with a reflection & prayer.

Friday 7th August Whole School Mass -St Mary MacKillop of the Cross

All parents, carers, and friends are warmly invited to join our students as we celebrate the feast day and life of Australia’s first saint, St Mary MacKillop at the 9:15am Mass in the Cathedral. We look forward to praying and celebrating together as a school community on Friday. 

NAPLAN Reports

Student reports were sent home to parents in Years 3 and 5 on Friday of  Week 1. These reports provide a snapshot of your child's achievement in the key areas of Literacy and Numeracy against national standards. It is important to remember that NAPLAN is one of many assessment tools we use throughout the year, and it should be viewed alongside your child's regular school reports and classroom assessments.

Please take the time to review the report with your child, celebrating their efforts and results. If you have any questions or require clarification, please contact your child's classroom teacher or the school office to arrange a time to speak.

P&F Mega Fete Raffle / Fete 17th October 

The P&F is currently organising the Fete Raffle. Very soon a book of 10 tickets will be 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:

7th Aug    Donation Day Lollies & Chocolates

21st Aug   Donation Day Lucky Dips

18th Sept Donation Day Books & Clothing

16th Oct   Donation Day Plants / Cakes

P&F Meeting

The next P&F meeting is Wednesday 5th August at 5:30pm in the Staffroom.  All parents and 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.

Diocesan Athletics Carnival - Wednesday 5th August

Best wishes to all of our students who are participating in the Diocesan Athletics next week.

We are so proud of your achievements and dedication—run fast, throw long, jump high, and give it your absolute best! Good luck!

First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion

Best wishes to all of our children who are preparing to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion this term.

Please keep these students and their families in your prayers as they take this meaningful next step in their faith journey. We look forward to celebrating these special milestones together as a community!

School Fees 

We appreciate the support of all our families who keep their fee payments up to date, as well as those who communicate with us when assistance is required. Armidale Catholic Schools continues to work closely with us in managing school fees.

Please note that families with outstanding accounts will be receiving a notification from Armidale Catholic Schools shortly.

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!

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.