General News
Dhulu - Message Stick
Yaama!
Cultural Immersion Groups
At St Edward's School, we provide weekly Cultural Immersion lessons for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The lessons are programmed and taught by our Aboriginal Education Assistants. Each grade will have one lesson a week focusing on a significant part of Aboriginal Education and Culture.
Kindergarten - The Dreamtime
Year 1 - Aboriginal Art & Gamilaraay Language
Year 2 - Cultural practices & Gamilaraay Language
Year 3 - Identity, Family/Kinship & Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Role Models
Year 4 - Gamilaraay Language
Year 5 - Connections to Country
Year 6 - Indigenous History, Storytelling & Songlines and Men's & Women's business
Gamilaraay Word of the Week
Gunagala (The Sky) & Dhawun (Country)
Week 1: Gunimaa / Mother Earth
AEA team
Brittany Cloake - bcloake2@arm.catholic.edu.au
Primary AEA
Jarrod Peachey - jpeachey@arm.catholic.edu.au
Primary AEA
Amanda Gwalter - agwalter@arm.catholic.edu.au
Infants AEA
Sally-Anne Clarke - sclarke@arm.catholic.edu.au
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Focus Teacher
Word of the Week
Students are encouraged to continually use the "Word of the Week" in context during class, expanding their oral language skills, one word at a time! Each time a student uses our 'Word of the Week' in the classroom, they will earn a point. The student with the most points at the end of the term will receive a book prize to further expand their vocabulary.
We will publish our Word of the Week on Facebook and in the newsletter. Please encourage and support your child to use this word at home.
Term 3 'Word of the Week' Winners
Our students in K - 6 have been exposed to a new word each week and challenged to develop and extend their vocabulary through using the ambitious word to gain points towards being awarded a book at the end of each term. A huge congratulations to our Term 3 Winners:
Infants: Quinn Hemmings
Primary: Rhiannon O'Leary
Term 4 Week 1 Word of the Week "DRENCHED"
Welcome Back to Term 4
It was wonderful to welcome back all of our students on Tuesday and to see their excited and happy faces returning from school holidays. We are looking forward to another busy, action-packed term of learning and fun!
School Uniform
We are very proud of our St Ed's school uniform and ask that you ensure your children have the correct school uniform items, including a hat, to wear every day and that all items are clearly labelled. All students should now be wearing their full summer uniform.
FREE HAT Friday - Friday 17th October
Don't forget tomorrow is FREE HAT Friday, and all students are asked to leave their school hat at home and wear another hat of choice. Students are encouraged to bring a gold coin donation for this worthy cause OR donate via our Compass App (Canteen section).
CRAZY SOCK Day - Wednesday 22nd October
Our second fundraiser for Catholic Mission falls on Children's Mission Day - next Wednesday 22nd October.
We ask that students wear their normal Sport uniform and a pair of crazy socks. Students are encouraged to bring a gold coin donation for this worthy cause OR donate via our Compass App (Canteen section).
BOOK FAIR - Next Week (Week 2)
Don't forget our annual St Ed's Book Fair will be held next week.
Primary Sale Day- Thursday 23rd October, 8.00am - 3.30pm, Primary Library
Infants Sale Day - Friday 24th October, 8.00am - 3.30pm, Infants Library
Students will have the opportunity to browse available books with their class prior to the Fair and create a "Wish List" of books that they would like to purchase at their campus. This year we will be open both before and after school to allow all parents the opportunity to come and browse the fantastic books available for purchase. Please see the 'School News' page of this newsletter for more information.
Kinder 2026 Orientation Mornings
We look forward to welcoming our new Kinder 2026 students for their upcoming Orientation mornings on:
Friday 24th October, 9.30-11.30am (Week 2)
Friday 7th November, 9.30-11.30am (Week 4)
Friday 21st November, 9.30-11.30am (Week 6)
Children are asked to bring a hat, a drink bottle and a snack for each orientation session. They can wear play clothes with closed-in shoes. At each Orientation visit, we ask that parents enter via the back gate on Thompson Crescent and staff will be there ready to support your child to happily enter the kindy space.
These orientation sessions are an extremely important way for your child to prepare socially for the transition to school.
P & F Mango Fundraiser - orders close 23/10/25
This year we are trying something new to make it easier for all by making the ordering available on Compass Canteen.
Compass how to order:
- Log onto Compass > More > Canteen
- Select your eldest child > select a day from now until 23rd October 2025 > Order via the Canteen menu - 2025 P&F Mango Orders - Closes 23rd October
- Ensure your order is processed by checking the receipt provided from Compass
All orders must be placed via Compass Canteen no later than 3.00 pm next Thursday 23rd October 2025
For any Compass ordering enquiries, please contact the school office.
Happy ordering and thank you for your support!
P & F Upcoming Events - Save the dates!
We thank our amazing St Ed's P & F who have been busily organising the following fundraiser events for the remainder of the school year. Please mark these important dates in your calendar.
St Ed's Annual Golf Day
Mark your calendars for Sunday 30th November! Our annual golf day is back and promises to be a fantastic day of fun, friendly competition, and community spirit. It's the perfect opportunity to hit the green, catch up with other parents, and support our school.
Sponsorship
We are also seeking sponsors to help make this year's event the biggest success yet. If you or your business is in a position to offer sponsorship, we would be incredibly grateful for your support. There are various sponsorship packages available to suit different budgets. Interested in sponsoring? Please fill out our online form by scanning the QR code in the flyer or clicking here
We can't wait to see you on the course!
2026 Travel Passes
School Student Travel Information for Parents and Students
School Travel Passes
Applications are now open for 2026 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS) travel. Students in the Opal network applying for an Opal card (including a Term Bus Pass) for the first time will receive their School Opal card at their nominated postal address from mid-January 2026. Students who require a School Opal card or travel pass but have not yet applied need to apply for a new card or update their existing card as soon as possible. Students who receive a notification that their School Opal card is expiring need to resubmit their details. If a student has lost their School Opal card, they will need to apply for a replacement card.
Note: a new card will not be issued if an existing School Opal card is updated online – you must submit a replacement application if a School Opal card is lost. In the Opal network, students should travel with a Child/Youth Opal card until they receive their valid School Opal card. If outside Greater Sydney, parents should contact their local bus operator to discuss their travel needs. Students living in rural and regional areas will receive their travel pass from their nominated transport operator. It may be issued via their school or be sent directly to them at home. Note: Some rural and regional operators do not issue travel passes. Students/parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.
Terms of Use
Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off in line with the Opal terms of use. This includes travel within the approved times between 6.30am and 7.00pm from Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times. All students are required to comply with the Student Code of Conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel.
Application for Extended Leave - 10 days or more
Family holidays and travel are no longer considered under the Exemption from School Procedures. Travel outside of vacation periods is now counted as an absence for statistical purposes. Please contact the school office if your child/ren will be away from school for 10 days or more, as an application form will need to be completed and approved at the discretion of the Principal.
Student Absences
Please remember to explain all student absences on Compass within 7 days of the absence. Once the 7 days pass, you will not be able to make any changes, and this will be reflected in your child's semester school report. If your child is absent, please jump on to Compass on the day. There are 2 messages sent out: 1 on the day at 10.00 am and then a reminder email every Friday for unexplained absences that week.
Esteem Kids
Before-school care is available in the Infants Hall for both Primary and Infants students. It operates from 7:00am to 8:30am, Monday to Friday during the term, and includes breakfast.
After-school care is available in the Infants Hall for Infants students only from 3:00pm to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday. Our Primary after-school care operates from the Art Room for primary students only from 3:00pm to 6:00pm, Monday through Friday. Afternoon tea is also provided.
Families are encouraged to make enquiries or express interest by contacting William Wong on 0410 841 628 or email: info@esteemkidsgroup.com.au or visit the website at www.esteemkidsgroup.com.au
ABSENCES - Please remember to contact (telephone or text) Esteem Kids St Edward's directly if your child is going to be absent on 0481 373 883. Thank you.
McCarthy Catholic College - Yr 7 2026 Orientation Day
Centacare
Family Counselling sessions are available via Centacare. Please see the below flyer.
LOWES 20% Off Sale
Tamworth Art Academy - Term 4 classes
Kinetics 'Uncomfortable Day Out'
Below is a link to register. It's not essential to sign up, however will make the registration/sign-on process easier for the people running the day.
https://luma.com/0hcnpzyz?locale=en-AU
SWAP IT
SWAP IT is a free, evidence-based school lunchbox program. The program supports parents and carers to SWAP what is packed in their child’s lunchbox from sometimes foods to everyday foods. Visit their Website here.
Cancer Council Healthy Lunch Box
Visit 'Cancer Council Healthy Lunch Box' for a one-stop shop for everything you need to know about packing a healthy lunch box.
Don't forget to like us on Facebook and tell your family and friends about our page too!
St Edward's Primary School: Facebook
We are now on Instagram too! Feel free to follow our page to keep in touch with the fantastic things that happen at St Edward's Primary School.
St Edward's Primary School: Instagram
