Dear Parents and Carers,

Awards Day
On Monday this week, we celebrated a very special Whole School Assembly with many of our families in attendance. Following a beautiful liturgical dance by our Year 3 students, we awarded 36 students from Year 1- 6 with medallions in recognition of  their exceptional efforts in class in 2021. It was a pleasure to watch all of the  students at St Mary’s cheer on each other as the names were announced. Congratulations and keep up the great work.

Sunflowers For Ukraine Day
Late last term we held a special Sunflower Day at St Mary’s to raise funds to help the people of Ukraine. Thanks to the efforts and donations from our families, we raised $745 and this has been donated to the CARITAS Emergency Appeal for Ukraine. We continue to pray for all, especially the children who have been affected by the recent conflict.

NAPLAN
During the last two weeks, our Year 3 and 5 students participated in the national testing of literacy and numeracy. We are very proud of the way our students approached the tests and their efforts to remain focused each day. Hopefully the students’ results will reflect their abilities and understanding of concepts. We know however, that some students are anxious at testing time so NAPLAN results alone won’t necessarily tell parents the whole story about their child's progress. Results generally come out in August and parents are encouraged to talk with their child's teacher about them. 

COVID
Student cases are relatively low this term and we are no longer required to report daily to Catholic Education or our parent community. Parents will be informed if we have a major outbreak in a certain grade. Unfortunately though, the staff have been hit hard this term and staff absences reflect this. Last Thursday, we had nine staff on leave. We have been able to employ some additional casual teachers and with the support of the Leadership Team, we have managed to keep students in their classes. 

With COVID, students may return to school following their 7 days of isolation providing they are well and don't have major symptoms. A lingering slight cough is ok. RATs are available to those parents who request them although once a child is positive, please do not re- test for two months. Please contact the front office if you require RAT kits. 

Thank you to parents for keeping sick children at home. We are now finding that many children are catching the cold or flu and these are spreading in some classes. Please remind your children to continue with good hygiene. 

School Fees
On Friday of last week, Term 2 school fees were sent home. Thank you to those parents who have already set up a regular payment plan. If you are experiencing any financial stress due to COVID or other reasons, please contact me or Mrs Hazell for a Fee Remission Form. COVID School Fee remissions do need to be applied for each term.

If you are aware of a family who would like their child to attend St Mary’s but is hesitant because of school fees, please encourage them to talk with us. No child will be denied a Catholic school education because of a parent's inability to afford school fees. 

Enrolments 2023
We have already begun enrolling children into Kindergarten for next year and interviews will commence next week. Prospective parents are invited to have a tour of the Kindergarten classroom and school at any time. Please share our newsletter and Facebook page with any parents you think may be interested in having their children become part of the St Mary’s community.  

Noeleen O'Neill
Principal