Feast of the Sacred Heart and Grandparents Day
This morning was a very special one at St Mary’s. We were honoured to be able to celebrate The Feast of the Sacred Heart with a whole school mass and Grandparents Day morning tea. Thank you to Father George, Mrs Jessie White, Mrs Fran Devonnald, Marg Croese, Rhonda and Eugene for their part in the Mass and celebrations.

Congratulations to our very special Year 1 students for their reading and beautiful hymn and movement at Mass. We were also suitably impressed by the amazing bush dancing back at school. Who knew that we have such talented Stage 1 children, parents and grandparents!

Enrolments
Our Kindergarten enrolments for 2025 are looking strong. Mrs Sue Heffernan and I have recently had the pleasure of meeting many new children and their parents. We still have more interviews to go! New families have chosen to join us at St Mary’s because they either already know of students and families at our school or they have heard positive things about our staff and our teaching and learning programs. Our small family-like atmosphere is also one of the reasons that parents choose us.  Of course,  our current students are our greatest ambassadors and I thank them for that. 

If you know of other parents interested in enrolling their children into Kinder or other grades in 2025 or later this year, can you please encourage them to make contact with the Front office as soon as possible. Early next term, staffing for 2025 will be determined by Catholic Education and I need to have a clear picture of the number of children at each grade level. It is possible next year that we may end up with a waiting list in some grades. 

School Uniform
Thank you parents for supporting us in making sure your children are wearing the correct school uniform. All students should be in full winter uniform by now. Please ensure clothing is named on the inside, especially jumpers and jackets, as they tend to be taken off on warmer days.

Parent Night
On Wednesday June 12, the staff will be sharing information with the parent community about assessment and the learning programs we use at St Mary's. This meeting will take place in the PAC 6-7pm. Please register your interest via the google link below. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdI4eLEErQ-T1D9qboqJRN-Jv-oNxyhXhT8eQHQdv8ceOA4YQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Please be advised that childminding will be available if required.

We look forward to welcoming you to share some nibblies and connect with other parents as we discuss our core business at St Mary’s.…learning.

Staffing
Mr Justin Bateman has extended his leave for the rest of Term 2. We have employed Mrs Christine Greig to teach Mr Bateman’s Stage 2 class on a Friday. Mrs Greig has also been asked to continue supporting Mrs Schofield in Kindergarten four days a week this term. With two teachers and a full time CSA in the Kindergarten space, the students are very well supported in their learning. It is such a delight to see and hear our youngest students learning to read and write. 

Student Management and Support
We are very proud of the students at St Mary’s. They have a well deserved reputation in the community for being polite, friendly and well behaved. 

Occasionally, as is the case with all children, some students do not always make good choices and this affects them and others. We have a Student Management and Support Plan that is well understood by our students. When something goes wrong, we endeavour to keep things simple by referring back to our four school values. Students are asked the  following questions:

Were you being kind?
Were you being safe?
Were you being respectful?
Were you doing your best?

We are here to support your child to stop and think, make the right choices, accept consequences and learn from all situations. Occasionally, a student may require some time away from their class and teacher to discuss and reflect on their behaviour. We always emphasise the impact of there behaviour on others. 

Parents will be informed if a situation is of a serious nature or if a pattern of misbehaviour is occurring. Thank you for your support with this. When teachers and parents trust each others’ decisions and work together, the students know what is expected of them at school and on the bus. 

Essentially parents and staff want the same thing; For each child to grow up to be the best person they can be. 

Little Investigators Playgroup
A reminder that our Little Investigators Playgroup is held every Wednesday morning in the PAC for children aged 0-5 and their parents. If you know of any parents who would like a free morning of early year’s learning and fun, please tell them to come along next week. Little Investigators is open to all, not only our St Mary’s families. 

Fee remissions/financial support
It is important to know that no student will be denied a place at St Mary’s due to financial stress. We offer fee remissions for those families in need of support during the year. Please contact Annette Hazell in the front office if you are having any difficulties in paying school fees. All information will be held in the strictest of confidence.

Prayer for Grandparents

Dear God, 
Please bless our grandparents. 
Thank you for the life they gave my parents and for the life they give to me. 
For the ways they helped me and made me strong, I give thanks. 
For the ways they love me no matter what, I rejoice. 
For the ways they have paved the road that leads me here, I am grateful. 
Let them grow in wisdom and joy in life.
Let them find peace and rest from their work. 
Let them be healed of every sickness and pain. 
And let them see with their own eyes the glory of your Son,
Jesus, in the love of their children and grandchildren. 
Bless them always until they come to rest in you.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. 
Amen

God’s blessings on you and your families.

Mrs Noeleen O'neill​​​​
Principal