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Dear Parents and Carers
I hope you’ve had a lovely week. Today we celebrated World Teachers’ Day at St Mary’s, a special occasion to recognise the work of teachers around the world. Here at St Mary’s, we are blessed with an exceptional team of educators who are dedicated, passionate, and committed to our students. Each day, they go above and beyond to nurture and inspire our learners, helping them grow academically, socially, and spiritually.
To all our teachers, thank you for everything you do. Your care and commitment make St Mary’s such a special place to learn and grow.
Congratulations to Ryan T, Emilia K and Zane C on having their artwork selected to be featured in the Eurobodalla 2026 Environmental Calendar!
The students were presented with a copy of the new calendar and a gift at a special presentation held yesterday at the Basil Arts Exhibition Centre. What a wonderful achievement!
School Survey
Have your say! The new annual School Engagement Survey is launching mid-November, and all families will have the opportunity to reflect on your experiences at the school as a parent or guardian and provide feedback. Your feedback will be valuable to help us understand how to better support your child and improve our school.
The new survey has been developed with the support of JWS Research. It will take around 10-15 minutes to complete, and your responses will be kept completely confidential and only reported at an aggregate level.
You can expect the 2025 School Engagement Survey to be distributed through Compass as a News Item and push notification in the coming days! If you have any issues accessing the survey link, please contact the Catholic Education Office through Strategy.Survey@cg.catholic.edu.au
Mission Market Day
Today we celebrated Mission Market Day. We began the day with Mass, focusing our thoughts on others and praying for those who are less fortunate. Following Mass, students and teachers set up a wonderful variety of stalls in the Lean To. The students thoroughly enjoyed the range of activities and delicious food on offer. A huge thank you to our families, students, and teachers for the time and effort that went into creating and running the market stalls. It was truly a team effort! A special thank you to Mrs Jessica Afflick and Mrs Carla Durnan for their planning and coordination. The funds raised will go towards supporting the important work of Catholic Missions.
School Improvements
Over the holidays, several exciting improvements have taken place around our school. The Year 4 classrooms received a fresh coat of paint, bringing a bright and welcoming feel to the learning spaces. A new glass sliding door has also been installed between the Year 3 and Year 5 classrooms, helping to create a more flexible and collaborative learning environment in the block.
The front gates near the staff carpark have been freshly painted, and a big thank you goes to Tim Weyman for generously repainting the lines in the staff carpark, it looks fantastic!
We’re also thrilled to announce that four chickens will be joining our school community next week! Thanks to Matt Wood, who has built a wonderful chicken coop and run, our students will soon have the opportunity to interact with and care for animals as part of their daily school life. We’re even hoping to sell some eggs in the future!
The students are very excited about these new additions, which will not only enhance our environment but also provide valuable learning opportunities for responsibility and care.
Class Allocations for 2026
As we begin planning for next year, our focus is on creating the best possible learning environments for all students. A gentle reminder that any written requests or concerns regarding class placements for 2026 should be sent to me via email at jo.wain@cg.catholic.edu.au .
Our staff are currently reviewing class lists in preparation for our ‘Step Up’ session in Week 10. This process is something we approach with great care and consideration. Our teachers know your child well, their learning needs, friendships, and the environment in which they thrive. I encourage you to place your trust in us as we work thoughtfully to create balanced and supportive classes for 2026.
Keeping Our Children Safe Online
As technology continues to play a big role in our children’s lives, it’s important that we, as parents and carers, remain actively involved in helping them navigate the online world safely. Many online games and apps now include chat features or social elements, which can sometimes expose children to inappropriate content or unwanted contact.
We encourage all families to monitor the games and apps your child is using, check privacy settings, and have open conversations about what’s appropriate online. Simple steps such as setting boundaries around screen time, keeping devices in shared spaces, and discussing who your child interacts with can make a big difference.
Please also be aware that online chats and group messages can sometimes spill over into school conversations. If you have any concerns about what your child is experiencing or hearing, my door is always open.
If you ever come across something that concerns you, such as online bullying, inappropriate contact, or harmful content, you can make a report to the eSafety Commissioner at www.esafety.gov.au . The eSafety website also provides excellent resources to support parents in guiding children’s safe and positive online experiences.
The Changing Face of Cyberbullying: Help Protect Your Child Online
Presented by the eSafety Commissioner
This free 45-minute webinar is designed for parents and carers of young people in primary and secondary school. AI tools are evolving rapidly, and some are being misused in ways that can harm or exploit children and young people — including the creation of deepfakes and digitally altered images.
The session will explore how these technologies are being used, their potential impact, and practical ways to support and protect your child online.
Blessings on your family.
Kind regards
Jo
Johanna Wain
Principal
Dear Parents and Carers,
Celebrating Success in the Eurobodalla Mayor’s Writing Competition
We are delighted to congratulate Alexander (Yr1), Emilia (Yr 4) and Milton (Yr4) on their wonderful achievement in the Eurobodalla Mayor’s Writing Competition! Being selected as finalists out of more than 400 entries is an outstanding accomplishment and a true testament to their creativity, imagination, and hard work.
Competitions like this provide valuable opportunities for our students to express their ideas, explore their creativity, and develop confidence as young writers. We are incredibly proud of these three students for representing our school with such talent and enthusiasm.
Congratulations, Alexander, Emilia and Milton — what a fantastic achievement!
Social Media Age Changes - What Parents Need to Know
What’s Changing
Australia has introduced a new law — the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024. From 10 December 2025, most social media platforms must take reasonable steps to stop children under 16 from creating or keeping accounts.This change aims to make social media safer for young people and hold platforms accountable for who uses their services.
Which Platforms Are Affected
The law applies to major social media services such as:
* Instagram
* Snapchat
* TikTok
* Facebook
* X (formerly Twitter)
* Reddit
* YouTube / YouTube Shorts
Some apps and platforms are exempt, including:
* Messenger Kids
* WhatsApp
* Google Classroom
* Gaming and educational platforms
(Exact details will be confirmed by the eSafety Commissioner as the rules are finalised.)
Why the Change
The law was created to:
* Reduce online harm for children and teens
* Increase accountability for big tech companies
* Encourage healthy digital habits from a young age
* Support parents and schools in guiding safe, age-appropriate online use
“Every child deserves to grow up in a safer online world.” — eSafety Commissioner
Find Out More
eSafety Commissioner: esafety.gov.au
Official legislation: Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act 2024
PAT Assessments
Our students are currently undertaking PAT testing across the school in Reading and Mathematics. These tests are a valuable tool for demonstrating student growth year on year... which is ultimately what we aspire to. We use the data from these tests, alongside other forms of assessment, to triangulate (cross-reference) student results to get an overall picture of their progress. Teachers are currently pulling all of this information together in preparation for Semester Two reports. Busy times!
God bless and take care,
Sue Heffernan
Assistant Principal
Mission Market Mass and Morning
Today St Mary’s came together to support Catholic Missions; they work both locally and globally to live out the Gospel call to serve those in need. Catholic Missions support remote and rural communities in Australia, and also partners with communities in many countries overseas. For example, Catholic Mission supports projects such as food-security and maternal health in Zambia, clean-water access in Myanmar, and emergency relief in Ukraine and Palestine.
Here at home Catholic Missions help many communities in Australia to ensure education and food security is achieved for all Australian children, working in areas such as Geraldton, Port Pirie, Wilcannia-Forbes, Townsville and Darwin. Catholic Mission relies on donations to fund great work across the world.
What this means for our students and our community is that when we sell goods or have fun at our Mission Markets, every dollar goes towards helping children, families and whole communities to flourish across the world. It not just with physical needs of food, water or shelter, but also with education, and building up the capacity of local communities to care for themselves. As we gather for Mass and remember why we are doing the stalls, we connect our fundraising with the broader mission of the Church: to bring hope, dignity and love to people who are vulnerable or overlooked.
Today our school were able to raise $1416.05 for their efforts. This will go a long way towards bringing a brighter future to all children and families.
All Souls Day
This weekend our Parish community is recognising All Souls Day. Families are invited to bring a photo of a loved one to Masses this weekend for a special blessing, honouring their memory and entrusting them to God’s eternal care. This reminds us that love and faith continue beyond this life and that we remain united with those who have gone before us. Following Masses this weekend, Fr Josh will visit Moruya and Broulee cemeteries to tend and bless the graves of members of our community, offering prayers of comfort and hope. During the month of November, we take time as a parish community to remember and pray for all those we have loved and lost.
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace.” – Based on Psalm 36:9
Remembrance Day
On Tuesday, 11 November at 10.45am our school community will gather to mark Remembrance Day, honouring the courage and sacrifice of all who have served, and continue to serve, in defence of peace and freedom. Our Year 3 students will lead us in a reflective liturgy, helping us pause to remember the significance of this day and the importance of striving for peace in our world. Families are warmly invited to join us as we come together in prayer, and reflection to ensure that the stories and sacrifices of our servicemen and women are never forgotten.
Christ the King Mass
We warmly invite all families to join us for a special parish Mass celebrating the Feast of Christ the King on Saturday, 22 November at 5:00pm. This joyful celebration marks the final Sunday of Ordinary time, as we prepare our hearts for the season of Advent. Before Mass begins, our parish community will take part in a procession around the parish and school grounds, symbolising our shared faith and unity. Each child will be given a crown to wear, reminding us that Christ is our King who leads with love and service. We look forward to celebrating together as a faith community; all are welcome.
Parish Christmas Party
Our parish community warmly invites all families to join us for our Parish Christmas Party on Saturday, 29 November at 5:00pm. We will begin with Mass, followed by a joyful community gathering to celebrate the beginning of the Advent season and the coming birth of Christ. Families are encouraged to bring a plate of food to share as we enjoy friendship, laughter, and the spirit of togetherness that makes this time of year so special. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect as a parish family and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas; hope, joy, peace, and love.
Mrs Jessica Afflick
Religious Education Coordinator
Mrs Carla Durnan
Religious Education Coordinator (Acting)
Year One has had a wonderful start to Term 4! Students have settled beautifully back into routines and are showing great enthusiasm for their learning across all areas of the curriculum.
In Religious Education, students have been learning about the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church. We have explored the rituals and symbols connected with each Sacrament, focusing especially on Baptism as a Sacrament of Initiation. Year 1 also enjoys many opportunities to pray together throughout the day. We begin each morning with Christian Meditation and share special prayers before our first and second breaks and again at the end of the day.
In English, students have been studying Looking After Country with Fire by Victor Steffensen and Sandra Steffensen. Through this text, they are deepening their understanding of sentence types — questions, statements, commands and exclamations — and using this knowledge in their writing. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, Year 1 participates in Paired Fluency Reading, a reciprocal reading activity that helps develop decoding and fluency skills while encouraging students to give positive, constructive feedback to their reading partners. Students also love visiting the library on Friday afternoons!
During InitiaLit and Daily Review lessons, students have been learning that c can say /s/ and g can say /j/ when followed by the letters e, i or y. We have been practising spelling and reading words that follow this rule.
In Mathematics, students have enthusiastically begun the Rocket Maths program. This fun, fast-paced activity runs for the first 10 minutes of each Maths block and helps students build automaticity with number facts while working collaboratively with a partner.
In Science, Year 1 students have been exploring Forces with Mrs Ziegler. They have enjoyed hands-on investigations into objects that can be pushed or pulled, deepening their understanding through experimentation and discussion.
In PDHPE, students have been participating in a range of cooperative games and sports with Mr Hill. Relay races have been a class favourite, and there is much excitement as we look forward to the beginning of our swimming lessons.
In History, we have been learning about how play has changed over time. Students have loved exploring toys from the past such as marbles, trains and skipping ropes, and have even created their own peg dolls!
In CAPA, Year 1 is thrilled to begin dance lessons with Miss Erica and continue Visual Arts with Mrs Shannon. Over the past fortnight, students have created vibrant artworks inspired by Andy Warhol’s Colourful Cats.
As we move through the remainder of Term 4, we do so with joyful anticipation. Year 1 continues to consolidate their learning, share in special experiences, and prepare to celebrate the coming of Christmas — which will be here before we know it!
Mrs Rebecca Brady
Year 1 Teacher
Congratulations to the following children who have received a class award for Weeks 1-2
|
Kinder Blue |
Darcy McM, Leo McL, Claire S, Annika S |
| 1 Blue |
Chett F, Lewis McC, Ilaria S |
| 2 Blue |
Hadley M, Jhasritha K, Zahli K, Camden H, Maeve M |
|
3 Blue |
Quinn A, Evie McL, Skyla R, Bradley S |
|
4 Blue |
Ashley H, Elsie L, Evander S |
|
4 Maroon |
Louis M, Calvin M, Arwin A |
|
5 Blue |
Tane M, Neiva P, Layla M |
|
6 Blue |
Liam G, Andre L, Layla S |
St George Illawarra Dragons ‘Best you can Be’ in school visit
On Wednesday, our Stage 3 students were excited to welcome Courtney Crawford, Community Officer from the St George Illawarra Dragons, and Keele Browne NRLW Dragons player, who delivered an engaging and interactive session on health and wellbeing.
The presentation focused on the importance of making healthy choices and developing positive lifestyle habits that support both mental and physical wellbeing. Students were encouraged to think about practical ways to stay fit, fuel their bodies with nutritious foods, and take care of their mental health through rest, mindfulness, and connection with others.
The Dragons team led students through a series of fun and energetic games that tested their reaction time, speed, passing, running, and attack and defence skills. Laughter, teamwork, and plenty of enthusiasm filled the playground as everyone got involved and gave their best effort.
It was a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn about wellbeing in a fun and active way, and we thank the St George Illawarra Dragons for inspiring our young learners to live healthy, balanced lives both on and off the field.
MacKillop Girls Rugby League Development Pathway 2026
In exciting news for our sporting community, 2026 will see the launch of a girls’ standalone rugby league pathway and team selection for PSSA Sport. This fantastic new opportunity will give female students the chance to develop their skills, compete, and represent their schools in a dedicated girls’ competition.
To prepare for this pathway, students from Catholic primary schools in Years 4–6 were invited to attend the MacKillop Girls Rugby League Development Day, an event designed to build skills, raise awareness, and prepare players for future opportunities in the sport. The day welcomed both experienced players and those eager to become ‘tackle ready.’
Representing our school with great enthusiasm were Gracie P (Year 6) and Maya C (Year 5), who both took part in the development day. The girls showed impressive determination and teamwork as they participated in a range of drills focused on tackling technique, ball handling, and defensive play.
Students who demonstrated strong skills and game readiness on the day will be invited to trial for the 2025 MacKillop Exhibition Team in Wollongong later this year.
We are incredibly proud of Gracie and Maya for their commitment, courage, and willingness to take on new challenges. They are wonderful role models for other students and great ambassadors for girls in sport.
CECG 2026 Cricket Trials
This Friday, Xavier E will be representing our school at the 2026 Cricket Selection Trials in Queanbeyan. Xavier has shown great dedication and enthusiasm for cricket over the past few years, consistently demonstrating strong skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship on the field.
These trials provide an exciting opportunity for Xavier to showcase his talent against other skilled players from across the diocese. Should he be successful in the Queanbeyan trials, Xavier will progress to the two-day MacKillop Cricket Trials to be held in Wagga Wagga in November.
We wish Xavier the very best of luck as he takes on the trials and I look forward to sharing his results in the next newsletter
Wishing you a wonderful week ahead.
Mrs Megan Grant
Sports Coordinator
Festive Season Traps for Busy FamiliesThe festive season can offer families the wonders of ritual and connection with loved ones near and far, in addition to a well-earned break and a chance to relax outside of the confines of work and school routines. For those of us with a religious or spiritual practice, this time of year also can offer opportunities to reconnect with the deeper meaning of our lives and nourish our relationship with the sacred.
Many families also find that the stress of planning events, gifts and holidays can also creep up on us and get to a point where we feel completely overwhelmed. Many children are sensitive to the emotional “weather” of home life and do not always have the language to share with parents how the knock-on effects of festive season stress are impacting them. Particularly in the case of younger children, they may show us they are stressed by acting out with big or uncharacteristic behaviours.
To help with managing overwhelm during this time of year, here is some advice from Joshua Becker, author of Things That Matter, about four common “traps” that families can easily fall into during the festive season. He describes the four traps as follows:
“You react to the spending trap by buying gifts you can’t afford because everyone else is spending big, putting purchases on the credit card with a vague plan to ‘figure it out later.’
You react to the gift trap by scrambling to find the perfect present for everyone on your ever-growing list, stressing out about whether it’s enough, whether they’ll like it, and whether you’ll be judged for it.
You react to the time trap by saying yes to every invitation, every event, every tradition, because you don’t want to disappoint anyone, even though you’re disappointing yourself by missing the quiet moments that actually matter.
You react to the décor trap by pulling out every box from the attic because that’s what you’ve always done, spending hours decorating spaces you don’t even use, feeling obligated to maintain (or add to) a display that exhausts you instead of delights you.
But when you plan ahead for a simpler holiday instead of reacting to expectations, everything changes. And the best time to plan? Right now—before the chaos begins.”
(Source: Simplify Magazine).
Warmly,
Damian Gerber
Student & Family Counsellor
