Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to Week 7, we have another busy week ahead of us at St Mary’s. The week began with the school dressing up in green to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and will conclude with all students wearing a tinge of orange for Harmony Day. Don't forget to drive past the front of the school to see our fabulous Harmony Garden on Friday!

Last week, Year 3 and Year 5 completed various NAPLAN tests. These were conducted on Wednesday to Friday. Congratulations to the students who completed the tests so superbly and to the teachers for preparing the children.

Many thanks to those who attended the first reconciliation preparation lesson last Wednesday, and many thanks to those who were present at Mass on Sunday. A reminder the second preparation afternoon is on Wednesday in the Parish centre.

Last week the executive of the Community Council met and appointed a new Secretary and Parent Representative. Congratulations and welcome to both Jessica Green and Emily Watts. Their enthusiasm and professionalism has already benefitted the community council and we look forward to their ongoing support. Attached to this newsletter is the who’s who of the St Mary’s Community Council. The executive would also like to let everyone know of who to contact if they ever need to ask the council to address an aspect of the school. For any overall leadership, direction or feedback for the community council please see Fiona Hague. For any large school wide operational questions or coordination of activities see Jessica Green. For the development of the council’s budget and ensuring the equitable distribution of funds from grants or large projects in the school please see Stacey Smith. Any fundraising ideas or thoughts  please contact Emily Watts. For anything else related to St Mary’s please see either myself or Nickey Harland.

A reminder about birthday buckets. It is lovely to share birthday buckets with siblings, cousins and buddies, however, can we please just keep them to your child’s class. It is hard for the children to understand and for teachers to explain if someone in their class is receiving an ice cream and others are not. Many thanks for your assistance.

There are several families at St Mary’s whose school fees are overdue. If this is you, you may need to increase your direct debit payments. If you are experiencing hardship or financial difficulty, please organise a time to come in and discreetly discuss your options.  

Remember my door is always open.

Principal

Damian Collins