Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you for the wonderful feedback we are receiving about our Remote Learning at St Mary’s. As was expected, our second time around is proving to be even more successful than the first. The great majority of our families are keeping their children with them whenever possible and the level of student engagement is exceptionally high. We are confident that our approach to use technology rather than provide weekly packs of worksheets, is much more educative and appropriate for students in 2021. Our teachers and support staff are online during school hours to be there for your child and give feedback on their learning.

I am very proud of our staff as they work together to create fabulous learning for your children. Without parent support, it would be very hard for the staff to sustain the level of excitement and energy needed during this time. Humour certainly helps so please keep sharing the photos, videos and stories. We can only just imagine how your houses look after a day of children making things and doing science experiments. We understand that this is a big learning journey, especially for parents, so I suggest you try to relax, ignore the mess and let your children teach you! Hang in there... 

School Fees

Catholic Education will again support families who have been financially impacted as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in Term 3. The position of Catholic Education is that no child will be denied a Catholic education because of financial circumstances.

Where your family is experiencing financial stress due to job loss, being temporarily stood down, reduction in hours, business downturn or closure resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, full or partial fee relief is available for Term 3. A letter explaining the process was emailed/placed on Skoolbag earlier this week. Please complete it and return to the school office as soon as possible. If the situation continues into Term 4, the same process will occur.

Families whose employment situation has not been affected by COVID-19 are asked to support the school by continuing to pay school fees as they fall due. This will support our school to continue providing quality learning in a connected community that nurtures and cares for each other.

School Counselling and Support

Catholic Education provides school counselling for its students through CatholicCare. Please see attached information about remote counseling for students during the lockdown. If you feel that your child is in need of this support, please don't hesitate to contact them. I highly suggest that parents turn off the TV during the day so that children are not continually hearing about COVID cases and deaths. As we know children are very resilient and will get through this. It is important however,  that our children are allowed to be children and not  overwhelmed with worry. 

Fathers Day  

Happy Fathers Day to all of our dads. Today we will draw the Community Council Fathers Day raffle and we let the winners know. How blessed our children are to have such hardworking and loving dads to protect and care for them. I hope you and your families have a perfect day on Sunday. 

Stay well and keep safe.