Principals Message
Dear Parents and Carers,
Each week, I have the pleasure of reading all class memos to hear about the great learning taking place in every classroom from Kinder to Year 6. Feedback from our parents suggests that they value the consistency, timing and quality of information shared by their child’s teacher. If you have additional questions, please email your childs’ teacher between 8am and 5pm and they will respond to you as soon as possible. I am sure you would agree that we want our teachers to be teaching, rather than emailing during the school day, so please give them the time required. If you would like to speak with me, please don't hesitate to call the Front Office at any time.
Professional Learning
On Monday this week, the teaching staff were involved in professional learning about the use of Daily Review in their instructional practice.The review of previous learning helps students recall words, concepts and procedures effortlessly and automatically when they are needed to solve problems or to understand new material. In recent months, all teachers at St Mary’s have introduced Daily Review into their Literacy and/or Numeracy practice. Teachers have been observing each other's teaching and meeting to plan grade level Daily Review slides. The students have responded very positively and the staff are committed to making Daily Review a core element of their instruction. We will post videos on Facebook in the coming weeks for you to see Daily Review in action. If you are interested in learning more about Daily Review and other High Impact Teaching Practices, I recommend reading this short booklet on Principles of Instruction.
Additionally this week, all staff completed their annual CPR, Asthma and Anaphylaxis Training after school. All staff at St Mary’s do have their full First Aid certification, but our official First Aid Officers are Mrs Cathy Smith and Mrs Annette Hazell in the front office. Please contact them with any information/updates e.g. Asthma Plans etc.
Library help
Mrs Croese would love to have some help from parents to cover new books for the library. If you can help her out, please send her an email on margaret.croese@cg.catholic.edu.au
Canteen
What a success the new canteen is! Each Friday, Hayley and her helpers provide an incredible service for our students (and parents). Our Year 6 students are developing good customer service and leadership skills as they support the younger students to be respectful and well mannered. Some adjustments to QKR timings has hopefully sorted out any earlier issues. Please let Hayley know of your availability to help out and she will create a roster. Even once a term would be helpful.
Fee remissions/financial support
Our school fees are sent home early each term. Most parents have set up a regular payment plan that helps them manage their fees. No students will be denied a place at St Mary’s due to financial reasons. We offer many fee remissions (called Scholarships in other schools) for those in need of support. Catholic Education continues to offer support to those families affected by COVID. Please contact Annette Hazell at the front office or me directly on noeleen.oneill@cg.catholic.edu.au if you are having any difficulties in paying school fees. All information is held in the strictest of confidence.
Fair Education - Little Investigators Mornings
On Thursday September 8 and Wednesday September 14, we will be hosting two mornings for Preschool children to come to St Mary’s to join some of our current Kinders in their Investigations. Parents of all local children (not only those enrolled for 2023) are welcome to stay and learn about our morning routine. Please let others know.
These mornings DO NOT replace our normal Kinder 2023 Orientations planned for November and they are not a compulsory part of transitioning to St Marys.
Bus Behaviour
In recent weeks, we have been informed of some misbehaviour of students on a couple of the afternoon buses. Students from St Mary’s and other schools are ‘mucking about’ too much. We have been reminding our students not to get involved in touching other people or their belongings, throwing bags etc. Can I please ask you to also remind your children of how important it is for them to behave appropriately on the bus. Bus drivers have a huge responsibility to keep everyone safe. It takes a very special person to be a school bus driver!
Fathers Day
Next week we will have some special Fathers’ Day activities at St Mary’s. The students will make a gift for their dads during the week and all dads are invited to an early morning coffee and donut on Friday September 2. Father Eden, our new Parish Priest, is hopefully popping in too to meet our fathers.
I encourage all families to attend weekend Mass whenever they possibly can. Father Eden would love to meet our families and have the children with him to celebrate. The Saturday evening Mass is at an earlier time now, 5pm so it should be more family friendly.
A Prayer for Families
Loving God,
We thank you for the gifts of families.
We ask your blessing on all families today and always.
Be with us in our daily life together.
Be our guide in times of challenge.
Be our strength in times of difficulty.
Be our joy in times of delight.
Help our families to grow stronger in your love
And show us how to love one another as you have loved us.
May we welcome Jesus as the unseen guest in our home.
May we be his voice and hands, respecting and caring for those we meet.
May we look to the example of Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
as we strive to be the best family we can be.
Amen
God’s blessings on your families.
Noeleen O'Neill
Principal