Dear Parents and Carers, 

Catholic Schools Week 
Catholic Schools Week is one of the most important weeks for us at St Mary’s each year. With our partner schools, St Bernard’s in Batemans Bay and Carroll College in Broulee, we celebrate our uniqueness and the contributions we make to the lives of our students, families, community and Church. As we journey together, may we always be inspired by the Holy Spirit to be all that God has made us to be. Catholic schools are safe, supportive learning communities where the unique dignity of each child is respected, nurtured and valued.

In a Catholic school context, parents play a very important role as the first and continuing educators of their children. They have the primary and natural responsibility for their children's education and wellbeing. 

Research in Childhood development tells us:

• That  90% of a child’s brain development occurs before the age of five, so the role of families is critical in early learning.
• When families are engaged in their children’s learning at school, positive benefits accrue for students’ learning achievement and wellbeing.
• Every family has an important role to play in helping their children to become confident and motivated learners. This is true regardless of parent occupation, education, or income. It's what they do with their children that matters!
• Home/school partnerships are critical to student success and to achieve this, parents need the support of schools.

Teachers and support staff in Catholic schools have the privilege of working closely with parents to support their children to learn and grow up as well educated and emotionally mature individuals who care deeply about others, their community and the world in which they live.

Kinder Teddy Bears Picnic
It was a magical day for our Kindergarten students on Tuesday. We were privileged to host the annual Teddy Bears Picnic with the children from St Bernard’s in Batemans Bay. 

Thank you to Mrs Schofield, Mrs Hefferrnan, Mrs Connaughton and Mrs Van Weerdenburg for their work in organising the engaging activities and a very special Teddy Bear Picnic Lunch box. It was wonderful to be able to have our Playgroup children join in too. 

A special thank you to the SRC students from Carroll College who assisted on the day. They were very enthusiastic and their leadership was exceptional.  

Some of our wonderful Year 6 students led us in school prayer, talked about the Buddy Program and took families on guided tours of the classrooms, PAC and playground. 

If you have a younger child ready for school next year, please contact Annette or Cathy in the front office for an application form or complete one online. Interviews will be held over the coming weeks with offers beginning this term. Kinder Orientations and transition programs will take place later in the year.

If you know of other parents who may be interested in choosing St Mary’s, can you please encourage them to make contact with the school as soon as possible. 

Our playground equipment is currently out of action, but it will be re-opened /relocated following construction. Thank you parents for your patience as we manage the next few months.

With our school photos on Monday next week, we are asking parents to try and have their children in their winter uniforms or at least wearing their new school jumper over their summer school uniform. Please do not worry about this matter.

In recent years there has been a lot of work at the School Community Council regarding updating elements of the school uniform. All changes to school uniform items need to happen slowly to allow suppliers time to sell older stock and families time to use their current uniforms.

A Community Council parent survey showed that the majority of our parents prioritised the school jumper and girls’ winter pants as the first items needing to be improved.

Navy was chosen by parents as the preferred colour for both the new jumper and girls pants. 

The new jumper has proven to be very popular and the students love wearing them.  Whilst most students are now wearing the new navy one, students are still able to wear the older maroon v neck style for this winter. The maroon nylon jacket is now only to be worn over the top of the school jumper when students are outdoors. 

The School Community Council also decided to update the girls' pants' style and colour. From this year, girls may begin wearing the new navy straight leg pants instead of the maroon boot leg style, but this is not compulsory. The transition will occur over the next few years. Please do not feel that you need to go out and buy the new ones. Many girls will continue to wear their dresses too. 

School Photos
A reminder that official School photos will be taken next Monday May 8. Please send your child to school looking as neat and smart as possible and wearing the new school jumper if they have one. 

Mothers Day
Next Friday May 12 we will be hosting our Mother's Day Breakfast and Kinder liturgy to celebrate Mothers’ day in our school community.

Breakfast begins at 7:30am with the Liturgy at 9:10am

The School Community Council has organised a wonderful Mothers Day raffle which will  be drawn on the day. Tickets will be coming home today, with payment to be made via QKR. Tickets will also be available on Friday morning.

Carroll Day
On Friday May 12, we will be taking our Year 6 students to Carroll College to join in on their Carroll Day celebrations. We thank Carroll for inviting us and supporting our students as they prepare for transition to high school next year. 

Whole School Assembly
Our next Whole School Assembly will be held on Monday May 15 at 2pm in the PAC. Everyone is welcome to join us. Year 5 students will be sharing the great learning taking place in their classrooms. Parents of those students receiving Awards and Invitations to a Special  Lunch for ‘I am Safe’ will be contacted in advance. The students’ Special Lunch with me will happen on Thursday May 25. 

Wishing you and your families a relaxing weekend. It's time to pull out the winter woollies! 

Let us thank all those who teach in Catholic schools.
Educating is an act of love; it is like giving life.
Pope Francis

Noeleen O’Neill
Principal