Playground Update
It is wonderful to see the progress that is happening with our new Early Years’ Playground and Outdoor Learning space. The students especially enjoyed watching the concrete being poured for the new seating to be built upon. 

At present, we are reminding the students to slow down and walk rather than run under the COLA and on the pathways. With more students in a smaller area, there is a greater risk to their safety. We remind the students that the front of the school and oval areas are for running. 

School Priorities - 2023 Annual Improvement Plan
Each year, schools across Australia develop an Annual Improvement Plan with three main priority areas. Data from diagnostic testing, school based assessments and surveys (parent, staff and student) are used to determine our areas of further improvement. 

Earlier this year, staff from Catholic Education and our School Coaches came to St Mary’s to work with the Leadership Team on our annual and strategic planning. They looked at our data, visited classrooms and observed teachers instructing in Literacy and Numeracy.  

Our School Coaches are very impressed by the expertise of our teachers and the high level of student engagement in learning. Our school priorities for 2023 have been determined as:

Goal 1: For the students to become proficient and fluent in spelling words they are likely to use in their writing

Goal 2:  To develop student’s problem solving capabilities and their ability to think and communicate mathematically. 

Goal 3: Improve educational outcomes through increased engagement of parents and community in students’ learning.

With significant support from Good to Great Schools Australia, we are particularly well placed to make further gains in student learning outcomes in Literacy and Numeracy. Our three year Fair Education Project has also enabled us to revitalise our Early Years’ learning and contribute to our point of difference in the community.

Enrolments
Our Kinder enrolments for 2024 are looking strong. Many new families have chosen to join us at St Mary’s because they know of students and families at our school and/or have heard positive things about us. 

No school is perfect, but with our students, families, teaching and support staff,  I think we are close! Everyone benefits when parents and teachers work together to help children to grow up to be the best they can be. The students at St Marys are our greatest ambassadors and for that I thank you. 

If you know of other parents interested in enrolling their children with us in 2024, please encourage them to make contact with the Front office as soon as possible.  Early next term, staffing will be determined at Catholic Education and I need to have a clear picture of the number of children in each grade. 

Special School Lunch Reward
Earlier this week, I had the privilege of taking 16 very excited St Mary’s students out to lunch at Tukka Cafe because they deserved it. The students were chosen by the Leadership Team because they have shown us that they are particularly Safe and Kind to others. 

It was lovely to sit down and chat with the children and watch them interact with each other. Congratulations to Amelia G, Patrick S, Maya C, Evander S, Willa Mc, Abbie H, Declan T, Madelyn M, Liam F, Felicity P, Neiva P, Mitchell W, Christian C, Ruby H, Oscar G and Lila W.

We look forward to choosing the I am Respectful students later in the term. 

Tell Them From Me Survey 
In the coming week, we will be inviting students, teachers and parents to provide feedback on their experience of St Mary’s using an online survey. The surveys are an important aspect of our annual school evaluation and planning processes.

As we value the role of parents and carers within our school community we would greatly appreciate your feedback through the Tell Them From Me (TTFM) Partners in Learning survey. The information you provide will be used to maintain our commitment to working together in partnership to further improve student learning and wellbeing at St Mary’s.

You are able to access the parent survey on your computer or mobile device by using the URL below:

www.tellthemfromme.com/StMarys2023

Vision and Mission
Last week Mr Tim Smith, our Performance and Improvement Leader at Catholic Education came to St Mary’s to facilitate our Twilight PL on writing our Vision and Mission statements. The session built upon the work done earlier in the year with staff and parishioners. After hours of deliberation, it was wonderful to see how united the staff were with the language and content. 

At next week’s School Community Council Meeting, I will present our latest Vision Statement and seek their input with the components of our Mission Statement.

Upon approval from Father Anthony, I will then share both statements with the whole parent body. 

Community Council
Our next School Community Council meeting will be held on Tuesday June 6. If you have any items you would like raised, please email the chair Mary Dullard or secretary Maree Turnbull via the school. offfice.stmarysmoruya@cg.catholic.edu.au

The Community Council is currently organising a Christmas in July Pizza and Movie Night for our families on Tuesday July 25 (Week 2). What a great way to begin Term 3!

More information will be coming home shortly. 

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. 
Most Holy Family of Nazareth, pray for us. 

Amen