Dear Parents,

The last two weeks have been a little bit quieter at St Mary’s. With a third of the students away at either the Canberra Excursion or the Jindabyne camp, those left behind have had plenty of space to spread out and run around.

I have heard some fabulous stories about the overnight excursions; the bus trips, the food, the cabins and of course the fun and exciting activities. It was also good to hear that our students were considerate, cooperative and well behaved. We regularly get this feedback when out and about. Well done children and parents!

A very special thank you to our wonderful teachers who left their own families and gave up their time (and undoubtedly sleep) to take the students away. We are blessed to have such committed teachers at St Mary’s.

Marg Croese’s Farewell
As mentioned in the last newsletter, we are presently organising a special Liturgy and Presentation to celebrate Mrs Croese’s many years at St Mary’s and her dedication to Catholic education. Please come along and join us for this very important celebration on Friday November 17 at 12 pm in the PAC. Parents are asked to bring along a picnic lunch and a small plate of food to share with the school community.

Kindergarten 2024
As predicted, our Kindergarten enrolments are strong for 2024. We now have a greater number of students coming into Kinder and other grades, than those leaving from Year 6 for high school.

Our Kindergarten Orientation Day sessions are scheduled for Thursday November 9 and 23. Please note the change of day from Wednesday to Thursday due to our swimming program. Only children enrolled at St Mary’s for 2024 are able to attend the Orientation sessions, so please let any other prospective parents know to contact the office as soon as possible if they are considering joining us next year.

K-6 Swimming Program
Our whole school swimming program will commence officially next week. All students from Kinder to Year 6 have had an assessment and placed in correct swimming ability groups. Please remember to send your child’s swimming gear to school each Wednesday and make sure everything is labelled. If you have any questions please contact your child's teacher. 

Community Council PIzza Night
Please mark in your diaries Thursday November 30 5:30 pm  for the School Community Council’s End of School Year Family Celebration. This wonderful team of parents are currently organising a Pizza Night to celebrate 2023 and to farewell our Year 6 students and their families.  

It should be a great night for all in our new playground and eating area. More information will be coming home shortly.

Staffing Announcements
Unfortunately for us, Mrs Sophie Kenny will be transferring to St Bernard’s Primary school in Batemans Bay from next year. After many years teaching at St Mary’s, Sophie has decided that it's now best for her family, if she works closer to her home and family. We will all miss Sophie but we are also very excited for her, as she enters the next stage of her teaching career. 

Following a system ‘temporary to permanent’ recruitment process, I am able to announce that Mr James Cambell has become a permanent employee at St Mary’s.  James has applied for a Flexible Workplace Agreement for 2024 and will be working four days a week next year. Congratulations James, we are fortunate to have you with us. 

It is also exciting to announce that Mrs Allsion Lock has been appointed permanent to St Mary’s, following a successful transfer from Canberra this year. Allison brings a wealth of experience and has adjusted well to teaching with us. We are very pleased that Allson has decided to stay on. 

It will be wonderful to welcome Mrs Jess Afflick back to St Mary’s in 2024. Following Jed’s birth, Jess has been on Parental Leave this year. Jess has decided to teach in a part time capacity,  with a view to return to her REC and School Leadership role later in the year. Mrs Gen Schofield will continue in the REC role until that time.

Mrs Alicia Hampson has also requested a Flexible Workplace Arrangement for 2024 and will be teaching Monday to Thursday. Such arrangements are made, if it is deemed to be in the best interest of staff and the school. Supporting family/work life balance is paramount for keeping the best educators in our schools. 

Mrs Fran Devonald has decided to work full time again in 2024, having had a slightly reduced load this year.

I am also pleased to announce that Mr Paul Hill has accepted a four day contract for 2024. Paul has had a successful year teaching PDHPE across the school this year. We are presently working out his role for next year. 

Mrs Jo Matthews is currently on leave and is expected to return to work later this term. 

And finally, Mr Jeff Prow has at least agreed to do some casual work this term! He has had a wonderful first year of retirement but we desperately need him back. The students (and staff) love having Mr Prow back at St Mary’s.

School Canteen
Unfortunately, Mrs Hayley Van Weerdenberg has needed to resign from her role as Canteen Manager. We thank Hayley for her energy and enthusiasm in running the canteen. Today is Hayley’s last day so the canteen will be closed for next two weeks November 10 and November 17 which is the Picnic Lunch day for Mrs Croese’s Farewell. 

We are currently organising to run a basic canteen selling off current stock for the rest of the term. If any parent or grandparent is able to help the staff out for a couple of hours on a Friday this term, please contact the Front Office. We would be very grateful for your help.

2024 Student Leadership
At St Mary’s, we consider all of our Year 6 students to be school leaders. The Year 6 Buddy program with the new Kinder students is one of our most important leadership programs. 

We also have an elected Student Leadership Team, made up of two School Leaders and six House Leaders. In the coming weeks, our Year 5 students will be invited to nominate themselves to be on the Student Leadership Team for 2024. Following informal interviews with Mrs Heffernan and me, the students will deliver a short speech to their peers and staff on Tuesday November 28, Time TBC. Parents are welcome to attend. Students in Years 2-5 will then vote for the students that they believe will make the best School and House Leaders for St Mary’s. House Leadership is more than sport, so please encourage your child, if they think they would like to be involved in a broad range of leadership opportunities; Social Justice, fundraising, Liturgy, hospitality, IT and Media, Sport, Public Speaking, Performing Arts,  Environment and Indigenous Culture.  The Year 5 teachers will support the students with the process. 

The 2024 Student Leadership Team will be announced at our End of Year K-6 Awards Night on Tuesday December 5.

World Day of Prayer and Fasting
Pope Francis called for a day of Fasting and Prayer on Friday October 27 for the people of Palestine and Israel. As part of our morning school schedule, our students and staff  joined with people around the world to pray for an end to the hatred and suffering of so many innocent people, mostly children in the Middle East.   

‘Brothers and sisters, war does not solve any problem: It sows only death and destruction, foments hate, proliferates revenge. War cancels out the future. I urge believers to take just one side in this conflict: that of peace. But not with words - with prayer, with total dedication’ 

Pope Francis

God’s blessing on you and your families

Noeleen O'Neill
Principal