Dear Parents and Carers,

Student Leadership
This week we had the pleasure of hearing our Year 5 students present their leadership speeches to their peers. The standard was incredibly high and all students who spoke are worthy of being selected. Following the speeches, the students going into Year 3-6 next year voted for the positions of two School Leaders, and two House Leaders of their respective Houses: Howard, Cassidy and Eyre.  The 2024 Student Leadership team will be announced at the K-6 Awards Night in Week 9, Tuesday December 5. We are very proud of all of our Year 5 students; we are confident that they will all be excellent leaders and role models. We look forward to a great year with the Student Leadership Team and all of Year 6  in 2024.

K- 6 Awards Night
Next Tuesday evening  December 5 we will be holding our K-6 Awards Night at 6pm in the PAC. All children are encouraged to attend with their families. Awards will be presented to students K-6. Our Kinder students will lead us in a short Nativity play and the student leaders for 2024 will be announced. Following the ceremony, we look forward to celebrating a great year with a Pizza night organised by the Community Council.

All children are to wear their school uniform and arrive at the PAC by 5:50pm. Children will sit in their classes as they would for a school assembly. We would love to see as many families and community members come along and help us celebrate a wonderful year of learning at St Mary’s.

Year 6 Graduation Mass 
The Year 6 Graduation Mass will be held in the Sacred Heart Church at 12pm on Tuesday December 12, to which all families are most welcome to attend. At the mass, we will acknowledge our Year 6 graduating students while sharing a final celebration as a school community for 2023. At the conclusion of Mass, there will be a presentation of the Year 6 Graduation Certificates.

Graduation Dinner/Disco
The Year 6 Graduation Dinner will be held on Tuesday evening December 12 at Moruya Golf Club. Parents and families are invited to join us in the Rose Garden from 5:30pm for photos before dinner commences at 6pm for students and staff. After dinner, there will be a disco where students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their best dance moves!

Thank you to Mr Harpley, Mr Campbell, Mrs Butler and Mrs Connaughton for organising this event.

Traditionally at St Mary’s, the Year 6 students are given a very loud send off from their peers and teachers. On Friday afternoon December 15 at 2:45pm the school will assemble for a final farewell to our Year 6 students. As always, parents are welcome to come and watch the activities.

Semester 2 Reports
Semester 2 reports are currently being finalised. Reports will be available via Compass on Friday 9 December. This learning report is designed to provide information about your child’s progress in learning. The report evaluates your child’s progress as an individual, who is developing spiritually, intellectually, physically and socially. It is very important to recognise your child’s success and progress in all areas of development. We congratulate students on their hard work!

If you would like a Parent Teacher meeting following the report, please contact your child’s teacher for a time in the last week of term. We will arrange to cover classes,  if meetings are held during the day.

Class Placement for 2023
The teachers and staff will be spending time over the coming weeks preparing the children to transition to their new learning spaces for 2024. This involves visits to the new spaces, meeting new teachers and finding out about the year ahead. We know that this is an exciting time! 

We will be holding our ‘Meet My New Teacher Afternoon’ on Wednesday 13th December at 2 pm

Celebrate International Day of People with Disability
International Day of People with Disability is a United Nations observed day celebrated on 3 December each year to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability. This year’s theme is ‘United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with and by persons with disabilities.’ By listening to the experiences of people with disability, and recognising their unique talents, skills and interests, we can challenge our own perceptions about disability and make positive changes in the community. 

We encourage all students, their families and carers to join the conversation about disability,  to increase knowledge, break down barriers and encourage a more inclusive and respectful society. We all have a role to play in ensuring people with disability have the opportunity to reach their full potential and participate in all aspects of community life. 

Check out the IDPwD website for more information.

Swimming Program
We are receiving wonderful feedback about our whole school swimming program this term. Staff and parents have commented about how much the children's confidence and swimming ability has grown in such a short time. Thanks to our incredible swimming instructors and to Lorraine Borger for volunteering to help out each week. We are thrilled that we can offer this program at such a low cost to our families. Thank you again to our School Community Council for its financial support. One of our biggest wishes is that every child from Kinder to Year 6 at St Mary's can swim and remain safe over the summer holidays. 

School Disco
On Thursday December 14 during school hours, the students will enjoy an end of year disco with their friends. Students can wear Mufti clothes to school on the day but must have closed in shoes. It should be a wonderful way to finish a great year at school. There will be no cost to our families. 

Farewell Mrs Kenny
After 11 years teaching at St Marys, our talented Mrs Kenny is transferring to St Bernard’s next year to be closer to her home and family. Sophie began her teaching career at St Mary’s and has grown into a very capable and diligent teacher. In Week 10, the staff will be having a special Breakfast with Sophie to thank her and to celebrate her time with us. Mrs Kenny, you will be greatly missed by the students and staff of St Mary’s. Being just up the road, we will see you around!

God Bless and Take Care,
Leadership Team