Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you for your support for yet another busy term at St Mary’s. Whilst we are all feeling tired and holiday ready, it is hard to believe that we are at the end of the term with only one to go before another school year is complete. It has been an extremely busy and rewarding term for all students and we are certainly ready for a well deserved rest from the routines of school life.

END OF TERM PRAYER
We thank you Lord, for this term.
For the challenges, the successes and the mistakes from
which we have learnt.
Be with us as we spend our time with family and friends.
Give us strength and courage to do what is right; to be witnesses of our faith.
Help us to be practical Christians these holidays, to appreciate what others do for us, to give time and effort to help others, to be peacemakers in our families.
Keep us safe in our activities; give us good rest and good fun. Bring us back refreshed and ready for a new term.
We thank you for our classmates, teachers, parents and a community that cares for us.
May we always be conscious of you in our lives. Amen

Farewell Mrs Matthews
Yesterday was Mrs Jo Matthew’s last day of teaching at St Mary’s. Mrs Matthew’s is retiring at the end of this year and will be on long service leave in Term 4. As Mrs Matthews embarks on this new chapter of her life, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation for her years of dedication and service. While we will greatly miss Mrs Matthews, we wish her all the joy and adventure that retirement brings. Enjoy every moment!

Kindergarten Orientation
We look forward to welcoming our 2025 Kindergarten students next term for the Kindergarten Orientation sessions.

Parish News
In the coming weeks, our Sacred Heart Parish have organised a few community events that they would love your involvement in. Please see 'Parish News' in this newsletter to find details of these events, including a CarBoot sale on Saturday 5 October.

CSPA Parent Survey on Student Wellbeing and Learning
Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) are collaborating with the University of New England (UNE) to conduct a national study on student wellbeing and learning. The university is aiming to collect evidence through a survey from a broad sample of parents and carers of children attending Catholic schools in Australia. The survey will be open until the end of October. Results will be used to report to the Federal Government and Catholic Education. 

Please see the information on the flyer below on how to participate. I would encourage all parents and carers to participate in this survey.

 KEY DATES FOR THE DIARY - Term 4
Term 4 promises to be a busy one! Please refer to the COMPASS Parent Calendar throughout the term for up to date information.

Today we have had our Staff Spirituality day and there will be a Staff Professional Learning day on Monday 14 October.

We will look forward to seeing our students' smiling faces on Tuesday 15 October.

May God bless you all for a safe and happy term break.

Mrs Sue Heffernan
Principal (Acting)