Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to Week 4. After such a busy start to the year with so many celebrations and extracurricular activities it is time to focus on the most important thing at St Mary’s, learning. This week will see Michael Roberts and Kaitlyn Minahan from COGlearn travel from sunny Queensland to work with our teachers in implementing our Direct Instruction programs. Michael is quite familiar to the staff here at St Mary’s and his experience and knowledge is always welcome. I look forward to sharing our beautiful school with him.

It was lovely to see so many parents around the school last week for the ‘Meet the Teacher’ conferences. This was a wonderful opportunity to talk to your child’s teacher and discuss any needs or concerns. If you didn’t get a chance to participate in these interviews please phone the office or contact your child’s teacher for a chat. Our teachers at St Mary’s are always keen to listen.

Well done to all our swimmers who received ribbons or were named age champion at assembly on Friday. Good luck to the 22 students who have qualified for the Western Region Swimming Carnival in Cootamundra. We are so very proud of you.

A few parents have been using the old high school oval as a carpark to collect their children. Please refrain from doing this, as it is a safety concern. There are children who walk home via the oval and we do not want an accident. Please use the church carpark for collecting your children.  

Last week we began the season of Lent with a beautiful Mass organised by our Religious Education Coordinator Nickey Harland. The Mass was a lovely celebration and the students behaviour, reverence and singing was amazing. It was a fabulous occasion to begin our journey through Lent as we prepare for Easter.

Next Monday, we will welcome important government and Catholic Education dignitaries to St Mary’s as we officially open our new building. We have been in our new building for 18 months and finally we have the opportunity to officially open our refurbished classrooms and administration area. I personally don’t know any different as the new building was in use when I arrived in June 2022. I look forward to welcoming our guests who were a part of the building project and showing them our beautiful school.  

My door is always open!!! 

Regards,

Damian Collins

Assistant Principal