Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to Week 8. With the weather finally starting to cool down, now would be a great time to remind parents to ensure their child’s jumpers are correctly labeled with their name. Also, on the topic of uniforms please ensure your child attends school wearing the correct socks and shorts. Lately it has been noted that students are wearing incorrect colour socks on sports days and incorrect shorts. Attached are two pictures of correct sport uniforms. A reminder shorts need to be blue and socks white.

Thanks Cooper and Will. Below is the school’s uniform policy for your information. This is directly taken from the school’s handbook.

Uniform

St Mary’s School Community Council determines the school uniform which is compulsory for each student. In cases where this is temporarily impossible, the student must bring in a signed note from the parent. 

St Mary’s School uniform is comprised of the following -

It is expected that all items of the uniform are worn appropriately and kept in good order. Students uniform should present as clean and tidy. For health and safety reasons hair is to be worn tied back if longer than shoulder length. Hair adornments must be in a colour scheme that matches the uniform and kept to a minimum. Jewellery is also to be kept at a minimum.

Well done to our Year 3 and Year 5 students for their engagement so far with NAPLAN. Also thank you to parents for their efforts in ensuring their child attends and is well rested and prepared for the tests. Students will engage in their final assessment today. Students who were absent for one or more NAPLAN tests will complete these in the coming days. I look forward to sharing the results with the entire community.

The staffing jigsaw is starting to take shape as I welcome Nickey Harland to the position of Acting Assistant Principal. I join with everyone in welcoming her to this role and look forward to Nickey sharing her wealth of experience with the staff of St Mary’s. The Religious Education Coordinator Position has been advertised and we look forward to finding the right applicant for this important role.

It has come to the school’s attention that a number of parents are taking their child out of school during the term for a holiday. Whilst this is discouraged it is not something we can legally stop. Please be aware, however, if you do plan on taking your child out of school for over 25 days you are legally required to seek approval from the school. Schools are required to maintain an accurate register of attendance of every student on every day the school is open. Notifying the school of your child’s absence either prior to, or on the day will help ensure the safety of your child and fulfil your legal responsibility. If your child is sick or absent you are required to notify the school as soon as possible using:

• Compass app – Parent portal
• Phone call to the school
• Communication with your child’s teacher

Your child’s teacher will advise their preferred method of communication.  

Hand Foot and Mouth

Unfortunately, there have been confirmed reports of Hand, Foot and Mouth disease at St Mary’s. If your child presents with blisters inside the cheeks, gums and on the sides of the tongue, as well as on the hands and feet please consult with your doctor and inform the school. Children with Hand, Foot and Mouth disease need to be excluded from school and kept home until the blisters have dried.

Remember my door is always open.

Damian Collins

Acting Principal