A Message from our Principal
Dear Parents/Carers,
Welcome to Week 5, as we begin another jam packed week at St Mary’s. It is hard to believe we’re almost halfway through Term 3. Today, saw our Year 5 students walk to the Bland Shire Preschool to share in their book week celebrations and meet their potential buddies for 2025. Year 3 and 4 students will travel to Temora on Thursday for the Trent Barrett Shield. I am sure the students will be fine ambassadors of St Mary’s. Year 1 and Year 2 students will travel to West Wyalong High School on Friday to visit the donkeys that are part of the High School’s wellness program.
While the weather is on the improve, we’re still experiencing cold mornings. However, by the afternoon students are taking their jumpers off. Please ensure your child’s uniform is clearly labelled so we can ensure it returns to its owner.
In the Canberra Times recently, an article was published acknowledging the excellent NAPLAN results of St Michael’s in Kaleen a school in our diocese that has implemented similar teaching pedagogies (teaching methods) as St Mary’s. The most impressive result they referred to was their Year 3 reading results, which had 87 per cent of students placed in the Strong or Exceeding category. I can proudly say that St Mary’s had a huge 89 per cent in those two categories. This is an excellent result and a true testament to the hard work of the students and their teachers.
At the community council meeting last night, the matter of parent/family volunteers was raised again. We warmly welcome any parents or grandparents who are willing to help out with anything in the classroom whether it be creative arts, reading or other Key Learning Areas where teachers see a need. If you want to volunteer your time in your child or grandchild’s class please contact their teacher to make arrangements. This will begin in Term 3. Volunteers will need a current Working with Children Check (WWCC). The process for applying for your WWCC can be found following this website. https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-a-working-with-children-check
The Working with Children Check (WWCC) is a requirement for anyone in paid or volunteer child-related work in NSW.
A reminder about that the “Tell them from Me” survey. If you have not completed it yet, please do so at your earliest convenience. The survey can be accessed via this link or the QR code below.
Remember my door is always open.
Principal
Damian Collins