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

Term 1, 2024 Class and Whole School Mass Timetable

Project Compassion brings together Australian schools, parishes and supporters to raise funds for people in vulnerable communities across the world.

Caritas boxes have been sent home. Students will be seeing which class can raise the most money!

      Happy Birthday to

Mae Dean, Rose Hague, Nixon Hart, Annabelle Brose and Abbie Blampied

who celebrate their birthday's during this week.

We hope you enjoy your special day.

Our school Cross Country will be held on Friday 5th of April.

Students in Years 2 to 6 will compete at the West Wyalong Showground from 9am.

Kinder and Year 1 will participate in cross country games on the school oval from 9am.

All students can wear house coloured shirts to school on this Friday.

We are looking for parent volunteers at the showground.  If you can help please call the school office.

Parents are welcome to attend.

The following events are in the calendar in the next few weeks.

The Compass Calendar is updated to show Mass times, sporting events, important events.

Day	Event	Location
Monday 18th March	Zoomobile  NAPLAN - Numeracy	At School
Tuesday 19th March - Thursday 21st March	NAPLAN Catch up	At School
Wednesday 20th March	Year 1 & 2 Class Mass @ 12pm	At Church
Wednesday 27th March	Kinder & Year 5/6 Class Mass @ 12pm	At Church
Friday 29th March	Good Friday
Monday 1st April	Easter Monday
Friday 5th April	Cross Country	K-1 At School  Years 2 - 6 At the Showgrounds
Tuesday 9th April	ACT Brumbies 10's Gala Day	Grenfell
Friday 12th April	Making Friends - School Performance Tours. Last Day of Term 1!	At School