2024 Term 4 Week 5
Dear Parents and Carers,
On behalf of the entire school community, I would like to extend my deepest thanks to all who attended our musical, “Thank You for the Music”, last night. What an incredible evening it was!
The performance, which was written and directed by our talented Year 1 teacher, Katherine Davies, was truly a testament to the hard work, creativity, and dedication of everyone involved. Katherine’s vision and passion for the production were evident in every aspect of the show—from the heartfelt performances of our students to the stunning costumes, which she also lovingly created. We are so fortunate to have such a dedicated teacher who goes above and beyond to provide our students with memorable and enriching experiences.
A special mention must also go to Katherine’s wonderful assistants, Mindy and Julie, whose support was invaluable throughout the entire process. Together, the three of them made sure everything ran smoothly, from rehearsals to the final performance. We are deeply grateful for their collaborative effort, which helped bring this production to life.
I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation for our students, whose enthusiasm and dedication made the evening a huge success. Their hard work during rehearsals and their excitement on stage was contagious, and it was clear that they had all put their heart and soul into their performances.
Equally, a big thank you goes to our wonderful teaching staff, whose commitment and support ensured that every child was well-prepared and confident. The teamwork and collaboration between teachers, students, and parents made this event truly special.
It was a magical night that showcased the talent, creativity, and spirit of our school community. We are so proud of all the students who participated, and we are incredibly grateful to all of you for your continued support.
Thank you again for making “Thank You for the Music” such a memorable evening. We look forward to more opportunities to celebrate our students' achievements with you in the future!
Jacaranda Festival
The Jacaranda Festival ended with the Newcastle Permanent Float Procession. Thank you to all who supported our favourite local event!
Mini Mary’s
It’s been lovely to see our Kinder 2025 students at Mini Mary’s each week. Next week NSW Health will visit to offer Before School Screening for those children who have returned permission forms.
Remembrance day
On Monday 11 November staff and students paused to honour Remembrance Day, the anniversary of the end of the First World War, a time each year when we reflect on the sacrifices made by the armed forces members.
Neon Disco
On Thursday 28 November there will be a disco at school between 5:30pm and 7:00pm.
A BBQ and cake stall will be operating with lots of lovely treats to purchase, and entry is $5 per student. All students will need to be supervised by a parent or family friend.
Long Way Home Writing Competition
Every year students from St Mary's enter the Long Way Home and this year's Stories from the Clarence Valley 2024 – Fly By Night will be launched soon. This uniquely Clarence book features outstanding local entries, including these students from our school:
John Graham, Lilly Lemont, Parker Bancroft, Lilly Mulqueen, Nora Gorman
The launch is on Monday 9th December at the Grafton Regional Gallery, 158 Fitzroy St, Grafton commencing at 6pm.
Competition winners will be announced on the night and books may be purchased.
Everyone is welcome.
Canteen Supervisor
As part of our commitment to fairness and equity, this role will be advertised as part of a formal recruitment process.
We would also like to take a moment to extend our heartfelt thanks to Nancy, our wonderful parent volunteer, who has been running the canteen with so much care, energy, and dedication. Nancy's passion has helped create a welcoming, vibrant space for our students, and we are deeply grateful for everything she has done.
If you’re interested in applying for this role or would like more information, please reach out. We look forward to continuing the legacy of a thriving school canteen!
2025 Dates
Friday 31 January Admin Day for teachers (Student Free Day)
Monday 3rd February MAI Day
Tuesday 4th February Year 1 - 6 return to school
Monday 10 February Kinder start
Warmest regards,
Jas, Dominique and Jacki
Upcoming Student Free Days
Just a reminder - The remaining student free days for 2024 are:
- Thursday 19 and Friday 20 December (Week 10, Term 4)
Term 4 Events Calendar
Graduation Mass
Our Graduation Mass will be held on Wednesday, 11 December.
Pastoral Care
In 2024, we have been actively refining our Behaviour Management Policy through meaningful student collaboration. Throughout this process, students have voiced their expectations for a positive school environment.
During our professional development day at the start of this term, staff came together to capture these insights and create the document titled “The St Mary’s Way.” Teachers have been working closely with students to further refine the document, ensuring it aligns with their perspectives and agreements.
We plan to review "The St Mary’s Way" again at the end of the term for additional refinement if needed. This ongoing collaboration is vital for creating a supportive and engaging school culture.
Canteen Supervisor
As part of our commitment to fairness and equity, this role will be advertised as part of a formal recruitment process.
We would also like to take a moment to extend our heartfelt thanks to Nancy, our wonderful parent volunteer, who has been running the canteen with so much care, energy, and dedication. Nancy's passion has helped create a welcoming, vibrant space for our students, and we are deeply grateful for everything she has done.
If you’re interested in applying for this role or would like more information, please reach out. We look forward to continuing the legacy of a thriving school canteen!
CVCON 2025 enrolment forms
CAPS Try Out Day 1 December
Bricks4Kidz Northern Rivers
Uniforms
St Mary's School uniforms are available to purchase from Lowes in Grafton Shopping World. The sports uniform is worn on Wednesday and Friday each week.
Attendance
- If your child is arriving to the school after 8:45am please sign them in at the office.
- Please use Compass to record full day absentees. Partial absences are recorded by staff when students are signed in and out of the office.
- Students who leave a school event early will have a partial absence recorded.
- A medical certificate or other documentation may be requested where frequent absences due to illness occur.
- Generally, extended leave (greater than 10 days) during the school term would not be approved. These absences are recorded on the roll as unjustified and a completed Form 01 Extended Leave Notification Travel/Other Greater than 10 Days is required.
- In exceptional circumstances parents may complete an Form 02 Approved Extended Leave Application - Travel/Other Greater than 10 Days for consideration by the Principal, explaining why an absence for extended leave is in the best educational interest of the student. The Principal may decline or accept this application.
School Fees
Parking in Hoof Street
There are a small number of parking spaces near the Sunrise Shop (corner of Hoof and Turf Streets) for use by their customers. To assist this small business, we suggest parking away from the corner.
Overseas Visa Details
Reminder: Parents and Carers are to keep the school informed of any change in residency/visa status during the course of their child's enrolment, with
evidence of new visa status provided. Parents should be made aware that
the school must be informed of any change in residency status;
Working With Children Check (WWCC)
At St Mary's we are committed to creating and supporting a culture of safety for children and ensuring that children are protected. All employees and volunteers are required to have a current WWCC.
NB - The vast majority of volunteers in schools are parents of a child attending the school at which they are volunteering (eg reading groups, fetes, camps, excursions and canteen) and therefore do not require a WWCC. Exceptions to this are
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volunteers interacting one-on-one with a child not their own,
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working with children who have a disability,
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offering mentoring services,
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when the volunteer is not a parent or close relative.