RE News

Welcome back to a new and exciting year of learning in 2025! We have implemented a new initiative this year at St Mary’s - THRIVE Week: Setting the Stage for Success @ St Mary’s. During this week, teachers have taken the time to develop safe and predictable school environments by teaching structures, routines, and rules, whilst also focusing on developing positive student-teacher relationships. This focus aligns with our 2025 School Improvement Plan (SAIP) Goal: Uplift student engagement and wellbeing through optimal learning environments. We hope your child had a fantastic time during THRIVE Week! We'd love to hear all about it - what they enjoyed, what sparked their excitement, and what could be even better next time. 

Each week during the term, routines and expectations will be taught and practiced as a whole school until it becomes a habit for all students. This week’s focus is on Eating Time. 

Eating time expectations include;  

• Getting seated promptly
• Staying seated until pack up time, this includes making a ‘pile’ of rubbish, then taking it to the bin once dismissed
• All students MUST have lunchbox with them at both breaks (not negotiable)
• Moving calmly and safely when transitioning to and from eating

Breakfast Club

St Mary's Primary School Breakfast Club will now be held on Monday mornings at 8:15 AM, starting on Monday, February 10th. This adjustment came after feedback from Year 6 students, who expressed that Mondays often felt rushed, and the change will help ensure that students have a positive, supportive start to their week.

The breakfast offerings include a variety of cereal, toast, juice, and milk, all provided free of charge to students, thanks to the generosity of our local St Vincent de Paul Conference.

In a great display of service and leadership, Stage 3 students (Years 5 and 6) lead the Breakfast Club, donating their own playtime as part of Catholic Faith in Action. This helps instill values of service, compassion, and community involvement.

This initiative is a wonderful way to support students both physically and emotionally, ensuring every child starts their week feeling cared for and ready to engage in learning.

What is Bullying?

As parents of young children, it is important to know what bullying is. This can help you tell the difference between normal disagreements, conflict and bullying. You can then respond and give the right support to your children.  Parents also play an important role in reducing the likelihood of bullying by teaching children about respectful behaviour, empathy, dignity, courage, and inclusion.

Definition of Bullying

Bullying involves the unwanted, repeated, and intentional use of words or actions aimed at causing distress and endangering the wellbeing of an individual or group of students.

Key Features of Bullying:

1. Misuse of Power:
   The deliberate use of power in a relationship to harm others.
2. Repetition:
   The behaviour occurs repeatedly over time.
3. Harmful Impact:
   The actions result in physical, emotional, or social harm.

How Power Can Be Misused:

• Social status or popularity
• Physical strength or size
• Age or skill
• Number of allies
• Membership in a socially dominant group (e.g., based on wealth or gender)

Behaviours That Are NOT Bullying

Certain actions, while unpleasant, do not meet the criteria for bullying:

• Mutual arguments or disagreements
• Disliking someone or a single instance of social rejection
• A single episode of hurtful words or actions
• Isolated incidents of aggression, intimidation, or violence

If you are concerned that your child is experiencing or displaying bullying behaviour, please contact their class teacher for support and guidance.