2024 Term 3 Week 9
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome to the Term 3 Week 9 newsletter!
Reflection day
Today, our Year 4 students participated in a meaningful Reflection Day to help them prepare for their First Holy Communion this weekend. During this special day, they engaged in prayers, discussions, and activities designed to deepen their understanding of the sacrament and its significance in their faith journey. It was a beautiful opportunity for them to reflect on their relationship with God and the importance of this milestone in their lives.
We warmly invite you to join us in supporting them during this time. Please come along to the weekend Masses at 5pm on Saturday night and 8am on Sunday morning to celebrate this momentous occasion. Your presence will mean a great deal to our students and their families. Thank you for your continued support!
Stage 3 camp
Our Stage 3 students had an incredible time at camp in Brisbane and the Gold Coast! They enjoyed a variety of exciting activities, including a visit to Stradbroke Island, where they explored the beautiful beaches and natural landscapes. They also had the opportunity to tour Parliament House in Brisbane, gaining valuable insights into our government and civic responsibilities. On day three, the adventure continued at SeaWorld, where students enjoyed thrilling rides and learned about marine life.
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated staff who attended: Dom, Julie, Janeen, Pete, and Mel who attended the three days of camp. A special thank you goes to our parent helper, Troy Peppernell, for his invaluable assistance over the three days. We also appreciate the support of Katherine, Hannah, Mindy and Jacki who traveled up on the third day to assist with the SeaWorld groups. It was a wonderful experience that our students will cherish for years to come and we are all grateful for the countless hours Hannah put into the camp organisation. Thank you to everyone who made this camp a success!
A full student report is located this newsletter.
Kinder Transition and Enrolments
We are thrilled to announce that our Kinder transition program, Mini Mary’s, will commence in Term 3! This program is designed to help our youngest learners smoothly transition into school life, providing them with valuable experiences and support.
Through engaging activities and opportunities for social interaction, Mini Mary’s aims to build confidence and familiarity with the school environment. We look forward to welcoming our new students and helping them embark on this exciting journey!
We do have enrolment spaces available in some grade groups, including Kindergarten. Please contact us for more information.
Jacaranda Festival
|
Event |
Date |
Comment |
|
Parade of Youth & Banner Competition |
Saturday 26 October |
Theme: 90 YEARS IN BLOOM |
|
Jacaranda Schools Day |
Wednesday 30 October |
Our dance group will perform at Market Square as part of the festival schedule. |
|
Jacaranda Thursday |
Thursday 31 October |
Pupil-free day |
|
Float Procession |
Saturday 2 November |
Healthy North Coast NAIDOC Week Grant
The 2024 NAIDOC Week Grants Program is funded by Healthy North Coast through the North Coast PHN Program.
Recently St Mary’s Primary was successful in obtaining a grant from Healthy North Coast focussing on health and wellbeing and connection to culture, including arts and crafts (painting, weaving, woodburning), yarning circles, wellbeing and physical activities inclusive of the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
The grant funding we received has been used to create a vibrant and culturally significant mural on the grounds of St Mary's. We hope it will foster a deep connection between students, community, and Bundjalung Country; and serve as a visual celebration of heritage, culture, and the natural environment; and promote awareness and appreciation of Indigenous history and traditions. It was produced with the assistance of Aboriginal students and a local aboriginal artist.
Musical update
Our school musical will be held on 14 November at the Saraton Theatre and tickets will go on sale at the beginning of Term 4.
Clarence Schools Regional Public Speaking Competition
Four students will be competing in the Clarence Schools Regional Public Speaking competition on Monday in Coffs Harbour. We wish them every success!
Sisters of Mercy Feast Day
On Tuesday next week the Sisters of Mercy will celebrate their feast day. The Sisters were integral in the establishment of the catholic schools in our Diocese, as well as the ongoing involvement as teachers and leaders. Our school’s identity is very much connected to the Sisters and we thank them for their work in education and the wellbeing of the parish community.
Staffing Update
We are pleased to announce that Jessica Fortescue has joined our teaching staff, replacing Louise Tarrant. Jessica has been working in the school in a casual teaching position and we are confident that she will make a significant contribution to our school community.
Term 3 wrapping up
As we come to the end of Term 3, we want to take a moment to celebrate the wonderful achievements of our students and the vibrant community we share. This term, we enjoyed heartwarming Grandparents Day and Father’s Day celebrations, where students honored their grandparents and fathers with love and appreciation. Our students also prepared beautifully for their First Eucharist, marking an important milestone in their faith journey.
In addition, we had an engaging public speaking competition for Years 3-6, showcasing the impressive talents of our students. Our Feast Day celebration brought the community together, and our Family Mass was a lovely occasion to connect in faith. The excitement of Book Week was highlighted by our fantastic dress-up day, sparking creativity and a love for reading.
We also want to recognize the students who received Mercy Awards, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Principal’s Awards this term for their outstanding efforts and contributions.
As we head into the Spring term holiday break, our staff wishes you all a restful and enjoyable time with your families. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing everyone back next term!
The last day of Term 3 (Friday 27 September) is a pupil-free day. Students return to school for term 4 on Tuesday 15 October.
Warmest regards,
Jas, Dominique and Jacki
Upcoming Student Free Days
Just a reminder - The remaining student free days for 2024 are:
- Friday 27 September (Week 10, Term 3)
- Monday 14 October (Week 1, Term 4)
- Thursday 31 October (Jacaranda Thursday - gazetted public holiday)
- Thursday 19 and Friday 20 December (Week 10, Term 4)
Term 3 Events Calendar
Eucharist Retreat
Today, our Year 4 students and all those preparing to receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion participated in a special Eucharist Retreat in preparation for receiving their First Holy Communion. The retreat provided a meaningful and enriching experience, with various activities designed to help the students deepen their understanding of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Throughout the day, students engaged in reflective sessions, group discussions, and creative projects to explore the significance of receiving Holy Communion. It was a wonderful day of spiritual growth and reflection as we support these students on their faith journey.
Sacrament of First Eucharist
Congratulations to all those students who are receiving Eucharist for the first time at Mass this weekend.
Message from the Parish
Are You Interested in Becoming a Catholic?
An enquiry night will be held on Tuesday, 24th September, at the McCarthy Centre, 2 Clarence Street, Grafton starting at 6pm.
Please contact the Clarence Valley Catholic Parish (66439017) for more information.
We are thrilled to announce that 32 students from Years 3 to 6 participated in the Australian Mathematics Competition this August!
The competition features unique challenges crafted by leading educators and academics to enhance students’ problem-solving skills. Topics covered include:
- Basic arithmetic
- Fractions and ratios
- Algebra and pre-algebra
- Geometry
- Measurement
- Statistics and probability
- Problem-solving
We are incredibly proud of all our students for stepping up and embracing this enrichment opportunity to challenge themselves. Their participation not only reflects their dedication but also fosters a deeper appreciation for mathematics. Well done to everyone involved!
Warm regards
Jas Stuart
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching
Polding Athletics Carnival
Anastasia Vereyken was selected as a Lismore Diocese Representative and competed in the Polding Athletics Carnival at the Hunter Sports Centre in Newcastle on 13th September. She was selected to race in the 800m and 1500m runs.
Anastasia placed 4th in the 1500m running the race in 5:41.22 minutes and 7th in 800m at a time of 2:45.67minutes.
We are very proud of Anastasia and what she has achieved.
Stage 3 Camp Report
Day 1
At 6:45 am, we got on the bus and started our drive to the ferry to go to Stradbroke Island.
Before we got to the ferry we stopped at a service station for lunch. After lunch we headed back on the road and kept driving to the Stradbroke Island ferry.
Once we arrived at the ferry we went on to go to Stradbroke Island.
When we arrived we walked to Polka Point and our guide, Matt, showed us how they made and used their spears, played the didgeridoo and also told us about how trade and visiting other indigenous countries worked. After that he took us on a Goompi trail, where we saw middens, explored the ochre rocks and he taught us how to throw boomerangs. When we were finished with our boomerang throwing we had afternoon tea while we waited for the ferry to come.
When we got on the ferry we headed back to Cleveland to hop on the bus to go to QCCC Brookfield. At 5:30 pm we arrived at QCCC Brookfield, we unpacked in our rooms and at 6:15 pm we went to the cafeteria to have dinner. After dinner we got to just chill in our rooms with our friends.
Day 2
In the morning we had breakfast and then we headed to our units to grab our backpacks to head by bus to Parliament House, and the Botanical Garden. When we got to the Parliament House we got in two groups, and one went to Parliament House and the other group walked around Botanical Gardens to look at the things they had there. The Parliament House had a tour guide showing us things in Parliament House. We also had an opportunity to role play how bills get passed that make the laws for Queensland. In the Botanical Garden we saw beautiful flowers, plants and fountains.
In the afternoon we visited the Cube where we coded these little robots to try and collect rubbish and put them in the correct bins. Then after that we got to go through the Queensland Art Gallery, and the Gallery of Modern Art. We went and had afternoon tea in a park in Southbank. We then waited to line up for the Wheel of Brisbane.
Later that evening we got back to QCCC Brookfield, got ready and had dinner then after dinner we played beach volleyball, and we then went down to the bonfire they had and roasted marshmallows and played games on the basketball court.
After that we went back up to the cafeteria for supper and got a biscuit to eat in our rooms.Then at about 9:00 pm we had lights out and went to bed.
Day 3
On Day 3 of our camp, we woke up and started to pack our bags to come home. When we were done packing we went up to the cafeteria and had our final breakfast of camp.
When we finished breakfast we started to load the bus with our suitcases, bags, and our lunch, then we got on the bus and we made our way to Sea World in Surfers Paradise. The bus driver gave us a little tour through Surfers showing us where some of the v8 Gold Coast 500 Supercars circuit is. When we arrived at Sea World, we got our lunch and got into our groups with our leader. We went into the park, we went on some rides, and watched some cool shows, everyone had a blast!
Then about 6 pm we stopped at the BP Service Centre and got Maccas for dinner. We got back on the bus for the last stretch of our trip home. At 8:00 we finally arrived back at St Mary’s and we reunited with our family. Everyone on camp had an overall blast!!
Some Quotes and Phrases from the students:
Isaac:”I really liked the vortex.”
Cooper:”The beds were made of steel”
Freya:”Fun times with friends”
Dani:”It was fun but I wanted to be put with my friends more’
Anika: “ “Enjoyed hanging out with friends I guess.”
Evie:”Camp was really fun”
Connor:”It was really fun”
Orlando: “Camp was super duper fun”
Peyton:”It was very fun”
Noah: “My first time going on a roller coaster at sea world”
Darcy: “I loved sea world and the leviathan and the other roller coasters.”
Huy: “Sea world was fun”
Canteen Report
Minni Water Wooli SLSC
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.