2024 Term 4 Week 3
Dear Parents and Carers,
Jacaranda Festival
Thank you to all those in our school community for your wonderful participation in this year’s Jacaranda Festival celebrations, whether you were cheering our students on, helping with preparations, or attending the events. We’re thrilled to announce that our school received 1st place in the banner competition, showcasing the creativity and effort of our students, an amazing achievement!
The Newcastle Permanent Float Procession on Saturday 2 November, promises to be another highlight, as our school will proudly participate with a specially decorated float. We will be meeting in the school carpark at 2pm to decorate the float. Arrival time (at the northern end of Prince Street) for the float procession is 4:30pm for a 5pm start.
EXURO Student Discipleship Retreat
Last week, our Year 5 students had the enriching experience of attending the EXURO Student Discipleship Retreat. This retreat offered them a unique opportunity to deepen their faith, reflect on their journey as young disciples, and build stronger connections with one another.
Through a series of activities, discussions, and shared prayer, students explored what it means to be leaders in faith and how they can live out their values in everyday life. It was a meaningful and inspiring day for everyone involved, and we’re proud of our Year 5 students for embracing the experience with enthusiasm and open hearts.
Mini Mary’s
We’re excited to announce that our Kinder transition program, Mini Mary’s, started this week on Wednesday! This special program is designed to support our youngest learners as they transition into school life, giving them enriching experiences and a sense of familiarity with their new environment.
With a range of fun activities and opportunities for social interaction, Mini Mary’s helps our new students build confidence and feel at home in our school. It was a joy to welcome our future students, and we look forward to guiding them on this exciting start to their learning journey!
Year 5 Leader Speeches
On Monday 2 December (Change of Date), at 11:30 am, our Year 5 students will have the opportunity to present their leader speeches. This is a special event where students have the opportunity to share their vision, ideas, and aspirations as they look forward to their roles as future leaders in our school community.
We warmly invite parents and carers to join us in supporting and celebrating our Year 5 students as they step up and demonstrate their leadership potential. This is a proud moment for our students, and we look forward to seeing our community come together to encourage and applaud their efforts.
School Hats
We’d like to remind all parents that students must wear their St Mary's blue hats during play times for sun safety and as part of their school uniform.
Please support us by reminding your child to bring their St Mary’s wide-brimmed school hat every day. Together, we can ensure our kids stay safe while enjoying outdoor activities!
Musical
Musical - Thursday 14th November
Tickets for our upcoming school musical are available for purchase through Compass Tix and are selling fast! You can buy your tickets by following this link. The musical will take place at the Saraton Theatre on Thursday, 14th November, starting at 6pm. We kindly ask that all audience members be seated by 5:45pm to ensure a prompt start. Don't miss this wonderful event showcasing the amazing talents of our students! As we are finalising costuming and planning we do need to know if your child will not be participating on the night, if you could please let your classroom teacher know as soon as possible.
Musical Full Dress Rehearsal - Monday 11 November
On Monday, 11th November, students will be attending a full dress rehearsal at the Saraton Theatre for St Mary’s Primary School Musical - Thank You For The Music! The event will be held at the Saraton Theatre on Prince Street, Grafton, and there is no cost for this excursion. Further details can be found on Compass Events.
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
Year 5 EXURO Student Discipleship Retreat
On Tuesday, 22 October, our Year 5 students were involved in Exuro (Latin for “on fire”), a student discipleship retreat where students from local Catholic schools in the area gathered to share their Christian faith, and explore how to be disciples of Jesus Christ through games, activities and prayer.
Catholic Mission- Socktober
Thank you to everyone who contributed to raising funds in support of Catholic Mission.
This year, our school made a meaningful impact on the lives of children who have been abandoned or are homeless due to circumstances beyond their control. Through our support of vital mission programs like the Don Bosco Caring Center in Mongolia, we provided these children with safe shelter, nutritious meals, and access to education – their fundamental rights.
By participating in the Socktober initiative, the St Mary's community offered hope and the chance for a brighter future. Together, we can continue to reach out to more children in need in Mongolia and around the world.
Graduation Mass
Our Graduation Mass will be held on Wednesday, 11 December.
Curriculum Reform
New South Wales has been actively engaged in reforming its curriculum to enhance educational outcomes.
The reform recommendations are shaping our new syllabuses. Priorities identified for the early, middle, and later years of schooling are to:
- Build strong foundations for future learning – new English and Mathematics syllabuses for Kindergarten to Year 2.
- Provide more time for teaching – reducing the hours teachers spend on extra-curricular topics and issues, and compliance requirements.
- Develop a new curriculum – new syllabuses focused on what is essential to know and do in the early and middle years of schooling, and key learning areas in the senior years.
Reform background
The reform follows a comprehensive review of the NSW Curriculum that took place from 2018 to 2020.
Professor Geoff Masters who led the review is the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of the Australian Council for Educational Research. Prof. Masters has held both positions since 1998.
The review aimed to:
- make the NSW curriculum clearer to understand and teach
- examine ways to de-clutter the curriculum so that it allows teachers to focus on the main knowledge and skills that all students should have
- understand the implications for planning, teaching, assessing, and reporting
- draw on the expertise of teachers to ensure the review’s outcomes continue to support their important work
- provide students with strong foundations of knowledge, capabilities and values to be lifelong learners.
Current Work
Last year, our Kindergarten to Year 2 students began learning under the new English and Mathematics syllabuses. This year, our Year 3 to 6 students joined them in this exciting transition.
Future Work
In 2025, teachers will start engaging with the new Creative Arts and Science and Technology syllabuses, preparing to teach these subjects in 2026. Following that, in 2026, educators will focus on the new Human Society and its Environment and Personal Development, Health, and Physical Education syllabuses, ready for implementation in 2027.
Key Changes
The new syllabuses for Science and Technology, Creative Arts, HSIE (Human Society and Its Environment), and PDHPE (Personal Development, Health and Physical Education) in New South Wales reflect a modernised approach to education.
Science and Technology
- Inquiry-Based Learning: Emphasis on hands-on, inquiry-based approaches to engage students in scientific processes.
- Interdisciplinary Connections: Integration of technology and engineering principles to enhance understanding.
- Sustainability Focus: Increased attention to environmental issues and sustainable practices.
Creative Arts
- Diverse Art Forms: Broader range of artistic practices, including digital arts, to reflect contemporary cultural contexts.
- Collaboration and Reflection: Encourages collaboration among students and reflective practices in art-making processes.
- Cultural Inclusivity: Focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures within the curriculum.
Human Society and it’s Environment (HSIE)
- Critical Thinking: Greater emphasis on developing critical thinking and inquiry skills to analyse historical and contemporary issues.
- Global Perspectives: Inclusion of global contexts and diverse perspectives to foster understanding of local and global issues.
- Civics and Citizenship: Enhanced focus on civic responsibility, democratic processes, and active citizenship.
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE)
- Holistic Wellbeing: A comprehensive approach to physical, emotional, and social health, promoting overall wellbeing.
- Real-Life Skills: Incorporation of practical life skills related to health, safety, and physical activity.
- Mental Health Focus: Increased emphasis on mental health education, promoting resilience and wellbeing strategies.
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.
We have also been reviewing our consequence flow chart, incorporating feedback from students and parents. This collaborative effort is essential for ensuring its effectiveness and fairness. We plan to revisit the flow chart at the end of the term for further refinement based on additional insights and outcomes.
Sport
Summer Sports
Tennis
Felipe Correa de Rosa travelled to Woolgoolga last Monday to represent our school in the Clarence Zone Tennis trials. Felipe played well but missed out on selection for the Zone squad. Sophia Hearfield and Addison Peppernell will both represent the Clarence Zone at the Diocesan Tennis trials in Lismore on Tuesday 26 November.
Cricket
Darcy Allen and Harry Whyte played in the Clarence Zone cricket trials at Coff Harbour on Wednesday. Both showed great skills but were unsuccessful in selection for the Diocesan trials
Touch Football
Parker Bancroft, Braxn Nipperess, Willow Dwyer, Jimmy Walsh and Harry Whyte played in the Clarence Zone Touch Football trials at Yamba on Thursday. Congratulations Braxn and Harry who have been selected to represent Clarence at the Diocesan trials in Lismore on Thursday 28 November.
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.