2025 Term 2 Week 1
Dear Parents, families and caregivers,
Welcome back to what promises to be a busy and exciting Term 2! We hope you all enjoyed a restful and happy Easter break with your families.
It's wonderful to have the students back in the classrooms, and we're already looking forward to a term filled with learning and opportunities for growth. We have some fantastic events on the horizon, including our annual Athletics Carnival and our participation in the Grafton Eisteddfod. Please be sure to check our school calendar and website for specific dates and further details about these and other Term 2 events as they become available.
We've recently received feedback regarding our parent communication, and the positive engagement we're seeing through Compass has been noted. In response to this, and supported by our parent engagement statistics, we will be trialing a revised newsletter schedule this term. For Term 2, we will be publishing school newsletters in Weeks 3, 6, and 9. We believe that Compass provides an effective platform for regular updates and information sharing, and this adjusted newsletter schedule will complement our existing communication methods.
We also value your feedback and will be providing an opportunity in the coming weeks to participate in the Tell Them From Me survey. This important survey allows you to share your valuable insights and experiences, which helps us to continually improve our school. We will share information on how to access the survey when it opens.
Our school is committed to maintaining a safe, happy and supportive environment for every child. Every now and then, it’s helpful to revisit what can and can’t be brought to school. While some items might seem like harmless toys or everyday tools, they may in fact be considered dangerous or prohibited. We want to help families avoid any unintentional mistakes or avoidable situations.
A prohibited weapon includes but is not limited to knives or blades, toy guns, gel blasters, slingshots, darts or anything else that can be used as a weapon to intimidate or cause serious injury or harm. We encourage all parents and carers to have open and ongoing conversations with your child about safety, respect, and care for others. As members of our Catholic school community, we are called to protect and nurture one another, both spiritually and physically. Your support in reinforcing these values at home helps us maintain a secure and faith-filled environment for all members of our school community.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting the safety and wellbeing of all children.
We look forward to a successful and engaging Term 2 in partnership with you.
Warm regards
Jacki
Keeping School Funding Fair – What You Need to Know
Did you know that 6 in 10 Australians don’t fully understand how school funding works? Catholic Schools NSW has launched the Keep School Funding Fair campaign to ensure families have access to clear and accurate information.
Our schools play a vital role in providing high-quality education while keeping costs affordable for families. A fair, means-tested funding model ensures all students are supported, no matter their background.
Read the Catholic Schools NSW media release below to learn more, and visit keepfundingfair.org.au to watch the explainer video and take action.
Remembering Pope Francis
This week, the Catholic community around the world continues to mourn the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88, just one day after offering his final blessing on Easter Sunday.
Pope Francis was a truly special leader who touched the lives of many with his kindness, deep listening, and loving heart. He reminded us to see Jesus in everyone and worked tirelessly for peace, unity, and the care of those who suffer or feel forgotten. He reached out to people of all faiths and always led with humility and hope. As we remember his life, we give thanks for the wonderful shepherd he was and celebrate the lasting impact of his words and actions.
The Easter Season 2025
The Church continues to celebrate Easter long after the chocolate bunnies are gone from the stores. In fact the Easter season is the second-longest liturgical season, lasting for 50 days from Easter Sunday.
As we continue through the Easter season, it’s a special time to reflect on hope, renewal, and the joy of new beginnings. This season reminds us of the importance of kindness, compassion, and supporting one another as a community. Whether it’s through small acts of generosity or simply taking time to appreciate those around us, Easter encourages us to carry its message of love and renewal into our daily lives.
Mother’s Day Breakfast & liturgy - Friday 9th May
We warmly invite all our wonderful mums, grandmothers, and mother figures to our Mother’s Day Breakfast next Friday, starting at 8:15am. It’s a lovely chance to enjoy a morning together, with a coffee van available for your convenience.
Following breakfast, our Kindergarten students will lead a special Mother’s Day liturgy at 9:00am in the hall. We look forward to celebrating and giving thanks for the amazing women in our lives!
Sacrament of Confirmation - Tuesday 20th May
Confirmation is a special step for our baptised children, where they'll receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit and make a deeper commitment to their faith. Confirmation confirms Baptism and is the second formal step in the process of becoming initiated into the Christian community.
Our Confirmation candidates have begun preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. If your child wishes to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation this year, please complete the Google Form that has previously been shared with you via Compass by Monday 5th May.
We're looking forward to guiding our students on this wonderful journey of faith!
ANZAC Day liturgy - Friday 2nd May
A heartfelt thank you to our Year 6 students John, Eden, Sophia, and Macey for leading our ANZAC Day liturgy with such respect and care. We are also very grateful to Mrs Ford for her wonderful coordination and support. A special thank you goes to Brenton Ford, not only for his service to our country as a member of the Australian Army who served overseas, but also for generously giving his time to speak with our students today. Your presence helped bring the meaning of ANZAC Day to life for us all.
Student Expectations & Values: The St Mary’s Way
This week, our school leaders chose to focus on one of the most important aspects of the St Mary's Way: Respect.
This week, our school focus is on respecting everyone’s right to learn.
At St Mary’s, we believe that everyone has the right to learn in a positive and focused classroom environment. To support this, we work together to minimise distractions so that everyone can concentrate and do their best. We stay on task, helping create a respectful space for all. We also remind ourselves to focus on our own work and choices, allowing others to do the same. By showing responsibility and respect, we make our classrooms great places to learn and grow.
Warmest regards,
Hannah Gorman
Assistant Principal Mission
The Clarence Zone Cross Country Carnival which was to be held at MCC has been postponed due to wet grounds. We are working on another date at this stage and all concerned will be informed of changes as soon as we are notified.
Our basketball program will commence in week 3. Blake from Basketball NSW will run our program on Fridays for all students.
Our Athletics Carnival has been booked at Junction Hill on Thursday May 29. Fingers crossed this will go ahead without any postponements. Students are now preparing for the carnival in PE time practicing long jump and shot-put on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Counselling
Kind regards
Catherine Collopy (School Counsellor - St Mary’s Grafton)
Upcoming webinars
Free Webinars for Parents
Lithium Safety
- Only charge e-bikes, e-scooters, power tools in the garage or shed, away from living areas and exit doors.
- Never use or charge batteries or equipment showing signs of damage such as swelling, leaking, discolouration, or odours
- Only use chargers that comply with relevant standards and have been supplied with, or deemed compatible with, your battery or device
- Never leave devices on charge for extended periods (e.g. overnight) or unattended
- Switch off once fully charged
- Don’t charge phones on your pillow or in bed, only charge devices on hard surfaces
- Buy products from reputable brands and suppliers
For further information go to https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/chargesafe
Follow the Fear - a Guide to Online Bullying
Whether you’re a student being harassed in a group chat, a parent unsure how to help your child, an educator overwhelmed by tech-fuelled drama, or a professional watching your reputation unravel this resource is for you.
Relay for Life
School Year Safely: Tips for 2025
Getting In and Out of the Car:
- Always use the door closest to the curb to prevent stepping into traffic
- Make sure your child waits until the car has completely stopped before exiting.
Walking Safely:
- Encourage distraction-free walking by asking your child to remove headphones and put away devices while crossing streets.
- Teach your child to stay alert, follow traffic signals, and use designated pedestrian crossings.
Using the Bus Safely:
- Wait at the bus stop together, standing at least one step back from the edge of the road.
- Always meet your child at the bus stop on the same side of the road—never call them across from the opposite side.
- Wait for the bus to leave before crossing the street, ensuring it is safe to cross.
Using Wheeled Transport:
- Remind your child that helmets are mandatory when riding a bike in public—it’s the law.
- Encourage helmet use and protective gear for other wheeled activities, such as scooters, skateboards, and rollerblades.
Never sacrifice safety for convenience, source: https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au
CVCON 2025 enrolment forms
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.
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.
Child Safeguarding Statement
The Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools (DLCS) is wholly committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
As school communities and as individuals, we commit to fostering communities of safeguarding that recognise and uphold the dignity and rights of all children and young people. Our commitment is drawn from the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ, in love and justice, whereby the dignity and sacredness of each child is respected. Additional information may be found on the DLCS website or by using this link: Child Safeguarding Policy.