2025 Term 3 Week 3

Kid’s Helpline’s Largest Anti-Bullying Lesson - Monday 11 August

This Monday, all St Mary’s students will take part in Kids Helpline’s Largest Anti-Bullying Lesson, a national initiative designed to promote kindness, respect, and inclusion in schools across Australia.

This lesson focuses on helping students recognise bullying behaviours, build empathy, and learn practical strategies to stand up safely and support others. It also highlights the importance of speaking up and knowing where to go for help.

As a school, we are proud to support this important initiative and to continue building a safe, supportive environment where all students feel valued and respected. To learn more about the program, visit https://kidshelpline.com.au/ 

ThinkUKnow Parent Presentation - Wednesday 13 August

We are excited to invite you to an important ThinkUKnow Parent Presentation happening next Wednesday evening, and encourage all parents to attend. ThinkUKnow is a nationally recognised program, led by the Australian Federal Police and provides essential information to help keep children safe online. 

To support attendance, on-site child minding will be available during the session through a teacher-led disco! 

RSVP is essential, please confirm your attendance by scanning the QR Code on the flyer by Monday 11 August. Unfortunately, due to safety requirements, only students whose parent/s are attending the presentation will be able to attend the disco.

To make the evening more enjoyable, a light snack will be provided for both students and parents attending, generously supported by Parent Partnerships - Diocese of Lismore.

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Friday 15 August 

Next Friday, 15th August, is the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church, meaning that Catholics are called to attend Mass on this day. To mark this important occasion, the entire school will join with the parish community and participate in the Midday Mass at St Mary's Church. Families and friends are warmly invited and encouraged to join us as we come together in prayer. 

All students will need permission via Compass prior to this day, we kindly ask that you action this at your earliest convenience. 

Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Eucharist

We are pleased to share that our 2025 candidates have begun preparing to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist. This is a very special time in their faith journey, as they take important steps in deepening their relationship with God and becoming more fully initiated into the Catholic Church.

These sacraments are central to our Catholic tradition. Reconciliation offers us the grace of forgiveness and a chance to restore our relationship with God and others, while the Sacrament of First Eucharist marks the first time our young people will receive Jesus in the form of Holy Communion, the heart of our Catholic faith.

As part of their preparation, students are learning about God’s love, mercy, and the importance of living out their faith in everyday life. Regular attendance at Mass and involvement in parish life are key parts of this journey, and we encourage families to support their children by participating actively in the life of the Church.

Important Dates:

23 - 24 August First Eucharist Family Commitment Masses

29 August Sacrament of Reconciliation

13th - 14 September Sacrament of First Eucharist

We ask our school and parish community to keep these students and their families in your prayers as they prepare for these sacred and joyful occasions.

Book Character Dress Up Day 

Get ready to celebrate Book Week with us! On Friday 22 August, we will be holding our annual Book Character Dress-Up Day. This year's theme is "Reading is My Secret Power," so we encourage students to come dressed as their favorite book characters, superheroes, or anything that represents the theme.

The Book Character Parade will begin at 9am in the school hall. Parents and families are warmly invited to join us for this fun-filled event. We can't wait to see all the amazing costumes!

Staffing Updates 

Farewell to Our Wellbeing Officer, Jane

We are writing to let you know that our Wellbeing Officer, Jane Dougherty, has resigned from her position. Jane is a valued member of the St Mary's community, and we are deeply grateful for her significant contributions to the wellbeing of our students. She will be greatly missed by everyone.

We are actively recruiting for this important role. The position has been advertised, and we expect to finalize the recruitment process in the coming weeks. We will keep you informed of any updates.

On behalf of the entire school community, we wish Jane all the very best in her future endeavors and thank her for the positive impact she has had on our school. 

Wishing Jasmine Smith well as She Goes on Maternity Leave

We're also excited to announce that our Student Education Worker, Jas Smith, will begin her maternity leave at the end of Week 5. Jas has been an incredibly valued and dedicated member of the St Mary's community, and we are so grateful for her contributions to our students' learning and development. We will miss her dearly.

We have already begun the process of recruiting a replacement for this role. The position has been advertised, and we anticipate finalizing the recruitment in the coming weeks. We will keep you updated.

We want to thank Jas for all her valuable work and wish her all the best as she prepares to welcome her first child. We look forward to hearing her happy news!

Jasmine Stuart has asked us to be very clear that this baby announcement is for Jas Smith and that Jas Stuart is not expecting a baby! ?

Curriculum Update

In 2025, our school will begin implementing the new NSW Science and Technology K–6 and Creative Arts K–6 syllabuses. These revised curriculum documents, developed by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), are designed to better support your child’s learning by aligning more closely with the world they live in today and the skills they'll need for the future.

Science and Technology K–6: Building Curious, Capable Thinkers

The new Science and Technology syllabus aims to foster students’ curiosity and develop their problem-solving and critical thinking skills through real-world contexts.

What’s New:

• Greater emphasis on scientific inquiry, design thinking, and digital technologies.
  
  
• Students will learn to ask questions, predict outcomes, conduct experiments, and apply technology to solve problems.
  
  
• Integration of coding, robotics, and engineering concepts from an early age.
  
  
• Stronger focus on sustainability, innovation, and how science impacts our lives.
  
  

What it means for your child:
Your child will explore exciting topics like how things work, how to design and test solutions, and how technology shapes the future. They’ll also develop the ability to think creatively and analytically — skills that are valuable across all learning areas.

Creative Arts K–6: Encouraging Expression and Imagination

The updated Creative Arts syllabus continues to nurture students’ creativity and self-expression through Music, Visual Arts, Drama, and Dance, while aligning more closely with contemporary arts practices.

What’s New:

• Stronger focus on creative process, student voice, and cultural diversity in the arts.
  
  
• Emphasis on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in artistic expression.
  
  
• Opportunities for students to create, perform, appreciate, and reflect on the arts in meaningful ways.
  
  
• Increased use of digital tools to create and respond to artworks.

What it means for your child:

Students will be encouraged to explore their creativity in multiple forms, build confidence through performance and presentation, and develop a deeper appreciation for the role of the arts in society and culture.

Year 3 - 6 Enrichment 

We are excited to share that 50 of our talented students from Years 3 to 6 recently took part in the Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC)—a highly regarded national event that challenges students to think creatively and apply their mathematical skills in unique and engaging ways.

Participation in the AMC forms part of our Enrichment program, designed to extend learning beyond the classroom and foster a love of problem-solving, logical reasoning, and independent thinking. The competition encourages persistence and rewards thoughtful approaches to complex problems, giving students a valuable opportunity to stretch themselves academically.

We are incredibly proud of all the students who participated and demonstrated enthusiasm, determination, and mathematical curiosity. 

Results and certificates will be shared with families once they are released later this term. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our young mathematicians!

School Fee Assistance

We recognise the financial pressures that families may face and strive to offer flexible payment options to accommodate different circumstances. DLCSL is developing an organisation fee assistance and debt management processes that will replace the current policies that exist at our schools. 

Please reach out to Jacki if your family experiences financial difficulty or hardship, or alternatively you can complete the form on our school website.

Term 3 2025 Calendar link

Pupil Free Days and Public Holidays 

Warm regards

Jacki, Jasmine and Hannah

Diocesan Athletics Carnival 

In the final week of Term 2, 45 students represented St Mary’s at the Clarence Zone Athletics Carnival in Coffs Harbour at the International Stadium. All our students were fantastic, not just in their personal events but in the behaviour and support for one another.

There were some outstanding performances on the day, particularly Jack Cornish who won the Champion 11 Years Boys. He won the 11 years boys 100, 200 and Long Jump. Others to qualify for the Dioceasn Carnival were Isabella James, Junior girls Shot-put, Lenny Thompson-8yrs 100m. Braxn Nipperess, Jack Cornish, Cooper Stuart and Jimmy Walsh - Senior Boys Relay.

These students will be representing our school and the Clarence Zone at the Diocesan Athletics Carnival, Coffs Harbour on Tuesday 26 August. We wish them the best of luck on the day.

Dudley Jones Tennis

The 2025 Dudley Jones Tennis competition will be held on Friday 5 September, at the Grafton City Courts. This years team will be seeded. Players in the seeded pool only will play for the Dudley Jones Shield. The winning team in the unseeded pool will receive The Sharon Edwards Shield. St Mary’s has nominated 4 mixed teams for this competition of 2 boys and 2 girls in each team. We are in the process of selecting our teams through trials here at school

Todd Woodbridge Tennis Cup

The Todd Woodbridge Cup is a primary school competition for Stage 2 students that uses modified equipment, numeric scoring and mixed gender teams.The competition is just not about selecting the best students, but encouraging participation, providing a positive experience playing Tennis and giving students an opportunity to represent their school. St Mary’s has nominated 4 teams for this competition and at present Stage 2 Tennis players are honing their skills on our newly painted Tennis Court.

PCYC

St Marys are in negotiations at the moment to run mixed gymnastics and indoor court games at the PCYC. Times and dates are yet to be announced but we are looking forward to working with the people at PCYC again this year.

How to Help Our Children Stay Safe

CTRLSHFT_Stay_Safe_Online_MCC_1_1_.pdf

CTRLSHFT_Stay_Safe_Online_MCC_1_1 pdf 1.17 MB

Strengthening Young People against Anxiety

Strengthening_Young_People_against_Anxiety_email_invitation.pdf

Strengthening_Young_People_against_Anxiety_email_invitation _pdf 585.23 KB

Fees

GRAFP_2025_Instalment_Payment_Reminder_3rd_Quarter_.pdf

GRAFP_2025_Instalment_Payment_Reminder_3rd_Quarter pdf 145.91 KB

Lithium Safety

 

1. Only charge e-bikes, e-scooters, power tools in the garage or shed, away from living areas and exit doors.
2. Never use or charge batteries or equipment showing signs of damage such as swelling, leaking, discolouration, or odours
3. Only use chargers that comply with relevant standards and have been supplied with, or deemed compatible with, your battery or device
4. Never leave devices on charge for extended periods (e.g. overnight) or unattended
5. Switch off once fully charged
6. Don’t charge phones on your pillow or in bed, only charge devices on hard surfaces
7. Buy products from reputable brands and suppliers

For further information go to https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/chargesafe

ebike_safety_poster.pdf

ebike_safety_poster _pdf 175.48 KB

Unfollow 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.

Unfollow_the_Fear.pdf

Unfollow_the_Fear _pdf 1.42 MB

Grafton Community Night Flyer

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

2025_Enrolment_form.pdf

2025_Enrolment_form _pdf 420.72 KB

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 

• volunteers interacting one-on-one with a child not their own, 

• working with children who have a disability, 

• offering mentoring services, 

• 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.