2024 Term 3 Week 3
Dear Parents and Carers
Principal Appraisal
During Term 3 on 19 September, Jacki Moore will be involved in a principal appraisal process as part of her contract of employment. The appraisal process seeks information from a variety of people associated with the school and uses a number of tools to ensure effective consultation. The process aims to highlight the positive aspects of the leadership offered and identify areas for further development.
A timeline is currently being arranged to suit the needs of the school community. The appraisal will be conducted by an External Chair nominated by the Catholic Schools Office.
The full principal appraisal process involves:
- a survey and self-appraisal statement completed by the Principal
- an interview with the Principal
- input as arranged with the Parish Priest
- surveys of parents, school staff and Catholic Schools Office personnel
- interviews with the Schools Leadership Team
- interviews with a random selection of staff who request an interview with the Chair
- interviews with a random selection of parents who request an interview with the Chair.
The preferred method of survey completion is by the online survey form. A link to this form has been forwarded to your email address. Please ensure your current email address is registered at the school as this survey link will be sent to you two weeks prior to the appraisal. Parents may express their interest to be interviewed via this electronic form. Not all those who express an interest to be interviewed will be contacted. If not contacted, then parents may wish to email their comments. Anonymous comments and emails will not be considered.
In writing the appraisal report, use of the information gathered will remain confidential and not identify sources. Every family in the school is encouraged to complete a survey.
Your support of the appraisal process is appreciated.
Enrolments to McAuley Catholic College:
McAuley has made their enrolment offers for Year 7 2025 on 4th July. All students who applied from St Mary’s were accepted. If you have not received your offer, please contact McAuley Catholic College on 66431434 or via email grafs@lism.catholic.edu.au
New Legislation - Right to Disconnect Laws:
You may be aware that a recent change in workplace legislation has introduced the right for employees to disconnect outside of their working hours. This new law will come into effect on 26 August 2024.
Our teachers are committed to providing the best education and support for your children. To ensure they can maintain a healthy work-life balance and deliver their best during working hours, the new legislation allows them to refrain from monitoring, reading, or responding to work-related communications outside of their scheduled hours.
We kindly ask for your understanding and cooperation in regard to this new legislation. Here are a few points to keep in mind:
- Response Time: You are of course welcome to send emails and messages at a time convenient to you, however, please understand that if sent to a teacher outside of their working hours, they may not respond until they are back on duty.
- Urgent Matters: If you have an urgent concern, please consider whether it can be addressed during working hours. If immediate attention is required, please email the principal
- Ongoing communication: We will continue to communicate important updates and information in a timely manner. However, non-urgent inquiries will be addressed during the teachers' working hours.
Thank you for your support and understanding as we implement this important change.
Last night we held our Trivia Night at the Grafton District Services club. This event proved to be an exceptional evening of fun and competition, with the Kroehnert table being the winners. Congratulations! We would also like to thank the many families and businesses who have supported our fundraising over the last few weeks.
Next week is Science week and the theme for this year is Species Survival: More than Just Sustainability. St Mary's is celebrating everything science by participating in science week enrichment activities in the class groups.
On Friday 23 August staff and students will celebrate Book Week with a dressup day. I don't know who is more excited - the teachers or the students!
St Mary's will celebrate Father's Day on Friday 30 August with a liturgy and breakfast. This is a great opportunity for us to acknowledge the fathers, grandfathers, uncles and 'father figures' in our lives. A flyer is being send home with students soon and everyone is welcome to attend.
The following week we are pleased to welcome families and community members to St Mary's school to celebrate our Feast Day and a family Mass at St Mary's Church. More information will be provided at a later date.
As well as our Stage 3 overnight excursion occuring this term we have a number of smaller excursions as well. Infants students are taking their science studies out of the classroom with Kindergarten visiting McAuley Catholic College on 13 August and Stage 1 travelling to Coffs Harbour on 19 September. Stage 2 students will attend an excursion to support their studies in PDH, with information to be sent out at a later date.
Warmest regards,
Jas, Dominque and Jacki
Upcoming Staff Development Days
- Friday 27 September (Week 10, Term 3)
- Monday 14 October (Week 1, Term 4)
- Thursday 19 and Friday 20 December (Week 10, Term 4)
Term 3 Events Calendar
Mary MacKillop Feast Day
On Thursday, 8 August, students of St. Mary's celebrated the Feast Day of Mary MacKillop, Australia's first and only saint. Throughout the day, students learned about the remarkable life and enduring legacy of St. Mary MacKillop, particularly her significant contributions to Catholic education.
Here are some of her famous quotes that inspired our Year 6 students.
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Feast of the Assumption
Next Thursday, 15 August is the Feast of the Assumption. The doctrine of Mary's Assumption into heaven reflects the long insistence on the importance of Mary in the Catholic Church.
St Mary's will come together as a school community to celebrate Mass together at 11:30am. All are welcome to attend.
We will be hosting Student-Led Conferences during Weeks 5 and 6 of this term. These conferences provide a wonderful opportunity for students to take an active role in discussing their progress and achievements with their parents or guardians.
What are Student-Led Conferences?
Student-Led Conferences are a format where students lead the discussion about their academic performance, goals, and personal growth. During these conferences, students will present their work, reflect on their learning experiences, and set future goals. This approach encourages students to take ownership of their learning and helps them develop important communication and self-assessment skills.
What to Expect:
- Preparation: Students will be preparing for these conferences in advance by selecting work samples and reflecting on their learning progress.
- Discussion: During the conference, students will guide the conversation, share their reflections, and answer any questions you may have.
- Goals Setting: Students will also discuss their future goals and any areas where they seek further improvement.
How You Can Support:
- Encourage Reflection: Talk with your child about their work and the skills they are showcasing.
- Ask Questions: Engage in a dialogue with your child about their experiences and future goals.
- Celebrate Achievements: Acknowledge their efforts and accomplishments to boost their confidence.
We believe that Student-Led Conferences are a powerful way for students to showcase their learning journey and foster a deeper connection between school and home. We look forward to your participation and support in making these conferences a valuable experience for your child.
Further details on how to book an interview time with your child’s teacher will be provided early next week via the Compass app.
Upcoming Learning Events
Science Week
Wednesday 14 August
Students in Kindergarten to Year 6 will participate in Science Week enrichment activities in their classrooms.
The school theme for National Science Week in 2024 is Species Survival - More than just sustainability. The theme aims to highlight the importance of science and innovation in ensuring the survival and thriving of different species in an ever-changing world.
Premiers Reading Challenge
Students in Kindergarten - Year 6
The Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely. The challenge closes for student entries on Friday 23 August.
Clarence Valley Public Speaking Competition
Tuesday 3 September
We will be holding a public speaking competition at school on Tuesday 3 September for interested students in Years 3-6. The finalists will be invited to participate in the Clarence Schools Regional Public Speaking Competition on 23 September which will be held in the theatre at St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child’s education.
Warm regards
Jas Stuart
Assistant Principal Learning and Teaching
Parent Education
Understanding how to support your child with online gaming
Suitable for parents and carers of children and young people in primary and early secondary school.
Tuesday, 3 September, 12.30pm
Register here
Consent and online boundaries: How to support your primary-aged child
Suitable for parents and carers of children in primary school.
Tuesday, 13 August, 12.30 pm
Wednesday, 11 September, 12.30 pm
Register here
An introduction to online safety and emerging technologies
Suitable for parents and carers of children and parents in primary and secondary school.
Thursday, 5 September, 12.30pm
Register here
NAIDOC Week Art Competition
Thankyou to all the students who submitted an entry into the St Mary's NAIDOC Art Competition. There was many amazing contributions that showed how we can 'Keep the Fire Burning'
Take a look at some of our winning entries.
Free Parent Seminar
eSafety parent webinar Wellbeing and digital technologies
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
Term 3 school fees have been processed to school fee accounts. Fees are due 31 August 2024.
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.