Welcome to our newsletter
Dear Parents and Carers,
What a busy and successful term we have had thanks to all of our staff who consistently go above and beyond to provide opportunities for our students.
Students have been involved in some rich learning experiences this term with some of the highlights being our Writers Festival, Book Week, Science Week, Stage 3 attending the Byron Writers Festival, Infants Excursions within the local community, Stage 3 Camp to Lake Ainsworth and even a visit from the annual Ride for Sick Kids. We have also been blessed to be able to welcome in many members of the wider school community for Father’s Day, Grandparents Day and St Mary’s Feast Day celebrations.
We have seen many of our students excel in their chosen sporting fields including our Year 6 Netball Team who made it to the Regional Finals for the NSW State Cup, our representatives who played in the Dudley Jones Tennis Competition as well as the tennis players who took out the Grafton event of the Todd Woodbridge Cup and have qualified to compete in the next round.
Congratulations to William Bryant, Arlie Brotherson, Sophia Hearfield, Addison Peppernell, Felipe Correa da Rosa, Amelia Smith, Maeve Thompson and Cooper Hearfield. We wish them luck in the Todd Woodbridge Cup.
We have also nurtured a number of students in our school community as they have grown in their faith through celebrating the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and Holy Communion.
On Wednesday 13th September a number of students in our school community received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Fr Joe joined the students at school so they could receive this sacrament of healing and remind them that just as God is merciful, so too can the students show mercy as a strength of character. It was such a special day for these students who were very well prepared to receive the sacrament thanks to Mrs Brown.
Some of our students were selected in the shortlist for the 2023 Long Way Home story competition. We can’t wait to see Cooper Stuart, Lilly Mulqueen, Freya Thompson, Sophie Sutherland and Sienna Patrick’s published stories in this year’s edition of Stories from the Clarence Valley.
On one occasion, our school was overrun by a group of 100 year olds who celebrated completing 100 days of learning and fun in Kindergarten! We all wore our PJs to school and together, managed to raise over $445 for the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal PJ Day.
Ms Jansen welcomed a healthy baby boy, Vic John, on Friday 15th September. Both Maartje and Vic are doing well and we are sure Pippa is a very helpful big sister. We wish Maartje and her family all the best as they soak up the newborn bubble and adjust to life as a family of 4.
Term 4 is looking just as busy with many upcoming events including Socktober, Jacaranda events and the commencement of our Mini Mary’s program.
Just a reminder that Monday 9 October is an allocated staff development (pupil free) day. Students commence Term 4 on Tuesday 10 October.
Our P&F Disco is just around the corner! Pencil in the date Week 2 Tuesday 17th October at 5:30pm.
Our school is once again participating in Socktober, an inspiring initiative of Catholic Mission. The Socktober event day is set for Week 1 Friday 13th October. If you have not already, you can register your child to start fundraising by following the link previously shared via the COMPASS App.
The Jacaranda Festival occurs early in Term 4. Please keep in mind the following dates:
Saturday 28 October 9am - Parade of Youth & Banner Competition
Thursday 2 November (school closed) Jacaranda Thursday
Saturday 4 November 5pm - Float procession
Please check COMPASS for further information about Jacaranda and other upcoming events closer to the dates.
Have a safe holiday
Jas and Hannah
Please note the following pupil free days:
Monday 9 October - Term 4 Week 1
Friday 3 November - Term 4 Week 4
The final day of the 2023 school year for students is: Friday 15 December - Term 4 Week 10
St Mary’s Primary 2023 Important Dates
(subject to change please check our website for calendar updates)
Term 4
Monday 9 October - Staff PL day - Pupil Free Day
Wednesday 11 October - Billy G’s Gourmet Cookie Dough deliveries are expected
Friday 13 October - Socktober
Tuesday 17 October - P and F Disco 5.30pm start
Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 October - CSO Band - Wildfire visit
Friday 27 October - World Teacher’s Day in Australia
Friday 27 October - Day for Daniel - Red dress up day
Thursday 2 November - Jacaranda Thursday - school closed
Friday 3 November - Staff PL day - Pupil Free Day
Friday 10 November - Remembrance Day liturgy 10.35am start
Tuesday 21 November - Year 5 Leadership speeches
Wednesday 6 December - Year 6 Graduation dinner (Change of Date)
Thursday 7 December - End of Year Mass and Awards ceremony
Friday 8 December - Stage party and colour run; class rewards day; and Christmas Shirt day.
Thursday 14 December - Year 6 fun day
Friday 15 December - Year 6 farewell assembly and last day of the year for students.