2025 Term 2 Week 6
Dear Parents and Carers
Farewell to Father Joe Holloway, Welcome to Father Felix Ekeh
It's with mixed emotions that we announce some changes within our parish clergy. This month, we bid a fond farewell to Father Joe Holloway, who will be transferring to the Catholic Parish Of Our Lady Of Sorrows Kyogle. While we are sad to see him go, we are incredibly grateful for his dedicated service, spiritual guidance, and unwavering commitment to our community during his time with us. Last week, the Year five students led a beautiful liturgy and presented him with a thoughtful gift consisting of handmade cards, prayers, memories, and well wishes. Father Joe has been a cherished member of our parish family, and we will miss his presence dearly. We wish him all the very best in his new ministry in Kyogle and pray for his continued success and fulfillment.
At the same time, we are delighted to extend a warm welcome to Father Felix Ekeh, who will be joining our parish to serve the Clarence Valley alongside our current Assistant Parish Priest, Father Emmanuel Okparanaku. Father Felix comes to us with a wealth of experience and a passion for ministry, and we are excited for him to become a part of our vibrant community. We look forward to introducing him to you all and working together to continue to strengthen our faith and serve those around us.
Please join us in thanking Father Joe for his contributions and in warmly welcoming Father Felix to our parish family.
A Big Thank You: Your Voice in the Tell Them From Me Survey!
We want to extend our sincerest gratitude to all the parents who participated in our recent "Tell Them From Me" survey. Your commitment to providing us with valuable feedback is truly appreciated and demonstrates the strong partnership we share in supporting our students' learning and wellbeing.
The "Tell Them From Me" survey is an incredibly important tool for our school. It provides us with a unique opportunity to gain insights directly from you, our parents, about various aspects of school life. The information you shared helps us to:
- Understand your perceptions: We value your perspective on our school's learning environment, communication, and overall culture.
- Identify areas of strength: Your feedback highlights what we are doing well, allowing us to celebrate successes and build upon them.
- Pinpoint areas for improvement: Constructive feedback helps us to identify areas where we can grow, refine our practices, and better meet the needs of our school community.
- Inform future planning: The data gathered from the survey is crucial in guiding our strategic planning and decision-making, ensuring that our efforts are aligned with the needs and aspirations of our students and families.
We are currently analysing the survey results and are excited to delve into the insights you've provided. We will share a summary of the key findings with our school community in due course, outlining how your feedback will contribute to our ongoing school improvement initiatives.
Thank you once again for taking the time to share your thoughts and contribute to the continuous growth and success of our school. Your partnership is invaluable, and we look forward to continuing to work together to create the best possible learning environment for every child.
A Smooth End to the Day: Let's Master Kiss & Go!
We know afternoons can be busy, and our Kiss & Go zone is designed to make school pick-ups as quick and safe as possible for everyone. To ensure a smooth and efficient process, we're asking for your cooperation in following a few key procedures. Your help in keeping the Kiss & Go flowing freely not only benefits our students' safety but also reduces congestion and stress for all families.
Key Reminders for a Safe and Efficient Pick-Up:
- Stay in Your Car: This is the golden rule of Kiss & Go! Please remain in your vehicle at all times. Our dedicated staff are there to help your children safely enter the car.
- No Double Parking - Do a Lap: We understand the temptation to quickly pull up, but double parking creates significant traffic jams and safety hazards. If the Kiss & Go zone is full, please do a quick lap around the block and re-enter the queue. This keeps the flow moving and ensures everyone can access the zone efficiently.
- Visibility is Key: Wind Down Your Window! To help us quickly identify you and call for your child, please wind down the passenger side window as you pull into the Kiss & Go zone. On sunny afternoons, glare on windscreens and tinted windows can make it very difficult for staff to see inside your car. This simple action makes a huge difference in speeding up the pick-up process.
- Fit in the Zone or Do a Lap: If your car is too long to fit completely within the designated Kiss & Go space without overhanging, please do a lap around the block and wait for a suitable spot. Ensuring your car is fully within the zone prevents blockages and keeps the flow of traffic smooth for everyone behind you.
By following these simple guidelines, we can ensure a safer, calmer, and more efficient end to the school day for all our students and families. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in making our Kiss & Go a success!
Grafton Schools Annual Eisteddfod
A number of students from across the school this week performed in the Grafton Schools Annual Eisteddfod, showcasing their talents in choir, dance, and verse speaking.
We are incredibly proud of all our students who participated, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated teachers who go above and beyond to provide these enriching opportunities.
St Mary’s 2025 Results are as follows:
- Infants: Choral Verse Speaking (Year 2) - Highly Commended
- Primary: Junior Choral Verse Speaking (Years 3 & 4) - 1st Place
- Primary: Senior Choral Verse Speaking (Years 5 & 6) - 2nd Place
- Infants: Choir (Kindergarten) - Highly Commended
- Infants: Choir (Year 2) - Highly Commended
- Primary: Junior Choir (Years 3 & 4) - 2nd Place
- Infants: Creative Dancing (Year 1) - Highly Commended
- Primary: Creative Dancing (years 3 & 4) - 2nd Place
- Primary: Creative Dancing (years 5 & 6) - 3rd Place
Special mention goes to the Junior Choral Verse Speaking group, who were awarded best overall Verse Speaking Performance!
Congratulations to all involved for representing our school with such creativity, confidence, and pride!
Reminder: King's Birthday Public Holiday - Monday 9 June
Just a friendly reminder to all our families that Monday 9 June will be a public holiday in observance of the King's Birthday.
This means the school will be closed on this day, and there will be no classes. We hope you enjoy the long weekend with your children and have a wonderful opportunity to relax and spend time together.
We look forward to welcoming all students back to school on Tuesday 10 June.
Jubilee Year of Hope Liturgy - Tuesday 10 June
Students from St Mary’s Primary School and St Joseph’s Primary School will be coming together to celebrate the Jubilee Year of Hope with a special liturgy. This joint celebration will take place at St Mary’s Church on Tuesday, 10 June at 9:30am. All students will travel to and from the Church by bus. Permission is required for each student to attend. Parents and carers are asked to provide consent by selecting ‘Attending’ on Compass.
As part of the celebration, we are honoured to host the Jubilee Boat - the Year of Hope travelling symbol, which will be present during the liturgy as a powerful reminder of our shared journey of faith and hope.
Parents, carers, family, and friends are warmly invited to join us for this meaningful occasion as we reflect on hope and unity within our school communities.
St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal Pyjama Day Fundraiser - Thursday 12 June
We’re excited for our upcoming Pyjama Day to support the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal! On Thursday 12 June, students are invited to wear their pyjamas to school and bring along a gold coin donation to help those in need during the colder months.
Please note: For safety reasons, students must wear closed footwear - slippers are not permitted.
Let’s come together in comfort and kindness to make a difference this winter!
Dance X Primary Dance Group Excursion - Friday 13 June
We are excited to share that our Primary Dance Group will be travelling to Murwillumbah to perform in the Northern NSW section of Dance X.
Dance X has been specially designed as a platform for Primary and Secondary schools across the state, offering students the opportunity to showcase their creative talents in a supportive and friendly competitive environment.
We’re proud of our students’ hard work and dedication and look forward to seeing them represent our school with energy and enthusiasm! We are very thankful for Ms Davies, and Mrs Cameron who work so hard to encourage and prepare our dance group students!
Accendere Year 4 Retreat - Tuesday 17 June
Our Year 4 students will soon take part in a special retreat day called Accendere - a Latin word meaning “to switch on, kindle, catch fire, or spark a flame.” This day is designed to ignite students’ hearts and minds in faith, reflection, and connection with others.
The retreat is themed around the Gospel message:
“And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. If you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples.”
- John 13:34-35
Students will be supported and inspired by the Year 10 Ministry class from McAuley Catholic College, who will assist in leading and facilitating the day’s activities. It promises to be a meaningful and memorable experience for all involved.
School Photo Day & Sports Day - Friday 20 June
Get ready for smiles! This year, our annual school photo day is scheduled for Friday 20 June. We know this is usually our sports day, but due to scheduling, both events will be happening on the same day.
To ensure everyone looks their best for their individual and class photos, we're asking all students to wear their full formal school uniform with black shoes on Friday 20 June. This means no sports uniforms on this particular day. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us make photo day a success!
Netball Schools Cup - Wednesday 25 June
Some of our Stage 3 students will be travelling to the Grafton Netball Courts on Wednesday 25 June to participate in the Netball Schools Cup.
This event provides a fantastic opportunity for students to develop their skills, enjoy healthy competition, and represent our school with teamwork and sportsmanship.
More details, including permission and travel arrangements, will be shared via Compass.
Warm regards
Jacki, Jasmine and Hannah
Addison Peppernell
New South Wales State representatives in sport are few and far between at St Mary’s Grafton. You would have to look back through our long history books to find them - they are rare! But we have one here with us right now in Addison Peppernell. Our School Captain has been selected to play for the NSW Open Primary Girls Hockey Team in the Australian National Championships at Bendigo, Victoria. This is an outstanding achievement for Addison and we all should be proud of what she has achieved for herself, her family and local community. We will be very proud when the Official program comes out and next to Addison’s name will be (St Mary’s Primary School, Grafton).
Let's get to know Addison.
BORN - 2013
PARENTS - Kelly and Troy Peppernell
SIBLINGS - Olivia Peppernell
Tell us when, how, why you started playing Hockey? - I started playing at the age of 4yrs old by the encouragement of my sister to learn a new sport.
Who has been the biggest influence on your Hockey journey so far? Why? - My sister, Olivia, is the biggest influence for me because she pushes me to train harder and more efficiently. During game time she guides me through teaching me different skills.
Do you play other sports? - I play tennis as well as hockey.
What is your favourite sport? - My favourite sport is hockey.
To make the NSW team you must train hard, what’s your schedule like? - My schedule consists of training on Monday, Tuesday and Sunday. My games are played on Thursday and Saturday.
Addison please add anything else you would like to say - The people who push me to be the best version of myself, are definitely my Mum, Kelly, and my Auntie, Lisa. They help me use my skills and teach me how to train like professionals.
Thank you Addison for sharing with us. We wish you the best in all your future endeavours.
Diocesan Cross Country
Our sole competitor at the Dioceasn Cross Country carnival was Willa Chad. Last Thursday Willa travelled to Woolgoolga for the carnival and ran in the under 8/9 2km event. She ran a commendable 9th just missing out on qualifying for the next level. She may have made it though had she not stopped to help a fellow runner who was in distress. This displays true sportsmanship, we are so proud of Willa for showing the St Mary’s Way!
Basketball
Blake and Ben from basketball NSW are continuing our great basketball program. We thank them for their time and expertise. We are promoting basketball as a great sport to get involved in and encourage anyone to check out the local basketball competitions.
Parent Assembly
Grafton Model Aircraft Club
Fees
April fee account statements have been sent out via email. Please contact the school office if you have not received your statement or if you are having difficulty in processing payments. NB 2025 fees are to be paid in full by the end of November, and this is especially important for families who are finishing at St Mary's this year.
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.
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.