2024 Term 3 Week 5
Dear Parents and Carers,
Book Week
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your incredible efforts in creating such imaginative and stunning costumes for our recent school parade. Your creativity and dedication truly brought our event to life, and the joy on the children’s faces was a testament to your hard work. We also deeply appreciate your presence at the parade, which made the day even more special for our students. Your support and involvement are what make our school community so vibrant and strong. Thank you for being such an integral part of our school’s success!
Principal Appraisal
We encourage you to take a few moments to complete the online survey that was recently emailed to you. Your feedback is invaluable as we conduct the principal appraisal process, and your insights will play a crucial role in helping us enhance our school’s leadership and overall environment. The survey is designed to be quick and easy, and your honest input will provide essential guidance for ongoing improvements. Your participation is greatly appreciated and will directly contribute to making our school the best it can be. Thank you for your time and support!
Uniform consultation
We have sent an invitation to our parents and carers today to attend one of two sessions on offer to meet with our school leaders to talk about our school uniform. Whilst no major changes are planned, it is always good to have community consultation to ensure our uniform policy is still current. The sessions are scheduled for Thursday 5th September at 2pm and 5.30pm.
First Eucharist Commitment Masses
A reminder that the commitment masses for students preparing for the Sacrament of Holy Communion will take place this weekend at the following times:
- Saturday, 24 August: 5:00pm Vigil Mass at St Mary’s Church, Grafton
- Sunday, 25 August: 8:00am Mass at St Mary’s Church, Grafton
These masses are a special opportunity for our candidates to be formally recognised by the Parish community as they continue their journey toward receiving the Holy Eucharist.
School Fee Schedule 2025
In today’s newsletter we are including information regarding the 2025 School Fees Schedule. This schedule has been prepared with the assistance of the Catholic Schools Office.
Canteen Changes
At the beginning of Term 4 St Mary’s will cease using Flexischool for our school canteen orders and will commence utilising the canteen module in our Compass software. This change has been prompted by a recommendation from the Catholic Schools Office and a desire to streamline the ordering process, bringing us in line with many other catholic schools in the Diocese.
At this stage the module is not active for families however staff are trialling it this term to ‘iron out all the bugs’!
We have prepared instructions which are found using this link or in ‘School Documentation’ on Compass.
Thank you to our Canteen Helpers
This week staff and students have been able to order toasties and pizza from the school canteen. Thank you to our canteen helpers and Big River Pizza for making this possible.
Student Led Conferences
Our Student Led Conferences started on Monday and will continue next week. These conferences provide a wonderful opportunity for students to take an active role in discussing their progress and achievements with their parents or guardians. If you have not yet booked an interview time with your child’s teacher, please do so by navigating to ‘Conferences’ on the Compass app.
RU OK Day?
We will be supporting RUOK? Day on Monday 9th September and encourage the students to come dressed in yellow. No gold coin donation required. While children can't be expected to fix someone’s problems, they can be encouraged to listen to what their friend is saying, show they care and tell a teacher, school counsellor or trusted adult if they are worried about their friend. Ask RUOK? any day.
The last day of Term 3 (Friday 27 September) is a pupil-free day.
Warmest regards,
Jas, Dominique 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
The Long Way Home Writing Competition
We are delighted to have 5 of our students' stories chosen to be published in Stories from the Clarence Valley 2024 – Fly by Night.
‘Supermarine Spitfire’ by John Graham (Year 5)
‘The Birds of Night’ by Lilly Lemont (Year 6)
‘The Drive Home’ by Parker Bancroft (Year 5)
‘The Watermelon Top Hat Tutu Cat’ by Lilly Mulqueen (Year 5)
‘Flossy the Flying Fox’ by Nora Gorman (Year 1)
Congratulations to all of our students who wrote stories, we are proud of each and every one of you. Thank you to the classroom teachers for providing this enrichment opportunity for our students.
Student Led Conferences
Our Student Led Conferences started on Monday and will continue next week. These conferences provide a wonderful opportunity for students to take an active role in discussing their progress and achievements with their parents or guardians. If you have not yest booked an interview time with your child’s teacher, please do so by navigating to ‘Conferences’ on the Compass app.
Upcoming Learning Events
Premiers Reading Challenge
Students in Kindergarten - Year 6
The challenge closes for student entries today (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
Feast of the Assumption
Thankyou to all those who joined our school community to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption.
First Eucharist Commitment Mass
Candidates preparing for the Sacrament of First Eucharist are invited to attend a Parish Mass this weekend, where they will have the opportunity to be recognised by the wider community as they undergo their preparation to receive the Eucharist for the first time on the weekend of 21 and 22 September.
Mass Times:
Saturday 5:00pm at St Mary's Church, Grafton
Sunday 8am at St Mary's Church, Grafton
Sunday 9:30am at St Partick's Church, South Grafton
Father's Day Breakfast and Liturgy
St Mary's Feast Day
Parent Education
Parent Opportunity - Supporting Mental Health Wellbeing
Research into how to best support children and young people with mental health challenges is critical to ensuring that as a society we have evidence-based, best practice support strategies for our young people. Southern Cross University is offering parents of children aged 10-13 with mental health needs an opportunity to access a high quality online education program as part of a research project. Further information is available on this flyer for those parents/carers who would like to learn more or apply to be a part of this research project.
Breaking Point: Free Webinar for Parents - Unpacking the Crisis in Youth Mental Health with Dr Justin Coulson
A Free Webinar for Parents and Carers
Date: 11 Sep 2024
Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
CLICK TO REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR https://ccsp.schoolzineplus.com/form/61
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.
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
Week 5
Diocesan Athletics
We had 12 students from St Mary’s represent the Clarence Zone at the Diocesan Athletics Carnival held in Coffs Harbour on Tuesday. Outstanding performances from Jack Cornish (200m) and Anastasia Vereyken (800m and 1500m) events. Both have qualified to run in the Polding Athletics Carnival at Newcastle. All our athletes performed well with the Junior boys relay running 3rd- Henri Green, Jimmy Walsh, Harry White and Jack Cornish. Serge Lobsey ran well in his distant events. Alice Cornish was a speedster in the 9 years girls 100m dash, Hudson Lewis jumped well in the Long Jump and the Senior Boys relay was very smooth. Well done to all our athletes and good luck to Anastasia and Jack on your future endeavours.
Diocesan Soccer/Netball Knockout
Stage 3 students travelled to Yamba last week for the Diocesan Soccer and Netball knockout. We entered 3 teams, Boys and Girls soccer and a Netball team. We played games against Yamba, Maclean, Woolgoolga, Coffs Harbour, Sawtell and Bellingen. All ou teams were fantastic on the day particularly our Boys soccer team who made it to the Grand Final against Woolgoolga but narrowly missed out on a count back.
Registrations OPEN 
Juniors - U9's, U11's, U13's & U15's
Times - 4:15pm (9, 13) and 5pm (11, 15) Seniors - Mixed Open Times - 6pm and 7pm
Round games, finals, and GF concluding on the 16th December 2024
Team managers will need to “REGISTER A TEAM”. Search “Grafton” and select the relevant division.
COMMUNITY SCIENCE NIGHT
Macquarie University presents a fun night of science and discovery for students and parents/carers interested in all things science!
Cost: Free
When: 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Where: PCYC Grafton, 300 Powell Street, Grafton
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.