Week 7, Term 4 2024 - 12th November 2024

Principal's Reflection

“Throw off everything that hinders us and run with endurance
the race that is set before us" - Hebrews 12:1

Can you believe that there are only 18 school days left for the year? With a host of events and celebrations including the parish fair, the Christmas concert and the Year 6 Graduation, there is only a hop, skip and jump to Christmas.

Facing this downhill run, it can be easy to take the foot off the accelerator and coast into the Christmas season, however it is important to guard against complacency.  It is important to aim for what St Paul writes about in his letter to the Hebrews – show endurance and to finish strong.

Finishing strong exemplifies the importance of students maintaining a high level of commitment and effort to their studies, right to the very last day of term.  As you know, there is a high correlation between student effort and success.  Therefore, I urge all students to give themselves the best chance to succeed by ensuring they begin each day ready to learn and strive to complete all their set work to the highest level possible. 

There also needs to be commitment to maintaining high behaviour standards that we strive for each and every day.  I encourage all parents to reinforce this with their children, as each year, we unfortunately see student behaviour decline as we get close to the end of school.

Each day, our students are building a foundation for their future; a future heavily influenced by the level of education they attain.  I know that with the support of parents and teachers, that future can be a desirable one.  With effort comes success.  Finish strong!

All the very best,

Wes Rose 
Principal

From our Principal | Mr Wes Rose

St Mary’s Christmas Fair
I hope to see as many staff, parents and students at our annual Christmas Fair this Saturday evening, which is always a lovely night for all.  The profit from this Fair contributes significantly towards the Parish and our School, so thank you to the many businesses and families who have donated items, cooked sweets and volunteered their time to help on a stall.  Your help is greatly appreciated.

2025 Teacher Placements
I am pleased to advise that we have appointed the following teachers for the 2025 school year.

You will see a few new names on our teaching staff list.  Some information about our new staff is as follows;

Emily Graham – We welcome Miss Graham to St Mary’s for her first year of teaching.  Originally from the Sunshine Coast hinterland, Emily studied at the Australian Catholic University (Brisbane) and has completed her placements at several rural Catholic schools.  This year, Emily has been a boarding master and relief teacher at Whitsunday Anglican School. We look forward to working alongside Emily and welcome her hard-working, positive nature to our school.

Melanie Parrott – Mrs Parrott is a long serving staff member and returns from maternity leave, sharing the Year 5F class with Leigh. 

Leigh Ford – Mrs Ford is well known to our students, having worked as a relief teacher across most grades this year.  Leigh is an experienced teacher and her calm, organised approach will certainly create a wonderful learning atmosphere.

Hollie Cleaver – Hollie is also a familiar face at St Mary’s, being a relief teacher at our school the past two years.  Hollie has a lovely nature with her students and we thank her for assisting us in Semester 1, during Miss Azzopardi’s long service leave.

I also announce that Miss Katrina Azzopardi will be taking long service leave for semester 1, 2025, returning in semester 2.  Mrs Donna Berardi is also taking leave for the 2025 school year. I wish both Donna and Katrina well during their periods of leave.

Jenni Motteram - After 30 years of service to Catholic Education, Mrs Motteram retires at the end of 2024. On behalf of the school community, I thank Jenni for her dedication and contribution to St Mary’s School. The school community will have a suitable time at the Christmas Concert to farewell Jenni. We are sure to see Jenni around the school next year, as she will be doing some relief teaching in between travel plans.

2025 Orientation Morning
I advise that our orientation morning is scheduled for Thursday 28^th November.  Students in Years 1-6 next year will visit their 2025 classrooms and spend time with their new year level teachers.  We also welcome our new teachers on this morning; Mrs Parrott, Mrs Ford, Miss Graham and Mrs Cleaver. Several new students in Years 1-6 will also attend our orientation day and I am sure that our existing students will make them feel very welcome.  Our 2025 Prep students will attend from 9:15am-10:30am.  Families will initially assemble in the Hall and then students will proceed to the Prep classrooms while the parents stay on for morning tea.  Year 6 students attending Catherine McAuley College in 2025 will spend the entire day at the college.  I am sure that this orientation day will give students and teachers in insight into the new school year.

Staff News

• I will be away this Tuesday-Thursday. During my absence, Mrs Battaia is Acting Principal.

In our Prayers

• We keep Mrs Camargo and her family in our prayers, following the recent passing of Lynne’s sister who lived in England.
• We continue to pray for Dillon McConnon, who was accidentally injured at school last week and continues his recovery.

2025 School Leadership Speeches
We will hold our leadership speeches next Tuesday 19^th Nov from 8:40am in the Hall.  Yr 5 candidates will make a speech to the assembled audience of Year 4-6 students and staff. Female candidates will speak first from 8:40am, in alphabetical order, with the boy’s speeches approximately from 9:20am. Following speeches, students and staff will cast their votes, with the 2025 student leaders announced at assembly on 22^nd Nov.  Parents are most welcome to attend the speeches.  The list of candidates is as follows;

Quote of the Week

St Mary's Christmas Fair

Only 4 more sleeps until our Christmas Fair! 
Please join us for this exciting community event this Saturday, 16th November from 5pm.

Major Raffle
Thank you to those families who have already returned their sold raffle tickets. We have some wonderful prizes up for grabs again this year, including a 'bonus' prize. Please return all tickets to the school office as soon as possible. 

2025 Confirmation of Enrolment Form and Sibling Discount

Thank you to the many families who have completed the 2025 Confirmation of Enrolment and Sibling Discount Form. This form is now overdue and we ask that if you have not submitted a form, to please do so as soon as possible. A copy is also available by clicking the link below. Only one form per family is required.

Confirmation of Enrolment and Sibling Discount Form

This form will confirm your child’s enrolment in St Mary’s for 2025 and also help us to determine whether you are eligible for a family discount on your fees, dependent upon the number of children you have attending Diocesan Schools.

Section 3
When completing section 3, please ensure that you complete the name, school and year of all children attending Diocesan Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in 2025. Please list each student on a new line, e.g:
 
  Michael Smith, St Patricks College, Year 11
  James Smith, St Patricks College, Year 9
  Sarah Smith, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Year 6

2025 School Fees Schedule
To view the schedule of fees for 2025, please click on the link below. We are asking families that choose not pay their term invoice in full, to enter into a payment arrangement. The schedule of fees will help you determine, based on your individual family circumstances, repayment amounts either weekly, fortnightly or monthly.

You will be able to set up a payment plan using direct debit with your financial institution or by using Bpay (all details will be included in the first fees statement of 2025, which will be issued by the 31st January 2025).

Payment plans have been calculated over a 40 week period. If you would like to start your payment plan earlier to spread out your payments over a longer period, please contact me via phone on 4951 1743 or email smm_finance@rok.catholic.edu.au with your request. 
   
Should you have any queries in relation to this form or would like clarification on a payment plan amount for 2025, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Kathy Parrish
Finance Officer

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal

A reminder that St Mary's is participating in the St Vincent de Paul Society QLD Christmas Appeal again this year. Thank you to those families who have already contributed items to support people and families who are struggling at Christmas.

Your support will not only provide much needed relief to so many who are currently burdened by a daily struggle of survival, comfort and dignity, but will also gift joy and hope this holiday season. 

We would be very grateful if you would consider donating items from the list below, according to your child’s year level; 

We appreciate you supporting this initiative and in doing so making a difference to people’s lives this Christmas. All items can be sent into classrooms and will be presented to a St Vincent de Paul representative on Friday 29th November at assembly. 

Belinda van Lint
Assistant Principal: Religious Education (Acting)

Remembrance Day Liturgy

Yesterday, our year 3 classes led the school so reverently in our Remembrance Day Liturgy. A minutes' silence was observed and dedicated to those soldiers who have served for our nation. We thank the year 3 teachers and students for their commemoration for those who have served both past and present.

Student of the Week

Week 6, Term 4 Student Award Winners

Community News