Week 3, Term 1 2024 - 11th February 2025
From our Assistant Principal - Curriculum
It’s hard to believe we are already into week 3 of the term. As I reflect on the beginning of the year, I am taken back to a quest I made last year to engage in the STEM professionals in schools program. The program is a free national volunteer program that creates flexible partnerships between Australian teachers and science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) professionals to provide engaging and relevant STEM learning experiences for students. The program is supported by the Australian Government Department of Education and delivered by CSIRO.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are more than just subjects. They are the foundations for future success in fields of employment that we may not even know exist yet. The early years of education play a crucial role in fostering curiosity, problem-solving, and innovation, making STEM learning essential in primary education. By linking STEM learning with real-life experiences and community engagement, we can provide students with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Despite all attempts, the CSIRO team have not yet been able to link us up with a local and available STEM professional. So I am calling on our St Mary‘s school community to connect us with a local STEM professional who may be able to assist.
If you are interested in becoming part of the program or you know of someone who may be interested, I would love to hear from you and our teachers would love to have you involved in their classroom!
Please contact me via email if connection with a STEM professional may be something you can assist with - belinda_battaia@rok.catholic.edu.au
Belinda Battaia
Assistant Principal - Curriculum
From our Principal | Mr Wes Rose
Welcome Bishop and Diocesan Director
This Thursday we will host a visit from Bishop Michael McCarthy, Mr Michael McCusker (Director of Catholic Education) and Mr David Paul (Assistant Director: Schools). During their visit, they will tour the school, meet with all students and with our new ancillary staff members. I am sure our students and staff will make them feel very welcome.
Farewell
It was remiss of me not to mention in previous newsletters that Mrs Fallon Tass (teacher assistant) concluded her time at St Mary’s over the Christmas holidays. Fallon has now excitedly taken a part-time teacher assistant position at St Patrick’s College. On behalf of the school community, I thank Fallon for her dedication to the students and staff during her time at St Mary’s and wish her well in her new role.
Year 5/6 Parent Meeting: 5pm 11th February
The school leadership team warmly invites all parents of Year 5/6 students to attend the parent meeting this afternoon (Tue 11/2) from 5pm in the Hall. The purpose of this session is to connect with parents in our upper years and ensure that open lines of communication are formed at the beginning of a school year. The session will be an excellent opportunity for parents to learn more about a variety of important topics including:
- Year 5 and 6 camps
- Inclusive curriculum support
- Social media and technology use
- Assessments
- Wellbeing and access to the school counsellor
- The role of leaders in our school
We look forward to seeing interested parents this afternoon.
P&F AGM/1st General Meeting: 6pm 11th February
St Mary’s values the strong partnership between home and school. This partnership has a host of benefits, positively impacting outcomes for all students. The St Mary’s P&F warmly invite all parents to attend the AGM/GM this evening (Tue 11th Feb) from 6pm-7pm in the staffroom. This meeting is a chance to review 2024, discuss goals and plan for some great activities for the year ahead.
School Photo Day
This year’s school photos are booked for tomorrow 12th February. Students are to wear their formal school uniform on this day (Preps to wear their prep uniform). Photo order packs were sent home with students last week.
Rumble’s Quest
Last week, children in Years 1-6 received a paper letter outlining Rumble’s Quest, a wellbeing measurement tool we used in 2024 and will once again use this year. I ask that all families read through this letter. If you would not like your child to participate, please complete and return the non-consent form by this Friday. A reminder that if you do consent to your child participating in Rumble’s Quest, you do not need to send the form back.
Uniform Guidelines
A reminder to all families of our uniform guidelines. Some important areas to note include;
- Fingernails. No coloured nail polish or acrylic nails.
- Boys earrings. Boys are asked to take out their earring, or alternatively wear a clear ‘invisible’ stud to school.
- Boys Hair. Be neat in appearance and not falling into eyes. Hair past the collar must be tied back. Hair may not be dyed or worn in a style that is extreme or inappropriate for school (i.e. no tracks, rat’s tails, mo-hawks, mullets or undercuts that have a large variance between length).
- Girls Hair. Be neat in appearance and not falling into eyes. Girls with shoulder or longer length hair must have it tied back. Hair may not be dyed or worn in a style that is extreme or inappropriate for school. Hair accessories should be minimal and must be in colours of navy, blue or white.
Our students demonstrate pride in St Mary’s school by the way they wear their uniform correctly. An infringement letter will be sent home to notify parents of any areas that need to be addressed. If you have any queries about this, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
Student Protection - School Contacts
The safety and wellbeing of our students is our highest priority. Any concerns or reasonable suspicions about a student’s safety and wellbeing will continue to be managed in accordance with Rockhampton Catholic Education Student Protection Processes. Our student orotection contacts are:
- Mr Wes Rose (Principal)
- Mrs Belinda Battaia (APC/Deputy Principal)
- Mrs Belinda van Lint (APRE)
- Mrs Deborah Quinn (School Counsellor)
Further information about Rockhampton Catholic Education's commitment to Student Protection is available here:
Student Protection – Use of Toilets
It is important that students use our toilet facilities appropriately. Classroom teachers regularly remind students of the expectations, and use the poster (located in all school toilets) to ensure all students understand these important messages. The expectations are;
- Only one person per cubicle
- Be quick and quiet
- No time for playing or tricks
We ask that you discuss these expectations at home with your children, so that we are all doing our part to keep children safe at school.
Designated Toilets for Parents/Visitors
From a student protection perspective, we ask that parents do not use the student toilets during the school day. There are toilets designated for the use of all parents, toddlers and visitors. These are the toilets located in the Hall as well as the First Aid Toilet located in the school office.
Quote of the Week
“Success is like a tree; its roots are in dedication, its branches in vision.”
-unknown
Curriculum News
Safer Internet Day
Safer Internet Day is a worldwide event that raises awareness about online safety and encourages everyone to help create a better internet. This year Safer Internet Day takes place on Tuesday 11th February and the theme for this year’s event is “Want to talk about it?”.
Parents, caregivers, educators and the wider community can all play a part in ensuring that our youth have safe and enjoyable experiences online. Resources available for parents can be found at eSafety Parents and include practical skills and advise for tackling the big issues such as time online, cyberbullying, digital reputation and understanding consent. The students of St Mary’s learn about being safe online through classroom conversations, our school code of conduct and the Daniel Morcombe curriculum but we encourage you to “start the chat – and help make every day a Safer Internet Day!”
NAPLAN Online Update
Assessment Window: 12th-24th March 2025
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. NAPLAN assesses skills in literacy and numeracy that are developed over time, through the school curriculum. NAPLAN is not a pass or fail type test, but rather shows how students are progressing in numeracy and literacy skills against national standards for all Australian children. NAPLAN tests fundamental skills rather than specific content, and as such is not a test for which students can study or drill. It is important to remember that the NAPLAN tests and report is only ONE aspect of the school's assessment and reporting process, and does not replace the more extensive and informed judgements made about your child by their teachers.
NAPLAN is a new experience for all of our year 3 families and although it should not be cause for concern, I encourage you to make use of the free online webinar that is being offered by The Queensland Joint Parent Committee. During the webinar experts will explain NAPLAN and help to address potential parent concerns and provide tips for parents when discussing NAPLAN with their child. Please click on this link for registration of this free webinar which takes place on Wednesday 19th February from 7:00-8:30pm. More information is available in the flyer below.
Our year 3 and 5 students will undertake NAPLAN testing online, with the exception of year 3 writing which will be done on paper. The assessment schedule for NAPLAN online has been finalised and can be found below:
Wednesday 12th March | Year 3 Writing paper Year 5 Writing online |
Thursday 13th March | Year 3 and 5 Reading online |
Monday 17th March | Year 3 and 5 Conventions of Language online Catch up tests |
Tuesday 18th March | Year 3 and 5 Numeracy online Catch up tests |
The tests are taken in a specific order: Writing, Reading, Conventions of Language and Numeracy. Should a student be absent for a test, on their return to school they will complete any missed tests in the required order. Examples of the questions and key features of NAPLAN online can be found on the NAPLAN public demonstration site.
The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to let them know that NAPLAN is just one part of their school program, and to urge them to simply do the best they can on the day.
If you have any questions regarding NAPLAN please contact me or your child’s teacher.
Belinda Battaia
Assistant Principal - Curriculum
Sport News
Gold Coast Suns
Yesterday we were fortunate to have Alex Brooks (AFLQ) visit St Mary's with 3 Gold Coast Suns players. Jed Walter, Joel Jeffrey and Cooper Bell worked with year 5/6 students on the basketball court practicing handballing and evasion skills in drills and games. Congratulations to Ewan Ruddick who earnt a signed GC Suns guernsey due to his fair play and sportsmanship during the 'Cross the River' game.
School Counsellor Introduction
Hi everyone,
I am excited to take on the position of School Counsellor here at St Mary’s and look forward to continuing visiting classes in the upcoming weeks to speak to students about their personal wellbeing and discuss the services that are offered. My role as counsellor is to provide short-term counselling to support students to achieve academic success, social and emotional wellbeing and psychological health.
I am available at St Mary’s on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of each week. It is a legal requirement that students have signed consent from parents before they can access our service and referral forms are available from the office. Please contact me if you have any questions about the wellbeing of your child(ren).
A little bit about me: My name is Deb – wife to Pete and mum of 2 kids (Jack (9) and Elsie (10)). My spare time often gets taken up by my kids social and sporting commitments, however I do love travelling, futsal, cooking and spending time with friends and family – preferably outdoors. I was born and raised in the Netherlands where I completed my studies specialising in young people from 0-18 and domestic and family violence. I migrated to Australia in 2011 and commenced a career in child protection. I took a break from working in the social sector to work in our restaurant franchises in Mackay as well as Townsville for several years, however this year it’s time for me get back to what I had missed for many years - which is working with young people and families.
Thank you for welcoming me into the St Mary’s community, I look forward to meeting you all.
Deborah Quinn
Email: deborah_quinn@rok.catholic.edu.au
Opening School Mass Thanks
Today our school community came together to celebrate our Opening Mass for the 2025 school year. We thank Fr Anthony for presiding and congratulate our new school leaders who assisted in the ministry of the Mass with confidence and reverence. It was lovely to have Sr Denise and many other parents, grandparents and friends joining us to celebrate.
This year is a Jubilee year in the Church and the theme is 'Pilgrims of Hope'. Pope Francis says the 2025 Jubilee is a time to “rekindle our hope". Students from each class and our staff representative brought forward an anchor, a well-known symbol of hope, decorated with their unique fingerprint. These anchors represent the commitment of St Mary's staff and students to be pilgrims of hope in 2025.
Belinda van Lint
Assistant Principal - Religious Education
Collection Notice for Parents/Guardians
Please find below a letter from the Australian Government regarding the 2025 Student Residential Address Collection Notice.
Please click on the link below for further information.
Community News
