School Registration

This week we welcomed a panel of six people at St Mary's for our five-yearly School Re-registration. The panel, consisting of Chair Katrina McGrath, Peer Principals Anne Staines and Nicky Trinder, Performance Improvement Leader Noel Hurley, Curriculum Officer Anne Spence and Catholic Identity Officer Nathan Gallea, viewed our policy documentation, teaching, facilities and programs. They visited classrooms and interviewed staff and students.

Yesterday afternoon the panel fed back a draft overview of their Commendations, Affirmations and Recommendations. We felt encouraged by the comments the panel made. Their observations included the respectful relationships and trust between, staff, students and parents, the positive 'feel' of the school environment, the dedication of the staff, the quiet and settled working environment and the engaged students. I will share more detail about the findings of the panel with you when we receive the final report.

Tomorrow, Friday 29 March from 11.45am - 1.30pm we will be holding our school Cross Country Carnival on our bottom playground. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A CHANGE OF VENUE AND TIME.

A map of the course and details about the running of the carnival have been included in the School Sports section of this newsletter. 

Work Commencement

This week work has commenced on our bottom playground. Kent Writer and Bayden Selmes have removed the fence and begun cutting and filling the surface to create a 1% fall for water runoff. 

We are selling the steel fence posts, basketball posts and backboards so if you are interested in purchasing these, for a donation, please contact me.

Showcase of Learning

Our first Showcase of Learning Assembly will be hosted by Stage 3 on Friday 5 April at 12.30pm. 

Nut Aware School

We have an increasing number of children attending St Mary’s who suffer from a severe anaphylactic reaction to peanuts/tree nuts and sesame seeds. These reactions can be serious and even life-threatening. 

As caregivers, we need to take all precautions necessary to minimise risk of life-threatening anaphylaxis.

As a community, we can work together to minimise risk associated with being exposed to these foods that act as a trigger to such attacks.

Management at School

• Parents/caregivers being encouraged not to send food that contains nuts to school with their children. This includes peanut paste, Nutella, Muesli Bars, all nuts and cooking oil containing peanut oil, as well as foods containing nuts (but does not extend to ‘foods that may contain traces of nuts’)
• Staff supervising students whilst they eat their lunch.
• The Tuckshop will not have ‘for sale’ food items that contain nuts, but does not apply to food labelled ‘may contain traces of nuts’.
• No food sharing between children.
• Staff participate in annual First Aid training to assist with understanding and dealing with anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction).
• Awards of food/sweets will not be given that contain nut ingredients e.g. chocolates.

For Parents

• Parents are asked not to send peanut butter or nutella on sandwiches, biscuits etc. (to minimise the risk from person to person contact).
• Emphasise the importance of washing hands when eating food at home and at school.

Year 6 Camp

Year 6 are currently preparing for camp, which will be held in the last week of school, Tuesday 9-12 April at The Academy of Sport, Narrabeen. Year 6 have been fundraising to offset the cost of this excursion. There are approximately 9 tickets left in the 100 Club Raffle. If you would like to purchase a $10 ticket, with the possibility of winning $500, please contact Belinda.

Uniform Reminder

As our weather starts to cool the students are able to wear their full winter uniform, if required. Please do not do a mix of our summer and winter uniforms. 

Also please note that our school coat, which is a warm bottle green parker style coat, is the only acceptable coat. This is only available at our uniform shop.

Bottle green gloves and beanies can be purchased elsewhere. 

Houses for Rent or Buy?

We currently have two families waiting to move to our area who are looking to rent or buy. If you have something suitable for a large family could you please let us, or an agent, know so we can pass this information on.

School Fees

Reminder invoices have been sent out this week to families with outstanding accounts. We would appreciate it if your account could be finalised immediately. It is expected that unless there is an arrangement already in place, that all other fee accounts are finalised to a $0 balance.