Principal Talk with Mrs. Sally-Anne Croker
School Fees for 2025
This week I emailed all families to provide you with notice of school fees for 2025.
School fees for 2025 are shown in the table attached. The school fee in 2025 will include the tuition fee and all school-based levies (except for excursions). We have also reviewed and updated the arrangements for family discounts, which are also set out in the attached table.
We are very conscious that cost of living pressures are ongoing and have worked hard to keep fee increases to a minimum. However, 80% of our school income comes from NSW and Australian government funding which will not keep pace with rising education costs next year. In order to provide a reasonable level of resourcing for the coming year, and to ensure our school can continue to deliver excellent learning opportunities, an increase in fees is required.
Our students benefit from a high-quality educational experience and a wide range of learning and co-curricular opportunities. We continue to see improvement in academic achievement of students, particularly in literacy and numeracy. Our approach to high-impact teaching has been commended nationally and internationally. Our commitment to learning, combined with knowing each child, continues to nurture the growth and development of every child.
Your school fees are critical to support the delivery of high-quality education, the funding of all staff and the maintenance and improvement of facilities at our school.
It is a policy of the Archdiocese that no student should be refused enrolment, excluded or disadvantaged because their family is unable to afford fees. If you have any concern that the 2025 fees may cause hardship for you and your family, I encourage you to contact me for a confidential discussion on the assistance available to support your child.
I value your partnership and thank you for your continued support of our school.
NOTE: From 1 January 2025 Catholic Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Education Limited (the Company) will assume responsibility for the operation of Catholic systemic schools within the Archdiocese. All your rights and your obligations under current Enrolment Contracts / Parent Commitment Agreements / Enrolment Forms relating to the enrolment of your child or children at the school, as previously agreed between you and the existing proprietor of the school (ABN 47 824 127 996) are assigned to the Company (ABN 60 675 797 734) from this date. Your continuing rights and obligations, including the obligation to pay school fees and school-related expenses, will transfer to the Company from the commencement of the 2025 school year. You do not need to do anything further for this transfer to occur and all school operations will continue as usual. If you require further information about these changes, please contact governance@cg.catholic.edu.au
School Sport Australia Golf 


Northern Region Chess
Last Thursday Owen, Harley, Connor and Joshua travelled to Yass to participate in the NR Chess Competition hosted by Mt Carmel. All four boys played four rounds with one draw and one win. The competition was very high and all four boys faced the challenge head-on. Congratulations gentlemen!




Playground addition
This weekend we had a fun addition to our top playground. In her role as Wellbeing Officer, Mrs Knight had purchased a boat to be used for imaginative play at break times. Scott Butz, father of 2025 Kinder student William, helped with the installation over the weekend. Help is a loose term for "did an amazing job over two big days"!! Scott prepared the space, sourced and collected the wood for the boundary and organised the delivery of sand to place it in. This was his time and effort as a favour and we are extremely grateful for his generosity. Both Steph and Scott receive my thanks and gratitude.
Sheep and Wool Muster
My thanks also to Cat, Dave and Alan for the organisation and coordination of the Sheep and Wool muster last week. Thank you also to the families who supported them with donations of sheep. Your efforts are always noticed and we are grateful for the support.
Carols Evening
Please note Thursday 12 December on your calendar. Our annual Carols night will begin with a BBQ Dinner provided by Yr 2 familes and the P&F at 5:30pm. Following this each class will present a Carol accompanied by Aria and Harley's dad, Chalkie White. Children are asked to come dressed in Christmas colours of red, green and white. This year the event is an alcohol free zone.
Condolences
St Mary's school community would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the Culley and Naughton families on the loss of their fathers and grandfathers. John Culley and Kevin Naughton will be remembered as true gentlemen of our community
Important TERM FOUR dates to note:
Monday 2 Dec - Kindergarten 2025 Orientation Day
Thursday 12 Dec - Leadership 2025 Mass
Thursday 12 Dec - St Mary's Carols evening
Monday 16 Dec - Year Six Graduation
Wednesday 18 Dec - Year Six final Assembly
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2025 Term Dates
Included below are the dates for our 2025 School year.
TERM 1,2025 (31 Jan - 11 Apr)
Friday 31 Jan - CECG system-wide pupil-free day
Monday 3 Feb - NSW pupil-free day
Tuesday 4 Feb- Students commence
Friday 11 April - CECG system-wide pupil-free day
TERM 2, 2025 (28 Apr - 4 Jul)
Monday 28 Apr - CECG system-wide pupil-free day
Friday 4 July - CECG system-wide pupil-free day
TERM 3, 2025 (21 Jul - 26 Sep)
Monday 21 July - CECG system-wide pupil-free day
Friday 26 Sep - CECG system-wide pupil-free day
TERM 4, 2025 (13 Oct - 19 Dec)
Monday 13 Oct - CECG system-wide pupil-free day
Friday 19 Dec - CECG system-wide pupil-free day