Principal Talk with Mrs. Sally-Anne Croker
Christmas Concert
This evening, 12 December, we will host our Christmas Concert and family picnic.
The concert will commence after the P&F BBQ at roughly 6.15 pm. Each class will present a song led by our Performing Arts Teacher, Mrs Davis, and accompanied by Chalkie White
We invite you to bring your fold-up seats and Christmas spirit.
Please face your chairs towards the MP Hall when setting up and leave the ramp and MP Hall verandah clear. The student's seating area will be sectioned off under the sails and in front of the boy's toilet.
Year Six Farewell
It is coming very close to the time that we, sadly, farewell our Year Six class. This year our Year Six Graduation events will commence next Monday, 16 December at 6.00pm with the Graduation Mass at St Mary's Catholic Church. This will be followed by dinner, and the Awards Presentation at the Services Club for Year Six students, parents/carers/adult guests and staff.
Year Six Final Assembly
The Year Six class will present their Final Assembly on the last day of school, Wednesday, 18 December, at 1.30 pm. The recipients of Awards will be re-acknowledged at this Assembly.
Leadership Changeover
I would also like to recognise and thank our outgoing Year Six class for the fine leadership they have provided the other students and the assistance and positive attitude they have offered the staff. You can all be very proud of your time as a St Mary’s student - you have been wonderful students and leaders.
Twelve months ago, we announced Sophie and Henry as our School Captains. I thank them for their excellent leadership. I would also like to thank Ollie, Sienna, Hayden and Elkie, for their outstanding job as our Sports Captains. You have all provided fine role models to our Year Five students moving into these positions.
Last week, our Year Five students presented speeches outlining why they wanted to be our 2025 School and House Captains. The quality of speeches the students gave in self-nominating for Captain positions was excellent. They showed insight into what leadership means and represents. The students were able to articulate why they felt they would be suitable candidates, and they also managed to engage their audience.
Thank you to all of the students who volunteered themselves for these positions. I am confident that each of you would make excellent leaders, and you will, regardless of the outcome, have opportunities for this next year.
On Monday this week, each student at St Mary’s voted for the students they would like to see fill our Captain’s roles. These roles are filled solely by the student vote; as usual, the staff did not vote.
Congratulations to the following students who will help lead our school in an official capacity next year.
School Captains- Logan Anderson and Grace McCormack
Lawrence Captains- Riley O'Brien and A'dee Reynolds
Aloysius Captains- Tommy Picker and Imogen Hewitt
We congratulate all the students who ran for roles and congratulate them on their wonderful display of sportsmanship and resilience.
Happy Retirement Mrs Branson and Mrs Romer
It was lovely to have both Mrs Romer and Mrs Branson visit school yesterday to celebrate their retirement after many fine years of being an educator and classroom support in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. The staff and students often share memories of both these wonderful ladies and we are sad to see them go. We presented them with a beautiful piece of artwork each symbolising their contributions to St Mary's, created by Jess Plumb.
Enjoy your retirement Mrs Branson and Mrs Romer!
Sporting Achievements
School Sport Australia Cricket Championships
Last week Henry Galland travelled to Adelaide to participate as a member of the NSW U12 Cricket team. Henry had the honour of being named Co-Captain of this team. Unfortunately, the NSW team did not reap many wins at the competition. They lost their first three games in tight contests. Henry bowled well and was proud of his efforts. We are always proud to have St Mary's represented at this level and thank Henry for the opportunity.
Staffing 2025
As we near the end of the term, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you the staffing that has been put in place for 2025.
Kindergarten - Mrs Alison Cummins
Year One - Miss Jayme O'Brien
Year Two - Miss Annie Croker
Year Three Gold - Mrs Therese Skelly
Year Three Green - Mr James Edwards
Year Four - Mrs Dana White
Year Five - Mrs Linda Walsh
Year Six - Mrs Rachael Croker
Performing Arts - Mrs Isabelle Davis (Semester One)
Executive Release - Mrs Karen O'Keefe
Teacher Librarian - Mrs Dorothea Hewitt
Classroom Support Teacher - Mrs Nicola Spackman
Wellbeing Officer - Mrs Stephanie Knight
Classroom Support Assistants - Mrs Shauna Hewitt, Mrs Rie O'Brien, Mrs Stephanie Knight, Miss Molly Skelly, Mrs Meg McIntosh, Mrs Nicole Moloney and Mr Bradley Hayes.
I would like to thank Mrs Rachael Croker for her time and effort in managing the Classroom Support Teacher role this year. Her calm and organised manner has enabled superior plans and support for our students, support staff and teachers. Rachael will continue in her Executive position as Religious Education Coordinator.
We look forward to welcoming back Mrs Nicola Spackman to the Classroom Support Teacher role for three days and thank her for the wonderful job she has done in Year Six for the last two years.
We also want to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Claire McCormack for her commitment to Year Six this year. Claire has filled the role comfortably and has developed wonderful, supportive relationships with her students. We hope to welcome Claire back to St Mary’s in 2025 in a casual teacher role.
Next year, our Year Three classes will sit side-by-side in the Mercy Building and work cooperatively to deliver quality programs aligned with every student’s learning needs. In collaboration with the classroom teachers and executive staff, it was decided that it would be most beneficial for the students to remain in the same class grouping.
Next year, our Year Four class will be in the newly refurbished Parish Meeting Room.
We are excited about 2025 and look forward to a year full of learning and success.
Important TERM FOUR dates to note:
Monday 16 Dec - Year Six Graduation. Mass 6pm. Dinner 7pm
Wednesday 18 Dec - Year Six final Assembly 1:30pm
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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