Welcome to the 2024 school year! I hope you had a restful and enjoyable long summer and that you are ready to embark on another exciting year of learning and growth. I am more than proud to be leading St Mary's this year as Principal and hope to develop a working and trusting relationship with every family group. 

This year we are emphasising the importance of strong relationships between teachers, students, and families. We believe that when everyone works together, we can achieve great things. We encourage you to stay involved in your child's education and to communicate with your child's teachers regularly. Remember that they are your first port of call with a class query and I am always here for support and assistance.

In addition to our academic programs, we are also excited to offer a wide range of extracurricular activities and clubs that will give our students the opportunity to explore their passions and interests. From Drama Club to Lego Club, there is something for everyone at our school. We are also continuing to provide a well-rounded education that includes art, music, performing arts, ICT, and physical education.

It was wonderful to welcome our students back last Thursday. They have all had a settled start and have enjoyed getting to know their new teachers and exploring their new learning spaces.

This year we commence with 149 students. A very warm welcome is extended to the new families joining our school community; the Seaman, Hunter, Handley, Moorby, Chapple and Gerathy families. We wish you all a happy and smooth transition into school life at St Mary's.

I would like to welcome Mrs Dana White to our staff this year. Mrs White has settled seamlessly into her role as Year Four teacher. I would also like to welcome Claire McCormack to our staff in a part-time role working with Year 6 every Thursday and Friday, and to Miss Jayme O'Brien in Year One.

We are excited about a great year ahead, and we are confident that our students will achieve great things. We look forward to working with you and your child.

Kindergarten 2024

Our Kindergarten class arrived at ‘big school’ last Thursday looking very smart in their St Mary’s uniforms. They had a wonderful day, working well with Mrs Cummins, Mrs Croker and Mrs Hewitt. It was lovely to see them ready to engage in their learning so enthusiastically. We wish our new Kinder students a wonderful first year of school

Opening School Liturgy

Today we held our Opening School Liturgy in St Mary's Church. It was a beautiful occasion which included the Blessing and Presentation of badges to our 2024 Captains. Thank you to all who joined us.

School Hours

Student supervision commences at 8.40am and concludes at 3.30pm. The first morning bell rings at 9.00am and the students are dismissed, at the end of the school day, at 3.10pm. For students requiring earlier morning supervision, Morning Club is available from 8.00am in the Library every Monday - Thursday ONLY. Please complete the following booking form if your child will be attending Morning Club. 

https://smpscrookwell.schoolzineplus.com/form/25

Absence from School

If your child is away from school due to illness, an appointment or other pressing family necessity, please fill in the absentee form via the Compass parent portal (this is the preferred method).

If you are unable to access this, please contact the School Office via email or phone, or send in a note as soon as possible.

Change of Arrangement

Please notify our Office Manager Belinda via a phone call, email or note if there are any changes in routine, such as how your child is travelling home, day-time appointments, etc. This information will be passed on to your child’s teacher and placed in the 'Bus Book'. This notification can also occur via the Compass parent portal.

Crossing/Parking/Drop off and Pick up

Please help us keep our students safe with your diligence to road rules and safe use of the pedestrian crossing. You will notice signs to assist you with the drop off and pick up regulations as directed by NSW Government. Please note the PDF attached for clarification of the driver obligations. 

All students are required to cross at the Crossing on Wade St and Colyer St. Both these crossings are teacher-supervised every afternoon. At NO stage are there to be students, parents or carers crossing the road in between cars and buses.

2024 Welcome Function

Please join us to begin the new school year with a fun-filled morning of 'old time' novelty games and races after Mass on St Patrick's Day, Sunday 17 March. The theme is green, green, green !! We hope to see many of our families there. More details to follow.

Newsletter

Today you received the first school newsletter for the year. Newsletters will be emailed out each Thursday afternoon and are also available on the Compass parent portal, school website and SZapp app, however, if you would prefer a print copy, please contact Belinda. 

We love to share our school community's news and events. Please email the office with photos and updates for inclusion in the newsletter. 

Contact

Teachers are your first port of call for questions and queries pertaining to the classroom. Appointments can be made with your child's classroom teacher by calling the Office.

I am also happy to support you in any way I can. Typically problems that are addressed quickly, in partnership, are the easiest to solve. I will be available on the school phone (48321 592) for calls usually from 8.30am - 4.30pm daily or via email within similar hours. The email address to be used to contact any staff member is office.stmarysc@cg.catholic.edu.au

Emails sent out of hours may not be responded to until the following day.

If you wish to make an appointment to see me, please contact Belinda in the Office.

Swimming Carnival

Where do I Find Trial Dates

The Canberra Goulburn Sports webpage has the full calendar for Primary, Secondary and SSA events. Please click on the link below:

https://www.sport.cg.catholic.edu.au/calendar

Upcoming Trials

• Canberra Goulburn U11’s and U13’s Rugby League Trials 2024
• Date:12 March 2024
• Venue: Northbourne Avenue, Lyneham
• Registrations close Monday 5^th March

• Canberra Goulburn Netball Championships and Trials- Boys and Girls
• Date:Tuesday 12th March 2024
• Location:  Southwell Park - CNA Netball
• Registrations close Monday 5^th March

• Canberra Goulburn Hockey Trials- Boys and Girls
• Date: Trials will be held in Goulburn on 5^th April
• Registrations close Friday 15^th March

How To You Register Your Child for Trials

SETTING UP AN ACCOUNT

If you had an account on the previous website (www.csss.nsw.edu.au) type in the new website login address https://csnsw.sport/cmlogin.aspx. Once you are on this page click on ‘Forgotten Password’, enter your email address and a link to reset your password will be emailed to you.

If you have NOT previously had an account you will be required to set one up to be enabled to register your child for both Canberra Goulburn AND NSWCCC/CPS sporting events and trials. 1. Type in the website address www.csnsw.sport

2. Click on Register which is located in the blue box on the top right-hand side of the page
3. Click on Setup Parent Account
4. Complete all of the fields and click on Create Account. You will receive a confirmation email

ADDING A CHILD

1. Click on Add Child
2. Complete all fields. Click Next
3. Complete all fields on the next page then click on Add Child

REGISTER FOR A SPORT

1. Once logged in scroll to your child’s Profile
2. Click on Register for a Sport
3. Select the Sport you are registering for from ‘Available Sport Registration’ -

This will be the registration process for Canberra Goulburn Trials/ Championships/Carnivals

4. Click Next
5. Review your child’s details and if they are correct tick the ‘Acknowledgement’ box then click Next
6. Sport Specific Details—These will display the Diocesan events your child has previously attended. Click Next
7. Consent to Participate—Complete all fields and click on Finish

Once these steps are completed an email will be generated and sent to your school Principal for approval.

SAVE THE DATES…

• Northern Region Swimming: Yass, 22^nd February
• Soccer Trials: Canberra, 9^th April
• Northern Region Cross Country: Braidwood, 3^rd May

Crookwell Show- BBQ

Each year, the P&F have a BBQ at the Crookwell Show. Each family is rostered on for a time to help on the BBQ.

This roster has been sent out in a separate email. Please check the roster carefully and let Craig Croker know ASAP if you need to swap your day/time.

This is a great fundraising opportunity for the school, so we appreciate your assistance. 

Tuckshop Roster Term 1

Tuckshop is open on Monday and Friday throughout the term. Orders are placed by the Qkr! app.

Please note- hot food must be ordered and can't be bought over the counter. This ensures we do not have food wastage.

Over the counter cash sales can be placed for dry food items (packets of chips, eucalyptus drops, etc) and cold food (icecreams, zooper doopers,etc) and drinks.

If you require assistance with the Qkr app, please see Belinda.

If you cannot do your rostered date, please organise your replacement yourself and advise Belinda of the update to ensure we have a correct copy of the roster. 

If you are keen to help, please click on the following link to complete the form. More hands mean less work! Tuckshop is a great way to meet other parents.

 Tuckshop Helpers

Parish Office