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Upcoming Dates
- 31st August and 1st September: P&F Father's Day Stall
- 1st September: Father's Day Liturgy - Room 7, 8.30 am
- 3rd September: Father's Day
- 7th September: School Feast Day Mass at Cathedral 8.30 followed by picnic on the oval at 9.40 am
- 8th September: Pupil Free Day - Staff Professional Development
- 9th September: Save the date, Bunnings Sausage Sizzle Fundraiser
- 14th September: School Concert
- 15th September: Awards Assembly 8.30 am; Year 6 Catholic Education NT Public Speaking Competition
- 22nd September: Assembly Room 5 8.30 am; Last day of term three
- 9th October: First day of term 4 for staff and students
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Event details will be updated on SchoolStream closer to the event date.
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Please check the EVENTS tab regularly and add event details directly to your calendar!
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Principal's News
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Week 7, Term 3, 2023
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Dear Parents and Caregivers
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Next week we celebrate the much-awaited feast day of our school patron saint, Mary and as our excitement grows, we anticipate the impact this special day will bring to our students and our entire school community. This annual event is not merely a tradition but a day that deeply influences the values we uphold and the connections we nurture within our St Mary's family.
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The Feast of the Nativity of Mary (Mary’s Birthday) observed on September 8th, invites us to reflect upon the devotion, humility, and unwavering faith that Mary exemplified throughout her life. Just as Mary's life was dedicated to selflessness and service, our Feast Day serves as a reminder of our commitment to fostering a spirit of compassion and generosity within our school community.
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At St Mary's, this day is not only an opportunity for spiritual reflection, but it's also a time of unity and celebration. Our students, teachers, staff, and families come together to participate in a range of activities that honour Mary's virtues. From Mass with Fr Dean to our planned picnic and celebration; this is an opportunity for us all to witness the power of faith in action. Mary’s legacy shows us that through her virtues, she transformed the lives of countless people.
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This week has been a week of reflection and affirmation as we hosted Julie Murkin and Ann Stewart as reviewers of our school improvement framework. The initial feedback received has been most affirming for our entire community. I particularly acknowledge the dedication of our amazing staff team and the contribution they have made to the Review process. Our student also did a fantastic job of articulating what they love learning about at St Mary’s. More information will be unpacked for our school community once the Review team have finalised their feedback.
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School closure is scheduled for Friday 8th September for purpose of staff professional development in Catholic Identity.
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OSHC is available for bookings as required and Community of Learners remains open. Program of events to be sent out soon to all families. Where service is required, please make your bookings to secure placement.
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A reminder that to make a booking for OSHC, as per our school policy, all fees are to be up to date.
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We are currently taking enrolments for 2024 across all year levels, including Community of Learners (3-5 years). Over the past few weeks, I have been meeting with many new families coming to our school.
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If you know of anyone who is looking at enrolling their child for next year, please be sure to let them know we are available for interview or a tour of our school. All information about our school can be found on our website.
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Let’s continue to voice together that, no matter how small our actions are, we can create a ripple effect of positivity and change - learning in faith and love.
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Prayer
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Religious Education News
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Making Jesus Real: Last week we had Marty from MJR. Here is a rundown from Marty about his time at St Mary’s.
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St Mary’s Darwin August 2023: Recently I had the pleasure to work with the St Mary’s students and staff. Again it was so pleasing to see the enthusiasm and especially the respect given by their intent listening and ability to share their ideas and reflections.
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I took a sessions with the Year 5/6’s looking at all aspects of social media and the Internet. We discussed the positives and the negatives involving the use of all devices including phones, computers, iPads, gaming devices and even smart TV’s.
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We looked at how it is possible to do history checks with these devices and how we need to
i) Respect them by taking care of these devices because they are very expensive but, more importantly, respect others and ourselves when we use them.
ii) Make good choices when using them. For example, when we are asked to stop using them by an adult at school or home, we should do so straight away rather than talk back or complain.
iii) Be aware of the dangers and the good things that social media and these devices can bring into our lives.
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We looked at various issues concerning social media including bullying, scams, fake news, laws, addiction and security. The students and staff were very forthcoming with ideas and suggestions and we tied these into the Make Jesus Real (MJR) concepts like respect, being a WEST person (Welcoming, Encouraging, saying Sorry & Thank You) and reflecting on how we can do better.
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In the younger grades, we explored the many ‘Spirit of Jesus’ moments that are all around us and by using ‘OK with a smile’ when asked to do a chore at home eg getting off my iPad straight away or going to bed / doing dishes etc. It is a simple but effective behaviour management tool that the students find easy once they begin to make it a habit.
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A BIG thank you to the amazing staff and hopefully the students will reflect on how they can make someone’s day better by using what was discussed oon the day.
LIVE Jesus in our Hearts ….. FOREVER
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Father’s Day Liturgy - Week 7 on 1st September at 8:30am (Room 7)
School Feast Day Mass - Week 8 on 7th September at 8:30am at the Cathedral
School Feast Day Picnic - Week 8 on 7th September at 9:40am on the oval
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Religious Education Co-ordinator
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News from Room 8
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E-Safety
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Dear Parents and Caregivers,
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I had the privilege last week of attending a day of Professional learning at the Catholic Education Office. As part of this day, we discussed eSafety and strategies to support families and children in this eveolving space. As a parent of three children myself, I often find myself questioning how safe my children are online and working to find information to support myself and them in this space.
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For this reason, I will share some great resources in the newsletter that you might engage with that can support you and your children.
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I hope these resources are helpful for you and your family.
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Please reach out if you need further support in this space.
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Take very good care of yourself
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Be You
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Finance News
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Important Information for families with children at the Early Learning Centre and/or Outside School Hours Care
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Catholic School Parents Association
Media Releases
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Parents and Friends News
Father's Day Stall
Our wonderful P&F have once again sought a great assortment of gifts that our students can purchase for their dads, grandpas, pops and papas as well as all the other special men in their lives.
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Gifts will range in price $1-$15 and will be held on Thursday, 31st August with a time allocated for each class to attend.
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Please ensure all money sent to school is clearly marked with your child's name.
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Bunnings BBQ
Our P&F have secured a date to host a sausage sizzle & cake stall at Bunnings Darwin on Saturday 9th September.
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Volunteer opportunities are now open and we are calling for helpers to assist with cooking of the BBQ and serving.
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We also need volunteers to bake cakes, cookies, slices & other sweet treats for the cake stall. All cakes must be labelled with their ingredients and be able to be kept at room temperature. Baked items will be accepted via the front office on Thursday September 7th and via the canteen on Friday September 8th.
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Please click on the following web link (or copy it into your web browser if clicking doesn't work) to go to the signup sheet: Volunteer Sign Up
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To sign up, just follow the instructions on the page. It only takes a few seconds to do. Year 5/6 Students are allowed to volunteer but only in the roles allocated and they must be supervised by an accompanying adult.
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Thank you for volunteering!
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PE News
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Pokemon Cards and Other Toys
Please remember that students should not bring toys to school. We have a growing problem with toys being brought in backpacks that end up being lost, broken, or are creating a distraction in the classroom and inequity in the playground. This includes trading and gaming cards (such a Pokémon cards). These should not be brought to school. Please talk to your child’s classroom teacher if you believe they need to bring an item that assists them to transition into school each morning.
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Thank you in advance for your help with this.
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Kiss and Go
As we strive to ensure the safety and efficiency of our daily drop-off and pick-up routines at St. Mary's Catholic Primary School, I am writing to remind you of the "Kiss and Go" rules and the importance of adhering to them.
The Kiss and Go Zone, located on Cavenagh Street, plays a crucial role in maintaining a smooth flow of traffic during these busy periods. It allows parents to drop off or pick up their children quickly and safely, minimising congestion and ensuring the well-being of all students. Please take the time to review our school Kiss and Go video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7&v=8p3NoK0xSFU&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stmarysnt.catholic.edu.au%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY&feature=emb_logo
To reiterate, the Kiss and Go Zone operates during the following times (please refer to signage):
Morning Drop-off: 8:00 am - 8:30 am
Afternoon Pick-up: 2:35 pm - 3:05 pm
During these designated times, it is essential to observe the following guidelines:
No Parking: Please remember that parking is strictly prohibited within the Kiss and Go zone during its operational hours. This is enforced by Darwin City Council and is in place to maintain a steady flow of vehicles and ensure the safety of all students. Stopping briefly to drop off or pick up your child is permitted, but please refrain from parking, entering the school and leaving your vehicle unattended. Please note that vehicles left unattended are subject to parking fines.If you prefer to park and walk your child to the school gate, please use the Lindsay Street student entrance.
Efficient Drop-off/Pick-up: When using the Kiss and Go zone, we kindly request that you pull up as far forward as possible to allow other parents to access the area efficiently. This simple gesture helps prevent unnecessary congestion and delays.
Stay Alert and Patient: As the Kiss and Go zone can become busy, it is crucial to exercise caution and remain patient while waiting for your turn. Be mindful of pedestrians, other parents and ensure the safety of all students and staff members. If the zone is full, do a lap around the block until you are able to safely enter the line.
By adhering to these rules, we can collectively create a safer and more streamlined drop-off and pick-up experience for everyone involved. We deeply appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain an environment that prioritises the well-being of our students.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Kiss and Go zone or any other matter related to St. Mary's Catholic Primary School, please do not hesitate to contact the front office.
Remember to always "choose safety, over convenience".
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Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.
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Playgroup
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School Canteen Services Update
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We are excited to announce a new update to our school canteen online ordering and services that will make ordering your favorite foods during recess easier than ever before. Starting this term, our canteen will offer a new "Recess" ordering service that will allow you to pre-order your child's snacks and fruits for the recess break.
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To accommodate this change our existing "2nd Break" service has been updated to "Lunch" service.
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Like our existing service orders need to be placed before 8:40 am each day via the Flexischools platform (see instructions at the end of this newsletter). The menu options will be available on the school app and will include a range of healthy and delicious options that cater to all tastes and dietary requirements. Once the orders are received, the canteen staff will prepare the food and have it ready for students to pick up during the designated recess eating time at 10.40am.
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We believe that this new service will help reduce waiting times at the canteen and ensure that students have more time to enjoy their recess break. By ordering ahead of time, students will also have a greater selection of food options to choose from, and can rest assured that their preferred meals and snacks will be available when they arrive at the canteen.
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Throughout Term 3 we will be aiming to phase out all window cash sales.
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As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions. Please feel free to share your thoughts with us, and we will do our best to incorporate them into our future plans.
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Music News
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2023 School Terms
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Term 1, 2023 Monday, 30 January 2023 - staff return
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Wednesday, 1 February 2023 - students return
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Thursday, 6 April 2023 - last day term one
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Term 2, 2023 Monday, 17 April to Friday, 23 June 2023
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Term 3, 2023 Monday, 17 July 2023 - staff return
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Tuesday, 18 July 2023 - students return
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Friday, 22 September 2023 - last day term three
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Term 4, 2023 Monday, 9 October 2023
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Thursday, 14 December 2023 - last day for students
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Friday, 15 December 2023 - last day for staff
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Download School Stream
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Why download the App?
- Receive instant notifications for important news and classroom updates.
- Complete permission and absentee forms.
- Keep up to date with events and save event details directly to your own calendar.
- Order from our school canteen.
Don’t forget to turn your notifications on – so you don’t miss any important notices!
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Want to avoid fees when topping up your Flexischools account?
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Click below to download a step-by-step guide on how to top up your Flexischools account without a surcharge via Electronic Bank Transfer
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To streamline processes across the school, in 2023 we are only accepting online orders for lunches.
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All families need to set up an account for online ordering through Flexischools, which is linked directly in the School Stream App. Details on how to set up an account can be found in the “CANTEEN” tab of School Stream. There is no need to download the Flexischools App, it can all be accessed from the School Stream App.
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You can find the Canteen menu in School Stream. Please note daily orders close at 8.40am. Any orders received after this time, will be fulfilled subject to availability of stock and may be substituted for a basic sandwich.
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What is happening in Darwin
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