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Upcoming Dates
- 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; No Playgroup
- 9th September: Bunnings Sausage Sizzle Fundraiser
- 14th September: School Concert
- 15th September: Awards Assembly 8.30 am; Year 6 Catholic Education NT Public Speaking Competition
- 21st September: Junior Athletics Carnival 8.30 - 10 am
- 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 8, Term 3, 2023
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Dear Parents and Caregivers
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St Mary’s Feast Day: Today we celebrated the Birthday of our school patron, Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Mary was a wonderful example to us all with her unconditional “Yes” to God’s calling. We can aspire to Mary’s personal traits of patience, gentleness and humility as we go about our own everyday encounters.
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Many thanks to Miss Nolan and Fr Dean for the planning and preparation of our beautiful Mass we celebrated in the Cathedral this morning.
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Thank You: I want to sincerely thank the P&F for hosting such a successful Father’s Day gift stall last Thursday. It was such a fabulous sight to see the children able to purchase ‘that’ special gift for the significant men in their lives. Thank you to all our Dads who were able to attend our Father’s Day Liturgy dedicated to dads last Friday. It certainly was lovely to see so many of our parents able to come together again as a community.
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School Concert: Our School Concert is creeping up so quickly… I can’t believe it is next week!!!!! Thank you to the team working behind the scenes to ensure our whole school performance on Thursday, 14 September is another memorable event. A reminder and to avoid upset at our dress rehearsals this week, if you have not finalised your child’s costume, please do so as soon as possible.
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School Concert Tickets: Are available through Flexi schools for purchase. Cost is $25 per person. Under 12 and St Mary's students no cost. To avoid hold ups on the night we will have an express check -in for families who have pre - purchased tickets prior to Thursday evening.
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Junior Athletics Carnival: We are hopeful that our junior Athletics Carnival will go ahead on Thursday, 21 September 2023. If you wish to help out at the Athletics Carnival, we may require support for some events, please let the school office know.
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Transition 2024 Information Sessions: Just a gentle reminder that if you have a child ready for Transition next year, please collect an Transition enrolment pack and if you know anyone who is looking for a school, please send them our way as we believe we can provide an amazing education for our students.
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Farewell to Cruz (Room 6) and family who leave our school community this week. Welcome to Tikhon (Room 7) and family and Mateo (Room 7) and family who joined our school community this week.
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Have a wonderful week ahead,
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Memorare to
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
Remember, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart,
the great things the Lord has done for you.
He chose you for his Mother.
He wanted you close to his Cross
He gives you a share in his glory.
He listens to your prayer.
Offer him our prayers of praise and thanksgiving;
present our petitions to him.
Let us live like you in the love of your Son that his Kingdom may come.
Lead all people to the source of living water that flows from His Heart, spreading over the world hope and salvation, justice and peace.
See our trust in you, answer our prayer,
show yourself always our Mother. Amen.
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Intentions for 2024
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It is that time of year again when we are looking towards planning for 2024, and seeking information from families regarding intentions for next year.
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We ask that families please complete the from on School Stream titled “2024 Intentions” under the FORMS tab in the App or clicking the link below. If prompted the school code is: smcps
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To assist with our planning of class structures, we appreciate your responses by Monday, 24 October 2023.
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St Mary's Junior Carnival
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E-Safety
As we near the end of the term, as everyone is a bit tired, you may find your child spending more time on devices. One way to ensure they are safe when using devices is to use Parent controls.Parental controls are software tools that allow you to monitor and limit what your child sees and does online.
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They can be set up to do things like:
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Block your child from accessing specific websites, apps or functions (like using a device’s camera, or the ability to buy things).
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Filter different kinds of content — such as ‘adult’ or sexual content, content that may promote self-harm, eating disorders, violence, drugs, gambling, racism and terrorism.
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Allow you to monitor your child’s use of connected devices, with reports on the sites they visit and the apps they use, how often and for how long.
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Set time limits, blocking access after a set time.
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If a device or program is shared by multiple members of your family, you should be able change the tool settings to reflect each user’s age and skills.
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Depending on your device and operating software, there are different ways you can do this. You can find more information at: Parent safety
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If you require assistance or have questions, please don’t hesitate to be in contact.
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Be You
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Positive Partnerships
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Library News
BOOK FAIR: Thank you to all families and friends who supported our Book Fair, we sold $3496 in books and items, allowing us to raise $700 towards new furniture for our library.
We would also like to acknowledge the contribution by our Local Member, Paul Kirby, for the kind book donations he made to our library during Book Week.
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BOOK PARADE: Our school buzzed with creativity and imagination at our Book Week Parade. Thank you to parents and carers for assisting your children in dressing up. It was a colourful showcase and demonstration of the power of books to inspire and transport us to new worlds. It was wonderful to see our students and staff celebrating the joy of reading together.
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Our 2023 Book Week Parade prize winners:
COL Winner: Cody (ladybird)
Runner-up: Benjamin (Beauty & The Beast)
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Transition Winner: Matthew (Minecraft)
Runner-up: Akein (Winnie The Poo)
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Year 1 Winner: Mia (Mood-o-Meter)
Runner-up: Piper, Mikah, Quinn & Dawn (Dragon Girls)
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Year 2 Winner: Florence (Pizza and Taco)
Runner-up: Sam (Speedy Gonzales)
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Year 3 Winner: Tommy (Sea Hag from Popeye)
Runner-up: Emily (In My Heart)
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Year 4 Winner: Zoe (Ella Diaries)
Runner-up: Olive (Clifford)
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Year 5 Winner: Ashlee (Axolotel)
Runner-up: Eliza (The Queen)
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Year 6 Winner: Willy Wonka & the Oompa Loompas (Keira, Natalie, Denise)
Runner-up: Jorja (Spy Family)
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Staff Ms Nolan (Lawn Boy)
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Thank you to our judges Michelle Coleman and Ms Harrison, and to Mrs Feldtman, Miss O’Mara and the Year 5/6 students for running the assembly and parade.
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CHIEF MINISTER’S READING CHALLENGE: The following students successfully completed the Chief Minister’s Reading Challenge and their results have been sent through to the Chief Minister’s Office.
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Name Year Class
1 Platon Anthony Transition TMK
2 Hadleigh Anthony Transition TMK
3 Chan Hughes Transition TMK
4 Noah Ferreira 1 1/2MB
5 Harriet Chan 1 1/2MB
6 Isabelle Kon 1 1/2MB
7 Avnoor Kaur Malhi 1 1/2KC
8 Keiji Inoue 1 1/2KC
9 Chloe Munday 1 1/2KC
10 Mia Leong Lone 2 1/2MB
11 Adelaide Richards 2 1/2MB
12 Skyla Kelly 2 1/2MB
13 Marly Birch 2 1/2MB
14 Esther Chin 3 3/4KC
15 Zoe Lewis 4 3/4LK
16 Tara Nair 4 3/4LK
17 Amelia Ferreira 4 3/4KC
18 Natalie Kon 5 5/6CN
19 Fletcher Hewett 5 5/6CN
20 Eliza Richards 5 5/6CN
21 Varundeep Deep 5 5/6CO
22 Jack Chin 5 5/6CO
23 Maria Kalidonis 5 5/6CN
24 Samvit Ravi 6 5/6CN
25 Simba Pawandiwa 6 5/6CN
26 Isla Innes 6 5/6CN
27 Alexander Brennan 6 5/6CO
28 Sysha Lamba 6 5/6CN
29 Keira Sparrow 6 5/6CN
30 Denise Garcia 6 5/6CN
31 Vaishnavi Casula 6 5/6CO
32 Jade Lewis 6 5/6CN
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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
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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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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
Please be advised due to the Pupil Free Day there will be no Playgroup this Friday, 8 September 2023.
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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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