|
|
SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
|
15 September 2023| Week 9
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Dates
- 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
|
|
Event details will be updated on SchoolStream closer to the event date.
|
|
Please check the EVENTS tab regularly and add event details directly to your calendar!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Principal's News
|
|
Week 9, Term 3, 2023
|
Dear Parents and Caregivers
|
|
What an excited buzz around our school community last night as our School Concert Day had finally arrived.
|
After many weeks of song and dance rehearsals and costume preparation across the school and Early Learning Centre, our entire school community were delighted with the wonderful performances of the children last night. One of the most rewarding things for me as an educator is that I get to see children shine and demonstrate their talents in such a confident and exuberant manner.
|
In acknowledging and thanking our teaching and support staff, Carissa Read spoke of the pride we as parents have in seeing our children on stage performing and also the sense of pride, we all have belonging to such a vibrant and welcoming school community. Well done everyone. The ‘spirit of St Mary’s’ was certainly evident last night.
|
I also want to acknowledge and thank our amazing staff at St Mary’s who worked so hard to make the concert last night possible. You are a fabulous team.
|
Speaking of talent. Best wishes to Lulu Gardiner for her representation of St Mary’s in the interschool Public Speaking competition hosted by St Paul’s today. Lulu, delivered a well-prepared set speech on the merits of crocodile conservation as well as a brilliant Impromptu speech to be chosen as the St Mary’s representative today.
|
Farewell to Isabelle (Room 14) and Jasmine (Room 6) and family who recently left our school community.
|
Have a wonderful week ahead,
|
|
|
|
Prayer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intentions for 2024
|
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.
|
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
|
|
To assist with our planning of class structures, we appreciate your responses by Monday, 24 October 2023.
|
|
|
|
|
|
News from Room 11
|
|
|
|
St Mary's Junior Carnival
|
|
|
|
Parents and Friends News
|
|
The P&F would like to say a HUGE thank you to everyone that volunteered at our Bunnings BBQ on Saturday.
|
We would also like to say a HUGE thank you to all the families that baked sweet treats for the cake stall.
|
|
The day was hugely successful and it could not have happened without your help.
|
The P&F would also like to thank the following people and businesses for the donations they provided to support our event.
|
|
Luke Gosling - MP for Solomon
|
|
|
|
|
E-Safety
In the past recommendations for screen time have come in the way of time limits.
|
This is less common now and families are encouraged to use some critical questions to assess if the amount of screen time children have is impacting them in adverse ways?
|
Screen time should enhance children’s experiences, not replace “real world” communication and interaction. It is also important to consider how capable children are of regulating their own time? For most children, this is something that parents will need to negotiate, agree upon, and enact.
|
The esafety Commissioner have a wonderful fact sheet to consult when considering how much screen time is appropriate for our children.
|
Hopefully, this is a useful guide for your family.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Be You
|
|
|
|
Positive Partnerships
|
|
|
|
|
Finance News
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Thank you in advance for your help with this.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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".
|
Thank you for your continued support and cooperation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Playgroup
|
|
|
|
School Canteen Services Update
|
|
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.
|
To accommodate this change our existing "2nd Break" service has been updated to "Lunch" service.
|
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.
|
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.
|
Throughout Term 3 we will be aiming to phase out all window cash sales.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Music News
|
|
|
|
2023 School Terms
|
Term 1, 2023 Monday, 30 January 2023 - staff return
|
|
Wednesday, 1 February 2023 - students return
|
Thursday, 6 April 2023 - last day term one
|
Term 2, 2023 Monday, 17 April to Friday, 23 June 2023
|
|
Term 3, 2023 Monday, 17 July 2023 - staff return
|
|
Tuesday, 18 July 2023 - students return
|
Friday, 22 September 2023 - last day term three
|
|
Term 4, 2023 Monday, 9 October 2023
|
|
Thursday, 14 December 2023 - last day for students
|
|
Friday, 15 December 2023 - last day for staff
|
|
|
|
Download School Stream
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Want to avoid fees when topping up your Flexischools account?
|
Click below to download a step-by-step guide on how to top up your Flexischools account without a surcharge via Electronic Bank Transfer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
To streamline processes across the school, in 2023 we are only accepting online orders for lunches.
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
What is happening in Darwin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
  
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
