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SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
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21 September 2023| Week 10
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Upcoming Dates
- 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 10, Term 3, 2023
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Dear Parents and Caregivers
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I trust this newsletter finds you well and that you have some exciting plans for these holidays with your child/ren. As we look back upon our term within our school community, especially within learning and growth, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on a fundamental principle that forms the bedrock of our school community: aligning our values with our actions in the St Mary’s Way.
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It was lovely to see so many of our families this morning for the Junior Carnival on the school oval. Many thanks to Sarah Muller for her amazing preparation and organisation of this fabulous community event. I do note there may be some teachers with sore muscles this evening after the teacher/staff race!
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In our St Mary’s community, we place great emphasis on nurturing not only academic growth and excellence but also the development of character and values. We strive to create an environment where our students' actions reflect the values that make us who we are – respect, kindness, humility, empathy, integrity, and responsibility. All of which are embedded within the Spirit of St Mary’s.
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Why Does This Alignment Matter?
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Aligning values with actions is crucial for several reasons. It cultivates a sense of authenticity, where our students' behaviour mirrors their true beliefs and convictions. This consistency between what they say they value and how they act creates trust and respect within the school community.
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Furthermore, when our students' values guide their actions, they become active contributors to a positive and inclusive environment. By treating one another with kindness, showing empathy, and acting responsibly, they contribute to the creation of a safe and welcoming space where everyone feels valued and respected.
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The Ripple Effect of Aligned Values
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When our students internalise the importance of aligning their values with their actions, it extends beyond the school environment. These principles become guiding lights in their interactions with family, friends, and the broader community. They learn the significance of being responsible citizens who make positive contributions to society.
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How Can We Foster This Alignment?
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Open Dialogue: Encourage open conversations at home about values and their importance. Discuss real-life scenarios where values are put into practice.
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Lead by Example: As adults, we play a crucial role in modelling aligned behaviour. When our children see us living our values, it reinforces the importance of consistency.
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Reflection and Discussions: Encourage your child to reflect on their actions and how they align with their values. Engage in discussions about the choices they make.
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Celebrate Positive Actions: Acknowledge and celebrate instances when your child's actions reflect their values. This positive reinforcement reinforces their commitment.
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Community Involvement: Participate in community service projects together. These experiences provide tangible ways to align values with actions while making a difference.
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We are committed to fostering an environment where our students not only learn about values but also embody them through their actions. By aligning values with actions, we build a strong foundation for personal growth, positive relationships, and a thriving and happy school community.
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We farewell Mrs Tasha Robinson, our Inclusion Support Coordinator at the end of this term. Tasha and her family are making the move to WA in the later part of the year. I want to especially acknowledge and congratulate Tasha for the positive impact she has had on the school community of St Mary’s. Tasha’s relationships with parents, her considered response and engagement with our inclusion students and her steadfast support of our Teaching and ISA staff will stay in our hearts and memories for a long time.
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Maya Angelou may well have been referencing Tasha when she quoted -
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“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
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Farewell to Georgia (Room 5) and family and Zynella (Room 14) and family who leave our school community this week.
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Have a safe, happy and fun holiday break,
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Prayer
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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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Religious Education News
Season of Creation: This month marks the beginning of the Season of Creation, the annual Christian celebration of renewing our commitment to nurture and look after our common home.
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The season started on 1st September and will end on 4th October, the feast of St Francis, the patron saint of ecology. This year’s theme is, Let Justice and Peace Flow.
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I challenge you to be on the lookout for sustainable measures used at the fair that can be adopted at home.
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Friday 27th October at 8:30 - Room 5 - World Mission
Friday 10th November at 8:30 - Defence - Remembrance Day
Friday 1st December at 8:30 - Room 8 - Advent
Thursday 7th December at 6pm - Year 6 Graduation
Monday 10th December 8:30am - End of Year Whole School
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Religious Education Co-ordinator
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News from the Deputy Principal
With holidays approaching, you may be fortunate to spend time with your family. If you are looking for some activities for your children to participate in, the NT government provide a holiday program with experiences and events planned for children.
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St Mary’s offers vacation care during the two weeks with a fun-filled program also. You can find the booking form on School Stream.
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Take very good care of yourself,
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Be You
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Positive Partnerships
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Finance 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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WHAT IS MINIROOS KICK-OFF?
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· A fun, introductory program taught in a supportive environment for boys and girls aged between 4 and 11 years old;
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· Weekly sessions that build skills through progressive drills and games, and focus on fundamental movement skills;
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· Program delivery in an engaging and inclusive environment;
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· Smooth introduction to club football.
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Registration is compulsory via the link below:
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