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SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
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14 December 2023| Week 10
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Upcoming Dates
- 14th December: Last Day for Students
- 15th December: Office closed 12 noon
- 17th December: Third Sunday of Advent
2024 Dates
- 18th January 2024: Office opens 9 am - 3 pm
- 24th and 25th January 2024: Uniform Shop open 9 am - 3 pm
- 31st January 2024: First day of 2024 school year for 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 4, 2023
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Thank you and special congratulations to Clare Nolan for her for all her hard work in preparing students for the many whole school celebrations and liturgies over the past few weeks. Our Carols evening, Graduation for COL and Year 6 as well as our beautiful end of year Thanksgiving Mass and Step-Up welcome Liturgy have all been beautifully prepared by Clare in her role as REC. Also, thank you to Mrs Feldtman and Mrs Bolwell for supporting Miss Nolan with much of the music and singing preparation.
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Miss Nolan will be taking a well deserved Long Service leave break in Term One and Mrs Leonie Kane has been appointed Acting Religious Education Co-ordinator for Term One. Congratulations Leonie, on this significant leadership appointment. We know you will be wonderful in the REC role.
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I wish to acknowledge and thank those leaving our school community this week. Shannon Feldtman, Molly Kalchbauer, Karen Jerrett, Siobhan Taylor, Kate Carew, Miss Sandra, Miss Rebecca and Georgia McCabe. The presence and gift of yourselves has truly made a difference to the students and families of St Mary’s. We wish you all well on your new adventures. You will all forever be part of the St Mary’s family.
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A massive thank you and acknowledgment of the Leadership team members, Christine Ferreira, Lisa Boyd, Clare Nolan and Shannon Feldtman for their dedication and unwavering strength in their roles. We are truly blessed to have such a dynamic, resourceful, compassionate team working within our school community! Thank you for all you do each day.
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To our Teaching and Support staff of St Mary’s. You are all amazing in the work you do everyday for the students and families of St Mary’s. Enjoy your well deserved holiday break.
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Finally, to our parents/carers, thank you for all that you do to support St Mary’s and we truly appreciate this. At times, we know that school life can be tough for our families, and it is a great feeling to know that our parents wholeheartedly trust and support us. Please enjoy your time together over the Christmas/New Year period, stay safe and we look forward to working alongside you all in 2024!
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Expressions of Interest for the Acting Principal position closed last Friday. We were really hoping to announce the appointment of St Mary’s Acting Principal for Term 1 2024 before the end of Term and families had left for holidays. As we go to print, we are still awaiting communication from Catholic Education Northern Territory.
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Christmas Prayer
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Farewell to Students and Families
To the following students and families leaving our school community this week - Iliana and Cody; Aiden; Mia and Emily; Aziah; Tommy; Lucas I; Natalie and Isabelle; Harriet; Maria, Kalliopi and Elpida; Oscar F and Tahlia.
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And to our Year 6 students and families heading to middle school in 2024 either in Darwin or interstate.
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Alex; Alyssa; Ariya; Ashton; Denise; Dylan; Elijah; Finnegan; Genghis; Hunter; Isla; Jade; Jorja; Keira; Lulu; Matisse; Raver; Samvit; Santiago; Simbarashe; Sysha; Vaishnavi; Zachary and Zachary.
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Religious Education News
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End of Year Mass: Thank you to those who were able to help us celebrate a wonderful year at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School at our End of Year Mass.
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Advent: With the start of this third week of the season of Advent, we are halfway to Christmas. So, as we prepare our hearts for the birth of Christ, we light the third candle, the rose candle which represents joy. We remember what was dark is getting brighter, and joy is on its way. We can hardly wait to rejoice and sing at Christmas. We know that the wonder of the season tends to push all our sadness and sorrow away, so we start to feel that special feeling already.
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Next week, is the fourth and final week of Advent, we light our final candle. As we near Christmas, we spend this moment in prayer so that we are better prepared to welcome the Christ Child into our hearts and into our lives. When we think that we are in charge and in control, that’s when we need to remember it is God who has provided everything we have and made us everything we are.
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Here is a prayer that you may like to use as a family in the final weeks of advent.
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Prayer at the lighting of the third candle
God of our waiting,
We light this candle to remind us that Mary accepted your invitation to be the mother of God.
We pray that you may deepen our spirit of joy so that we may carry the light of hope into the dark places of our world.
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Prayer at the lighting of the fourth candle
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God of our waiting,
We light this candle to remind us that the birth of Jesus is imminent.
We pray that you may deepen our spirit of love, so that our hearts will be open to warmly welcome your Son, Jesus into our lives, into our families and into our world.
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Religious Education Co-ordinator
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2024 School Fees
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BYODD 2024
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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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Music News
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Piano News
Please note that lessons end this year in week 7 (23 November 2023).
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There are no piano lessons in weeks 8, 9, 10
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Lessons resume in 2024 in Term 1, week 2: Thursday, 8 February 2024.
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2024 piano enrolment forms are now in the Front Office, and spaces are available for the coming year.
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Carolyn Gray (piano teacher)
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In the Event of a Cyclone
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As we are now in the cyclone season in the Top End, families are reminded of our school procedures in the event of a cyclone. School closures are announced by the Department of Education and are broadcast to the public on the local TV and radio stations. In the event that government schools are closed, Catholic schools will also be closed. Please listen to the radio or TV for updates in relation to school closures and reopening. We will endeavour to keep families informed via our school app – school stream, facebook and email, but this will be dependent on the availability of power and personnel.
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Visit www.securent.nt.gov.au for more information or visit the app store and download the SecureNT app.
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For up to date weather alerts please refer to http://www.bom.gov.au
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A free service for all Territorians. Log into https://www.tiofi.com.au/alerts and register. Information can be received directly to your phone or email.
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Start of the 2024 School Year
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The 2024 school year begins on Wednesday, 31 January 2024 at 8.15 am for all students. Children are asked to be at school at least ten minutes before classes begin in order that they may find their classrooms and be ready to begin classes at 8.20 am. Please remember to pack lunch, fruit break and recess separately as lunch goes in a container in the cool room in the canteen. The children are also able to have a water bottle in the classroom with them each day.
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The School Book Room will be operating from Wednesday, 24 January 2024 (closed Friday, 26 January public holiday) from 9.00 am to 3.00pm each day. All uniforms and book packs can be purchased from the office from this date.
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Please note, book packs are paid for at this time and will be distributed to teachers for use in the classroom.
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2024 School Terms
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Term 1, 2024 Monday, 29 January 2024 - staff return
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Wednesday, 31 January 2024 - students return
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Friday, 5 April 2024 - last day term one
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Term 2, 2024 Monday, 15 April 2024 - first day term two
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Friday, 21 June 2024 - last day term two
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Term 3, 2024 Monday, 15 July 2024 - staff return
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Tuesday, 16 July 2024 - students return
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Friday, 20 September 2024 - last day term three
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Term 4, 2024 Monday, 7 October 2024 - first day term four
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Thursday, 12 December 2024- last day for students
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Friday, 13 December 2024 - 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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What is happening in Darwin
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