|
|
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Dates
|
- 21st October: Spirit Cup Fun Day; World Mission Day Liturgy led by Year 3/4 Room 14
- 22nd October: P&F Bunnings BBQ
- 28th October: World Teachers' Day; Assembly led by Year 4/5 Room 9; Defence Family gathering afternoon
- 31st October: Mission Stalls Fundraiser
- 1st November: All Saints Day
- 2nd November: All Souls Day
- 3rd November: Soktober Activities
- 15th December: Last day for students for 2023
|
|
|
|
Event details will be updated on School Stream closer to the event date.
|
|
Please check the EVENTS tab regularly and add event details directly to your calendar!
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acting Principal's News
|
Week 1, Term 4, 2022
|
Hello and welcome to Term 4!
|
I hope that everyone in our community was able to spend some time with their families, relax, and enjoy some fun activities during the recent term break. Thank you to our COL and OSHC staff who continued to provide services for our students and families during this time. I heard from the children that their highlights were their excursion to the Botanic Gardens and Water slide fun. Thank you to our OSHC educators for planning and running a successful Vacation Care program.
|
Opening a second play space in the morning for students has proven to be most successful in reducing the business of the courtyard in the mornings. Thank you families for your efforts to supporting our drop-off and pick-up procedures to help these times of the day run smoothly. There are still a handful of students arriving to school around or before 7.45am. A reminder that gates and supervision begins at 8am. Students arriving before 7.45am are strongly encouraged to be booked into our Before School Care service.
|
|
School expectations: The start of the term is the perfect time to revisit school expectations with the students. This morning at assembly I spoke with the students about following the St Mary’s 4Rs (Be Responsible, Be Resilient, Be Respectful and Be Ready to Learn) regardless of what activity they are engaging in both in and out of the classroom and the school. We also spoke again about saying “OK” with a smile and the impact that has on others! I hope you continue to see this at home as well and encourage families to use this same language so that we are all encouraging the same message.
|
|
|
Towards the end of last term we saw an increase in soft toys being brought in from home and being taken out on the yard during play times. I have reminded students this morning that these special toys are best left at home so they stay safe and are not to brought into school, unless pre-arranged as a reward with the classroom teacher. In this case they are to remain in the classroom and not taken outside during play times.
|
School counsellor: We have been informed by Catholic Care NT that a new School Counsellor has been allocated to St Mary's Catholic Primary School as per the School Counselling Program. The new School Counsellor Kelly McGrath will commence next week on Thursday 20th October. Sarah Hogg who has been with St Mary’s now for almost 4 years will have her last day with us next Thursday. Sarah will be missed for her gentle care and support that she provided to our students and their families, and also at times even to our staff.
|
School Crossing Update: Earlier in the year, we advised to families that we were notified by Darwin City Council about the installation of "Your Speed" flashing electronic signs along Cavenagh Street. This was great news for our school as we had ongoing concerns regarding traffic conditions on the roads bounding our school. Unfortunately we are still waiting for these signs, which were meant to be installed by the end of June! However, we have had progress in our communications with Darwin City Council regarding the installation of a school crossing on Lindsay Street. A proposed location for the crossing has been sent through and supported by the school. We hope this is not too far away and will keep families updated. Thank you to our School Board who have been advocating this with Darwin City Council for quite some time.
|
Covid-19 Update: The latest Covid-19 advice is that from 14th October, it is no longer mandatory for those who test positive for COVID-19 in the Northern Territory to self-isolate. However, it remains important that children do stay home if feeling unwell. To help protect our school community, we strongly encourage you to keep your child/ren at home if they have tested positive for Covid-19 until symptoms subside. This also applies to other illnesses as well.
|
We are excited to travel through the school's final term with you, and we have lots of events to look forward to! Already today a group of Year 5/6 students took part in the Darwin Region Touch Football Gala Day. Thank you to Miss Zara Pearson for her organisation and coordination of the event and Mr Stephen Lyons for helping with transportation. The students represented St Mary’s very well and learnt some valuable skills about being in a team. The boys came 4th overall in their pool and the girls were equal 2nd in their pool. Well done to all involved!
|
|
|
Please save a copy of our Term 4 calendar linked above and mark the important dates in your diaries! Parent involvement in our school events is always encouraged and always makes a difference. It was wonderful to hear that we had some new parents attend out P&F gathering yesterday afternoon. Be sure to scroll down and find the volunteer sign up post for our upcoming P&F Bunnings BBQ!
|
Wishing you all an enjoyable and restful weekend.
|
|
|
|
Peace Prayer of Saint Francis
|
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
|
|
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
|
|
where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith;
|
|
where there is despair, hope;
|
|
where there is darkness, light;
|
where there is sadness, joy.
|
|
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
|
|
to be consoled as to console,
|
|
to be understood as to understand,
|
|
For it is in giving that we receive,
|
|
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
|
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
|
|
|
|
Religious Education News
This October, we are celebrating World Mission Month, a month dedicated to the life-giving work of missionaries around the world.
|
This year, we walk hand-in-hand with the Church of Ethiopia and the local communities towards providing life-changing opportunities to those most in need.
|
As a school, we will have a liturgy on Friday 21st October for World Mission Day. In addition to this, we will be holding mission stalls on Monday 31st October and Socktober Shoot Out on Thursday 3rd November.
|
Key events and dates for term:
|
|
World Mission Day Liturgy – Friday 21st October at 8:30 in the Mary Mackillop hall
|
|
Mission stalls – Monday 31st October
|
|
Socktober Day – Thursday 3rd November
|
|
Remembrance Day Liturgy – Friday 11th November at 8:30 in the Mary Mackillop hall
|
|
Advent Liturgy - Friday 25th November at 8:30 in the Mary Mackillop hall
|
End of Year Mass – Monday 12th December at 8:30 in the Cathedral.
|
|
Religious Education Co-ordinator
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
support poor and vulnerable children around the world.
|
This year, St Mary’s is participating in Socktober, as a way for students to learn about key issues of mission and social justice and make a difference for young people in need around the world. As part of this program, we’ll be hosting Mission Stalls and a Socktober Shootout. These two events will be held on two separate days Monday 31st October and Thursday 3rd November.
|
|
Mission Stalls - Monday 31st October
|
In the middle session, classes will set up their own fundraising stalls where children can bring money to participate in the stalls. We ask that students bring no more than $10 and preferably coins.
|
Individual classes may be seeking donation of items to help support their fundraising stalls.
|
|
Socktober Shootout - Thursday 3rd November
|
Students will learn how to make a ‘Sock Ball’, and take part in a penalty style shootout as a way of understanding the challenges faced by children around the world. Students are encouraged to wear crazy socks for this day and bring a gold coin donation.
|
You can help support this day by sending in any recyclable items we can use to make our Sock Balls such as: clean old socks, t-shirts or other fabrics, plastic bags, string, newspapers etc.
|
|
All donations will go directly to supporting the works of Catholic Mission.
|
Thank you in advance for your generous donations.
|
|
Religious Education Co-ordinator
|
|
|
|
Family Intentions for 2023
|
It is that time of year again when we are looking towards planning for 2023, and seeking information from families regarding intentions for next year.
|
We ask that families please complete the from on School Stream titled “2023 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 2022.
|
|
|
|
|
|
2023 Transition Enrolments
|
We find the best form of advertising is word of mouth and we often have families enrol at St Mary's based on your recommendation! If you know of anyone still considering schools for next year, we are aiming to finalise our Transition 2023 enrolments in the coming weeks.
|
|
Our Transition Orientation program commences on 15th of November. Students can only attend these sessions once they have been enrolled into the school for next year. Children who turn 5 before June 30th 2023 are eligible to begin Transition in 2023.
|
|
|
|
|
BYODD Program 2023
|
|
|
|
In 2023, we will be expanding the BYODD program to students in Years 3 to 6. Children moving into Year 3 next year are eligible to join the BYODD program.
|
|
Please find linked below the documents that were shared at our Parent Information Session last term:
|
These documents contain all the information that you need to know regarding our 2023 BYODD program.
|
Our BYODD purchase portal is now open and taking orders for devices for pre-Christmas delivery. You can learn more about our supplier Edunet by watching this video.
|
|
In the chance that you have purchased a previous BYODD device for an older child who will be moving into Middle School next year and will not be requiring the device, it can be passed on to the younger sibling. If you have any further questions regarding the BYODD program, please do not hesitate to contact Christine Ferreira christine.ferreira@nt.catholic.edu.au
|
|
|
|
P&F Bunnings BBQ Volunteers Needed
|
|
Our P&F have secured a date to host a Bunnings BBQ on Saturday 22nd October.
|
Volunteer opportunities are now open and we are calling for helpers to assist with cooking of the BBQ and serving.
|
To sign up, just follow the instructions on the page. It only takes a few seconds to do.
|
Thank you for volunteering!
|
|
|
|
Year 3 to 6 Swimming Carnival
|
|
The annual St Mary’s Swimming Carnival is being held on Friday 4th November- Week 4 at Parap Pool. The carnival will run from approximately 9.00am to 1:30pm and is a fun intra-school competition for students in Years 3-6.
|
Students will need to bring:
|
- Sun protection (sunscreen, hat and shirt)
- Drink bottle
- Recess/Snacks/Lunch- no refrigeration available
- Towel
- Sun Safe bathers (rash shirts recommended)
- Sports Uniform (to change back into after the event)
Parents are most welcome to come along and join us for the carnival. Volunteers will also be needed on the day (if you have a current OCHRE card) to assist students and staff in the running of the carnival. If interested please email zara.pearson@nt.catholic.edu.au
|
Permission forms will be collected online through the School Stream App. Please select the ‘Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival Permission Form’ under the FORMS tab on the homepage. Alternatively, you can complete the form by clicking the button below.
|
|
If prompted the school code is smcps. We appreciate you completing this by Friday 28th October.
|
|
|
|
|
|
SunSmart Renewal
|
|
St Mary's are in the process of renewing our school’s SunSmart registration with the NT Cancer Council. Please ensure that your child has a school hat to wear for all school activities that might be in the sun. Our staff role-model SunSmart behaviours by wearing a hat while out at duties and outdoors.
|
There are three main designated areas that children can play if they do not have hat:
|
- courtyard verandah
- undercover canteen
- Gym.
|
Please take the time to check that your child’s hat is clearly labeled so that in the case that it does go missing, it can be returned to them easily!
|
|
|
|
Pastoral Care and Wellbeing News
|
|
|
|
|
|
Optimistic October
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outside School Hours Care and Early Learning Centre Fees
|
|
|
|
Year 7, 2023
|
|
|
|
|
St Mary's Playgroup
We are so excited to be running our very own playgroup sessions at St Mary’s!
|
When: Wednesday 9.30 – 11.30 am (Term weeks)
|
Where: Mary MacKillop Hall
|
St Mary’s playgroup is the only playgroup in the Darwin CBD registered with Playgroup Northern Territory. Our playgroup sessions allow children to explore through play, enjoy story time, morning tea and create a masterpiece too!
|
|
These sessions are open to families outside of the school and cater for babies and toddlers of all ages. You can find us every Wednesday (school terms only) in the Mary MacKillop Hall, please enter via the Parish entrance from Smith Street.
|
|
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canteen Online Orders & Update
|
|
|
To streamline processes across the school, in 2022 we are now 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.
|
For those with an existing account, you will need to update your child's class and room number for 2022 before placing your first order. Please refer to the instructions in School Stream.
|
You can find the updated 2022 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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
  
|
|
|
|
|
|
