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Upcoming Dates
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- 9th June: Assembly led by room 7 at 8.30 am
- 12th June: King's Birthday Public Holiday
- 23rd June: Assembly led by room 16 at 8.30 am
- 23rd June: Last day of term two
- 17th July: Teachers return for term three
- 18th July: Students return for term three
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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 2, 2023
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Dear Parents and Caregivers
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Cybersafety in the Home: While watching a program on television this week about Cybersafety for children and families, I was reminded of the invaluable information from the Office of the eSafety Commissioner (eSafety). This website empowers Australian families to have safer, more positive experiences online through a wide range of online safety programs and resources. Knowledge of eSafety can help Australians experiencing online bullying and or abuse to take action or make a complaint.
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You can also find easy, step-by-step information and resources here to help your family stay secure when online.
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Top 10 questions parents have about online security:
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Questions often asked by parents about how to keep your family secure. (these answers are on the website)
• I often click 'remind me later' when I get software update notifications. What’s the risk of putting off software and operating system updates?
• I use my pet’s name as my password. Why isn’t this secure?
• My Wi-Fi router/modem and devices came with default (factory-set) passwords. Why do I need to change them?
• How can I protect my kids when they’re browsing and downloading online?
• How can I protect my family’s privacy online?
• How secure are 'smart' toys and devices?
• How can I know and control what my children are doing online?
• Why should I backup my family’s computers and devices?
• How do I protect my family when connecting online outside of the home?
• Where do I go for help if my family or I have been a victim of an online scam or cybercrime?
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End of Term Assessment and Reporting: As we approach the last two weeks of Term 2, our students in Transition to Year 6 are encountering various forms of assessment in readiness for end of semester Reports. It is important to note that there is much less end of term, or end of semester, assessment as teachers are making ongoing judgements about student progress throughout this period of time. Assessment creates a powerful motivator for some students as well as an undue pressure for others. Where you have worries for your child at this time, please encourage them to seek out their teachers for assistance or contact their teachers yourself, if necessary.
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Showcase of Stars - Student Growth in Learning Awards: Speaking of Assessments. We have a significant number of students who have demonstrated exceptional growth in learning during the first Semester. These students will be acknowledged at our final Assembly in Week 10.
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Out of School Hours Supervision: There are to be no students on the school grounds before 8:00am each morning unless they are attending a school organised activity or Before School Care. There is no supervision of students until after 8:00am and for their safety it is imperative that this is adhered to by all parents and caregivers.
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Enrolments for 2024 Transition: Enrolments from families outside of our existing families are now open for 2024. Existing families of St Mary’s are encouraged to return enrolment forms as soon as possible to ensure places are kept for our existing families.
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An enrolment pack is available on line from our website or alternatively from the front office in Lindsay Street. Children who are born between 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2019, are eligible for entry into the 2024 Transition class.
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Welcome to Joshua (Room 8) and Aiden (CoL) family and Lilly (Room 14) and family who joined our school community this week.
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Have a wonderful long weekend everyone, enjoying all that this dry season weather brings.
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In faith and love,
Rosie Harrison
Principal
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Prayer
We thank you, our Father, for the life and knowledge which you have made known to us through Jesus your Servant; to you be the glory forever.
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Even as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and was gathered together and became one, so let your Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your kingdom; for yours is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ forever
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Religious Education News
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The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ - Reflection
This Sunday 11th June is the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi. In the 13th Century, Pope Urban IV established the feast of Corpus Christi (the Body of Christ) and it was St Thomas Aquinas who composed the official prayers of the Church for the feast day. In 1970 the feast was changed to the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. In some countries it is celebrated on the Thursday following Trinity Sunday (Last Sunday) and in others on the following Sunday.
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The gospel passage comes from the gospel of John. In the gospel, Jesus tells us that he is the living bread of life, and that those of us who eat his flesh and drink his blood will live forever. That is one of the fundamental beliefs about the Eucharist. This word Eucharist means ‘giving thanks’. When we receive the body and blood of Jesus in the Eucharist we become what we receive – we become Christ’s body in the world. When Jesus called his disciples, he called them to be like himself. He reissues that call to be like him every time we receive his body and blood in Eucharist.
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Meals are very important events. Not only do we physically need food and drink to keep ourselves alive, but we use meals to mark occasions and celebrate events: birthdays; weddings; dates; achievements; disappointments; reunions. There is a sacredness about gathering with friends and family and sharing a meal together. Stories are told; memories shared; the food is appreciated and more often than not there’s a drink to accompany the meal. Treating such occasions with gratitude – as blessed moments of grace – is living out the Eucharistic reality of welcoming Jesus into our lives and seeking to be more like him.
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Religious Education Co-ordinator
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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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Academic Reports Semester 1
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St Mary’s Catholic Primary School’s reporting processes reflect the requirements outlined in the Northern Territory Department of Education’s Assessment and Reporting policy.
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What requirements are there for reporting to parents?
Schools are required to provide written reports, at least twice a year, on student achievement. A 5-point scale is used to outline student achievement against the year level achievement standard.
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The approved 5-point scale used at St Mary’s is outlined below:
A = Evidence of learning demonstrates outstanding achievement at this year level.
B = Evidence of learning demonstrates high achievement at this year level.
C = Evidence of learning demonstrates sound achievement at this year level.
D = Evidence of learning demonstrates limited achievement at this year level.
E = Evidence of learning demonstrates very limited achievement at this year level.
N = Not Assessed
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What does a ‘C’ Sound achievement standard mean?
For all Australian Curriculum subject areas, students are assessed against the relevant Achievement Standard for that year level. It is important to recognise that the Australian Curriculum Achievement Standards clearly outline the expectations of a ‘C’ standard. If your child receives a ‘C’ or ‘Sound’ achievement, they are operating at the year level standard and expectation. This means that the child is achieving everything required for the subject at that stage in their corresponding year level at school. Therefore, attaining a ‘C’ or ‘Sound’ achievement means your child is on target for their age and year level
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What information will be in the report?
The contents of this report are based on what has been taught, learned and assessed within this semester. As this is a mid-year Academic Progress Report, only the subject strands that have been taught and assessed during this reporting period will be assessed. Any strands not assessed this semester will be assessed and reported in the end of year report.
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When will I receive my child’s report?
Semester One reports are emailed to parents during the last week of Term 2. If you would like to request a printed report, please email the front once. Please ensure that we have the most up to date email address on file at the office to ensure you receive your child’s report.
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P&F News
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Today was our delivery day for our Krispy Kreme doughnut drive!
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A HUGE thank you to everyone from inside and outside of our school community who supported this fundraising effort. In total over 500 boxes of doughnuts were ordered!! If you haven't picked up your orders, please do so from the school office between 9-3pm tomorrow.
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Thank you so much to our P&F, Office Admin staff and helpers who picked up the doughnuts and ran the fundraiser behind the scenes and helped to make this possible!
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Spirit Cup Fun Day
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Congratulations students of St Mary's for reaching our Term 2 goal of 75,000 points!!
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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 2 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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BYODD Program 2023
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PORTAL IS STILL TAKING ORDERS FOR BYODD
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We have been advised by Edunet that some models are running low on stock - order now to avoid disappointment.
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In 2023, we have expanded the BYODD program to students in Years 3 to 6 and it is a requirement that students in these year groups have their own designated device for school use.
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Please find linked below the documents and information for BYODD. These documents contain all the information that you need to know regarding our 2023 BYODD program:
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Ordering your child's device is quick and easy through our supplier Edunet. You can learn more about our supplier Edunet by watching this video.
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We know of a previous St Mary's family seeking to sell their existing BYODD device as they have needed to upgrade for Middle School.
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Year 7, 2024
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Music News
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PIANO LESSONS
Please note that, due to family commitments, there won't be piano lessons in Week 9, Thursday, 15th June.
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Thank you,
Carolyn Gray (Piano Teacher)
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New School and Library Bags
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We are very excited to share that in 2023 we will be introducing a St Mary’s school bag! We will have two sizes available to accommodate our younger and older students. The new school bag is made of a lightweight yet durable fabric. We will also have waterproof library bags available for purchase in the new year as well.
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Cost of the school back packs will be $45 and $10 for the library bags, both will be available for purchase at the start of the school year.
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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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