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Upcoming Dates
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- 17th March: School Board AGM
- 18th March: Assembly led by Year 1/2 CT Room 6
- 21st March: Harmony Day - Cultural Dress & Breakfast Morning
- 22nd/23rd March: Parent - Teacher - Student Goal Setting Interviews
- 25th March: Assembly led by Year 3/4 NS Room 14
- 1st April: Assembly led by Transition Rooms 7 & 8
- Week 9 & 10: School Swimming Program
- 7th April: Holy Week Liturgy led by 5/6 CN Room 11
- 8th April: Catholic Education System Pupil Free Day
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Please refer to School Stream for full event details. Please check the EVENTS tab to add event details directly to your calendar!
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Principal's News
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Dear Parents and Caregivers,
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In recent weeks I have shared with you articles around the topics of Wellbeing and Social Emotional learning. A focus for St Mary’s in 2022 is our Positive Behaviour Support Framework and how these two important elements contribute to our positive school culture. Over the past 6 weeks teachers have been working with students to set clear expectations within each classroom through co-written positive behaviour expectations and unpacking what the 4 – Rs -
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Respect Responsible Resilient Ready to Learn
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looks like, sounds like and feels like across our school community. As I have been visiting classes the 4 Rs are clearly visible and I have heard teachers and students refer to them in their everyday language, which highlights that they are taking ownership of their behaviours and responsibilities.
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Students are demonstrating an amazing uptake of the 4Rs within the classroom regulating their emotions to make positive play choices. As this is a shared journey, it would be much appreciated if at home you can talk to your child/ren about their play experiences and what strategies they use when they are met with a challenge.
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As we journey into the Season of Lent it is significant for us here at St Mary’s as it represents a time of 40 days that has fasting, special prayer and almsgiving in preparation for Easter, as we celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection.
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Discussions have been happening at school with students about ‘what they can do’ during Lent in one of these areas. We hope that this message resonates that the Season of Lent encourages us to go outside of ourselves to serve others and learnt what it truly means to live out the love of Jesus.
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What can you do as a family together during the season of Lent in 2022? Pope Francis has called our worldwide church to prayer and solidarity with the people of Ukraine. Pope Francis has continued to express his concern about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and to appeal for peace. A moment of quiet spent together as family, to just stop and remember the people of Ukraine is a sign of our support as we pray for peace.
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Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are really suffering due to the recent flooding crisis in NSW and Qld. We pray for their safety and return to their homes.
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Thank you to Miss Clare Nolan for all the behind the scenes preparations for our combined Mass this morning with St John’s Catholic College. It is such a delight to see our two schools coming together as one faith community in our parish Cathedral. Other opportunities are planned throughout the year where we can come together. Our school communities are all the richer for the experience.
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We thank the wonderful group of parents who came along to our St Mary’s P and F ‘meet and greet’ afternoon tea yesterday. There was really good discussion around how our parent body can support the teaching and learning of our school community. Our P and F meet again on Thursday 21st April.
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Next Thursday our St Mary’s School Board meet for our Annual General Meeting at 4.30pm. Nominations for Board positions close next Monday, so it's not too late if you were wanting to join this vital group in our school community.
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Next Friday is the last day Mrs Kate Carew will be with us in 2022, as she commences maternity leave from 21st March. On behalf of all at St Mary’s we wish Kate and Tahlia (Year 3) all the very best as they prepare for the newest member of the Carew family.
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Have a lovely weekend with your families!
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Religious Education News
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Opening School Mass: Today we celebrated our Opening School Mass with St John’s Catholic College. It was a wonderful celebration and lovely to come together and celebrate the beginning of our school year.
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This week through Project Compassion we learn about Biru who lives in a rural village in India’s east. He lost mobility in one of his legs, after contracting polio as a child. Biru worked as a shepherd, looking after other people’s cattle, to support his wife and four daughters. Keeping up with the cattle was a challenge.
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Biru taught himself how to repair bicycles by watching other people, but he never dreamed of using those skills to start his own business. With your generous support, Biru was able to access an entrepreneurship and livelihoods training program, run by Caritas Australia’s partner, Caritas India. He gained the support and skills he needed to start his own bicycle repair business. Now, Biru earns enough money to support his family.
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Watch a short film about Biru’s story here.
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Sacramental Program: This year, St Mary’s students will be offered the opportunity to participate in a school-based Sacramental Preparation Program, run in collaboration with St Mary’s parish.
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Children from Years 3 and above are able to receive the sacraments of Communion and Reconciliation. Those who have made these sacraments can receive Confirmation.
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There will be a parent and student information sessions on the following dates:
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Reconciliation on Saturday April 2nd at 3pm - 4pm in the Mary MacKillop Hall.
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Confirmation on Saturday May 14th at 3pm - 4pm in the Mary MacKillop Hall.
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The sacramental program will run during Term 2 with lessons being held after school from 3pm-4pm on a Thursday.
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Holy Week Liturgy - Thursday 7th April 2:00pm in the Mary MacKillop Hall
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Religious Education Co-ordinator
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Room 16 News
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The students in Room 16 have been busy learning about large numbers all the way up to a million. We even managed to make 100 000 using just about every MAB block in St Marys school. We have a much better idea now of how huge those numbers REALLY ARE!!!
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Our Assembly last week was all based around the MJR Theme Greet Treat and Speak and we were able to share 10 different ways to say Hello from countries all around the world. How did everyone go with our Challenge for the Week? Did you say Good Morning and Good Afternoon to 10 people saying their name?
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One of our favourite parts of the week is when we do Chair Lotto on Monday morning to see where we will sit for the week. It’s a great way to learn to be flexible and resilient and to meet new class members that we may not know so well. Each desk has a number on the desk and as we do a lucky draw to see where we will be sitting for the week.
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School Board Nominations
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The St Mary's School Board Annual General Meeting is scheduled for
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Once again the St Mary's School Board looks forward to a busy year providing support and guidance in school planning and direction setting. The School Board is an advisory body, which shares in the genuine leadership of the school community. Meetings take place once a month during school terms and members are elected for a period of two years.
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The School Board works in partnership with the Principal to shape and monitor the school’s key objectives, priorities and general policy to enhance the education provided by the school. Our Board members share a variety of perspectives and expertise, and bring the views and context of the wider school community to the school. The Board also has a role in promoting the school within and across the community.
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Expressions of Interest 2022
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Parents and carers are encouraged to nominate for positions in 2022. In making this commitment, prospective Board members should be prepared to:
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- Be willing to donate their time and expertise.
- Contribute to the work of the School Board and to act in the best interests of the school.
- Commit to the School’s Catholic Ethos.
- Contribute and support the development of strategic plans and goal setting of St Mary's Catholic Primary School
- Demonstrate confidentiality and sensitivity to differing views and have the ability to work in a spirit of cooperation.
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If you are interested in joining the St Mary's School Board, further information has been sent out via SchoolStream. Part of the nomination process includes completing a nomination form, meeting with the school Principal and Parish Priest prior to the AGM.
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Parent - Teacher - Student Goal Setting Interviews
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Parent - Teacher - Student Goal Setting Interviews are scheduled for
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Week 8 - Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd March 3-6pm
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This year we will be offering families the option of face-to-face or zoom online interviews.
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These are a wonderful opportunity for teachers, parents and students to come together to discuss, clarify and reflect on student's learning goals, achievements and progress.
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The obectives of these conversations are to:
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- allow the student to reflect on their learning and achievements so far this year
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- provide parents with the opportunity to discuss how their child is going
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- provide teachers with the opportunity to give an overview of your child's progress and learning needs.
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You can book a time with your child's teacher by clicking the button below and enter the event code: n9w9n. Alternatively, you can select the "School Interview Bookings" Tab in our School Stream App.
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Please contact the front office if you require any assistance booking a time. The allocated time is 15 minutes per interview. Please contact your child's teacher directly if you cannot attend during the designated interview times to arrange an alternative.
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Face-to-face interviews will be held in your child's classrooms. If you require a booking via zoom, complete the online booking form and then contact your child's teacher directly to advise that you require a zoom invitation. We ask that you please be prompt and arrive early to your designated interview time, to ensure that we run on time. We look forward to meeting with you!
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Harmony Day
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Harmony Day is a time to celebrate Australia's multiculturalism. Harmony day is about respect, inclusion, and belonging for everyone in Australia, no matter what their cultural or linguistic background is. All of us are bound together by a set of core Australian values.
Harmony Day's official colour is orange. The colour orange has long been associated with social communication and meaningful conversations. Also, it encourages people to have their own ideas and treat each other with respect.
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On Harmony Day, St Mary's students are encouraged to wear their cultural dress or something orange to show their support for cultural diversity and a more inclusive country. We want to celebrate the diversity of our school community and the multicultural backgrounds of our families.
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- Since 1945 over seven million people have migrated to Australia.
- Harmony Day takes place on the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
- Harmony Day began in 1999 and since then more than 25,000 Harmony Day events have been held.
- Australians identify with over 270 ancestral backgrounds.
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2022 School Swimming Program
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Each year St Mary's Catholic Primary School run a two-week intensive swimming program facilitated by Royal Life Saving Society NT. We are very excited that due to the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, our school swimming program can go ahead as planned during Weeks 9 and 10 of this term.
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The Swimming Program is a vital part of each child’s Physical Education. It is compulsory for all students to attend the swimming program and the lessons will cater for all swimming abilities.
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Children benefit from developing their confidence in water and their understanding of water safety. This program is not just about developing swimming techniques; it also educates children about how to respond in emergency and rescue situations.
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Information and details regarding the 2022 Swimming Program will be sent home early next week via School Stream.
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Pastoral Care and Wellbeing News
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Calm Kid Central (CKC) is an online portal run by Developing Minds Child Psychologists (which helps kids feel calm, confident and co-operative) and can be accessed by families on devices at home. It does this by providing:
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- A panel of 6 child psychologists who answer questions from parent and carers about child wellbeing and development to support children deal with challenging emotions and situations. Questions are answered within 48 hours.
- A series of animated videos for children (which can be watched on their devices) can help them manage worry, learn to calm down when they are mad or anxious, get along better with their friends/siblings, relax their body, cooperate with adults, use calm words and much more.
- There are activity sheets for children to complete and conversation guides for parents to use to help families talk about these topics.
- Videos, articles and conversation guides for parents to help them feel more confident and calm in supporting kids.
The psychologists ask that parents/caregivers commit to 15-20 minutes at least once a week to watch the video lessons with their children, help them complete the activities and games and to watch and read the parent/caregiver lessons. Parents /caregivers will be asked to fill in questionnaires about their child at the beginning and four months into the program. Progress can be tracked through e-mail updates from the team.
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If you do not wish to become a member, you can still access a number of free articles via the website. We will post articles and parent information through our newsletter throughout the year.
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Spirit of St Mary's Update
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Our Spirit of St Mary’s goal for this term is: 10,000 points! We are almost at our goal for a super awesome Spirit Cup Fun Day. Well done St Mary’s students!
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Week 6 point check: 8506 points!
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Shout out this week goes to Room 7 who doubled their points!
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Naplan Practice Tests
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The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. NAPLAN is the measure through which governments, education authorities, schools and the community can determine whether or not young Australians are meeting important educational outcomes. As a school we utilise Naplan results to guide our future direction and goals. The data is analysed to determine our strengths as a school and to identify areas of need.
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NAPLAN tests skills that are critical for every child to progress through school and life. These include reading, writing, language conventions and numeracy. The assessments are under taken every year across all schools in Australia at the same time in May. In 2022 the testing period for Naplan is 10th to 20th of May.
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As directed by the NT Board of Studies, in 2022 all Naplan tests at St Mary's will be completed online except for the Year 3 writing test. This week Years 3 and 5 students have been sent home information about Naplan tests, including details of test duration and requirements.
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In Week 8 of this Term Year 3 and 5 students will participate in a number of online Naplan practise tests. The purpose of these tests is to ensure our school's technical readiness. Additionally, they allow for students to gain familiarity with the online testing portal and to experience the types of questions they will experience during NAPLAN testing.
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As parents, it is important to remember that NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy skills that students have already learnt through the school curriculum over their years of schooling. Excessive preparation is not useful and can lead to unnecessary anxiety. NAPLAN test days should be treated as just another routine event on the school calendar. The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to reassure them that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school program, and to advise them to simply do the best they can on the day!
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ACARA have created a public demonstration site which allows parents and students to familiarise themselves with the type of questioning and related functionalities in the NAPLAN online assessment. You can access this site by clicking the button below.
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For more information regarding Naplan please contact our Deputy Principal Christine Ferreira.
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School Uniforms
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School shirts in all sizes are now available from the school office.
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We are still out of stock of school dresses in Size 8.
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Thank you for your understanding.
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Learning from Home
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It is understandable that some parents and carers may feel anxious about sending their children to school while COVID-19 cases are rising in the community; however, it’s important for children and young people to continue attending school to maximise positive learning and wellbeing outcomes. If your child is at home, isolating or recovering from Covid-19, the NT Department of Education has compiled several helpful resources and information which you can access from the Learning Together Website. These resources are designed to assist you in supporting your child to continue learning from home.
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You can also download Learning from home packs for each year level from the Health Updates tab on our school website. Printed packs are also available from our school front office for those who prefer this option. We would also encourage and suggest daily reading, either home readers or books from home. Additionally, St Mary’s students are set weekly homework tasks by their classroom teacher which they can continue to engage with while at home.
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We encourage you to be in touch with your child’s classroom teacher if your child is going to be away for more than five days so that you can discuss other ways that we can continue to support your child while learning at home.
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Play Group
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Playgroup is back for 2022!
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We are so excited to be running our very own Playgroup sessions at St Mary’s!
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When: Wednesdays 9.30-11.30am
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Where: Mary MacKillop Hall
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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!
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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 term only) in the Mary MacKillop Hall, please enter via the Parish entrance from Smith Street.
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2022 School Book and Levy Fees
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BYODD Program
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Technology is an educational tool to support learning... it does not replace the learning of key fundamental skills!
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Devices for Years 4 to 6 can still be ordered for our BYODD - Bring Your Own Designated Device program.
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Ordering is made easy via our dedicated online portal. All information can be found in the BYODD Parent Information and device specification guide. We encourage you to learn more about our device supplier Edunet by watching the short video linked below.
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Mindful March 2022
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Team Talk
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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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Download our School App
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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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Canteen Online Orders & Update
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To streamline processes across the school, in 2022 we are now 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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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.
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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.
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Please note that at this time our school canteen has been impacted by supplier shortages. Some items may be temporarily unavailable and will be marked as 'out of stock' when ordering. Thank you for your understanding.
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What is happening in Darwin
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