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SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

28 October 2022| Week 3

Upcoming Dates

  • 31st October: Mission Stalls Fundraiser
  • 1st November: All Saints Day
  • 2nd November: All Souls Day
  • 3rd November: Soktober Activities
  • 4th November: Year 3-6 Swimming Carnival, 9 - 1.30 pm Parap Pool
  • 10th November: P&F Gathering 3 pm Library
  • 11th November: Remembrance Day Liturgy, Led by DSM and Defence students, 8.30 am Mackillop Hall
  • 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 3, Term 4, 2022

Hello St Mary’s Families,

Today we celebrated World Teachers’ Day! A day to celebrate the commitment of our teaching staff who ensure every student has every opportunity to achieve their best. Staff enjoyed a celebration at lunchtime (and a little extra time to sit and relax), with lunch provided by our very generous Parents and Friends Committee. Thank you to all our incredible teachers for your commitment and passion for education. St Mary’s are truly fortunate and blessed to have such dedicated and enthusiastic teachers, who go that extra mile to support our students in their learning and well-being.

2023 Enrolments: These past few weeks I have been busy meeting new students and their families who will be enrolling at St Mary’s for 2023. Our enrolment figures for 2023 are strong. Thanks to all of our families who have helped spread the word about what a fantastic school community we have, many of the enrolments we receive have come from your referrals. If you know of anyone who is still considering enrolling, please urge them to do so as soon as possible.

Class lists: Next week we will move into the next phase of planning for 2023 and teachers will begin to develop class lists. Teachers have been inviting the students to consider their friendships and nominate up to six other children who they get along with and work well with. Our teachers will use these lists to help guide class placements, ensuring that students are paired with a minimum of at least one of the students that they have identified. There are many factors that teachers and leadership consider when developing class lists. We ask that you trust the staff here at St Mary’s throughout this process and that at all times we are making the best decisions to support and promote your child’s well-being and academic success. Of course we welcome parents to contribute to this conversation, however we ask that you are mindful when making specific requests. While we will always do our best to consider parent requests, we cannot guarantee that these can always be met - particularly once class placements have been finalised. If you do have any concerns or queries, please book a time for a chat with your child’s current class teacher who will be more than happy to put your mind at rest, or you can put your request in writing to myself or Ms Harrison. Thank you in advance for your understanding and support of this process.

Fred Hollows Award: This morning at assembly we announced Kim Nguyen from Room 16 as the recipient of the Fred Hollow’s Student Ambassador Award for 2022. Kim was nominated for this award for her compassion and generous spirit that she demonstrates on a daily basis here at St Mary’s. On November 18th the Year 5/6 students will join Kim in attending a virtual online presentation where the overall NT ambassador will be announced.

Defence Family Gathering: A big thank you to our DSM Ms Karen who organised a wondeful afternoon for our defence families today. Thank you to the families who joined us.

Welcome back to Jett who has rejoined our school community in Room 13.

We have a busy week coming next week in the school starting with our Mission Stalls on Monday, Socktober shootouts and Crazy socks on Thursday and 3 to 6 Swimming Carnival on Friday!!

In Faith and Love,

Christine Ferreira
Acting Principal
IMG_5998

Prayer


Tuesday 1st November is ‘All Saints Day’. We celebrate the communion of saint – the union of prayer and love between saints on earth and the saints in heaven.

God of grace and wisdom,
you continually raise up good people
who show with their lives
that they follow the holy and loving God.
Let our lives be true to all that our faith teaches,
so that we will grow more and more in your Son’s likeness.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Religious Education News

Mission day 1
Mission Stalls - Monday, 31st October
Remember to bring money on Monday to support our Mission Stalls.
Mission stalls 25-10
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.
You can also fundraise online for this event by setting up a profile for your child as a Socktober Star: https://www.socktober.org.au/fundraisers/stmaryscatholicprimaryschooldarwin

All donations will go directly to supporting the works of Catholic Mission.

Socks
Key events and dates for term:

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.

Clare Nolan
Acting Deputy Principal/Religious Education Co-ordinator

Making Jesus Real - MJR


Each week we have a whole school MJR theme. One theme for the next few weeks is 'Spirit of Jesus'.

During this time children are encouraged to recognise and show the Spirit of Jesus on the playground. Some of the areas children will be looking at are how we treat each other with kindness, respect and being a good friend.

MJR

News from Room 6

Hello to all family and friends of Room Six,

We have had lots of fun getting back into the routine of being back at school for our final term of the year. In our first few weeks we have enjoyed making playdough and being back with our friends at school and the Spirit Cup Fun Day.

Some quick reminders to please continue to view School Stream for any important notices in regards to what is happening in Room Six.

We once again have a busy term ahead, we look forward to more fun and learning opportunities as we close the year. I hope you have lovely and restful weekend.

Warm regards
Miss Tiss
Room 6

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, all responses will be collated by Monday, 31st 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.
Enrol for 2023 (1)

BYODD Program 2023

BYODD
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:
- BYODD Parent Letter 2023
- Parent Information & Frequently Asked Questions
- Edunet Device specifications & ordering instructions

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

Year 3 to 6 Swimming Carnival

Kids having a swimming lesson in indoor pool
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.

Pastoral Care and Wellbeing News

World Teacher's Day

WTD
Today we celebrated World Teacher’s Day 2022. We are lucky to have a team of amazing teachers at St Mary’s.

Thank you to the Hon. Paul Kirby MLA for the tasty treats gifted to our staff and to our amazing P&F for providing lunch for staff to celebrate the day.

Remember you can nominate a teacher that you think is super awesome for the ‘Apple for the Teacher’s award through Hot 100 radio station.
World Teacher Day

Apple for the Teacher

apple for teacher
Do you know a primary school teacher who you feel is the best of the best?
Well, make sure you let us know, and nominate your top teacher as we look to crown the Top End’s favourite primary school teacher!
YOUR TEACHER, CLASS & SCHOOL COULD WIN:
A brand new Apple Mac Computer for the winning teacher
A Harvey Norman goodie bag for the entire class
A School Disco for the entire school
Nominations will close at 7am on Friday 28 October and voting will be open from Monday 31 October at 5.30am to Thursday 17 November at midday.
See website for more details: https://www.hot100fm.com.au/win/apple-for-the-teacher-2022/

Optimistic October

October

Spirit of St Mary's

Our Spirit of St Mary’s goal for this term is: 50,000 points!

Week 3 point check: 35,274 points!

Shout out this week goes to all of the wonderful teachers at St Mary’s. Thank you: Miss Sarah, Miss K, Ms Zufferey, Miss Tiss, Mrs B, Mrs Coccetti, Miss Fisher, Mrs Feldtman, Mrs Jia, Mrs Mac, Miss Zara, Miss Lucas, Miss Nolan, Mrs Taylor, Mr Derrick, Mrs Ferreira and Mrs Walsh, for all that you do for the students at St Mary’s. Thank you for living the Spirit of St Mary’s every day.

pirit of St Marys 29-7-22

Disruption to School and Urban Bus Services


Due to driver shortages, some school and urban bus services may be cancelled or experience changes at short notice.

The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics is working with CDC Northern Territory (NT) to limit these disruption and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
For the latest updates and changes to routes of travel, go to the CDC NT Facebook page or call 08 8944 2444.

2023 School Fees

School fees 2023

Outside School Hours Care and Early Learning Centre Fees

Fee increase

Year 7, 2023

SJC 21-9-22
OCC 6-9-22

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

Cost: $2 per family

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.
Playgroup

Download School Stream

APP

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

download
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

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Art 1
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Santa Fun run
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Cupcakes 1
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