Dear Parents and Carers 

Welcome to Book Week 2023, our stories are such an important part of our history, they tell us who we are and who we can be. Everyone has a favourite book and this is the week to share and celebrate. The well known author Mem Fox says the best books will always move you emotionally. We live vicariously through their characters: their highs, their lows, their challenges and their triumphs all from the comfort of our own home, classroom, library. We can experience so many things, and learn so many life lessons. We are excited to see the many favourite characters that will be parading to St Mary’s on Friday, please come and join the fun at 9:30am in the school hall. 

“I think probably kindness is my number one attribute in a human being.
I'll put it before any of the things like courage or bravery
or generosity or anything else.”
Roald Dahl

In Honour of Book Week, my Principal’s Awards this week will be inspired by the world famous author Roald Dahl, who rated kindness above all human attributes. I will be recognising those very wonderful students in our school who follow Gospel values by being kind, putting others before themselves and by choosing words and actions that are thoughtful and the best for everyone. 

Next week we are very excited to be welcoming our Kindergarten for 2024 in for the first Transition To School Playgroup on Thursday. This is an opportunity for our new Kindergarten students and their families to get to know our school and feel a sense of belonging and connection to our St Mary’s community. It is such an exciting time for our community and our new families. 

Recently I have sent a letter to our Stage Three parents, regarding internet use and social media. I do not envy the task that parents of this generation have in navigating the virtual world with and for their children. I applaud our families who have the courage to be pro-active in protecting their children in the online world, and understanding the ever-changing challenge of keeping their children safe. If your child has access to devices, please ensure you know what and who they are connecting with and who is connecting with them. Boundaries are important to establish in the early years, I thank you for your support. 

Thanks to Mrs Katy Reid and our staff for organising and running a fantastic STEM day last Friday. All students were so engaged and enthusiastic about the many projects and experiments happening around the school. These included; drone obstacle courses, bottle rockets, 3D printing and catapults. Thanks to Mr Chard and the St John’s students for supporting and inspiring scientific excitement and thinking  in our school. 

Yours in partnership

Laurinda Nelson
Principal