Dear Parents and Carers

We have had a wonderful start to Term Two, with Year 4 leading our Easter Liturgy as the final chapter of our Holy Week Liturgies. The significance of Holy Week can only really be understood with the Resurrection in perspective. An enormous thank you to our students, their families and many staff members who brought the stations of the cross to life on Good Friday, it is such a powerful experience to walk the path of Jesus in our parish community. Thanks to Mrs Gabrielle Peters, Mrs Julie Valentini and Mrs Anneliese Robinson for their work in preparing the children so thoroughly in creating a sense of this sacred mystery.

It was lovely to see our students arriving back on Monday full of holiday adventures and looking fantastic in their school uniforms. We are currently in our transition period from Summer to Winter uniform, we receive so many positive comments about the presentation of our students in full uniform. I ask you to ensure that your child follows our uniform code to contribute to this high standard and enhance their sense of belonging to our wonderful St Mary’s community. The uniform includes a school hat, black polishable school shoes with black soles, please also be aware that student socks should be plain, without brand logos white for sport, navy for winter boys’ uniform, white socks/navy stocking for girls. Please ensure all jackets, hats, jumpers are clearly labeled so we can return lost property promptly. We are currently reviewing aspects of our school uniform and you will receive a survey shortly regarding this. 

This Sunday is ANZAC Day, as there will be no major march this year due to COVID restrictions, however St Mary’s will be represented by our school captains; Tess and  Xavier at the Wreath Laying Service at the Milton Ulladulla Ex-Servicemans Club. On Monday morning at 9:30am we will be conducting a school ANZAC Service in the hall for the whole school. You are most welcome to attend with COVID restrictions winding back this term.

Our parish is holding the annual Parish Dinner on Friday, 7th May at the Mollymook Golf Club, a flyer is included in the newsletter. We encourage you to try to attend and support our wider Parish, tickets are available at the Parish Centre. This Friday 27th April at 6pm there will also be a BBQ to meet and discuss ways that the parish can work together with families to further develop this partnership. Further details can be found in the newsletter.

As you are aware we have been working towards revising our School Reward System. We started this process last year after it was noted that students in lower grades were receiving a School Pennant. The Pennant was initially designed to recognise students with exemplary behaviour as well as a culmination of a series of Shining Star Awards towards the end of Primary School. In recent years we have noted as I’m sure you will have, that this award was being presented to younger students leaving them no major award to strive for.

After consultation with the staff and P and F representatives, we are working towards the penultimate award now being awarded on the basis of exemplary behaviour in terms of each child having no ‘Major Behaviour Incidents’ in the preceding years. These Major Behaviours are identified in school documentation which you are welcome to view at the School Office. If your child has had a Major Behaviour Incident you will have been contacted by a member of the leadership team at the time of the incident. There is a new award under development that will be introduced next year which is reflective of the values of our school’s Josephite origins. As many of our students have been working towards receiving a Pennant for several years, the following transition system will begin in Term 2.

Term 2 - All Year 6 students eligible (No major behaviour incidents in the last year) for the award, will be awarded a Pennant and a Principal’s Award Badge. This includes students who have received a pennant in previous years. Parents will be notified when this award will be presented at a Whole School Assembly. Year 5 students will be eligible to receive a Shining Star Award if they have displayed exemplary behaviour in the previous year. These students will be the first grade to receive the new award next year, eventually, students will require three Shining Star Awards to receive the new award.

Term 3 - Years 2, 3 and 4 students will receive Shining Star Awards at a whole school assembly if they have had no major incidents. Parents will be notified of this presentation.

Term 4 - Kindergarten and Year 1 students will be presented with their Shining Star award based on no major incidents. Parents will be notified of this presentation.

If you have any further questions please feel free to contact the school.

Yours in partnership,

Mrs Laurinda Nelson
Principal