Newsletter Term 3 2025 24th July
Assistant Principal
Welcome Back
I would like to welcome back our students and families to Term 3, I hope you had a restful break and had the opportunity to spend time with family. We are looking forward to seeing many of our families, friends and especially grandparents at our school liturgy on Friday. We love having families at school events to celebrate our students and opportunities to come together as a community. You are always welcome!
Behaviour Management
On Monday this week St Mary’s teachers and Student Support Officers (SSOs) engaged in Professional Learning about Behaviour Management strategies and extending our behaviour toolkit with CEDB Officer, Blair Windsor. The research tells us that teachers account for 35% of the variance /improvement in student outcomes. It is what teachers know, do and care about which is very powerful in the learning equation.
Teacher clarity and consistency are two of the most important factors when dealing with student behaviour. As a whole school approach we use School Wide Positive Behaviours for Learning (SPB4L), with our three universal rules for students:
- Be safe
- Be respectful
- Be responsible
Teachers consistently and systematically teach students an expected behaviour rule each week so our students are very familiar with knowing and following school rules and expectations.
As part of the Professional development, staff had the opportunity to examine our behaviour data, we were able to celebrate the fact we have very few major student incidents occurring at St Mary’s. We also have an effective positive behaviour reward system in place that was created in partnership with our Student Representative Council (SRC). This success is evidenced in our data reflecting the number of students who have been rewarded for expected behaviors and are currently on bronze and silver level. St Mary’s shares the SPB4L classroom and playground management steps in our fortnightly newsletter for parents.
Religious Education
Claire Nicholson
Religious Education Coordinator
Welcome back!! We hope you had a restful and enjoyable break, recharged and ready for the exciting term ahead.
Grandparent’s Day: On Friday we will celebrate Grandparent’s Day. Year 3 will lead a special liturgy to celebrate our grandparents. The liturgy will commence promptly in the hall at 12:30pm. After the liturgy, grandparents and visitors are welcome to stay and sit with their grandchild/child for lunch. A message will be put out on Compass if this part of the day is cancelled due to weather.
Religious Education Test: Last term, Year 6 sat the annual Catholic Education Diocese of Bathurst Religious Education Test. Students across the 33 CEDB schools sit this test in Year 6 and again in secondary school. Each student who particulates in the test receives a certificate from the CEDB. Congratulations to the following students who received a High Distinction: Aviela Joseph, Jake Fernando and Otis Evans
Upcoming Liturgical Events
Week 1:
- Friday 25th of July, Grandparent’s Day Liturgy, 12.30pm School Hall
Week 2:
-Tuesday 29th of July, Parish Grade Mass Year 3, 9.30am St Mary’s Church
Week 3:
-Friday 8th of August, Mary MacKillop Feast Day Mass, lead by Year 4, 1:45pm St Mary’s Church
Christian Leadership Awards
Oliver Hockley, Hannah Vogler Charlotte Trembath, Charlie Toner Charlotte Foster , Emily Maher Heidi Penberthy-Neil .
| In recognition of "Positive View of Life" |
Alexander Lord, Henley Morris Jayden Selwood, Jovannah Jyothish Maggie Frew, Tobias Hansen Amber Mackenzie, Chankeerth Thivijananth Tully Trembath, Callum Stewart Scarlett Sheldrick, Aria Edwards Eleanor Lancaster, Gwynith Gleeson Pippa Frecklington, Hunter Horan Rowan Mason Kerr, Riley Hanrahan Samuel Horan, Lucas Brown.
| In recognition of "Community & Common Good" |
Molly Zwiers Aviela Joseph | In recognition of " God's presence in the world" |
Maddelyn Braimbridge Rixen Marcuz Isleta | In recognition of "Search for "Hope & resurrection" |
Carter Hinchcliff Flynn May Lachlan Hazzard | In recognition of "Search for Truth & Wisdom" |
Curriculum News
LEARNING TO READ AND IMPROVING READING
HOW STUDENTS LEARN TO READ
• There are many complex skills that work together in proficient reading.
• Decoding is referred to as word recognition, the ability to recognise printed words accurately and quickly to efficiently gain access to the appropriate word meanings.
• Language comprehension is the ability to extract and construct literal and inferred meaning from speech.
•Reading comprehension is the combined ability to extract and construct meaning from language represented in print.
• It is important that children start with learning letter sounds, rather than letter names, when learning to read. Being able to pronounce the 44 sounds of English correctly is important.
• Decodable readers are in the early years are essential. Decodable readers are books specifically designed to align with phonics instruction, matching a progressive sequence and developing in phonics knowledge, word complexity and word count. Decodable readers consist of words that follow the phonetic rules and patterns that students have been explicitly taught, allowing them to apply their decoding skills systematically and successfully. These books are written using a controlled vocabulary that emphasises specific phonetic sounds, making it easier for beginning readers to decode and read the text independently.
• Home readers (early years) are at the independent level for the child. This means that they are familiar with the phonemes (sounds) and are confident to read with little or no help. This allows the child to practise their reading to build fluency (and expression) and their comprehension skills.
WHAT YOU CAN DO AT HOME TO HELP YOUR CHILD
• It is important to read high-quality texts to children and asking 'queries' throughout, to check for understanding. Ongoing opportunities for talking after reading to your children, such as five-finger retells or changing the characters' names or setting to create a new version of the story.
• The first step in tackling an unknown word is by segmenting (breaking a word into sounds) and blending graphemes (letters) and phonemes (sounds).
• An important part of comprehension is understanding the words. Students with a vast vocabulary have an advantage over students with limited word knowledge when it comes to comprehending what they read. Talking about the meaning of new words and modelling and encouraging the use of extensive vocabulary is helpful. Building general knowledge through podcasts, documentaries, visits to museums and talking to children about a range of topics and experiences can help to build and develop vocabulary and comprehension.
School News
| Year Group | Grade Reps | Event |
| Kindy | Michaela Wilson & Alice Weily | Kindy Orientation |
| Year 1 | Sharon Henry & Stacey Tracey | Kindy Welcome Morning tea-"Tissues & Tim Tams" & Father's Day Gift Stall |
| Year 2 | Olivia Day Gorham & Amanda Fragar | Father's Day Breakfast |
| Year 3 | Renee Davis & Lizzy Jaensch | Mother's Day Breakfast |
| Year 4 | Olivia Day Gorham & Renee Davis | Easter Egg Raffle |
| Year 5 | Jess McGrath & Katrina Holway | Mother's Day Gift Stall |
| Year 6 | Kellie Pickering, Kym Flitcroft & Angela Duncan | Kindy Welcome Morning Tea -"Tissues & Tim Tams "& Year 6 farewell |
Sports News
Bathurst Diocesan Community Sport
Dear Parents,
Keep up to date with sporting events and achievements across the Bathurst Diocese. Search CEBD community sport or use the following link.
https://sites.google.com/bth.catholic.edu.au/cedbsportcommunity/
SPORTS UNIFORM Term 3 (Winter)
(any changes to the uniform days will be sent out via Compass)
Kindergarten - Thursday
Year One - Thursday
Year Two - Friday
Year Three - Thursday
Year Four - Wednesday
Year Five - Thursday & Friday
Year Six - Wednesday
Class News
Library News
Scholastic Book Club has gone home with students.
If you wish to place an order for your child please do so by using the LOOP online platform.
https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/parent/login.aspx
No cash orders are taken.
Orders are due by 31st July 2025
Each book earns book rewards for our school.
Book Club Rewards help obtain free books and/or additional learning resources for the classroom.
Canteen News
SEVERE REACTIONS TO ‘NUTS’ & ‘EGGS’
As some of our students have a ‘nut’ and/or ‘egg’ allergy, we ask that nuts, nut
products and eggs NOT be packed as part of school snacks and lunches.
Sometimes even contact with nuts or eggs can trigger the severe reaction. This
severe allergy is called ANAPHYLAXIS and can be life-threatening.
Please, NO eggs, peanut butter, Nutella, nut products, etc.
(Check those labels to see that products do not contain nuts.)
School-Wide Positive Behaviour for Learning (SPB4L)
SPB4L
Uniform Expectations
Over the next few weeks, we have some groups performing at the eisteddfod. We kindly ask parents to check that their children have the correct and complete uniform and are neatly attired as they represent the school out in the community.
We continue our school-wide focus is on uniform expectations. The school uniform is a distinguishing symbol of belonging to St Mary’s Catholic Primary School and it is expected that students wear it with pride at all times. The assistance of parents and staff is sought in maintaining a high standard of dress and presentation by all students.
Students not wearing the correct or incomplete uniform are required to provide a note from a parent/guardian giving reasons and an expected date when the uniform will be corrected.
Uniforms | Summer | Winter |
Sport Uniform Girls and Boys | Navy polo shirt with logo Navy shorts - with SMCPS insignia White socks Joggers | Navy polo shirt with logo Navy track pants Navy sports jumper with logo White socks Joggers |
Regular Uniform Girls | Pink checked dress & White Socks OR White dress shirt Navy Shorts & Navy Socks Black shoes | Maroon tunic or trousers Maroon v-neck jumper Fawn long-sleeve shirt School tie Knee-high fawn socks or fawn tights Black shoes |
Regular Uniform Boys | School blue short-sleeve shirt Grey shorts Grey socks Black shoes | Maroon v-neck jumper School blue long-sleeve shirt Grey trousers and socks School tie Black shoes |
Black shoes - leather, polishable, classic style, low heel - no black joggers Socks - no sportlet or cut-away styles Shorts - no cargo, corduroy, jeans type, Canterbury or polycotton/cotton shorts Trousers - grey poly/viscose serge trousers only - no cargo, drill type trousers. Winter coat - navy school jacket with logo Hat – Navy bucket hat with school logo | ||
In cold weather, children are permitted to wear scarves and/or beanies in the playground, provided that these are plain, dark blue, or maroon. (beanies or scarves with logos or writing are not permitted).
Thank you for your support in ensuring your children come to school dressed neatly in the correct uniform.
Health Matters
Medication at School- Parental Advice
If your child requires medication that needs to be administered during school hours, please bring the medication to the school office, where it is stored safely. This includes asthma inhalers.
Medication must be authorised by a Medical practitioner with a letter
Students can come to the office at an arranged time to have the medication administered by trained First Aid Officers.
The office does not have Panadol, unless parents supply and complete a form for their child only.
Thank you
Student Wellbeing
The Grow Your Mind Incursion will be on Tuesday 11th August. The book can be ordered until 9pm the evening before the incursion.
Children with communication devices such as iPhones and Smart Watches must be handed to the school office in the morning before class and collected at the end of the day. This includes any device capable of taking photos.
Please support your child to meet this school requirement.
If you need to contact your child during school hours please call the school office.
Community News
NO Parking in the Bowling Alley car park
the bowling alley car park is for their patrons so please park elsewhere when dropping or picking up your children.
The PCYC has many parks that can be used for dropping off and picking up
Thankyou
St Mary's Uniform Shop
is run by Parent Volunteers and is open from 8:45 am for an hour on Friday Mornings.
If you have put your order through Flexi schools it will be packed the following Friday and sent home with your child.
Dear Parents & Carers
Please label students' clothing , so we can return them from lost property with ease.
Clothes that don't have names will be returned to the clothing pool, if not collected by the end of term.
Thank you