Dear Parents and Friends,

Welcome back to Term 4! It’s hard to believe we’ve already reached the final term of the year. The energy around the school has been wonderful, with students and staff returning refreshed and ready for the many exciting events and learning opportunities that lie ahead.

Recently, we held an emergency evacuation drill. These drills are an important part of keeping everyone safe, and I was so impressed by how calm and responsible the students were. They followed instructions beautifully and showed great care for each other.

One of the highlights of last term was our school disco - what a fantastic night! The laughter, dancing, and excitement filled the hall, and it was wonderful to see the children having such a great time together. A huge thank you to our amazing Parents and Friends team for organising this event. Your creativity, effort, and generosity make such a difference, and the children are still talking about how much fun they had!

This week we celebrated the achievements of our students who competed at the Regional Athletics Carnival. Their enthusiasm, determination, and sportsmanship were outstanding, and they represented St Mary’s with great pride. It was lovely to see how they supported one another throughout the day. A big thank you to the staff and families who were there to cheer them on!

Our school production preparations are now in full swing, and there’s a real buzz of excitement across the school. Every class is busy rehearsing their dances, lines, and songs. The production, which takes place every two years, is such a special event. It helps build teamwork, confidence, and creativity, and it’s always a joy to see our students shine on stage.

A huge thank you to our fantastic staff, especially Mrs Elise Meggetto for her wonderful choreography and dance teaching and Mrs Catherine Griffiths and Mrs Elise Meggetto for your incredible pre-production work and organisation. Thank you also to all our dedicated teachers for the time and effort you have put into preparing the children, and to our amazing costume ladies and parents who have contributed so much behind the scenes. Your hard work and creativity are what make this production such a success.

As we move through Term 4, I’d also like to remind families about the importance of arriving at school on time. The school day starts at 8:45am, so we ask that children arrive by 8:40am. This gives them time to settle in, complete morning tasks, and catch up with friends before learning begins. When children arrive late, they can feel a little unsettled because they’ve missed those first few important minutes of the day. We know mornings can be busy, but even leaving home five to ten minutes earlier can make a big difference.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support and partnership. St Mary’s is such a vibrant, caring community , and that’s because of the wonderful families, staff, and students who make it so special.

Warm regards,
Lisa