Upcoming Events

School Disco - TONIGHT

This evening, Year 6 will host a disco.

The infants (K/1/2) disco will happen during school time from 2.15pm until 3.00pm. 

The primary (3-6) disco will commence at 5.30pm and conclude at 7.00pm. Entry is via gold coin donation, and snacks will be available for purchase. The theme for the primary disco is 'Country'.

This is a fundraising event for the Year 6 end-of-year events.

Infants Touch Carnival

Tomorrow, on Friday, 1 December, Kindergarten, Year One and Two will participate in a NRL Mini Touch Football Carnival from 9.45am-1.30pm at school on our Bottom Playground. The students will participate in skill development and a round-robin competition. 

Parents and younger siblings are invited to attend and bring a picnic lunch to share with their child at 11.15am. Or if you're not attending, your child will need a packed lunch/recess or lunch order (these will be delivered). A picnic rug or camp chair is also recommended.

The students will need their school hat, sunscreen, and plenty of water.

Christmas Concert

Next Thursday evening, 7 December, we will host our Christmas Concert and family picnic. The P&F will provide a barbeque dinner (steak and sausage sandwiches), and the canteen will be open for window sales from 5.30 pm. Your dinner orders will need to be placed on QKR today.

The concert will commence after everyone is fed and settled in the sails area (weather permitting) at roughly 6.15 pm. Each class will present two songs led by our Performing Arts Teacher, Mrs Picker, and accompanied by Harriet Lowe.

We invite you to bring your own fold-up seats and eskys with your preferred refreshments. Drinks can also be purchased from the tuckshop.

Please face your chairs towards the MP Hall when setting up and leave the ramp and MP Hall verandah clear.

Kindergarten Showcase of Learning

On Friday, 8 December, Kindergarten will present their Showcase of Learning Assembly for Parents and Friends at 12.30pm in the Old Hall. All welcome!

End-of-Year School Mass and Leadership Changeover Ceremony

Our Year Five students are currently preparing to present themselves to our student body as possible School Captains and Sport Captains for 2024. The students will present their speeches next week from Monday to Thursday, with the voting to occur on Friday, 8 December. As is the long-held tradition, the Captains are student-elected, and staff do not vote.

The 2024 Captains will be announced at our End of Year School Mass and Changeover Ceremony held on Thursday, 14 December, at 9.30 am. Parents and carers are welcome to attend.

Please note the badges will be blessed and presented at our 2024 Welcome and Leaders Induction Mass at the beginning of Term One on Thursday, 8 February, at 9.30 am.

Refurbishment Opening and Blessing

Last Thursday, we welcomed Senator Deborah O'Neill, Mr Ross Fox, Director of Education and the General Vicar Fr Richard Thompson to Bless and Officially open the refurbished Mercy Building.

The building work was funded by the Catholic Education Office, the Australian Government and St Mary's Primary School.

Other special guests included Mr Geoff Whitnall, Planning and Facilities Officer with CECG, Sr Rosemary Hart, St Mary's Parish Associate, the Chairman of our School Board Marty Reynolds and our former Chairman Andrew Pursell, Reané Strode on behalf of the Parents and Friends Association, and Srs Gabrielle, Aileen, June, Marie and Maria Assunta, representing the Sisters of Mercy.

The children respectfully participated in the Blessing Liturgy, our school song, and the National Anthem. The Senator, a former school teacher, commented to the students that she had rarely witnessed such beautiful behaviour from a large group of students. Mr Ross Fox shared with the students that St Mary's Primary School has achieved results that have out-ranked most schools in our Archdiocese and, in many areas, all of the ACT. I would like to congratulate Year 6, our Captains, Ava and William, and all students for respectfully playing their part in this memorable occasion. 

2024 Staffing

As we near the end of the term, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you the staffing that has been put in place for 2024.

Kindergarten - Mrs Alison Cummins

Year One - Miss Jayme O'Brien (Mrs Sue Branson when she returns from leave)

Year Two - Gold - Mrs Linda Walsh

Year Two - Green - Miss Annie Croker

Year Three  - Mrs Therese Skelly

Year Four - Mrs Dana White

Year Five - Mr James Edwards

Year Six - Mrs Nicola Spackman (Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday), Mrs Claire McCormack (Thursday/Friday)

Performing Arts - Mrs Ashlee Picker

Executive Release - Mrs Karen O'Keefe

Teacher Librarian - Mrs Dorothea Hewitt

Classroom Support Teacher - Mrs Rachael Croker

Classroom Support Assistants - Mrs Gwenda Romer, Mrs Shauna Hewitt, Mrs Rie O'Brien, Mrs Stephanie Knight, Miss Molly Skelly, Mrs Meg McIntosh and Mr Bradley Hayes.

A very warm welcome to Mrs Dana White and Mrs Claire McCormack into temporary teaching positions for 2024.

Dana, an ex-student of St Mary's and current classroom teacher at St Joseph's Goulburn, is looking forward to joining the staff in a full-time capacity next year. Dana is an organised and enthusiastic teacher, passionate about catering for all students.

Claire is a familiar face at St Mary's, having taught casual and temporary blocks for the past few years. Claire is excited to share a class with Nicki, and I know they will be a dynamic duo! 

I would like to congratulate Mr James Edwards on attaining a permanent contract. James has had a fantastic first year of teaching at St Mary's. He has built a great rapport with the students, and he is always willing to take on new learning opportunities. 

Next year we welcome back Miss Jayme O'Brien, who will teach in a full-time capacity until Mrs Sue Branson returns from leave. We are very fortunate that Jayme has agreed to take on this temporary role, and we thank her for her flexibility. Year One families will be kept informed prior to a change in staff. We wish Mrs Branson all the best and look forward to her return. 

I would like to thank Mrs Rachael Croker for her time and effort in managing the Representative Sports programs and Mrs Linda Walsh for managing the School Sports programs. We welcome James Edwards to the School Sports Coordinator role next year.  

Next year, our Year Two classes will sit side-by-side in the Mercy Building, in the classrooms opposite where they are this year. In collaboration with the classroom teachers and executive staff, it was decided that it would be most beneficial for the students to remain in the same class grouping for Stage One of the student's education. 

Next year, our Year Five class will be in the newly refurbished Parish Meeting Room (the current Year 2 classroom). 

I would like to thank our dedicated team of casual teachers: Harriette Churchill, Issy Davis, Claire McCormack, Jenny McCarthy, Dorothea Hewitt, Jenny Evans, Ellie Picker, Megan Picker, Ashlee Picker, Tenille Curtois and Karen O'Keefe. Having an experienced and consistent casual team makes the transition during teacher absence much easier for all.  

I would also like to thank Meg McIntosh and Nicole Moloney (volunteer), who have been supporting students in a Classroom Support Assistant role this term.   

We are excited about 2024 and look forward to a year full of learning and success.

Kindergarten 2024 Orientation Day

It was wonderful to welcome our new Kindergarten 2024 students and their families to St Mary's on Monday for their orientation day with Mrs Cummins.

The students all worked industriously and produced work that impressed Mrs Cummins and the Year 5 students (2024 Year 6 Buddies). 

We look forward to welcoming our new students and their families to the St Mary's Community next year.

Community Christmas Carols

Our students have been invited to sing two Christmas Carols at the Crookwell Community Markets/Carols event.

On Saturday, 16 December, we have been invited to perform at the Crookwell Memorial Oval, at 6 pm.  The students will be accompanied by Mrs Alison Cummins.

If your child can participate, please complete the eform below. Nominated students will rehearse at school in Week 10.

Christmas Carols Participating