Dear Parents

Welcome to the start of the 2022 school year. It is very pleasing to see how settled all of the children have been after a long break. To all of our beautiful children in Foundation, we welcome you to our school. Good luck to : Thomas, Amber, Marnie, Marlowe, Jude, Harper, Henry, Skylar, Whynter, Coco, Elise, John, Gorjie, Madeleine, Bay, Max, Willow, Luke, Charlie, Marley, Lenni, Jack and Ellie. It is great having you with us at St Mary’s. We also welcome Jessica, Tex, Rusty, Poppy and Isla to our other grades. To our new teachers, Kylie, Lyn, Brendan and Bree, thank you for coming to our school and we look forward to working with you this year.

For all of our families please know that all of the teachers want to work with you and have open, clear communication. If you have any questions please feel free to email or call the school and in the first instance, make contact with the teacher. Please note that staff have after school meetings each Tuesday and Wednesday. Much of the information may in fact be on the school website. It is here that the majority of policies and safety procedures are available to make things a bit easier to understand.

Unfortunately, we still have a number of restrictions because of COVID-19 regulations. This includes parents not being able to enter the school if they are not fully vaccinated and many of our sporting programs, camps and excursions are approved but with different dates. We are hoping this will change as the term proceeds. In regards to swimming at district and region carnivals,  the school will have swimming trials for those interested in the coming weeks as these carnivals may be before our own carnival. Confirmed swimming lesson dates are:

Monday, 28th February, Wednesday, 2nd March, Thursday, 3rd March, Friday, 4th March and Monday, 7th March. The swimming carnival will be confirmed with a date next week. All district carnivals will go ahead with full participation under COVID safe procedures.

Grade 5/6 camp is now also confirmed between March, 16th-18th. Information regarding camp, including a parent meeting will be sent out shortly. Grade 4 will have camp in the first week of Term 2 (April 28-29).

One thing that is critical to our school is ensuring that each student is safe and feels safe at all times. Our policies and procedures in regards to Child Safety are detailed and understood by all staff. We also have a child friendly Child Safety Policy that was written by some senior children with some staff one year ago. This policy is displayed throughout the school. Please be in contact with the school if you require any further information.

Once again welcome you to the year- I am here to help so please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.

Have a great weekend.

Jason