Term 2 Week 6 2024

Principal's Message

‘We do whatever it takes to lead the way in Love, Learning, Faith, School Spirit, Sport & Community’

Dear Families and Friends,

Congratulations to Mr Sam Irvine, who has been appointed to the position of acting Principal St Joseph's Coraki for the first 8 weeks of Term 3. This is so deserved and I am very happy for him. Sam is an incredible Catholic School Leader who leads with great depth and integrity. On behalf of our community, I congratulate Sam on this very well-earned promotion. We currently have an internal expression of interest for an acting Assistant Principal Mission for this period. We have quality staff here at SMP who will step up and gain some great leadership experience and lead us well over the 8 weeks. 

Current Play Spaces
Over the last two years, we have knocked down old buildings and walls to create more space for our kids to play.  We now have 5 grass spaces for our kids to run around in; out the front of the school, near the Mercy music room, North St, West St and out the front of the new Mercy Centre building at the College.  This has allowed us to spread out and for kids to play freely. We have also created more seated eating spaces for our students to eat at if they wish and for parents to mingle.

A new library/multi-purpose learning facility is currently being designed and will be created in the old Mercy music room. This will also have soundproof music space and space for creative and digital technologies.  The plan is to have this completed by the beginning of 2025.

Our proposed new toilets are currently going through a DA with Richmond Valley Council. We will demolish both current toilets, creating more open play space, with two new toilet blocks located closer to buildings and much nicer for our kids.  I’m currently designing what these spaces will look like.  I’ll share some drawings when I have them. The plan is to have these ready to go for 2025.

Future Play and Learning Spaces
In the near future, I wish to construct a huge barrel vault outside undercover area where we currently have all the low-level roof spaces,  basketball court, etc. The flooring would consist of new artificial turf. This big outdoor undercover space would house the whole school undercover for wet weather days to play, big assemblies, Beef Week, Grandparents Day, discos, for use by sporting clubs grounds are wet, etc.  This should also provide greater shelter and movement for students, staff and families when wet and hot. I have submitted a request for approval from the Diocese of Lismore Catholic Schools Office for this project.

Take care
John O’Brien

Assistant Principal's News - Mission

Year 6 Volunteer Cooking to Support Cancer Patients
Last week, six of our Year 6 Leaders of Faith (Jessel Dibley, Jack Francis, Ruby Seed, Elaina Underhill, Travis Wills and Ji Maine Warrick) as well as members of our staff gave up their time to cook for the patients staying at the Our House facility in Lismore. 

Our House is a joint project by Northern Rivers Community Cancer Foundation (NRCCF) and Our Kids. It is a purpose built accommodation for patients, carers and their families who are receiving treatment at the Cancer Unit at Lismore.  It also provides accommodation for other patients, carers and their families who require medical attention in Lismore. This volunteering is something we are very proud of and being an active supporter of those doing it a bit tough at the moment is another way we live out our faith through action.

Friday Church Visits Roster
All parents and family members are welcome to join us for our prayer services we hold in the church throughout the term.

• 7/6 - Kinder, Years 5 & 6 (1.00pm)
• 21/6 - Years 1, 2, 3 & 4 (1.00pm)
• 28/6 - Kinder, Years 5 & 6 (1.00pm)

Family Mass
For the diary - this term our 'Family Mass' will be on Saturday 22nd June.

Charlie Cox Beef Week Cup
The new date: Friday 28th June @ Colley Park.

Sam Irvine
AP Mission

Sport News

On Thursday, 5 June,  Harper Williams and Thomas McCormack travelled to Sydney to compete in the Polding Athletics carnival. Harper placed 30th out of 42 participants, while Thomas finished 32nd out of 36 runners. Both students should be immensely proud of their achievements.

Athletics Carnival Friday 14 June
We are eagerly anticipating our upcoming Athletics Carnival. Please find the program for the day below.  Kindly note that event times are approximate and adjustments may occur as needed. We're all excited for a fantastic day filled with fun and school spirit. Please remember to come dressed in your child's house colour, so that you can earn points toward our cultural trophy.

St Mary’s Primary School - QEII - Athletics Carnival Program

Friday 14th June

Juveniles = 5, 6, 7 years                Years Juniors = 8, 9, 10 years         Seniors = 11, 12, 13 years

• 9:00 am

Buses to QEII (Junior & Senior Students plus Juvenile long jump students) 

• 9:30 am

800m Finals (Junior Boy/Girl, 11 Years Boy/Girl, Senior Boy/Girl) 

Juvenile Long Jump Finals

• 9:45 am

• 10:00 am

Kinder & Year 1 leave school on buses

• 11:00 am

200m Finals (Junior Boy/Girl, 11 Years Boy/Girl, Senior Boy/Girl) 

Juveniles start to marshal for 50m Colour House Heats      

• 11:15 am

• 12:00 pm

100m + 50m Championship Finals  

Novelty Competitions                   

• 12:15 pm

• 12:45 pm

Stage 2 and 3 – LUNCH                        

• 1:15 pm

100m + 50m Divisional Championship Races   

100m + 50m Age Relays   

• 2:30 pm

Presentations & Closing Ceremony

Return to school by bus

Nikki Hammond
Sports Co-ordinator

Leader of Inclusion

Student Adjustments at St Mary’s Primary School
At St Mary’s our teachers ensure students with additional needs are catered for within the school setting by making, recording and monitoring individual adjustments. 

Adjustments are made to enable students with a disability or additional needs to access and participate in education on the same basis as their peers.

The first step our teachers take in making adjustments is understanding the individual student’s strengths and challenges through collaboration with the student, family and specialists. Teachers then reflect on the adjustments that will support students in accessing their learning within the school setting. 

Our teachers and Student Support Educators work with and closely monitor students daily to ensure all students learn and thrive at our school. This is an important part of the NCCD process. Please contact me or your child’s classroom teacher if you have any questions about student adjustments.

What is the Nationally Consistent Collection on School Students with Disability (NCCD)?
Information flyer attached.

Paula McIntyre
Leader of Inclusion

Student of the Month ~ Term 2 Week 5

Birthdays

Happy birthday t0 Charlie de Silva Thomas Miller Ruby Yates Charlie Somerville Eila Ford Faith Johnston Harrison Rose Charlie Rose Ivy-Rose Barrett Mollyanna Hogg Paige Homes Harper Williams Parker Fleming Alexa Holdsworth Natalie Pratt Gracie Bahadori Charlotte Young Thomas McCormack Ada Presbury Lawson Bennett Annabelle Miller Darcie Baker and Charli Scherf who have recently celebrated their birthday.

CWA Competition for 2024

If you are interested in entering the CWA competition in a variety of areas, such as Needlecraft, Travel Journal, Postcard, etc. an enrolment form with more information can be collected from the school office.  The country of study for 2024 is France.