Term 1 Week 6 2025

Principal's Message

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

Dear families and friends,

Learning is defined as a change from short-term understanding into long-term memory

The Science of Learning
Our school uses the Science Of Learning to best instruct our beautiful kids, all of whom are novice learners. We use the Science of Cognitive Load Theory, how our brain can best store learning to assist in scaffolding this learning for them. This has helped produce strong student learning results last year and at the beginning of this year. Why is this so important?  Well, when I ask what would you like the school to do for your child, most parents respond, I just want my child to be happy. I couldn’t agree more. With our school vision at the forefront of all we do, by striving to lead in learning, teaching the way we teach and helping our students learn and develop the best they can, this will help ensure that not only do they have a fun, safe, healthy and happy experience at SMP with the relationships we build, the fun playgrounds, sporting opportunities, etc. but, we know that academic success plays a good part in future adult success. Happiness can then be one of the outcomes of this. I’m keen to produce confident, respectful, active citizens that can stand on their own.  We all only want the best for our SMP Casino kids.

School Spirit
One extra way I wish to promote School Spirit is for our kids to take greater individual and collective responsibility for how we look after the tidiness of our school.  This includes rubbish to never be on the ground and their class space to be kept tidy by them. So far,  this has been great this year.  We have improved in so many other areas, so I wish to continue to improve in all areas, big or small, for the continual growth of individuals and our school. 

Open & Celebration of Learning Night

Wednesday 2nd April 5:30pm - 7:00pm

You are all welcome to our big social event, where you can check out the great learning our kids have completed this first term of 2025.

For Current families: From 5:30pm–7:00pm walk through your child’s learning spaces to witness and celebrate the great learning taking place at our school and an opportunity to socialise and talk with teachers.  Complementary coffee & sausage sizzle will be available alongside live music. I'm looking forward to catching up with you and for you to chat with your child's teacher about how they are going.

For Interested Kindergarten families & other New grades in 2026: From 5:00pm–5:30pm I will hold an information session in the Kindergarten rooms. From 5:30pm-7:00pm interested new families are encouraged to look at the learning that is taking place here at SMP and socialise over some food and drink. Please share this with new interested families.

                              2026 Kinder Enrolment Open Now

This is the online enrolment form link: https://www.casplism.catholic.edu.au/enrolment-information

Existing families then click on the existing family link, as this will already have saved data from previous enrolment.  Please communicate with the office if you have any questions.

Student Led Conferences 
I want to STRONGLY ENCOURAGE all families to participate in our Student Led Conference at the end of this term on Monday and Tuesday in Week 10 with your child and your child’s teacher, especially to discuss where your child is at against their Success Criteria that has been shared with you. Please discuss with your child how they are doing with their Success Criteria and consider some goals from this criteria in going forward that you will discuss at the student led conferences. 

Take care
John O’Brien

Assistant Principal's News - Mission

Mobile Phones & Smart Watches
At school we discourage students bringing in mobile phones or smartwatches. We understand that some families have different circumstances which require their child to have a device.  If your child has a mobile phone or smartwatch that has the ability to make or receive calls, this must be handed in to the lockbox located outside the Principal's office upon arrival and collected after the bell. 

Opening School Liturgy
Thank you to all of the families that joined us to celebrate the opening of our school Year and the Jubilee at our liturgy in Week 3. We were so lucky to have Bishop Greg preside over this celebration for us!

3:16 Youth Group
Run by Miss Mac and Miss O’Connor, the 3:16 Youth Group is open to students in Years 2-6 and offers a fun, faith-filled experience. Students are invited to participate at the Relihan Centre on Friday 28 March from 3.10pm-5.00pm for engaging activities, arts and crafts, games and a delicious afternoon tea. Registrations via Compass.

Pancake Tuesday & Ash Wednesday
Last week we celebrated Pancake Tuesday by enjoying delicious pancakes as a reminder of the upcoming Lenten season.  On Ash Wednesday, our school community gathered for a reverent liturgy where students received ashes as a symbol of repentance and renewal.

Mobile Laundry Trailer Project
St Mary’s Primary School is excited to launch the Mobile Laundry Project, aimed at providing free laundry services to vulnerable individuals in our community, including those who are homeless or financially struggling. This initiative is aligned with our school’s Mission of service and community, as we work to support those facing hardship by offering them dignity and improved hygiene. We need to raise $30,000 to make this project a reality, and throughout the year, we will be holding various simple fundraisers towards this goal. Students and families have an opportunity to donate any money towards this via the Mission Boxes in each classroom.  We will keep you updated on our progress.

Family Mass
Our first Family Mass will be held on Saturday 22 March at 6.00pm in the church, in partnership with the College. With student readers, a choir performance and a special family gathering over pizza afterward, we warmly invite all families to join us for this meaningful celebration.

Carlo Acutis Awards
Congratulations to the following students who received the first ever Carlo Acutis award.  These students were recognised by teachers in our school as role models of faith in our school through their acts of kindness, welcoming and generosity!

Well done to Bronte McIntyre, Athea Bate, Connor Farrelly, Jack Gava and Archie Ferguson.

Grief & Loss Seminar
Passionist Priest Fr Ray Sanchez will be visiting our Parish to present a Grief and Loss Seminar on Friday 21 March at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall, with a repeat session following the 9:00am Mass on Saturday 22 March. These interactive 90-minute sessions will explore how we, as people of faith, navigate grief and loss, support others in their suffering, and find meaning in difficult times. Tea and coffee will be available before and after each session, and for any enquiries, please contact the Parish at (02) 6662 1025.

Sam Irvine
AP Mission

Assistant Principal's News Teaching & Learning

Success Criteria Reports
Our first Success Criteria Reports of 2025 were due to be sent home at the end of Week 5, however, Cyclone Alfred had other plans. They will now be available on Compass this week.  You will receive a notification when they go live and these will be available on your child's dashboard. These are a wonderful way to track your child's growth in Reading, Writing and Number and are a wonderful conversation starter.  Please let me know if you have any questions about these reports.

NAPLAN 2025
Cyclone Alfred has also thrown a spanner in the works regarding our NAPLAN testing dates but we have made some changes that we think should support most people to access these assessments with the least stress possible.

We will commence NAPLAN testing next Monday 17 March for Year 3 and Year 5.  Writing tests will take place on 17 March.  Reading and Language Conventions assessments will take place on Tuesday 18 March and Numeracy on Wednesday 19 March.

If your child is unable to complete any of the assessments due to absence, there will be an opportunity in the following weeks to catch them up, if requested. The final day for catch-up testing is Thursday 27 March. 

NAPLAN tests are one aspect of each school’s assessment and reporting process and are used to see how your child is progressing against national standards in literacy and numeracy over time. These tests do not replace the extensive, ongoing assessments our teachers regularly make about each student’s performance and are only a small snapshot of your child's learning journey. Your child’s teacher will always have the best insight into your child’s educational progress. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Parents and Teaching Children to Read
Teaching children to read is a complex process that requires a deep understanding of phonics, phonemic awareness, comprehension strategies and the individual needs of every student. We pride ourselves on high-quality reading instruction here at SMP and believe that parents are an essential part of this journey. Parents should never be expected to teach their children to read, this is the job of the teacher, but wherever they are able, parents can support the development of this essential life skill by supporting them using the attached guide.  Reading is the only Home Learning expected at SMP so please ensure your child is getting the chance to engage in quality text every week. 

Felicity Wilde
AP Teaching & Learning

K-2 Instructional Leader

Home Reading Matters!

At St Mary’s, we expect all students to engage in daily home reading. This regular practice builds strong reading skills, supports classroom learning and fosters a lifelong love of books.

Our K-2 students have access to the MultiLit eLibrary, which includes decodable books tailored to their learning level. These books are specially designed with words that match the letter-sound patterns taught in class, helping children apply their phonics knowledge while reading. Each book features 'Get Ready' pages and after-reading activities with tips to support reading at home. If you need help accessing the eLibrary, please contact your child’s teacher or Karen Faber.

Why Decodable Texts Matter

Decodable texts are written for beginning readers to practise blending, segmenting, and applying the alphabetic code. They contain mostly words using sounds students have learned and become more complex as their knowledge grows. These texts provide meaningful practice that builds confidence, fluency, and long-term reading success.

Why decodable texts work:
✅ Reinforce phonics knowledge.
✅ Build confidence through success.
✅ Improve reading fluency with practice.
✅ Lay foundations for future reading growth.

Your support makes a real difference—thank you for supporting your child's reading journey!

Karen Faber
K-2 Instructional Leader

Sport News

Term 1 Swimming
SMP had 27 swimmers compete at the Zone Swimming Carnival on Friday 14  February.  All swam their absolute best, with some achieving new personal best times. Congratulations to the following students for being awarded the overall champion in their age group: Harrison Myers - 11 years Boy Champion, Lucas Myers - Senior Boy Champion, Lucy Hancock - 11 years Girl Runner Up and Lyla Martin - Junior Girl Runner Up. Congratulations to all four SMP relay teams for also qualifying for the Diocesan event. With everyone’s teamwork, support and hard work, SMP managed to achieve second place overall at the carnival. What an achievement!

Following the success at the Zone Carnival, 18 SMP swimmers travelled to Murwillumbah on Tuesday 4 March, to compete in the Diocesan Swimming Championships. These students were incredible both in the pool and in the stands, proudly representing their school and the Richmond Zone team. A huge congratulations to all students for their efforts. Harrison Myers and Archer Chelman have also earned the opportunity to compete at the Polding Championships. We wish them the best of luck as they continue to represent SMP at the next level!

Cross Country
What a terrific day of running at our whole school Cross Country Carnival!  SMP staff, students, parents and helpers all led the way in Sport and School Spirit. From the very entertaining races to the cheers of encouragement, it was an event full of energy, enthusiasm and great sportsmanship. Everyone gave their best effort, making it an unforgettable day.  A big thank you to all those who participated and supported – it truly showcased the amazing community spirit at our school. Congratulations to all the runners (8 years - 12/13 years) who have qualified for the Richmond Zone Carnival - more information will be provided soon.  Can’t wait to do it all again next year!  

Congratulations to de Paul House for winning both the Carnival Trophy and the Cultural Trophy. 

A massive congratulations to our 2025 Aged Champions: 

Cohen Parrish
Sports Co-ordinator

Leader of Love and Community

SRC REPRESENTATIVES 

Congratulations to our newly elected Student Representative Council members: Archer Chelman, Rocco Jenkins, Kobee Hammond, Finnan Martin, Myf Gray, Charlee Gould, Charli Quinnell and Iyla Farr.  This is a wonderful privilege, representing the voices of our school community and driving positive change. We have no doubt that you will all do a fantastic job leading with love, learning, faith, school spirit, sport, and community.

A big congratulations as well to all our Year 6 leaders who received their Vision Badges (Love, Learning, Faith, School Spirit & Community) at our recent Vision Assembly. We look forward to seeing your leadership shine throughout our school. This is a fantastic opportunity for all Year 6 students to take an active role in leading at SMP and within the wider Casino community.

Year 6 Acts of Hope – Spreading Kindness & Love in Our Community

This week, our Year 6 students will take part in Acts of Hope, a special initiative dedicated to giving back to the local Casino community. Aligned with this year’s Jubilee theme - Pilgrims of Hope - these meaningful experiences will allow students to spread kindness, compassion and positivity throughout our town.

Activities Include:

🌟 Hope & Kindness Rocks – Painting uplifting messages on rocks and placing them around town, parks, and community spaces to inspire others.
✉️ Letters of Hope – Writing and delivering heartfelt letters of thanks to our local SES & Emergency Services who tirelessly kept our community safe this past week.
📖 Story time of Hope – Visiting our local Preschools to read books that promote kindness, perseverance, and hope.
🕊️ Honouring Hope – Cemetery Care & Reflection – Cleaning and tending to graves at Casino General Cemetery, paying respects, and beautifying resting places, especially for forgotten or unmarked graves.
🪟 Windows of Hope – Washing shop front windows along the main street and leaving uplifting messages for the community.
🌱 Gardening at the Parish – Assisting with gardening tasks at the parish, helping to maintain and beautify the grounds as an act of service and care.
🧹 Caring for Our School – Taking pride in our school by cleaning and maintaining the grounds, fostering a sense of responsibility and community spirit.

This initiative is a wonderful opportunity for our students to give back, spread love and bring hope to our community. 

Nicole Hammond
Leader of Love and Community

Leader of Inclusion

Learning Adjustments 
This term, our teachers have been working closely with your children, getting to know their individual strengths and needs. To ensure every student thrives, we've identified some who may benefit from "learning adjustments."  These adjustments, which might include additional support during lessons, changes to the classroom environment, or assessment methods, are designed to provide tailored support.

What are Learning Adjustments?
They're simply ways we adapt our teaching to help every child participate fully and confidently. Learning adjustments address diverse needs, from learning differences to social-emotional support.

Your child’s class teacher will discuss any proposed adjustments with you directly, either in a face-to-face meeting or a phone call, before the end of Term One. This is a chance to collaborate and ensure your child receives the best possible support.

We'll monitor and modify adjustments as needed throughout the year, always aiming to build your child's confidence and independence. 

Please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or me with any questions at  paula.mcintyre@lism.catholic.edu.au

Paula McIntyre
Leader of Inclusion

Tuition Fees

All families would have received their School Fee Statement towards the end of February.  The Statement total is for the whole year of 2025.  Please check the accuracy of the Statement.

Sibling discounts:

One child at the College, your next second child at the Primary should have a 7% discount on school fees.

Two children at the College, your next third child at the Primary should have a 15% discount on school fees.

Three children at the College, your next fourth child at the Primary should have a 100% discount on school fees.

The same discounts apply if you have the same number of children all enrolled in the Primary.

School Building Levy:

Billed once per family.  If you have a children at the College, the School Building Levy will be attached to the eldest child.  Your Primary School Statement should not have that billing. 

The same applies if you have children only in the Primary.  Only the eldest child will have the School Building Levy attached to their fee. 

Vision Achievement Awards - 28 February 2025

Birthdays

Happy birthday to  Alina Clark Sophia Thomson Tegan Clark Axel Fright Charlie Fahey Lucy Hancock Lincoln Mills Tyler Hyde Tilly Taylor Sophie Armfield Nate McAlister Emily Butler Elena Vidler Paige Lawrence Asher MacMahon Larah Kenny Nate Ludlow Charlotte Wells Rhys Benn Jarrah Hazlewood Kyra Clarke Felicity Doyle Chayton Dow Lyla Martin Wyatt McCormack Abel Lang Liam Samaraweera Emily Shelton Gretyl Bird Shayla White Sierra Anderson Amity Hale Willow Benn Rhani Hollis Leo Clapham Hallie Kenny Brock Farrelly Elsie Hardwick Nash Irvine Ariana Delaney Arlo Johnston Ava Turner Emity Hannah Allirah King Evie Nicholls Vian Dibley Mason Hamilton-Hill Havana Jarrett Seth Bennett Aurora Gill James McCormack Jamie-Brielle Bernal River Anderson Callie Robinson William Jordan Zian Rollon Mollie Gill Penny Simpson Nate Pratt Thomas Gillett Louis Neil Kianna Boyle Knox Johnston Riley Carroll Jasper Taylor Harley Wills Blake Hambly Clare Wilder Hudson Hancock Penelope Flick and Ava Gill who have recently their birthday, and to those who celebrate this week.