Dear Parents and Carers,

Another school year draws to and end! Thank you those who were able to join us for our Award afternoon yesterday and congratulations to all our students on their wonderful performances and awards. Well-deserved by each and every student!

On a more personal note the last few weeks are certainly not how I intended to finish up this year at St Mary’s. Mrs Murray and I would like to thank each and every staff member, student and parent for your messages of love, prayers and support over the past four very difficult weeks. Our Mum, Gabrielle was herself an ex-student of St Mary’s being educated here from 1938-1944 and her love of St Mary’s School and parish continued up until her passing. Mum was also our dedicated proof-reader of our newsletter every week right up until the last week of November this year. A huge thank you must be extended to Miss Buckmaster for stepping up and taking on such a big role over the past weeks and to Catholic Education, Mrs Mary Quianne and our surrounding local schools for their enduring support too. We are very blessed to be part of such a caring and supportive network. Thank you for enabling Mrs Murray and I to spend the much needed time with our mum and family over the past few weeks.

I have spent the last few weeks reflecting on my time at St Mary’s. I first came to St Mary’s as a Co-ordinator back in 1997 and held that position for two years. This move changed the course of my teaching career. Not only did I fall in love with the school and the community, I continued to teach part-time as I raised my family. In 2009 I had the privilege of holding the Acting Principal position of St Mary’s and again in 2011 until I secured the Principal position in 2012. We started out in 2012 as a two teacher school with a total enrolment of 32 students. Without a doubt my greatest joy has been to see this school grow in leaps and bounds over those years to the thriving school we have today. I am sure you know my proudest moment was when we finally reached 60 enrolments this year and we celebrated in style with a 60’s party.

My decision to move to St Patrick’s Gundagai was not a decision I made lightly. However, my faith grounds me in believing that sometimes when a door opens, it’s time to step through the door and take up the new challenge being offered and see what lies ahead. This time has come for me. Please know that as I leave St Mary’s part of my heart will remain here forever. I will keep in contact whenever possible and look forward to hearing great stories about St Mary’s future endeavours and achievements.

We extend our best wishes to our departing families and thank them for their wonderful support of St Mary’s school. Our love and best wishes go to the Dunlop, Pearce and Parsons families. We wish them every happiness for the future and hope they will continue to keep in contact.

I would like to conclude by wishing you all every blessing for the Christmas period and especially for 2019 school year. I look forward to hearing great things about St Mary’s and your continued amazing achievements. I intend to be closely linked to the school and keep up to date with all the news.

Best wishes to Mrs Richards and the St Mary’s team for the 2019 school year.

God bless, Merry Christmas and may you all enjoy a wonderful new year.

Christine Baron

Principal

What a great afternoon yesterday and a fitting end to a busy school year! Congratulations to all our students on a wonderful year of work and great achievements. Many thanks to our departing families Dunlop, Parsons & Pearce families for all your support and contribution to our school community over the years and for your faith in St Mary’s.

Congratulations to all our students who received Certificates of Achievement for areas they have achieved well in during this year.

Congratulations to students who were awarded the following Perpetual Trophies……….

Academic Achievement Award – Lucy Pearce

Community Spirit Award – Liam Parker

Creative Arts Award – Hazel Paton

John Holland Memorial Sport Award – William Smith 

Curriculum Award - Oscar Dunlop

Ian Giles Memorial Award (Mathematics) - Jie Min Shang

Gay and Gerry Ryan Award (All rounder) - Nadamary Tadrous

Farwell Mrs Baron

A big thank you to all our cake raffle and home cooking families this year.

Calee Bree for displaying creativity in solving problems.

James for insightful contributions to class discussions.

Liam C for writing excellent sentences independently.

Lacey for dedication in all learning areas.

Year 2/3:

Emily for increased confidence in Mathematics.

EJ for excellent participation in the cricket day.

Hunter for excellent participation in the cricket day.

Zayn for excellent participation in the cricket day.

Dylan for effort to master reading the analogue clock.

Charlie for effort to master reading the analogue clock.

Year 4/5/6:

William for his ability to work quietly and conscientiously in all class tasks.

Jonny for displaying attention to colour and detail in all his Creative Art tasks.

Birthday wishes go out to Jessica who turns 12 on 25th December and to Charlie who turns 9 on December 29th.

In January we have Dylan who turns 8 on January 4th, Isabelle who turns 10 on January 9th  and Maverick who turns 7 on January 23rd.

We hope you all have a wonderful holiday birthday.

A big thank you to Renae Smith who has volunteered to take on the treasurer position on the Community Council from next year.

Community Council is vital for the smooth running of the school.

Please let the school know if you would like to know more about joining the Community Council.

A big thank you to Mrs Clare Pearce who has resigned from her position of treasurer which she has held for many, many years.

We appreciate your gift of time on the committee during this time.

1st Prize: Christmas Dinner Helen Smith

2nd Prize: Family pass to Questacon Hannah Baron

3rd Prize:  Family pass to Cockington Green Reece Quarmby 

Congratulations to the lucky winners above.

Thank you to those families who sold and brought tickets and helped sell at the RSL Club.

Thank you to Father Namora for drawing the raffle.

Christmas Eve Vigil Mass will be held in Batlow at 5pm on Monday 24th December.

The uniform shop will be open mid January for your back to school uniform needs.

An alert and email will go out in the New Year on Szapp with the

day and time.

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