As we approach the Christmas season, I want to take a moment to share how proud I am of our students. Despite this being such a busy time of year, they continue to shine in every way. Next Monday, we celebrate their achievements at our Awards Evening, recognising not only academic success but also the participation and effort they have shown across all areas of school life. Part of this evening includes our Nativity Play that our students have been practicing with such enthusiasm. I know their performance will be a great reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

Our swimming program continues this week and once again the effort with this has been significant. We have already seen so much improvement in our students' confidence. Well done students!

Pool Fun Day

Next Friday, our swimming sessions will commence at 11am. Students will complete their formal swimming program, enjoy lunch (St Mary’s will organise this), and enjoy an afternoon of pool fun. I will confirm the availability of the canteen and the opportunity for students to purchase a small treat next week.

Tuesday Sausage Sizzle 

On the final Tuesday of the term. Tuesday 17th (Week 10), students won’t need to bring lunch. St Mary’s will have a sausage sizzle to celebrate their final day for 2024.

End of Year Events - REMINDERS

Carols by Candlelight (please note the change of time/venue from last week)

This Thursday 5th December at 6.30pm (singing commences at 7pm), St Mary’s students will be performing at the Annual Batlow Carols by Candlelight Evening. Carols will commence at 6.30pm at Hides Park. While students may not sing until later in the evening, it would be appreciated if they could be there at 6.25pm (note the change of time from last week) so that we can gather, sit as a school and be ready for our turn to sing. Students are to wear their full Summer uniform. If they would like, they can wear a Christmas hat to accompany their uniform.

End of Year Awards

Monday 9th December at 6pm, St Mary’s will be hosting our annual awards evening at the Batlow Literary Institute. We would love for all students and families to be there to help celebrate our student and school achievements from 2024. Students are to wear their full Summer uniform. Part of this evening will involve our students performing a short Nativity play - any required costume has been organised by the school and will go over their uniforms. We ask that students arrive by 5:50pm to ensure we start on time.

Graduation and Thanksgiving Mass

On Thursday 12th December at 12pm, St Mary’s will host students and families for their Graduation and Thanksgiving Mass. All families are welcome to attend this special celebration, where we acknowledge our departing Year Six student. Lunch will be provided for families who wish to be with us after the Mass.

Enjoy the rest of your week
Ryan

We have had a busy week rehearsing and preparing for our end-of-year awards ceremony and our Nativity play! All of the children have worked very hard to remember their lines and the play is going to be lovely on Monday evening. We can’t wait to share it with you all!

Tonight St Marys will perform at the annual Batlow Carols by Candlelight, we would love to have as many of our students there to sing the carols we have been practising. If you could have your child there before 6.30 pm in their school uniform that would be great. St Marys teachers will be there to help the students on the night.

Next Thursday we will celebrate our end-of-year Thanksgiving Mass and Graduation for Jack who will leave St Marys to begin high school next year. The Mass will start at noon and all families are invited to join us at this special celebration, after Mass concludes we will all share Lunch and some sandwiches and slices will be available for parents.

This weekend will begin the second week of Advent. This Sunday focuses on John the Baptist and his role in preparing the people for the coming of Jesus. 

“ This Sunday might become a time to invite John the Baptist to be our companion in preparing our hearts for the birth of Jesus. In the words of Isaiah, we are invited this Sunday to ‘Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight’. We ready our hearts for God’s coming to us in the anticipated birth of Jesus.”

Term 4 fees are now due if paying in full.

If paying in instalments, please continue to make regular payments.

Next week the GARNER family will be cooking.

Mrs Murray is needing all library books returned by next week for stocktake over the break.

Please help St Mary's provide support to those struggling this Christmas with a donation of non perishable goods or a wrapped gift for a child.

Baskets for donations will be placed in the foyer and each classroom. Items and gifts will be delivered to St Vincent De paul after our Graduation and Thanksgiving Mass on the 12th of December, thank you. 

Friday 13 December students will be going to the pool from 11am for our end of term fun day. Lunch will be provided to all students using funds raised from our cooking and cake raffle. 

CAROLS - 6pm start with a BBQ and singing to commence at 7pm

Meet staff from 6.25pm in FULL summer uniform.

On Tuesday 17 December for the last day of the year we will be having a free sausage sizzle for all students and staff. Students will only need to bring morning tea and drinks.

Vanessa will be doing lessons for students year one and up during school hours at St Mary's next year. Please contact her on 0448 609 479 to arrange.