Dear Parents and Carers,

A huge thank you to everyone who was able to attend our Awards Day and Thanksgiving Mass last week. Both occasions were a wonderful celebration for St Mary’s students and families. We have held our Awards Day during the day for the past couple of years. Thank you to those who replied to the survey sent out via Schoolzine of your preference for a day or night End of Year Awards for 2020. We will advise of the outcome next year.

Sadly, our school enrolment numbers have taken a ‘little dip’ which is the ebb and flow for all small schools, as families leave for a variety of reasons. I would like to thank the Tadrous, Jones and Irwin family for their time and contribution to our school. We will farewell the King family early next year as they set off on their travelling adventure.

In happier news, I would like to announce that Ms Maddison Crozier from Tumbarumba, will be joining us in 2020. One more teaching appointment is yet to be finalised.

Class teachers for next year are:

·        Kinder/1        Ms Amy Buckmaster

·        Year 2/3        To be appointed

·        Year 4/5/6    Ms Maddison Crozier

Ms Collins will be teaching Indonesian and also joining Ms Saunderson in coordinating our Literacy and Numeracy programs in 2020. Ms Murray will continue as our Librarian.

In other news, St Mary’s will be taking part in an outreach program from Royal Far West in Sydney to deliver Allied Health support via video conference. This will commence in Term 1, Week 3 for some students in Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy. Parents of the students involved for Semester One 2020 have already been contacted. If you would like further information please let me know.

A gentle reminder to all parents that our KK Gift Giving is scheduled for tomorrow morning and every child is asked to bring a gift to the value of $10. Please let us know if you would like some assistance.

I would like to wish all families a festive and holy Christmas and a happy New Year. It has been a wonderful year for learning and personal growth for students, teachers and also myself, as we recognise we are all learners. Thank you once again for letting us share in your child’s journey with St Mary’s.

Students in Years 1 to 6 return to school  Wednesday 29 January and Kindergarten students return Thursday 30 January. Further details will be emailed to parents early in January, but please see requirements attached to this Newsletter. I look forward to seeing our students’ cheerful faces after a restful and fun filled summer holiday.

 Kind Regards and Merry Christmas,

 Jannine

We had a wonderful end of year celebration last week. Thank you to Year 6 for their leading of the Mass.

Show kindness this Christmas. A Merry Christmas to you all.

A reminder to all families that are not paying by direct debit or regular instalment, all school fees for 2019 should be paid by TOMORROW. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. Please see Jannine or Trish if you would like to discuss this further.

BATLOW Christmas Day 8am

(Please note not 8.30am)

ADELONG Christmas Day 10am

TUMUT Christmas Eve 7pm

Academic Achievement Award – Daniel Korn

Community Spirit Award – Sarah Wilkinson

Creative Arts Award – Sebastian Breward & Jonny Minogue

John Holland Memorial Sportsmanship Award – William Smith 

Curriculum Award (Literacy) - Liam Parker

Ian Giles Memorial Award (Mathematics) - Jiemin Shang

Gay and Gerry Ryan Memorial Award (All rounder) - Jade Booby

St Mary's would like to thank Snowy Hydro for their donation towards our Awards afternoon. Snowy Hydro support Academic Excellence and are proud sponsors of our student's awards in 2019.

A big thank you to those families who purchased and sold tickets in our Christmas raffle. The raffle raised $734.00

The lucky winners were:

FIRST: The McLean family - Abode Accomodation pack

SECOND: Jess Commins - Cockington Green family pass

THIRD: Jess Commins - Forum Cinema tickets

Student of The Week

The students had a wonderful day at the pool for our end of year celebrations.

A huge thank you to Bev Sullivan who took the time to cook the beautiful lunch today at the pool. Thanks Bev.