St. Mary's Catholic Primary School
Quality Catholic Education in the heart of Darwin City
Newsletter
11 December 2013
Dear Families
Dates to Remember
11 December
Christmas Concert
Reports go home
12 December End of Year Mass
Last day for students
2014
20-24
January
30 January
3 February
Book room open
9 am—3 pm
Students Year 1-6
commence school
Transition students
commence school
It is with mixed emotions that I write the final newsletter for 2013 and prepare for my new
position as principal at Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School. I feel an incredible sense of
gratitude and appreciation as I reflect on the year that we have had together. The celebrations, highlights and challenges have been many and varied and I am so glad that I have
been given this fantastic opportunity to lead the school community.
I have been truly grateful for the dedication and commitment of parents at St Mary’s this
year. There is no doubt that the families contribute considerably to the wonderful community atmosphere and school spirit of St Mary’s. Our P & F have worked tirelessly for the whole
school community and their efforts have had a major impact on student learning –enabling
us to provide fantastic resources for our students, including new computers, Smartboards,
iPads, school phone app and the list goes on.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to Fr. John Kelliher and our School Board members who welcomed me so openly and are people who are committed to the pursuit of excellence at St Mary’s and to building a strong, faith filled Catholic
community. The support, advocacy and wisdom of our Board members has been a real asset to our school and has made my job as
Acting Principal a pleasure.
I acknowledge and thank the fabulous St Mary’s staff who continually
strive to provide challenging and stimulating learning opportunities for
our students in partnership with families. Each staff member goes
above and beyond in so many ways. I have been truly blessed to work with such enthusiastic, passionate and fun loving colleagues.
Finally I would like to say how proud I am of our students and all that they have achieved
this year. It has been a privilege to be entrusted with their care and education and to watch
each one grow not only academically but in faith, love and wisdom.
Prayer
As we are about to focus
on Your birth, Lord
we bring our fears to you
remembering that you assured us
that “There is no need to be
afraid.”
We also bring our hopes to you
knowing that you said to us
“Place your trust in me.”
May Christmas morning
make us happy to be your
Children and Christmas evening
bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts,
In Jesus’ name.
Farewell to staff, students and families who are moving on or beginning
a new venture and thank you for being a part of our community. We
hope St Mary’s always holds a special place in your heart. We also wish
Pascale Zufferey well as she undertakes 12 months leave in 2014.
Pascale plans to travel extensively during her 12 month break and return for the start of the 2015 school year. We also farewell Andrea Wren who has resigned from her teaching position here. Andrea and her husband are heading overseas to
work in 2014.
We welcome Courtney Ralph and Shannon Feldtman to our teaching staff at St. Mary’s community for the start of the 2014 school year.
Both teachers are coming from Victoria and are really looking forward
to meeting the students and parents in the new year.
I know that that you will all look forward to welcoming Jacqui
Langdon, the returning principal, back after 12 months leave to lead the school in 2014 and
beyond.
May God Bless you all and keep you safe this Christmas season.
Amen
Simon Duffy
Acting Principal
Ph. 89819796 Fax 89815286
Website: www.stmarysnt.catholic.edu.au
Email: [email protected]
Lindsay Street Darwin NT 0800
RE News:
St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
We are participating in this year’s Vinnies Christmas Appeal. It has been
a tradition of St Mary’s to be a part of this appeal and families are invited to send an
item of food, in particular something to include in a Christmas hamper, to school
over the next few weeks. Thank you for your generosity!
Philippines Fund Raising
Many thanks to everyone for their generosity, helping to raise $755 for the appeal.
This is a wonderful amount and will be sent to Project Compassion to assist in the
relief effort in the Philippines.
End of Year School Mass
The whole school will gather for our final Mass on Thursday, 12th December in St
Mary’s Star of the Sea Cathedral at 9.00a.m. Year 3/4, Room 3 will prepare and
present the Mass.
I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone – children, staff
and families for your support, interest and commitment over the years – joining us
for our Liturgies and celebrations, contributing to and participating in our fund raising efforts and being a significant part of the children’s Sacramental preparation.
Best wishes for a safe holiday and a peace-filled Christmas! God bless
Mrs Lyn Taylor
APRE
Fr John Kelliher msc, Sr Mary Chan fdnsc and
Sr Elizabeth Little fdnsc
LIBRARY MESSAGE.
A big thank you to everyone
who have returned all their library
books, unfortunately there are still
almost 100 books that have not
been returned.
If your child/children have library
books at home they must be
returned tomorrow Thursday, 12
December.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Enjoy the holidays and stay safe.
Kind regards
Lyn Peter
Congratulations to Mia Martin (room 5) and
family on the recent arrival of a baby boy.
If you advised us earlier in the semester that your
child/ren would be returning to St Mary’s in 2014
and your circumstances have now changed and
your child/ren will not be returning in 2014 could
you please advise Julie at the office or email
[email protected]
Our thoughts and prayers are with Fiona Messer
(Room 3 teacher) and family as Fiona’s grandfather passed away in Perth recently.
Year 6 students—Alexa, Faith, Keegan and Marcus
Bishop Eugene abseiling down the Chinatown carpark in recognition of support for Youth Suicide
Christmas Hamper Raffle drawn at the Christmas Carols – Wednesday 11th December at 7:00pm
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE TICKETS
All monies raised help pay for the schools wish list items. All donations and raffle tickets (both sold and unsold) are due in
to your classroom teachers by Monday week 10. Any queries: Kiim Parnell ([email protected]).
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Coordinators and volunteers are still needed for the Carols Night BBQ. Thank you to the parents who have already
volunteered but a little more help is needed to fill the BBQ roster. It promises to be a great night to finish off the year.
If you can help please let Sarah Ladd know via email: [email protected].
WE WILL NEED HELP IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
Donations towards food – Curry / Spaghetti Bolognaise / super dupers (other ideas welcome)
Help set up carols night from 2.00 – 3.00pm
On the night
4.00 – 5.00 - Set up Stall / Dish up food
5.00 – 6:00 - Serve food & drinks
6.00 – 6.30 - Cook BBQ / Serve food & drinks
6:30 – 7:00 - Cook BBQ / Cashier / Serve food & drinks
8:30 – Tidy up after the Carols.
Please contact Sarah or Tanya to discuss: [email protected] or [email protected]
Just a quick reminder that it will be Father John’s farewell on the Carols night. The classes will be presenting their
Christmas carols from 6pm with the hamper draw after each class carol. Santa will be arriving after the carols.
PLEASE SUPPORT THESE BUSINESSES, AS THEY SUPPORT ST MARY’S
To the following students who received awards at
assembly on Friday, 6 December 2013.
T5:
Stevie Stone and Elizabeth Tangug
T/1-6: Pania Maika, Georgia Gibb, Aidan Jackson
and Marcus O’Hara
1/2-7: Isabella Cox, Cosma Bell, Bronte Devitt,
Kierra Zerafa and Taylah Kernahan
2/3-4: Alice Riccardi, Tom Bowden and Mack Jackson
3/4-2: Antonios Lelikis
5/6-10: Themelina Lelikis, Jaie Craven and Shaniya Clark-Boon
5/6-11: Arun Alexander, Indianna Turnbull and Alexa Ferrer
PE:
Transition 2014
Does your child turn five by 30 June
2014. If so they are eligible to start
Transition in January 2014.
Please contact the school office for an
enrolment package.
Room 10
And to the students who received Principals awards on Friday, 6
December 2013
Faith Ocampo, Shanis Ocampo, Liam McBride, Oscar Steer, Arun
Alexander, Messina Finocchiaro, Kurt Reddan, Chloe Reddan,
Isabella O’Hara, Chiara Hucent, Heather Bravo,
Madeline Adams, Jillian Wong, Marcus Dempsey,
Charlotte Peter, Rafael Yayakos, Stephan Biro,
Katja Biro, Lilyana Sarib, Lillie Cannon, Marcus
O’Hara and Ashton Anutata-Angul.
PIANO ENROLMENTS 2014
Applications for enrolments for piano lessons for
2014 are now available from the front office.
Please complete and return.
The school bookroom will be open from 9
am—3 pm from Monday, 20 January 2014 to
Friday, 24 January 2014 for purchase of
uniforms and books for the
start of the 2014 school
year.
2014 intent notes for current students have gone
home, and are due back by Thursday,
5 December, 2013.
Lessons for 2013 will finish on the last day of
school term Thursday 12 December 2013.
Lessons will recommence in Week 1, Thursday 30
January 2014.
Thank you,
Carolyn Gray (piano/keyboard teacher)
The St Mary’s School App has been sponsored by
Professional's Choice Automotive Group.