St Mary's School Donnybrook
2024 Term 2 Week 1
We want our students to graduate as confident, capable and compassionate members of society who lead with their head, their heart and their hands
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Dates to Remember
Thursday 18 April @ 5.30pm: Year 3 Reconciliation Parent/Student Meeting
Wednesday 24 April @ 1.30pm: ANZAC Day Service
Thursday 25 April: ANZAC Day Public Holiday
Friday 26 April: PUPIL FREE DAY
Monday 29 April: Bookclub Issue 3 orders due if ordering
Thursday 2 May @ 9am-12.30pm: 3 Year Old Program begins in Kindy Room
Thursday 2 May @
Friday 3 May: 'Free Dress' Casuals for Catholics Day (please bring in a gold coin donation)
Tuesday 7 May @ 9am: P&F Meeting in the staffroom
Thursday 9 May: Year 5/6 students participating in the Wardandi Gift Cup at BCC
Friday 10 May @ 9am: Mother's Day Liturgy and Morning Tea
Monday 13 May: P&F Cookie Dough Fundraiser order close date
Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 May: PUPIL FREE DAYS
Thursday 16 May: Year 3 Reconciliation Retreat during school hours and Reconciliation @ 5.30.pm
Friday 17 May: RAK (Random Acts of Kindness Week) Free Dress
IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2024
Year 4 First Holy Communion - Sunday 26 May 10am (Church)
Year 6 Confirmation - Sunday 8 September 10am (Church)
Winter Carnival - Friday 14 June (years 4-6)
Faction Cross Country - Thursday 27 June TBC
Peter Sell Cup - Friday 9 August (years 4-6) TBC
Interschool Cross Country - Tuesday 30 July
School Photo Day - Tuesday 27 August
Swimming Lessons (year 1 - 6) Week 1 and 2 of Term 4
Year 6 Camp - Tuesday 5 November - Friday 8 November
PUPIL FREE DAYS
Friday 26 April
Monday 13 May
Tuesday 14 May
Friday 31 May
Monday 15 July
Monday 7 October
A note from the Principal
Dear Parents & Caregivers
At St Mary’s, we emphasise the importance of students making the most of the opportunities offered at school and fulfilling their responsibilities. We encourage students to listen to their teachers, give their best effort, and support their peers to maximise their full potential.
Upholding rights and responsibilities is integral to our community. Whilst everyone has the right to learn and feel safe, it is equally important that students strive for excellence and treat others with respect.
Parents play a crucial role in reinforcing these values at home and guiding their children to understand school expectations.
Through open dialogue and active involvement, parents can empower their children to navigate school confidently. By discussing topics like integrity and participation, parents instil principles of accountability and service to community. By collaborating with teachers, parents create a supportive environment that fosters mutual respect, laying the groundwork for their child's academic and personal growth.
To be successful in our endeavours we must work together effectively. We have an amazing group of students in our school, and we sincerely appreciate the support you offer both us and your children.
Year 3 Reconciliation
This term, our Year 3 students will commence preparations for their First Reconciliation. These preparations commence this coming Thursday 18th April at 5:30pm with the Parent Workshop. Students will also participate in a retreat and their Reconciliation evening on Thursday 16th May. We wish our Year 3 students all the best as they prepare for this reflective occasion.
ANZAC Day 2024
Our school ANZAC Day service will be held on Wednesday 24th April at 1:30pm on the Basketball court. This will be led by our Year 3 students. All parents and families are invited to join us.
The Donnybrook Community Service will be held on Thursday 25th April at the War Memorial in town. Our student leaders will be representing the school at this service, with all other students invited to represent St Mary’s and attend in their school uniform. We will meet at Ayers Gardens for the parade at 9:15am before commencing the service at 10am.
ANZAC Day Public Holiday
Please note that there will be no school on both Thursday 25th and Friday 26th of April. I hope you have the opportunity to enjoy a four-day weekend with your loved ones.
Assembly
Our next assembly is booked for 9am Thursday 2nd May. All parents and friends are invited to join us.
Casuals for Catholics
Casuals for Catholics is an annual appeal coordinated by the Bunbury Bishops Office that supports in raising funds for those struggling in our community. On Friday 3rd May our students may wear free dress for a gold coin donation, with the funds raised going towards the appeal.
Wardandi Gift
On Thursday 9th May, our Year 5/6 students will again be competing in the Wardandi Gift at BCC. On this day, students will participate in sporting events and art immersions, and exchange knowledge about Aboriginal culture. Last year, we won the inaugural cup, and we are looking forward to another fun day or learning and competition.
Mother’s Day Morning Tea and Liturgy
Our Mother’s Day Morning Tea and Liturgy will be held at 9am on Friday 10th May. Parents have been asked to send a photo of their family for the slideshow to admin@stmarysdbrk.wa.edu.au as soon as possible. There is no guarantee that late submissions will be included. The P&F will again be supporting the morning tea. If you are able to bring a plate to share that would be much appreciated.
Year 4 First Holy Communion (FHC)
This term, our Year 4 students will commence preparations for their FHC. These preparations commence this coming Thursday 2nd May at 5:30pm with the Parent Workshop. Students will also participate in a retreat on Friday 24th May before making their FHC Sunday 26th May. We wish our Year 4 students all the best as they prepare to receive Jesus in Communion for the first time.
BEBRAS Challenge
The year, a selection of our Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 students will again compete in the BEBRAS challenge. The BEBRAS challenge promotes computer science and computational thinking skills and provides an opportunity for our higher ability students to extend their thinking. Selections have been based on academic data collected across both in school and standardised assessments. Mr Skehan will communicate with parents of those involved shortly. We wish our team all the best.
Australian Early Development Census (AEDC)
The AEDC is a national assessment conducted every three years to examine how children have developed by the time they start school. The AEDC highlights what is working well and what needs to be improved or developed to support children and families.
Data is collected by teachers of children in their first year of school. Teachers respond to around 100 questions that measure early childhood development across 5 key areas known as domains. Children are allocated a score against the domains to determine whether they are developmentally on track, at risk or vulnerable.
The domains are:
physical health and wellbeing
social competence
emotional maturity
language and cognitive skills (school based)
communication skills and general knowledge.
St Mary’s will again by participating in the AEDC this term. More information regarding the AEDC will be sent home soon.
Parent and Friends
Our next P&F Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 7th May at 9am in the staffroom. It would be great to have many parents at the next meeting supporting our executive team, so please come along.
School Website
Our school website is live, updated regularly and able to be accessed at http://www.stmarysdbrk.wa.edu.au/. Please look here for all school related parent information.
Term Calendar
The term calendar can be found on our school website or by clicking HERE
3-Year-Old Kindergarten
On Thursday 2nd May, St Mary’s will commence its first ever 3-Year-Old program. These classes will be held each Thursday from 9-12:30pm with Mrs Nina Fiumano and Mrs Anne Dixon-Hotchkin in the Kindergarten room. There are now limited places available so please share this information with potential families and ask them to call 97324700 as soon as possible to book their place in the program.
Enrolments
We are still taking enrolments across all years for 2024. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please ask them to contact 97324700 and I will give them a personal tour.
Thank you
Andrew Gammon
Principal
St Mary's School Donnybrook
Email: admin@stmarysdbrk.wa.edu.au
Website: www.stmarysdbrk.wa.edu.au
Location: 30 Bentley St, Donnybrook, WA, 6239
Phone: 08 97324700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/St-Marys-Catholic-Primary-School-Donnybrook-1835840293345149/