A big welcome back to all students, parents and carers to the 2019 school year. There were some very excited faces on day one as students met their teachers and saw friends they hadn’t seen for a while. On Thursday, we welcomed our nine new Kindergarten students who were brimming with pride in their new St Mary’s uniforms.

Teachers began work a little earlier than that, with most coming in over the holidays to set up their rooms and prepare resources. I am very grateful to staff for the time they have devoted to having their classrooms ready from day one.

Parents received a letter in the holidays outlining staff and class groupings. To recap the class structure for 2019 is:

Kindergarten/Year One – Ms Jessica Soulsby and Ms Yolandie Oberholzer (Thursday)

Year Two/Three/Four - Ms Amy Buckmaster and Ms Rhiannon Clark (3 days per week)

Year Five/Six - Ms Mercedes Brown (Mon –Wed) and Ms Sarah Collins (Thurs-Fri)

Ms Anne Saunderson is our Literacy and Numeracy Coordinator this year and will also step into the role of Religious Education Coordinator for 2019 as I step into Acting Principal.

We will advise parents of a Parent Information Night as soon as the date is confirmed.

Tomorrow we have our swimming carnival. The weather forecast is promising a good day, despite the thunderstorm this morning. Thank you to the parents who have volunteered their help. More help is always welcomed if you have the time. The Western Region Swimming Carnival is scheduled for Friday 15th February in Tumut for successful competitors.

A big thank you to our Community Council who have been busy in the school over the holidays. They have installed an air-conditioning unit in the weather shed which can heat and cool this area making it far more functional as an outside learning space, especially in winter. In the library the large cupboards have been removed with more work pending on new shelving. New whiteboards have been installed in every classroom.

Next Thursday, 14th February, is our Opening School Mass. This special occasion is to bless the new school year, as we journey together in learning but most importantly in our faith. All parents and friends are invited to join the student body in St Mary’s Church at 10am. After Mass we will induct our Year 6 leaders and present our new Kindergarten students with a certificate. Afterwards we have a small morning tea. I look forward to meeting you there.

Acting Principal

Jannine Richards