Welcome back to the new school year.  A special welcome to our new students and families who have joined us this year, it had been lovely meeting so many families at enrolment interviews, transition meetings and while greeting students and meeting and talking with parents each morning. 

Welcome to the following new staff:  

Mary Antonopoulos Grade 5/6B 

Karen Dunkley Social Worker 

We are also delighted to have Fiona Gray (Instructional Specialist K-6) and Will Innis (11/12 Class Teacher, MDT, Agriculture, Hands on Learning – Build) back on staff after they have both had some time away. 

It has been exciting to welcome Mr Innis and Mrs Gray back and lovely to get to know Miss Antonopoulos during over the past two weeks.  Working with our entire teaching team, preparing for the new school year has been inspiring and has set our school up for a successful year of teaching and learning.  Our students and school community are fortunate to have such a talented, experienced and enthusiastic team of teachers at our school.  To support families to get to know our staff better, keep your eye on future additions of our newsletter for individual staff profiles. 

First days of the school year are always exciting and although there can be nervous moments for students and staff alike, the start to the 2025 school year has been positive and settled, with students being organised and prepared for learning with all their books and stationery ready and looking amazing in their uniforms.  Thank you to all our families for their support with these things and well done to all the students for showing such a commitment to learning, with settled classrooms and outstanding attendance across the whole school.   

As we did last year, we have started this year with a whole school focus on wellbeing, resilience and high expectations and through newsletter editions and our SMDS Facebook page we will provide regular updates.  The Resilience Project wellbeing program, continues to inform this work, through the focus of gratitude, empathy, mindfulness and social/emotional learning.  I encourage parents and families to explore the information we provide through newsletters and upcoming parent information and open classroom events and by continuing these conversations with your child at home.  

We have such a beautiful environment at St Marys District School in which to work and learn and I would like to acknowledge the fantastic work of the team of EFAs (Education Facility Attendants) and our Administration staff who have ensured that our school is looking its best for the start of the year.  Thank you also to our staff for the extra hours you have already put in ensuring timetables are ready, units and lessons are planned and classrooms and learning spaces are prepared.  This work has really supported our student’s successful return to school and engagement in learning. 

Class teachers will be sending home a welcome letter, providing you with information about the school year as well as contact details for any questions you may have.  Please contact your child or young person’s class teacher or the school office at any time if you would like to talk about their learning of other matters, or you have a question or concern and I’d particularly encourage you to do this if you have a positive to share. 

At this time of the year it is important to highlight a few things that will assist your child at school and assist us to ensure we are providing the best education and care whilst they are with us. 

Attendance  

Students are currently making every day count, with most classes having 100% attendance on most days! Let’s work together to keep up this strong start and support all our children and young people to be at school and be learning more every day. 

Good attendance habits can sometimes be hard to stick to.  But creating a solid routine, from the start of Term 1, can set your child up for success for the year ahead.  

If you’re looking for tips on how to create better attendance habits, visit the Anything can happen website 

Please always talk to us if you’re having trouble getting your child to school. We’re here to help. To support parents and students, teachers and members of the school leadership team will be calling parents to check in around non-attendance and what we might be able to do to help students to be at school every day. 

Drop off and Pick up  

The school car parks are very congested places both in the morning and after school especially with spaces being limited.  We have school buses entering and leaving the grounds both of a morning and afternoon and they need to be able to safely navigate in and out of the school. Families are reminded to use the turning circle to drop of children in the morning and if parking to drop off or collect, to use the school driveway or the carpark in front of the pool.   

Do you want to drop your child off at the classroom? 

A reminder that all access for parents and families to and from classrooms is through the yellow boom gate at the end of Block 1, or through the Administration foyer. Once you have parked in the school driveway or pool carpark, please enter the building area by walking up the main driveway toward the Administration office. If you are doing a quick drop off or pick up there is no requirement to sign in or out but if you are wanting to stay a little longer please enter through the Administration foyer and use the screens to sign in and out. 

Healthy Habits  

School logo branded hats are an important part of our school uniform and school culture. The St Marys District School Association generously provides either a cap or a bucket hat to every student.  A reminder to all students and families that we encourage the wearing of hats (approved school cap or bucket hat only) in our playground at breaks and during outside HPE lessons to be sun smart. Primary children are expected to wear a school hat when in the playground in Terms 1 and 4 and will be asked to play in shady areas if they have left their school hat at home.  

We have water hydration stations in the school for students to either drink hygienically from and/or fill up their drink bottles. Keeping hydrated in hot weather is very important. 

Sleep is vital for healthy brain development and activity and at this time of the year, when school resumes, it is important to get a good night’s rest. Please support and encourage your child to turn off devices and retire at a reasonable hour as they start the new school year. 

If you wish to discuss any aspect of your child’s education, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

Kind regards, 

Carolyn Watson 

Principal 

Staff and students have spent a busy first week and a bit settling into the 2025 school year.  We welcome all Grade 7 students and students who are new to our school.  We also welcome our Grade 11-12 students who have chosen to continue their studies at St Marys District School.  I am sure students and their families will enjoy their time with us and experience the variety of opportunities open to them. 

We commenced the year with some team building and goal setting days for our students where they had the chance to spend time with their new classes and meet their teachers. This has helped to set students up for success as they moved into regular classes, setting up new routines and expectations and getting on with learning. Students spent time in house groups to decide which of the many activities they were able to compete in through challenges.  Points were awarded at the end of each challenge for the houses which will form the total points for the end of the year.  

During the time class teachers spent with students, the Department for Education, Children and Young People (DECYP) values of Respect, Courage, Connection, Growth and Responsibility were the focus of activities and discussions. Not only are the values guiding adults and students on the school site, but they form the foundation of high expectations and learner expectations. It is a requirement that on all DECYP sites students who bring their phones to school, must follow the direction of ‘off and away all day’.  We will continue to support students in this high expectation. As part of our wellbeing focus for all students, The Resilience Project will continue to be implemented every week. 

Grade 7 Camp 

This week, our Grade 7 students headed off to the South Mount Cameron Field Study Centre for three days of team building activities, bush walking and getting to know each other through challenges.  I would like to thank Laura Swanson, Christine Waters, Will Innis and Matt Hoskinson for attending this camp.  Without staff support, such opportunities would not be available.  We are looking forward to hearing about the camp from the students and sharing the photos from their experiences. 

ICT Challenge 

This year we introduced an ICT challenge – which class would be the first have all ICT user agreement forms returned to school.  If your child has not returned their form, please encourage them to do so. If they have lost this form you can contact the School Administration Office to request a new one. Students are not permitted to use devices until this form has been signed by the student and the parent/carer. 

Student Leaders 

We will soon begin working with our Student Leader Board (SLB) and we are calling on Expressions of Interest for students in Grades 9 and 10 who may be interested in leadership opportunities as House Captains (HC).  Voting will occur early next week once Grade 7 students have returned.  The SLB and HC will be working closely with our primary leadership students to develop and consider whole school activities and identify those that can help engender house spirit through events both sporting and non-sporting. 

Short Course 

Our students have commenced Short Course from this week with options including Sewing, Movie Club, Scamander River Swimming (from week 3), Design a Tattoo, Cricket, Drama and Board Games/Puzzles. These are wonderful opportunities for students to immerse themselves in an activity over five weeks to learn and develop a skill. We have many more exciting activities planned for students and thank our staff for their support with these activities.  

If you have any concerns for or about your child, or you have questions regarding opportunities, please contact your child’s class teacher through the School Administration Office on 6372 3900. 

2025 is shaping up to be a wonderful year and all staff are looking forward to be able to support your child through their learning opportunities. 

Sandra Cook 

Assistant Principal 

Grade 7-12 

Thank you to all of our families who toook the time to complete their back to school paperwork during Book and Uniform Days or who have returned their paperowrk since term started.   The paperwork included:

• Student Information Validation Forms
• Aquatics Permission Form
• Medical Action Plans
• Student Medication Consent Forms
• Bus information forms
• ICT User Agreements
• Grade 7 Camp Paperwork

This paperwork is very  important and supports us in ensuring your child's wellbeing while they are at school.  For a more in-depth look at why this paperwork is important, please see the article in our Back To School Special Newsletter (linked below).

Levies

Levies invoices will soon be generated and sent home to families.  

The levy you pay contributes to the cost of your child’s education program, and includes:

• items your child uses during the school year, like learning materials and stationery.
• services, like school excursions, performances and school camps that are part of your child’s educational program.

Levies at SMDS have only changed very slightly with no major increases since 2021, and our staff work very hard when preparing booklists and using resources to be as economical as possible. 

If  you would like to set up a payment plan, or confidentially discuss ways we can support families experiencing financial pressure, please make an appointment to see one of our School Business Managers:  Lisa Bean or Janine Burt on 63723900.

Last year your school  levies supported:  

• Booklist and stationery items for the year
• Grade 3 Sleepover
• Grades 5, 7 and 9 Camps
• Class Excursions. Some of the activities included:
  • Easy Tiger Excursion
  • Serpentarium
  • History Room
  • Hollybank
  • QV Mag
• Excursion to the Glover Prize / Art Rage
• Visiting Performers including:
  • Super Science Circus Show
  • Scott's  BMX  Trick  Show
  • Mad Wheels
  • Dance for the Fun Of it Performance
  • Cultural visits
• Excursion to the Bay of Fires Art Exhibition
• Student Leaders' Conference
• Agfest Excursion
• Live 4 Life participation
• Travel to Newstead College Performance 
• Careers day at St Helens
• Travel to visit Newstead and Launceston College
• Rock Challenge Heats & Finals
• LOTS of Cooking ingredients
• MDT Co2 powered cars program
• Design and Production resources
• The 5 Day Illuminate Challenge
• Primary Beach Day (Transport, Catering, Lifeguards)
• Secondary Beach Day (Transport, Catering, Lifeguards)
• 1 School Magazine for each enrolled family
• A visit (and eggs) from Easter Bunny
• Craft materials for special events (Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Christmas)
• The Resilience Project and resources
• Art materials
• Inter High Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics Carnivals
• Primary Schools Combined Swimming, Cross Country and Athletics Carnivals
• Secondary Netball Cup and AFLW competition
• Short Courses
• Outdoor Education Experiences

This year we welcomed Willow, Charlie, Phoenix, Mason, Carter, Samuel, Jack, Albie and Tanner. We have been working very hard getting to know each other, the routines and transitions of the class.

We have celebrated the Chinese New Year – The Year of the Snake, creating our own lanterns and snake and learning that we were born in the year of the rat.

We have filled out some "Marvellous Me" forms, so that Mrs Lee and Robyn can learn more about us and we did a fantastic job at drawing symmetrical self portraits!

Welcome to Term 1, 2025!  In Term 1, as teachers get to know the students in their classes, they also begin to gather information for students on learning plans.  This information supports teachers in providing differentiated learning to meet the needs of individual students.  Tasks that will be undertaken by teachers this term, include: 

• Gathering student voice: asking students about their interests and strengths both at home and at school 

• Consulting with parents to gather to seek their input about their child and their needs 

• Setting goals to support learning this year.  These goals will be set after consulting both the student and parents. 

We look forward to working together with families to support your child to have a fabulous year of learning in 2025. 

Please enjoy a snapshot of Miss Bramich's K-6 PE, Health and Educatiion and Music Learning Opportunities for week 2.

Our focus has been on kind words, fun and enjoyment and sharing and respect.

We look forward to commencing Grade 3-6 Athletics and K-2 Fundamental Movement Skill Devenopment next week.

Our staff made the most of the summer, some travelling far and wide, some enjoying our beautiful state over the holidays, others even made the most of the natural environment around our school, while working through the holidays.

Some of their experiences included:

• King Solomon Caves, Aurora chasing and Devils Gullet lookout
• Saw some beautiful sunrises, cleaned school carpets!
• Hobart International Tennis Singles Final, Hobart Archives, The Hobart Penitentiary
• Gordon River Cruise and Gorge Launceston
• Crusing to New Zealand
• Enjoyed lovely self care gifts from family and colleagues, read books, ate pavlova, chased sunrises and hung out with the furbabies.
• Fossicking in the Weld River
• More of my hobby -  furniture restoration and early morning walks Scamander sunrise in my new glow in the dark sandshoes!
• I went off to the UK to visit my beautiful family.

These notices have been sent home to parents in the last fortnight.  If you did not receive one and would like to receive a copy of the notice, please contact the school office on 63 723 900.

PRIMARY

• Class Teacher - Welcome Letter  P-6