Term 3 Week 2

From the Principal

Welcome back to Term 3! I hope you all had a restful and rejuvenating break. As we begin the second half of the school year, I am excited for the opportunities ahead—new learning experiences, upcoming events, and continued growth for every member of our school community.

Already this term has been the year 5 camp, we have celebrated 100 days of Kindergarten and commenced our 'Think Tank' class. It is bound to be an amazing term!

Model of School Funding

Recently there has been much public discussion around the Australian Government's model of funding schools. Catholic Schools NSW have put together some data to explain how government funding for non-government schools—such as Catholic and Independent schools— supports your right to choose the best educational environment for your child while also reducing costs for Australian taxpayers.

Using the most recent data, the report outlines how funding these schools through a mixed education model reduces pressure on public education resources, with savings of up to $6.88 billion annually. The report highlights how school choice benefits families and the broader community alike.

To read more, find the report here: Money invested, Money Saved - July 2025 - Adobe cloud storage.

A reminder about after school pick up processes

As we commence a new term, I wanted to remind all families about the pick up processes for our students after school. If you have any questions about these processes, please contact the front office or your classroom teacher.

Drive Thru procedures in the afternoon:

• Students are to sit outside the hall, waiting for their name to be called. Once their name is called, students wait in the allocated pick up bay.
• Please do not get out of your car – if required staff will assist students. If your child is unable get in or out of the car independently, please park and walk your child into school instead.
• Have a name sign in your visor. Please contact the front office if you need a replacement. 
• We ask for your patience and caution - please do not overtake cars picking up or dropping off students. Quite often students are exiting cars from the right side. We strongly suggest that if possible, children enter and exit cars through the left side doors. 
• Please be mindful of the footpath when exiting the school driveway onto Victoria Street. We will be installing pedestrian mirrors to assist with this, once we recieve permission from Maitland City Council but also ask for your vigilance.
• Drive thru finishes at 3:30 each day.

OOSH procedures in the afternoon

• Students attending OHSC in the afternoon are to wait at the back entrance of the hall.
• If you require to contact OHSC for any reason about your child, please do so through the following methods:
  • Phone: (02) 4979 1110
  • Email: oosh-maitland@stnicholasmn.org.au

Bus pick up procedures in the afternoon

• Students catching a bus of an afternoon are required to sit in the allocated area waiting for the bus to arrive
• If we are made aware of any buses running extraordinary late, we will contact parents through COMPASS
• All students catching a bus are required to have an Opal card or to make alternate arrangements with the Bus Company
• If the bus capacity is less than the number of students needing transport, selected students will stay at school, and parents will be asked to arrange alternative travel.
• Behaviour expectations on the bus align with those at school. After three consecutive reports of unsafe behaviour, the school will withdraw support for the student's bus travel.
• If you would like your student to catch the bus, please contact the bus lines directly for this information.

Basketball Court / Pick up / Walkers.

• Parents and Carers are welcome to wait on site for the bell to go before picking up their child. To ensure that there is limited disruption to classes, parents and carers are asked to wait outside the office, in the tunnel or near the canteen from 2:50pm. Parents not in these spaces will be asked to move while they wait.
• With the large number of people on site, people walking from school need to exit only from the basketball court gate.
• Staff may remind you of the correct exit for safety reasons. We ask that you respond respectfully and in line with the community code of conduct.
• Students will wait in the middle of the courtyard if they are being picked up in person
• Walkers (students who have permission to walk directly from school) will meet the teacher on duty on the basketball court and then walk from this gate. If you would like your child to be a walker, please send an email to the front office so that their name can be added to the list
• No students or younger sibling is permitted to use the playground equipment after school
• Students waiting to be picked up after 3:00, will sit outside the year 1/Kindergarten room until 3:30.

We appreciate your support of these processes to ensure the safety of all of our SJB students.

Fortnightly Frames

Assistant Principal News

Think Tank!

We are excited to announce the launch of our Think Tank initiative, involving a dedicated group of students from Years 3, 4, and 5. This enriching project offers students the opportunity to collaborate with local author Chrissy McYoung to plan, research, and publish a book about our city of Maitland.

The project began with students brainstorming what they already know about Maitland and identifying areas they are curious to learn more about. Working in collaborative groups, they will explore a range of topics including Sport and Recreation, Transport, the city's growth and future, and the history of our school and city.Last Wednesday, Chrissy McYoung spent the day working closely with the students, guiding them through the early stages of planning and publishing a book.

The session provided valuable insight into the writing and publishing process and inspired the students to think critically and creatively.

Think Tank will continue to meet each Wednesday throughout the term, with the goal of publishing the completed book in Term 4. We look forward to seeing the final product and celebrating the students' hard work and creativity. 

Student-Led Conferences

This week marks the conclusion of our Student-Led Conferences. Thank you to our students and teachers for the time and effort they dedicated to preparing for the conferences. We also thank our parents and carers for attending and engaging in meaningful conversations about your child’s learning progress and goal setting.

We welcome any feedback you may have about the Student-Led Conferences—whether it’s something that worked particularly well or suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to share your thoughts by emailing the school office at with the subject line Attention: Stacey Whiting.

Peer Support Program – Starting Monday 5th August

On Monday 5th August, we will begin our Peer Support program. Year 6 students will take on leadership roles, guiding small groups of students from Years 3, 4, and 5 through activities focused on resilience and friendship.The program will run for four weeks, taking place each Monday afternoon.

We’re looking forward to seeing our students grow in confidence, connection, and leadership through this valuable experience.

ICAS Testing Dates

Digital Technologies: Tuesday 5th August

Writing: Tuesday 5th August

English: Tuesday 12th August

Science & Spelling Bee: Tuesday 19th August

Maths: Tuesday 26th August

Religious Education

Thank You for Supporting PJ Day! 

A big thank you to our wonderful school community  and our P&F for getting cozy and supporting the Mini Vinnies PJ Day! Thanks to your generosity, we raised $399 for the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal, helping provide warmth and care to those in need in our local community during the colder months. Your support truly makes a difference!  

St Dominic and St Mary MacKillop Feast Day Mass 

On Friday 8 August we will be celebrating the Feast Days of St Dominic and St Mary MacKillop with Mass. During this celebration, we will reflect on the four pillars that guided St Dominic and our school—Community, Service, Prayer, and Study—and honour the lives of two remarkable saints who dedicated themselves to helping those in need. 

Though they lived in different times and places, both St Dominic and St Mary MacKillop inspired communities of sisters who continue their mission today. The Dominican Sisters, who helped establish our school, and the Josephite Sisters, founded by Mary MacKillop, have both played a vital role in providing education and support to our local area. 

Prayer of St Dominic 

Every Friday our whole school prays the Prayer of St Dominic together. 

May God the Creator who made us, bless us.  
May God the Son send his healing among us.  
May God the Holy Spirit move within us and  
give us eyes to see with, ears to hear with,   
and hands that your work might be done.  
May we walk and preach the word of God to all.  
May the angel of peace watch over us and lead us at last by God’s grace to the Kingdom.  

St Dominic                                          Pray for us  

St Mary MacKillop                           Pray for us  

St John the Baptist                                 Pray for us  

And may we always remember          To Pray for one another    

Amen.  

Sporting News

School Athletics Carnival Results 

Athletics Age champions Congratulations to the Age Champions from the school athletics carnival:

Junior boys: Alexander Brownlee

Junior girls: Ayla Hansen 

11 year boys: Oliver Lyle 

11 year girls: Mia Ralph

Senior boys: Max McCullum 

Senior girls: Ellie Prescott 

Well done to the students who placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the finals and received ribbons.  
A huge congratulations to Finnegan who was the winning colour house! 

DIO Athletics Carnival 

Goodluck to the students competing at the DIO Athletics carnival next Wednesday at Glendale: Ellie Prescott, Lucille Frize, Tilly Forrester, Oliver Lyle, Patrick Parish, Mia Ralph, Riley Prescott, Hannah Forrester, Phoebe Forrester, Ayla Hansen, Marlowe Dorn, Alex Brownlee. 

Canteen

We’re Always Happy to Have Parent Volunteers in the Canteen!

If you’d like to help out fortnightly, monthly, by the term or even just for one shift, please email the office with the days you’re available, admin@maitlandsj.catholic.edu.au

The canteen operates from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, but we appreciate any time you can offer!

Important: Catholic Schools require all volunteers to be cleared before participating. If you are not sure if you are cleared please contact our office.

To get started, please complete the volunteer clearance form at the link below:

https://mn.catholic.org.au/about/working-in-the-diocese/volunteer/

Thank-you for your support!

Finance

School fee statements are available through your Compass portal. If you require a copy, please email admin@maitlandsj.catholic.edu.au to request one.

At the bottom of your statement, you will find suggested payment amounts (weekly, fortnightly, or monthly) to help ensure your account is paid in full by the due date—30 November 2025. At this point in the year, you should have paid approximately one half of your total fees.

Payments can be made via BPAY, or you may contact us to request a form to set up a Direct Debit from your bank account.

If you choose to pay more than the required amount, any extra payments will remain as credit on your account and be applied to next year’s fees.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any assistance.

Class Awards

Congratulations to our class award winners for Week 1 & 2!

Kindergarten: Klaire F, Adalyn L, Hamish T, Joshua G, Audrey G, Tyral R

Year 1: William M, Frankie D, Alexis B, Olivia B, Allie F, Taya M

Year 2: Luka H, Huxley A, Archer T, Finn G, Theo P, Phoebe M

Year 3: Ruby, Adeline, William

Year 4: Elsy B, Riley P, Jessie C, Quinn D, Gage A, Jack R

Year 5: Pennie V, Emiera W, Elliot P

Year 6: Declan B, Gracie S, Tiffany C