A note from the Principal
Dear Parents & Caregivers
At the end of Term 3, we were invited to participate in a Catholic Education twice yearly trial survey that aims to assess the wellbeing of the students from Years 3-6 and provide data that can support schools in decision making for their students.
Overwhelmingly our students recognised the positive relationships they have with staff and that school is a place where they have strong friendships. The data also recognised the need to develop resilience amongst our students and to better support them in conflict management and/or friendship fires.
It seems our students struggle to differentiate between bullying and having an argument with their friends. Bullying is the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying is not arguing or disputing a goal in soccer, or who is the next batsman in cricket.
When students confuse bullying for what we term “friendship fires”, they start to see themselves as a victim rather than someone who can alter their outcome through good communication and problem solving. It is essential that we consider the language we use and support our children in developing the strategies to manage the social conflicts that happen in any environment where there are large amounts of people all competing to have their individual needs met.
Resilience is the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties. It is in our increasing ability to navigate social interactions and challenging situations that we grow. It is therefore essential that we allow our children the space to face challenges that come their way regardless of how confronting it may be for us. By not allowing our children to experience failure or pain we are setting them up to be adults who lack resilience and are unable to cope when times get tough.
To support your children in developing resilience you can:
encourage them to problem-solve,
fostering in them a growth mindset,
model positive coping strategies,
maintain open communication,
provide consistent and loving support,
encourage ownership of behaviour,
and allow them to face challenges while offering guidance and reassurance.
The survey also helped to identify students at risk and provided opportunities for discussions with teachers, students and parents. Overall, it was a worthwhile activity that our students will again sit in March next year.
Remembrance Day
On Monday 11 November at 8.50am, the Year 3 class will run a Remembrance Day service in the Multi-Purpose Room. At 11am the last post will be played.
Assembly
Our next assembly will be at 9am Thursday, 14th November.
Catholic Missions Socktober
Crazy sock day was held last Wednesday 30th October. On this day, we raised $141.15 for Catholic Mission’s Socktober initiative which aims to support vulnerable children in Mongolia.
Random Acts of Kindness Week
This week is RAK Week! It is a week where we highlight and celebrate the Random Acts of Kindness that our students do either at home, at school or in the community. It is a time where we pay extra attention to the efforts our students go to in 'Making Jesus Real'. We will celebrate the end of the week, on Friday 8 November, with free dress!
Year 6 Camp
This week is also Year 6 Camp Week. Our students have headed to Woodman Point for four days of activities that will test their limits and challenge their abilities, as well as build their character and strengthen their relationships. Thank you to Wendy Harper for volunteering to help this week!
Parent and Friends Meeting
Our next P&F Meeting is scheduled for Thursday 14th November (after assembly). It would be great to have many parents at the next meeting supporting our executive team, so please come along.
SAC and P&F ACM
The School Advisory Council and Parents and Friends Annual Community Meeting will be held on Wednesday 20th November at 6pm. Information has been sent to families via email. All are invited to attend.
P&F Colour Run
Our P&F will be hosting a Colour Run on the afternoon of Friday 22nd November. More information will come of this soon.
Christmas Concert
This year’s Christmas concert will be slightly revised and happening on Wednesday 27th November at 6pm. More information will be shared with parents soon.
Graduation and Awards Evening
The graduation and awards evening will be held on Tuesday 3rd December at 6pm on the basketball court. This event will provide an opportunity to recognise our students who have shown great improvement, Christian values and academic excellence over the year. We will also recognise student leaders for 2025 and farewell our graduating class.
Thanksgiving Liturgy
Our end of year Thanksgiving Mass (which will now be a liturgy) will be held on Friday 6th December at 9am in the Church. All parents and friends are welcome to join us.
Staffing 2025
Staffing allocations for 2025 will be announced later this term. The school administration will consider the needs of all our students and teachers and come up with a plan that meets the needs of the whole school community, not just individuals.
Term 4 Events and Calendar
There is a lot on this term, including preparations for Christmas, Graduation, Thanksgiving and P&F events. Please view the school calendar found HERE for more information.
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, including the termly calendar.
Enrolments 2025
We are open for new enrolments across all year levels. If you know of anyone who may be interested in schooling options for 2025, please ask them to contact me in the office on 97324700 and I will provide them a personal tour.
Leaving Students
If you are leaving Donnybrook or St Mary’s for 2025, can you please let the office know asap.
Drop off before school and Pick up after school
Please be reminded that children being dropped off and/or picked up from the back car park must be accompanied by an adult (as there is only supervision in the kiss and go area at the front of the school).
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/