Newsletter 30th July 2025
Principal's Report
National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in July of each year, to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.
In 2025, NAIDOC Week marks a powerful milestone: 50 years of honoring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience. The 2025 theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors.
At St Cuthbert’s we acknowledged and celebrated NAIDOC Week with each class participating in a series of workshops facilitated by Trish and Mathias from NITA. Throughout the week students had the opportunity to discuss and explore what it means to 'have a voice', to 'share stories' and to 'be a voice in the community'.
Our students learnt that a voice is how people share their stories, ideas, and feelings. In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, people use their voices in many ways—through talking, art, music, dance, and stories. In culture, a voice helps pass down special traditions and ways of life from one generation to the next.
In history, a voice helps people tell what really happened, especially when their stories weren’t listened to in the past. In a community, having a voice means you can be heard and included. Everyone’s voice matters when we make choices and plan for the future.
A voice can help people feel strong, proud, and connected. It can also help teach others and bring people together.
A big thank you to Miss Chantel Mitchell for organising our NAIDOC celebrations!
Dear Parents and Guardians
Welcome back
I trust everyone had an enjoyable and restful holiday and is feeling refreshed and ready for another exciting term at St Cuthbert’s. A quick look at the calendar reveals that we’re in for a very busy and rewarding 10 weeks!
Two of our major highlights this term are the Grade 6 Canberra Trip in Week 7 and the Grade 5 Camp in Week 9—both fantastic experiences that students always look forward to.
We’re also thrilled to announce the reintroduction of the Whole School Dance Program, something we haven’t seen since before COVID. This wonderful initiative involves all students and will culminate in a vibrant whole-school performance in Term 4. We can't wait to see our students showcase their creativity and energy!
It’s also an exciting time in terms of capital development at St Cuthbert’s. The new Grade 1/2 classrooms are currently out to tender, and the redevelopment of our playground will follow in the coming weeks. These projects represent a significant investment in our students’ learning and play environments—exciting times indeed!
Wishing everyone a productive, enriching, and successful term ahead.
Marcus Donnelly
Learning & Teaching
ThinkUKnow program
St Cuthbert’s will be hosting a ThinkUKnow presentation for students Kinder-Grade 6 on Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th of August.
ThinkUKnow Australia is an evidence based education program delivered nationally to prevent online child sexual exploitation.
ThinkUKnow Australia is a partnership between the Australian Federal Police, Microsoft Australia, Datacom and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The program is delivered in collaboration with policing partners New South Wales Police Force, Northern Territory Police, Queensland Police, South Australia Police, Tasmania Police, Western Australia Police, as well as Neighbourhood Watch Australasia.
The presentation will be delivered by a local law enforcement member and an industry volunteer. The presentation is pro-technology and addresses topics including self-generated child abuse material, online grooming, sexual extortion, and importantly encourages help seeking behaviour.
For more information, you can visit www.thinkuknow.org.au
Circle of Life
Students from Kinder to Grade 6 will be participating in the Circle of Life Program. The program will be conducted in Week Four of Term 3 (11th August - 15th August).
The program will be facilitated by Monique Hall, an educator with over twenty years experience. Monique delivers the program to students and explores body awareness, safe and respectful relationships and consent by focusing on making choices that will help young people flourish in life. The program is student centred and uses age appropriate content and activities to engage students. More information will be distributed to families via Compass closer to the date.
Book Week 2025 at St Cuthbert's – “Book an Adventure!”
Get ready to turn the page on a new chapter of excitement as Book Week 2025 comes to St Cuthbert’s! Running from August 16th to August 23rd, this year’s theme is “Book an Adventure” – a celebration of the thrilling, imaginative journeys that books take us on.
Even more special, this year marks the 80th anniversary of Book Week in Australia – eight decades of encouraging young readers to discover the joy of stories, learning, and imagination.
To mark the occasion, St Cuthbert’s will be hosting a Book Week Parade on Wednesday, August 20th. Students are invited to come dressed as their favourite book character – from courageous heroes and curious adventurers to magical creatures and clever detectives.
We can't wait to see the creativity and spirit our students bring to the day. So, start planning your costume, pack your sense of adventure, and get ready to celebrate the magic of books!
Art News
At the end of Term 2 the 1/2 classes looked at the work of Pop Artist Romero Britto whose work often features bold colors, patterns, and simple subject matter, conveying a message of hope and happiness. Using this as our inspiration, and to warm up the Art Room, we created these amazing ‘Cat on a Mat’ artworks. We learnt how to blend colours, stamp bricks and use textiles to help create a warm and cozy feeling.
P&F News
Just a quick reminder, the first P&F meeting for Term 3 will be held on Wednesday 6th August 7-8pm in the staff room. All welcome! If you are unable to attend and have some ideas or input, feel free to drop a note in the P&F drawer in the office or reach out to any of the P&F members.
We have lots coming up this term so keep an eye on socials for any callouts when we may need a hand.
Our silent disco is fast approaching (flyers below) - if you haven’t purchased tickets already, they are available on QKR! Side note: We would like to keep this event a phone free one. There will be a secure space for children to leave phones if required.
Thanks P&F
Sporting News
St Cuthbert's students Phoenix and Lincoln are wrapping up their first season with the Dominoes, playing basketball in the under 8's roster.
They were very excited to have MacKenzie from year 6 umpiring them! She did an amazing job! Their last game for the winter roster is on Saturday at Warrane.
Schools Triathlon Challenge
On Friday 28th of November the Primary School Triathlon is taking place at Bellerive beach. This event is open to students from Grade 3-Grade 6. This is an optional activity for students to participate in. Students can chose to participate as an individual and/or part of a team. Information regarding the Triathlon is available on the Compass App under resources. An entry form needs to be completed if entering. The entry fee is $25 per student.
Finance News
Dear Parents & Guardians
Please find the 2025 Schedule of Fees attached, along with a Payment Arrangement Form, Direct Debit and a Credit Card Authority Form.
Please do not hesitate to contact the school office if you have any queries.
2025_Payment_Arrangements_Form_2_.pdf
2025_CDF_Direct_Debit_Request_Form_1_.pdf
COMPASSPAY
It is possible to view your account balance as well as pay your school fees and some Compass Events, via the Compass Parent App.
Please see the infographics attached which show how to navigate to School Fee payments in your Compass App.
MONTHLY STATEMENTS
Accounts with a balance, or with any movement since the last statement was sent, will receive a statement via email the first week of each month, to the email address registered in Compass for each parent/guardian on the school fee account.
FEE ASSISTANCE
Please remember we have fee assistance and concession card discounts available to anyone in our school community who may need to make use of these. While it may be a difficult conversation, we are here to help. Forms can be sent home on request or contact me for a confidential discussion.
QKR
The QKR App will continue to be an option for payments for Camps, Special Events and P&F Fundraising.
Please get in touch if you have any queries.
Kind regards
Karen Sawyer
Business Manager
Uniform Shop
Uniform Shop Hours - During term time
Tuesday 11am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8am to 1pm
Thursday 12noon - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 12noon
Permapleat Hobart Retail Outlet
43 Currajong St, Mornington, TAS 7018
Phone: (03) 6240 4420
Email: Hobart.Retail@Permapleat.com.au
2025 School Calendar
Business Directory
We would like to continue to offer school families the opportunity to publicise their business in the 'St Cuthbert's Community Business Directory'.
Our goal is to promote and support members of our school community, with the hope that St Cuthbert's School families may choose to support other St Cuthbert's School families when doing business.
If you would like to add your business to our directory, or update details previously provided, please contact the school office.
_St_Cuthbert_s_Business_Community_Directory_Responses_Form_responses_1_3_.pdf
Parish News
Please see the link below to keep up to date on the latest Parish information.
Community News
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