St Mary’s provides students a well-balanced education through participation in a myriad of co-curricular initiatives which allow each individual to expand their interests and skills. Some of the opportunities include:
SCIENCE & ENGINEERING CHALLENGE
This activity allows Stage 3 students to compete in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) experiences with schools around the region. The students are assisted in the challenge by university students, high school students and community volunteers.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 compete at school, regional and diocesan levels to prove the quality of their public speaking skills.
THE NEWCASTLE PERMANENT MATHEMATICS COMPETITION
The Newcastle Permanent Building Society sponsors a state-wide mathematics competition each year. Students from Years 5 and 6 sit the exam, which is usually held in Term 3.
ASPIRE
ASPIRE is the Diocesan Creative and Performing Arts initiative. Each year students from Years 5 to 11 are eligible to participate in lessons, activities and rehearsals that lead to a performance at the Civic Theatre. Entry is via auditions that are held during Term 4 of each year. The performance features students with skills in singing, drama, dance and instrumental musical performance.
PREMIER’S READING CHALLENGE
This Challenge aims to encourage a love of reading for leisure and pleasure in students, and to enable them to experience quality literature. It is not a competition but a challenge to each student to read, to read more and to read more widely. The Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC) is available for all NSW students in Kindergarten to Year 9, in government, independent, Catholic and home schools.
CHOIR and BAND
St Mary’s has junior and senior choirs, and junior and senior folk groups which rehearse during class time. The choirs have featured at assemblies and compete at the Abermain Eisteddfod. During lunchtime, children are able to learn to play the guitar or join the Year 6 Rock Band. Each week a Band teacher offers tuition in a wide variety of musical instruments.
SPORT
Each year, St Mary’s participates in the Macquarie Cup Soccer and Netball competition, Lakes Soccer Gala day and a Diocesan Netball Gala day, Paul Kelly Cup AFL, Knights Knockout. Students represent the school in region, diocese, Polding, state and national competitions.
LUNCH CLUBS
Staff members at St Mary’s operate a variety of lunch clubs at different times of the year to enable students to experience a variety of activities. These clubs may include:
STEM, Coding and Robotics, Fitness, Environmental, LEGO, Creative Writing and Craft clubs.