Filter Content
Dear Parents, Guardians and Community,
Our School Prayer.
Creator God,
We, at St Mary's School,
Pray,
that we continue to live by the Gospel in our work and play.
Help us to respect and care for each other as Jesus teaches us.
Bless everyone in our school, parish and beyond as we go forth and work together as followers of Christ to reach out to those in need.
Jesus be in our thoughts,
Jesus be in our words,
Jesus be in our hearts.
Welcome back and welcome to all our new families. The year has started very smoothly and our classrooms are very settled and calm. Teachers spend much time at this time of the year setting up class rules, routines and norms. The better we do that job now, the easier our job is for the rest of the year.
We welcome to new staff. Elisa Tamburro joins us in Year 3 replacing Jessica DaaBoul who left us recently to join Emmanuel College. We also welcome Michael Phem as a new Learning Support Officer. (LSO) Michael is also studying to be a teacher and is a very accomplished jazz musician. We welcome them both.
New start of the day time. The school bell will ring at 8:55 on mornings now. This change has been made to meet the new Enterprising Bargaining Agreement for teachers. The school gates will still open at 8:30 am. The change has not impacted any other bell times during the day.
Meet and greet sessions will take place on Monday 13th Feb. This is a chance for the families to meet with their classroom teachers one on one at the start of the year. It is a short 10 minute meeting to share anything you think would help the success of your child. Students will be able to leave at 1pm and the meetings will continue to 6:30pm. If you are unable to collect your child at 1pm, we will supervise the remaining students until 3:30, which is normal school finish time. Interviews will open for bookings on Monday 6th Feb (week 2)
Indigenous Sports Uniform: As you may be aware we are in the process of changing part of our school uniform with the new design to include a Indigenous design by artist Mandi Barton. As a Catholic School reconciliation is an important part of our ethos, and this reconciliation extends to our work with the Indigenous Community. By incorporating the design into our uniform we are making small steps to acknowledge the important part Indigenous culture has in our community. We now have some concept designs which we will need to make some decisions around. (see concepts designs below) The new material will also be more breathable and better suited for a PE uniform. We will start transitioning to the uniform at some stage this year with it becoming the required uniform in 2024 if all goes to plan. Mandi will will also work with students, families and staff explaining the symbolism of the design.
A couple of logistical things for us.
Phones/ watches etc. Phones are expected to be handed to the front office at the start of the day. If a student is wearing a watch that can be used as a phone etc, they should be on school mode which means they cannot be used for internet, communicating during the school day.
Arriving on time/ leaving early: Obviously, we would like to see all students arrive on time and leave at the correct time. Our office is a very busy place so we would appreciate as many students as possible leaving and arriving at the correct times (during recess - 11 to 11.40, or during lunch - 1.50 to 2.30). It can be quite disruptive to office work if they have to stop their work to go to collect a child.
Whatsapp: I know many year levels have whatsapp group to help families. They can be a very useful tool for communicating. However, we all know they can sometimes be a source of 'venting.' I think it is time we stopped and reflected on this practice and be mindful of the impact these comments can have. We teach the students that there is no such thing as a private conversation on social media and I think as adults we need to think about this as well. What I would love to see is a community working together for the good of our students so let us all make a point to be a positive member of our community and try to help when things are challenging, when difficult decision have had to be made and when things have not gone to plan.
Let's have a wonderful positive year at St Mary's
God Bless
Anthony
St Mary's Families Supporting Each Other
Financially: Did you know that families often financially donate to support other families. This may come in the form of offering to pay for another families school fees, camp fees or other costs. We cannot give money to another family directly, however we can use that money to supplement their school fees, camp fees etc.)To support another family in our school, use our normal bank account with a reference;
ST MARY'S FAMILY SUPPORT DONATION
Bank Account BSB 083 347 Account Number: 658206494
Second Hand Uniform Shop: Many families donate old uniforms to our second hand shop. These second hand uniforms are either resold or donated to families in our school.
Book Exchange: Did you know we have a book exchange near the entry of our school? Many families use this to donate and swap books.
St Mary's Parish School Building fund (Tax Deductable) You may also choose to support the school by making a donation to the St Mary's Parish School Building Fund. All donations to this fund are tax deductable. Funds can only be spent on a set criteria which include building maintenance, repair, replacement or a new building. BSB: 083 347 Account Number: 153900034
School Closure days
Friday January 27 Staff day 2023 Preparations.
Thursday April 6 Staff Spiritual Retreat Day with Denise Arnel
Monday April 24 (Anzac day Public holiday follows this students return on the 26th)
Monday July 10 School Closure Day
Monday November 6 School Closure Day Report Writing
Wednesday the 20 of December 2024 Planning
Naplan Years 3 and 5
March 15-27 Window . to be completed during this time
Wednesday |
March 15th |
Writing 9:00am-11:00am window |
Friday |
March 17th |
Math’s 11:40am-1:40pm window |
Monday |
March 20th |
Language conventions 9:00am-11:00am window |
Tuesday |
March 21st |
Reading 9:00am-11:00am window |
It is imperative that students are at school on these dates, as the catchup window is short. Outside school appointments, obligations and leave should be avoided over these dates and times.
Camps Confirmed at this stage
Year 5 February 27-Mar 1
Year 6 Canberra May 1- 4
School Photos April 3rd
Atheltics Carnival May 23rd
Jogathon March 24 TBC
Italian Day August 25
Sacraments
First Communion/Eucharist May 28? June 4th
Reconciliation June 20 - 24
Confirmation August 22/23
Changes to Before and After School Care.
This year we have two different providers for Before and After School Care.
St Mary’s combined with Williamstown Primary School have a Before School Program available to all students each morning from 7.00am – 9.00am.
The Before School Care program is run by Team Kids in the Williamstown Primary School hall at the corner of Electra and Hanmer Streets. Children are escorted by the staff to St Mary's playground before the commencement of school. When registering you are registering for Williamstown Primary School
To register for Before School Care use this link https://teamkids.fullybookedccms.com.au/family/register
St Mary's has an After School Program run by OSHClub that is held in our school hall every afternoon from 3.30pm to 6.15pm. To register for After School Care use this link https://www.oshclub.com.au/new-to-oshclub/
Costs
Full Fee | After Max CCS* | |
Before School Care | $27.12 | $8.17 |
After School Care | $37.50 | $11.44 |
* To get an estimate of your CCS entitlements, please check out Centrelink’s Payment Estimator.
This Information can also be found on our school website.
St Mary’s Faith News
School and Parish Connections
St Mary’s School Prayer
Creator God,
We at St Mary’s school pray that we continue to live by the Gospel in our work and play.
Help us to care and respect for each other as Jesus teaches us.
Bless everyone in our school, parish and beyond as we go forth and work together as followers of Christ to reach out to those in need.
Jesus be in our thoughts. (use thumb to make a cross on your forehead)
Jesus be in our words. (use thumb to make a cross on your lips)
Jesus be in our hearts. (use thumb to make a cross on your heart)
Amen
This prayer was created by the staff at St Mary’s in 2021, with the help of Fr Elio. It is the prayer the children will say each morning as part of their prayer time and will be prayed together at Assemblies.
I invite all families to pray this prayer together at home so that everyone in our school community knows the school prayer.
Some important Dates to Remember for Term 1
Event |
Date |
Time |
Where |
Seniors Mass - Yr 6 attending |
3rd Feb |
11:30 am |
Church |
Beginning of school Year Mass - Led by Yr 6 |
10th Feb |
9:15 am |
Church All welcome |
Ash Wednesday Mass |
22nd Feb |
9:15 am |
Church |
Seniors Mass - Yr 5 attending |
3rd March |
11:30 am |
Church |
Feast of St Joseph - led by Yr 4 |
17th March |
9:15 |
Church |
Sacramental Program 2023
There have been some changes to the Sacramental Program this year. This is to ensure the program runs smoothly.
Notes will be sent out the families in Sacramental year levels this week with more information.
Sacrament |
Term |
Date |
Where |
Notes |
Reconciliation |
2 |
Tuesday 20th, Wednesday 21st, Friday 23rd June Time: 4:00-6:00 and Saturday 24th June Time: 10:00-12:00 am |
Church |
Will need to book a time early in Term 2 |
Eucharist - Year 4RM |
2 |
Sunday 28th May 10:30 am |
Church |
No booking required |
Eucharist - Year 4H |
2 |
Sunday 4th June 10:30 am |
Church |
No booking required |
Confirmation - 6D |
3 |
Tuesday 22nd August - 6:00pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Confirmation - 6B |
3 |
Wednesday 23rd August - 6:00pm |
Church |
No booking required |
St Mary’s Behaviour Expectations
We are very excited to be back and beginning a new school year. The students have made a wonderful start and we have been working together to set our school expectations for our school year. Each class will be unpacking the St Mary’s Behaviour Matrix and discussing the expectations in our learning areas, yard, school building and school events. The Behaviour Matrix will be displayed in the classrooms and around the school. We encourage families to discuss these expectations with your children to help support their learning and behaviour at school.
CyberSafety
The whole school will be taking part in the Inform and Empower Cyber Safety program. Each term the students in Year 1-6 will participate in online live incursions and complete follow lessons based on cyber safety topics. The prep students will include cyber safety lessons in their SEL lessons using the Inform and Empower resources. Please see an information flyer from Inform and Empower.
Term 1 Class Representatives
At Monday assembly next week the Term 1 Class Representatives will be announced and presented with their badges.
Welcome back to all of our families, both new and returning.
The first P&F Association meeting will be on Monday 13th February at 7.30pm in the School Staff room. All parents of new and returning students are invited to attend this meeting, which will be our AGM. At the meeting, we will plan the P&F events for the year, and confirm the leaders and coordinators for the various activities. Every parent is more than welcome to attend this meeting.
Lunch orders will commence Wednesday 8th February, and from 24th February lunch orders will be available on both Wednesdays and Fridays.
Icy pole sales commence this Friday 3rd February.
Shrove Tuesday is February 21st. Please keep an eye out for details in the next newsletter.
What’s happening in 1st Term 2023?
Date |
What’s happening |
2023 |
|
Monday 13th February (7.30pm) |
P&F Association AGM (School Staff Room) All new and returning parents are welcome to attend |
Tuesday 21st February |
Shrove Tuesday Pancakes |
Wednesday 5th April (Proposed) |
Easter Raffle Drawn |
Lunch Orders
Lunch orders - additional day added!
How to order
St Mary's School is a Child Safe School and as such complies with all aspects and legal obligations that relate to the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (VIC)