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Dear Parents, Guardians and Community,
Welcome back. I hope everyone had a restful break.
Welcome to James in Year 1/2 E and his parents Michael and Karen. James and his family live in Guatemala and are moving to Australia next year as they have family in Williamstown. James will be here for two months and then return in 2024.
Staff closure day: We had a brilliant staff closure day on Monday with some excellent Professional Development. Michelle Ristovski led the morning with work around Student voice and what is voice and what is noise. Ashleigh Graham from Melbourne Archdiocesan Catholic School led our middle session around neurodiversity in our students and how we can support students in their behaviour needs. Melissa Cowan led our final session on well being strategies and practices we should all have. Ashleigh will work with us further around having consistent practices across our school.
Staffing News: We are pleased to announce that Kirra Bundy will be replacing Stephanie King-Shipp when she goes on maternity leave soon. Kirra was a recent student teacher in the class and is now qualified to take the class. Kirra is very familiar with the students in the class and their needs. She will be working with Stephanie over the next few weeks to transition into taking the class full time. We welcome Kirra to our community.
Specialist Teachers. With Brittany Rickman leaving us at the end of Term 2, we have made some changes to our specialist teachers. Kerrie Gunn, Gina Coetzee and Karoline Cooke will be covering the specialist time with Drama. Shannon Zammit will also be joining us to cover some of our release cover so welcome Shannon to the team officially.
Student Conferences. We ask that the students attend their conference as student voice in their learning. School will finish at 1pm on Wednesday 19th July. If you are not able to collect your child at this time they will be supervised until 3.30pm.
Love Maths: St Mary's have formed a relationship with Love Maths, https://www.lovemaths.me/ for the rest of this year and hopefully into next year. Love Maths staff will be coaching our teachers around the teaching of Maths, modelling lessons, discussing strategies and processes, supporting their planning. We are really excited about this partnership and see a direct benefit for the students in our school.
Indigenous Culture Talk for Parents. 16th August. 2:30 in the staffroom. This term we have Helen Christensen from the Melbourne Archdiocesan Catholic schools coming to the school to work with staff to increase their knowledge around Indigenous Culture. We have also asked Helen if she is able to do a workshop for parents and community as well, which she has happily agreed to do. The Western Region Catholic Primary Principal group has been working with Helen throughout 2023 as schools moves towards Reconciliation Action Plans or other programs. Helen goes through some of the history, some cultural terms and cultural understanding. Anyone is welcome. Principals in the region set this as a priority as this year we have the Voice to Parliament referendum so it is important that we increase our understanding. Mandi Barton, the artist who designed our new uniform top, will also be in the school on August 1. We are hoping to have a session for parents as well to hear the story of our new uniform top.
God Bless
Anthony
St Mary’s Faith News
School and Parish Connections
Gospel – Matthew 11:25-30
At that time Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to little ones.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
Children’s Mass - Sunday 25th June
Thank you to all the families who attended the Children’s Mass on the first Sunday of the weekend.
We had a big choir who sang beautifully. The children read so well too!
We look forward to many more families becoming involved in the monthly Mass.
The numbers are growing and the children are keen to be involved.
Thank you to all the families who are encouraging their children to get involved. It is wonderful to see and as a school this is something we hope more families will take up the invitation to join.
Way of the West Program
Most of the Saints did practical things for people, especially those in need. Accordingly we ask that you help us support the ninth ‘Way of the West’ program.
The program runs for the month of August and asks for donations of food and living essentials to support Refugees and those seeking Asylum in the West.
There will be a box in each classroom for families to drop off their donations.
In the coming weeks you will see posters around the school, items in the newsletter and the Charism team will be visiting the classrooms and speaking at each Assembly to let families know what will be collected each week. Please make sure that donations are in date - especially food items!
This is a kindly reminder that this program will be happening soon and an opportunity to start adding the odd item to your weekly shop. Please do not send items into school until they are asked for as we need to set up the collection tubs.
The order of collections is as follows:
Week 1 - Dried food (healthy breakfast cereals, rice, dried fruits, pulses)
Week 2 - Tinned food (fish, vegetables, pulses)
Week 3 - Toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, sanitary products, nappies)
Week 4 - Other household items (washing powder, dishwashing items, cloths)
Thank you in advance for your support!
Making the sign of the Cross
It has come to my attention that there are a number children who are not making the sign of the cross correctly. Some children
are using their left hand instead of their right hand or are not crossing themselves properly.
As a school we will be making this a focus, ensuring that all students from Catholic families are making the sign of the cross correctly.
All teachers are checking in with the children.
We ask that you support this at home and ensure that your child knows how to make the sign of the cross.
Some important dates to Remember for Term 3
Event |
Date |
Time |
Where |
Confirmation parent information Session |
Thursday 20th July |
6:30 pm |
School Hall |
Children’s Liturgy |
Sunday 30th July |
10:30 am |
Church |
Seniors Mass - Year 6 attending |
Friday 4th August |
11:30 am |
Church |
Year 5 Family Mass |
Sunday 6th August |
10:30 am |
Church |
Mary MacKillop Mass - led by Year 3 |
Tuesday 8th August |
9:15 am |
Church |
Year 6 Family Mass |
Saturday 12th August |
6:00 pm |
Church |
Feast of the Assumption |
Tuesday 15th August |
9:15 am |
Church |
Confirmation - 6D |
Tuesday 22nd Augusst |
6:00 pm |
Church |
Confirmation - 6B |
Wednesday 23rd August |
6:00 pm |
Church |
Children’s Liturgy |
Sunday 27th August |
10:30 am |
Church |
Father’s Day Mass |
Friday 1st Spetember |
9:15 am |
Church |
Seniors Mass |
Friday 1st September |
11:30 am |
Church |
Children’s Liturgy |
Sunday 24th August |
10:30 am |
Church |
Sacramental Program 2023 - Confirmation
All dates and times for the Sacrament Masses are outlined in the table below. Year 6 students will be making their Eucharist and Confirmation as a class this year.
Sacrament |
Term |
Date |
Where |
Notes |
Confirmation - 6D |
3 |
Tuesday 22nd August - 6:00pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Confirmation - 6B |
3 |
Wednesday 23rd August - 6:00pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Information Sessions for the Sacramental Program
Sacrament |
Date and Time |
Location |
Presenter |
Confirmation |
Thursday 20th July 6:30 pm |
School Hall |
Fr Elio Capra |
Sacramental Program 2023 - Confirmation
All dates and times for the Sacrament Masses are outlined in the table below. Year 6 students will be making their Eucharist and Confirmation as a class this year.
Sacrament |
Term |
Date |
Where |
Notes |
Confirmation - 6D |
3 |
Tuesday 22nd August - 6:00pm |
Church |
No booking required |
School Disco - Tickets now on sale!
Our School Disco is fast approaching so time to get your tickets!
This event is one of our favourites and is a great opportunity for the kids to come together, have some fun and dance the night away.
The Disco is on Friday 18th August will be held in 2 x sessions.
- Session one is for the Preps, Grade 1 & 2’s and will run from 6.00pm to 7.15pm.
- Session two is for Grade 3, 4, 5 & 6’s and will run from 7.30pm to 9.00pm.
The cost is $10 per child and tickets can be purchased via CDF Pay. Please note this is a student only event and only St Mary’s children are able to attend.
We are also seeking volunteers to help out on the night. If you are interested in volunteering please also register via CDF Pay. All volunteers must hold a current Working With Children Check.
Term 3 Maclean Reserve Roster
Welcome to our new families - and thank you as always to our continuing families.
If you can spare 10 minutes once or twice a term, between 8am and 10.45am - please nominate your dates using the Signup Genius form as soon as possible please to ensure safe play for the children.
The link is below, but note that you may need to click on the "next" button at the bottom to see more dates.
For Maclean Reserve -
1. Rubbish should be picked up before first play at 11.00am
2. Collect bucket and tongs from the front office.
3. Carefully pick up any rubbish on the Maclean Reserve ESPECIALLY CHECKING FOR ANY BROKEN GLASS AND NEEDLES ON THE GROUND AND IN GRASSED AREAS
4. Please carefully check the ENCLOSED PLAY AREAS
5. If any SHARPS are found, using tongs place in yellow sharps container also located at the office. Return the yellow container and contents (if any) to the school office.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BABA729A2F5CF8-maclean