Filter Content
Dear Parents, Guardians and Community,
St Mary's on A Current Affair; For those who missed it, including ourselves, St Mary's was on A Current Affair on Saturday night promoting Andy Griffith's new book for Book Week. Click on the link to watch the story. Well done to all involved, you made the school proud.
Book fair: Our book fair was a huge success last week with many students purchasing books. Thanks to all who helped out during the week especially Deb and Helen.
Parent Learning Walk: Last Friday we had about 12 parents join us for our first Parent Learning Walk. We visited most classes during their Math's Lesson looking at warm ups, explicit instruction, student activities and the review of the lessons. Parents then stayed for a question and answer session which lasted for about an hour. Our next Parent Learning Walk will be on Phonics. We had great feedback and plan to have more.
Australian Maths Competition: Certificates for the Australian Maths Competition will be handed out this Friday at Assembly. Around 50 students entered this year from St Mary's. The award categories are Participation, Proficiency, Credit, Distinction and one award of Best In School. Given the time constraints, all student's names will be read out and their award, however only Distinction award winners will be called to the front of the assembly.
Divisional athletics: Good luck to our students taking part in the Divisional Athletic's Carnival
Playground Development Plan Update: In the next few weeks we will start to see a start to our playground redevelopment. Our first goal will be to get the bikes out of the school yard making it easier for and safer for all. In front of the school the asphalt repairs will be done and some existing bike racks will be moved to this area. The area will be unlocked before school, closed during the day for security and reopened at the end of the school day. We then hope to start on some other aspects of the plan. We were originally planning to construct a bike shed on Parker st, but we ran into some planning issues so went to Plan B. To give you some idea for the 10 year plan, I have attached our latest development plans. They still contain the Parker St works we are now having to rethink.
Parents and Friends: Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Parents and Friends over the years and the Building Fund. To give you some idea, here is a list of some of the things the two funding sources have been spent on.
Building Fund
Re carpeting the school $111 000
Repainting the School $95 000
Installation of Electronic Doors $15 000
Parents and Friends
Electronic White Boards $17000
School Marques $7000
Outdoor tables $5200
New School BBQ $789
Mother's Day Coffee Cart $780
Sport's Uniform $2400
Portable Outdoor Speaker $1600
Our Parents and Friends Association bank balance is quite healthy now, giving us a good start on our playground development Thanks to everyone who has contributed over the years, your children are the direct recipients of your generosity.
Outdoor Microphone: I should mention that we continue to have problems with our permanent outdoor microphone. We have replaced the whole system over the last couple of years and still we have problems. The technicians have visited the school so often they may as well be on staff. We are investigating frequencies at the moment as that may be the source of our problem. If the same frequency is being used in Williamstown at the same time our system will have problem. It is a bit like when you put your microphone on at home and it interferes with your music. We are hoping it will be resolved soon.
St Mary’s Faith News
School and Parish Connections
Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27
Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.
Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”
He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”
Confirmation 2023
Congratulations to all the year students who made their confirmation.
We are all so proud of you. You were all so respectful and reverend. Fr Greg and Bishop Martin were very impressed with how well prepared you were and how reverently you conducted yourselves on the night. Thank you, and God’s blessings to you all as you take the next step on faith journey.
Way of the West Program
Thank you all for your generous donations to the ‘Way of the West’
Program this year.
You have all been very kind.
Mark Northeast, the coordinators of the program and Fr Greg were moved by how generous the families at St Mary’s have been this year.
Thank you!
Some important dates to Remember for Term 4
Event |
Date |
Time |
Where |
Seniors Mass |
Friday 6th October |
11:30 am |
Church |
Year 1/2 Family Mass |
Sunday 29th October |
10:30 am |
Church |
Remembrance Day |
Friday 10th November |
10:45 am |
School Playground |
Advent Liturgy 1 |
Friday 24th November |
3:00 pm |
School Hall |
Prep family Mass |
Sunday 26th November |
10:30 am |
Church |
Seniors Mass |
Friday 1st December |
11:30 am |
Church |
Advent Liturgy 2 |
Friday 1st December |
3:00 pm |
School Hall |
Feast of the Immaculate Conception |
Friday 8th December |
9:15 am |
Church |
Advent Liturgy 3 |
Friday 8th December |
3:00 pm |
School Hall |
Advent Liturgy 4 |
Friday 15th December |
3:00 pm |
School Hall |
End of Year Mass |
Thursday 14th December |
11:30 am |
Church |
It was wonderful to celebrate Father’s Day last Friday with students, their fathers and those father figures in their lives. Sharing Mass and breakfast together was a terrific way to start the day. We thank Fr Paul and Fr Samuel for conducting an inspiring Eucharistic Mass at each campus.
The College Annual Arts Showcase was an amazing display of student’s artwork, musical and dramatical performances and a great opportunity for parents and friends to come along and enjoy a highly entertaining evening. Congratulations to everyone involved.
The countdown has commenced for students and staff who are heading to America soon, to attend Space Camp in Alabama, visit the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, Universal Studios, and the Kennedy Space Centre in Orlando. We can’t wait to hear all about the amazing experiences and stories they will have to share when they land back home.
Year 7 2025 Applications – applications closed on Friday 18 August.
If you have a child in Grade 5 and have missed this closure date and would like to submit an application, it is essential that you are in contact with the College Registrar as a matter of urgency.
Even if you have an older child that already attends the College, or a child that is commencing Year 7 2024, it is a requirement that you submit an application for your Grade 5 child.
To obtain a Prospectus Pack including an application form, please select one of the following:
- Call our College Registrar, Ms Donna Grech on 8325 5119
- Visit the College website or use this link: Request a Prospectus here
- Collect one from either campus office between 8:00am and 4:15pm weekdays
- Send an email request to enrolments@ecmelb.catholic.edu.au
Yours sincerely
Jenny Hendricks
Community Engagement
Dear Families,
Just a reminder that we have Teeth on Wheels visiting our school for 6 monthly reviews and oral health education starting on the 05/10/2023.
Please click on the link below to complete your child’s consent form.
https://teethonwheels.com.au/consent-forms/consent-eform/
Please note: if you have already completed a form for 2023 this does not need to be done again, unless your contact information or child’s medical history has changed.
Complete your form today and the Teeth On Wheels team will be in contact to schedule your child’s appointment and notify you on your eligibility. If you are not eligible, Teeth On Wheels will offer you a special deal of $99 for the full check-up, oral cancer screening, clean, fluoride treatment and any x-rays if required (this can be claimed back through your private health insurance).
For any further questions, please contact the Teeth On Wheels team on (03) 9338 1191.
PLEASE NOTE, THE CUT OFF DATE FOR COMPLETING YOUR CHILD’S FORM IS 04/102/2023.
NETSETGO TO LEARN NETBALL