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Dear Parents, Guardians and Community,
Next Week we start our Easter preparations. (Yes, already) We have Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. This is a very important time in the Catholic Church as we lead into our most important Religious Ceremonies. I know many parents volunteer on Shrove Tuesday to help with making the pancakes, which the students love. Please join us for Mass at 9:15 on Wednesday.
I was able to confirm with Mandi Barton, our artist, this week about the full meaning of the school uniform. Most of our students have now transitioned to the new uniform with many comments of how great it looks and how much better quality it is. We will organise a smoking ceremony to launch the uniform in the near future.
St Mary's Super stars!! Ada Goldenberg, Emmaline Soliman and Emily Vella continue to shine. Congratulations for being crowned the Hobsons Bay City Council Young Citizen of the Year title for 2023, an honour they will share. The three friends from St Mary's Primary School in Williamstown developed an idea for an app that tells you which public litter bin to put your rubbish in. Ada has now moved onto another school, but we still think of her of one of ours! Well done girls, we are all very proud.
Parent/ Guardian/Carer Code of Conduct. Melbourne Archdiocesan Catholic schools have released a Code of Conduct for Parents, Guardians and Carers. This replaces the School Community and Cultural Statement that was developed by the School. The new document is more thorough and covers a broader range of expectations. The document was developed in response to the increase in abuse, both verbal and physical that staff in schools have received. Fortunately in our school, this is not an area we have had to deal with regularly, however, we have seen an increase in negative comments through some of the Whats Apps Groups (Yes, other parents tell us about it, take screen prints etc) Two statements from the Code of Conduct stand out to me of behaviours expected of families in Melbourne Archdiocesan Catholic Schools
- refrain from activities, conduct or communication that would reasonably be seen to undermine the reputation of the school, employees or students of the school, including activities on social media
- any form of cyber bullying or cyber abuse that is directed towards the school, staff members, students or parents or any member connected to the school
Rather than focus on the few who use the groups to vent without responsibility, I think most parents and guardians support the two first principles
Everyone at St Mary’s Williamstown:
- has the right to be safe
- has the right to be treated with respect and be valued even in disagreement
If we think of these two Principles before putting something on Social Media, I think we all will be in a better place. Remember, positive intent, we are all trying to get it right, but things do go wrong at times.
I have included the full Parent, Guardians and Carer's Code of Conduct for Melbourne Archdiocesan Catholic Schools as part of this newsletter.
(Repeat of the message from Week 1) Australian Council of Education Research. (ACER) We have been approached by ACER to be involved in some research on School Reports on March 7. The session for Parents would run for 60 to 90 minutes. They will be running sessions for students and teachers also on the day.
As you may be aware, many schools, especially secondary, have moved to an on-line reporting process. Parents log in and check their child's progress throughout the year. Unfortunately, not a great deal of research has gone into this and many of these new systems have been designed by IT companies with no educational research as to why and how they do it. School Reports should always be about improving students, not just reporting on what they did. This research hopes to improve how school reports are written digitally, something more primary schools will be doing.
Project research details "In this new project, Transforming Student Reporting, we are developing a prototype of a 'digital student report card' and conducting focus groups about this prototype with parent/carer, student and teacher stakeholders. Our goal is to produce a research-informed practice guide about how student reporting in the future might embrace digital technologies to better communicate about student learning.
If you are interested in being involved with this can you send me an email or speak to me. I always do the before school playground duty, so that is a good time to catch me. ahockey@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au
God Bless
Anthony
Summer Uniform
Blue check dress or Navy skort (optional)
Sky blue short sleeve shirt with school logo (if wearing skort)
Sky blue socks
Woollen jumper with school logo
Navy blue school hat (Term 1 & 4 only)
Gold/navy hair ribbons/clips
Hair scrunchy in summer dress material or gold/navy (optional)
Black leather school shoes
School bag with school logo
Winter Uniform
Navy tunic or Navy drill pants (no cords or leggings)
Sky blue long sleeve shirt with school logo
Navy tights or sky blue socks
Woollen jumper with school logo
Black leather shoes
School spray Jacket with school logo (optional)
School bag with school logo
Summer Uniform
Navy drill shorts
Sky blue short sleeve shirt with school logo
Navy blue school socks with gold bands
Woollen jumper with school logo
Navy blue school hat (Term 1 & 4 only)
Black leather school shoes
School bag with school logo
Winter Uniform
Navy drill pants or Navy drill shorts
Sky blue long sleeve shirt with school logo
Navy blue school socks with gold bands
Woollen jumper with school logo
Black leather school shoes
School spray jacket with school logo (optional)
School bag with school logo
Sports Uniform
Navy school tracksuit with school logo (jacket & pants)
Navy shorts
Sport's top short /long sleeve Indigenous Designed polo shirt with school logo
Runners
White short socks (Black socks and branded socks not permitted)
Navy blue hat (Term 1 & 4 only)
All articles of clothing are to be marked clearly with the child’s name.
Unisex Items:
Spray Jacket: worn as an addition or alternative to the woollen jumper.
Beanie: The St Mary's Beanie should be the only one worn to school.
The only jewellery permitted at school is a watch, one stud or sleeper earring in each ear. Necklaces, friendship bands, multi-coloured accessories in hair etc. are not permitted.
Hair Cuts: Hair should be neat and tidy and students with long hair are expected to tie their hair back. Students should not come to school with patterns; eg stripes, letters, logos, waves; cut into their hair.
The following clothes are not considered suitable school clothes and children must not wear them to school.
1. Jeans for boys or girls
2. Cords for boys or girls
3. Thongs for children - these create a safety problem
4. Sneakers/ Runners - (except on sports days & Physical Education days)
5. Blundstone boots
St Mary’s Faith News
School and Parish Connections
Faith Formation Focus at St Mary’s in 2024
Gospel: Mark 1: 29-39
And immediately going out of the synagogue they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
And Simon’s wife’s mother lay in a fit of a fever: and forthwith they tell him of her.
And coming to her, he lifted her up, taking her by the hand; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
And when it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all that were ill and that were possessed with devils.
And all the city was gathered together at the door.
And he healed many that were troubled with diver’s diseases; and he cast out many devils, and he suffered them not to speak, because they knew him.
And rising very early, going out, he went into a desert place: and there he prayed.
And Simon, and they that were with him, followed after him.
And when they had found him, they said to him: All seek for thee.
And he said to them: Let us go into the neighbouring towns and cities, that I may preach there also; for to this purpose am I come.
And he was preaching in their synagogues, and in all Galilee, and casting out devils.
St Mary of the Cross -Mary MacKillop
May Mackillop will be a focal point of our faith formation this year. As a school we will develop a better understanding of her values and teachings.
We would like to update the current Christian Leadership statements and make them relevant to the children today. This will be a priority for term one. Each year level will work as a team (teachers and students together) to decide on the values they think are important and marry them with Mary MacKillop’s teachings.
Once the statements are finalised these will be shared in the newsletter.
As a school, we are also hoping to organise some visits to the Mary MacKillop Heritage centre in an effort to develop the student's understanding of the life and mission of our Patron Saint, St Mary of the Cross.
Some important Dates to Remember for Term 1
Event |
Date |
Time |
Where |
Ash Wednesday & Beginning of School Mass - led by Year 5/6D and 5/6S |
14th Feb |
9:15 am |
Church |
Feast of St Joseph - led by Yr 3/4 |
19th March |
9:15 |
Church |
Sacramental Program 2024
There have been some changes to the Sacramental Program this year. This is to ensure the program runs smoothly.
The biggest change is that the Year 3 students will make their reconciliation in Term 1 and then make their First Eucharist with the Year 4 students in term 2.
Information booklets for Eucharist and Confirmation will be sent home shortly.
There will be some additional dates added for Parent information sessions.
Sacrament |
Term |
Date |
Where |
Notes |
Reconciliation Year 3 students |
1 |
Tuesday 5th March Wednesday 6th March Friday 8th March Time: 4:00-6:00 Saturday 9th March 10:00-12:00 am |
Church |
Will need to book a time early in Term 2 |
Eucharist - 3 / 4 RM |
2 |
Saturday 18th May 6:00 pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Eucharist - 3 / 4 C |
2 |
Saturday 25th May 6:00 pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Eucharist - 3 / 4 T |
2 |
Saturday 1st June 6:00 pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Confirmation - 5 /6 D |
3 |
Tuesday 27th August - 6:00pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Confirmation - 5 /6 S |
3 |
Wednesday 28th August - 6:00pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Confirmation - 5/ 6 A/K |
3 |
Thursday 29th August - 6:00pm |
Church |
No booking required |
Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Day – donations needed!
Next Tuesday 13 February we celebrate Shrove Tuesday. To mark this important date, the P&F will be cooking pancakes for the students to enjoy. This treat will not replace your child’s snack or lunch.
We’d appreciate your help by donating pancake mix, condiments, or frypans.
A list of specific items is below:
- Greens Original Pancake Mix (325g)
- Greens Maple Flavoured Syrup (375g)
- Lemons
- Cottee’s Strawberry Jam
- Freedom Brand Pancake Mix (for allergies)
- Non-stick electric frypans (please label & leave in a shopping bag with cord. NO LIDS OR SPATULAS REQUIRED.)
Students with allergies will be catered for. If you’d prefer your child not participate, please email the school.
As Easter is earlier this year, so too is Shrove Tuesday, yes it is next week! This means we have less time than normal to receive your donations. We are grateful for your support with this short notice.
Thank you to all those parents who have already volunteered their time. If you are available to help cook pancakes during the morning next Tuesday 13 February, please email cg@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au.
We appreciate your support.
P&F Coordinating Group
Congratulations to the following students who are Class Representatives for Term 1 2022
Certificates and badges will be presented at assembly on Friday 9th February at 3pm
PL |
Emilia Barker and Lucas Xerri |
PM |
Lucy Graham and Jacob Pante |
1AG |
Ellie Matina |
1C |
Leon Adamczyk |
2E |
Kira Simpson |
2H |
Oliver Zorko |
3/4T |
Alina Dimitrovski |
3/4C |
Isla Toal |
3/4RM |
Luis De Losa |
5/6AK |
Ned Janka |
56S |
Max Fenech |
5/6D |
Santiago Velardo De Los Reyes |
“Live Your Best Married Life in Love”
Every relationship is a journey and the grind of everyday life can cause you to lose touch with your spouse.
This experience gives married couples the tools to keep your passion alive in a gentle, nurturing environment, away from pressures and distractions of daily living.
The weekend is based around Catholic values and couples of all faiths are welcome.
Please check our website for more details.
12-14 April 2024 in Melbourne
Information/Bookings: Phone Mercy & James 0409 183 676 or
Email: vicbookings@wwme.org.au Website: wwme.org.au