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Dear Parents and Community.
This week we see the school being involved in two important events. Today all students took part in activities based on the National Day of Action Against Bullying. Students were mixed across the schools and completed activities based on 'being friendly." Teachers worked around the theme that we do not have to be friends, but we do need to be friendly. The school is also taking part in Clean Up Australia Day. Sustainability has always been an important component of St Mary's with the school being involved in many sustainability initiatives. We had not been directly involved with Clean Up Australia Day for a little while and we thought it important to be part of it again not only to teach the students about sustainability, but to also contribute to their community.
Last week we had our bi-annual retreat with the theme, "What should a Catholic school look like in the 21st Century?" It is a really challenging theme and Father Elio Capra led us well. Catholic Schools have changed significantly over the years. If I reflect on my own primary school, I had nuns as both teachers and Principal in the school, whereas now, I can think of only one or two schools in Melbourne where this occurs. Across Catholic Schools, only about 10% of families attend Mass. Father Capra talked a lot to us about being a Catholic school, it can not just be in statues, crucifixes, posters, attending Mass ... we have to take action, we have to go forth, it is our Catholic Mission. We also began our work on the school prayer and have a draft that we will finalise and share with the community. It was a terrific two days and really brought closer as a Catholic community.
Grant Application. Just to update the community that I did recently apply for the Non-Government Schools Capital Fund. We think that with the works completed last year, the upgrade of the hall and the new carpet going in over the Easter Holidays, we can move ahead without Stage Two at the moment, so in this application we applied for Stage Three. Stage Three involves building two new classrooms above the administration area, a lift and redeveloping the administration area. Here's hoping we are successful.
Kelleynne (Kelly) Yu has now began as our new Psychologist working two days per week. We welcome her to our school. Kelly is available Tuesdays and Wednesdays to work with students and families. If you wish to meet with Kelly please contact myself or the office.
It is not long to one of major fundraisers for the year, the jogathon. I hope you are all out practising. This year the funds go directly to the school. A big thank you to the P and F, particularly Lisa Kirby, for the many hours they do preparing for this event.
God Bless and Stay Safe,
Anthony
Reconciliation Information for Year 3 Families
Bookings are now open for Year 3 Reconciliation. Please log into https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/ and use the code: 87hsp
A time slot of 10 minutes is allocated for each family. If your child is not making their Reconciliation, please contact the front office or email your child’s teacher to let them know.
Year 3 Family Mass
Thank you to all the families who have registered for the Year 3 Family Mass which is coming up this Sunday at 10.30am. For those families wishing to attend and haven’t registered, will need to go online and enter your details. Please use the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/stmarys
To ensure that all Year 3 families can attend, we ask that you limit the amount of people to 4 people per family. We are sorry if this inconveniences some people, however we really want all families to attend.
Upcoming Events
Date/ Time |
Event |
Tuesday 9th March, 4pm |
Reconciliation bookings open for Year 3 children |
Friday 12th March, 3.15pm |
Lenten Liturgy |
Sunday 14th March 10:30am |
Year 3 Family Mass |
Friday 19th March, 9:15am |
Feast of St Joseph |
Friday 19th March, 2.30pm |
Lenten Liturgy |
Reconciliation Tuesday 23rd March, Wednesday 24th March, Thursday 25th March 3.50 - 6.30pm
Friday 26th March, 3.50 - 5.30pm |
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Year 3 children and their families). |
Friday 26th March, 3.15pm |
Lenten Liturgy |
Sacrament Dates for 2021
Reconciliation (Year 3)
Tuesday 23rd March, 3.50 - 6.30pm
Wednesday 24th March, 3.50 - 6.30pm
Thursday 25th March, 3.50 - 6.30pm
Friday 26th March, 3.50 - 5.30pm
First Eucharist (Year 5)
Saturday 29th May, 6pm
Sunday 30th May, 8.30am & 10.30am
First Eucharist (Year 4)
Saturday 19th June, 6pm
Sunday 20th June, 8.30am & 10.30am
Confirmation (Year 6)
Tuesday 27th July, 6pm
Wednesday 28th July, 6pm
Thursday 29th July, 6pm
St Mary’s National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence
On Wednesday the 10th of March, St Mary’s School acknowledged a National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. Students participated in multi-age activities, focussing on and identifying similarities between students, positive interactions with others, being friendly and exploring concepts involving friendships. Teaching our students to continually develop their toolbox of social skills and strategies, will better equip them to thrive and problem-solve any personal challenges.
How is Bullying defined?
Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or group misusing their power or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening. Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, is not defined as bullying.
St Mary’s School
At St Mary’s School, we are committed to cultivating a safe and cohesive learning environment with positive relationships between peers, teachers, staff, parents and the community. We are achieving this through a proactive positive approach. Teaching students explicit social skills lessons, empowers students to develop positive relationships and interactions with others.
Research shows “Positive peer interaction was the strongest protective factor against being a bully/victim”( Zych & Ttofi, 2019).
Below are some photos of the day’s event.
THE SUSTAINABILITY TEAM
Introducing the sustainability Team for 2021
I would like to say a big thank you to the team! They have been inspirational and It is wonderful to hear their thoughts on sustainability at St Mary’s
WOOLIE’S SEEDLINGS
Thank you to all the families who have started dropping off the seedlings from the woolworths promotion. Keep sending them in!
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY
As many of you may be aware Sunday the 7th was Clean Up Australia Day. St Mary’s will be having their own clean up Australia Day on Friday 12th March - concentrating on their local environment.
The plan is as follows:
Preps - The playground
Year 1 - The Maclean Reserve
Year 2 - The streets surrounding the school - Cecil, Parker and Cole Street.
Year 3 &4 - Commonwealth Reserve
Year 5&6 - The Williamstown Beach area
All children need to bring a pair of gloves to school with them on this day.
SUSTAINABILITY TEAM and NUDE FOOD
We had another great meeting and the team have decided that their number one priority is to introduce a ‘NUDE FOOD’ Day.
The team feel that Wedensday is the best day for this. I was really impressed with the discussion around this. The group took into consideration lunch order days and days when parents might do the grocery shopping.
As of next week we will have a ‘NUDE FOOD’ Wednesday! The sustainability reps for each class will record the number of children bringing Nude Food to school and report back to the team to discuss ideas about promoting this as a priority each week throughout the year. The team already have a number of ideas in mind for next term.
Our next meeting will be held on Monday 15 March at 7pm in the school staff room, if you would like to come along and learn more about the P&F or get involved please email Jacinda secretary@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au.
Thanks to all who have already donated delicious Easter treats and fabulous goodies, keep them coming! Big thanks to Ness in preparing all the prizes.
We would like to capture any interest in joining us for a Working Bee at the school later this term, if you are interested please email volunteers@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au and we will provide further details next week.
Maclean Reserve
A notice calling for volunteers will be circulated this week. Maclean Reserve is an important part of our school environment and we are seeking volunteers to give a small amount of time during the term, 10—15 minutes, to help keep the space clean and tidy. If you can help please complete and return the green form back to the school by 17 March.
Maclean Reserve Roster
Monday March 15 – Volunteer
Tuesday March 16– Maria Butterfield
Wednesday March 17– Hannah Hage
Thursday March 18 – Rose Beilby
Friday March 19 – Katherine Collett
Jogathon
Jogathon Pledge Forms have been sent home for children to start asking family and friends for sponsorship for our Annual Jogathon. Don’t forget to return these by Friday 19th March.
If you have any questions regarding the jogathon, please email special_events@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au
Easter Raffle
Easter Raffle Tickets are now on sale via CDF Pay.
Don't WHISK missing out on the chance to win some EGG-CELLENT Prizes!! It's easy to purchase tickets on behalf of friends and family too via CDF Pay.
- Single tickets - $2
- Bundles of 5 - $10
- Bundles of 11 - $20
Ticket sales close on the 29th March 2021. The draw will take place on the 30th March 2021. Winners will be announced on the 31 March 2021
We are still calling for donations to make up the prizes and all Easter related items are welcome. Suggestions include:
- Children’s Gifts
- Children’s Books
- Chocolate Eggs
- Soft Bunnies
- Anything Easter related! (no alcohol please)
Please drop all donations in the tub at the office. Thank you for your support.
Second Hand Uniform Pop Up Shop – Monday
Due to popular demand second hand uniforms will now be available every Monday from 8.30am, in the School Hall Stage. If you have any spare coat hangers or clothes racks that you can donate can you, please leave these at the office.
Remember..
Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday 15 March at 7pm, please email secretary@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au
Jemima Bowen
P&F President (president@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au)