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Dear Parents, Guardians and Community.
I remember at the start of the term writing that Term 3 is normally the hardest working term in schools for classes as it is the least interrupted. No start of the year get to know you time, no school reports, no end of year events etc. How wrong I was as we go through another term of Covid interruptions. I attended a workshop for Principals, "Healthy Coping During A Pandemic,' and many of the messages were about taking time, finding the positive... there were no magic bullets, they are messages we all know, it was more about making it part of our daily practice. Probably the main message I got out of it was the information around what they termed 'languishing,' that being apathy, disengagement, voluntary absenteeism, stagnation, monotony and fatigue. I think we can all see those signs in ourselves, our students. It is once again those messages, notice it, and do those things we are meant to be doing;-get some exercise, make a list of things to do, have something to look forward to.. nothing new, just good reminders for ourselves and our students.
This week we had our follow up meeting for our school review and started to work towards our next School Improvement Plan. (SIP) The report goes to Melbourne Archdiocesan Catholic Schools (MACS) for final approval and hopefully we have the final version soon. Michael Rowland was very impressed with the school and emphasised it is a high performing school. We hope to have the S.I.P. finalised by the end of the year which we can then share with families.
Staffing appointments: We are pleased to announce we have appointed two staff for Term 4. Daryl Marmion has been appointed as the Year 6 teacher and Jordan Lovett as our PE Teacher. Both were in yesterday going through induction and hand over. Daryl has been teaching in Ireland and Australia and is very excited about the opportunity. Jordan is also very excited about his position. He is a graduate teacher but has also worked in other industries included a stone mason's assistance, teacher's aide, extreme sport's instructor and at Brown' Brother's winery. We welcome them to our staff.
Naplan. Results have now been sent to families and we have been able to have a look at whole school results. A child's results is always a combination of many things, all data has a story. I am always weary of talking about overall school results, having previously been on a National Board and part of a major ACARA Group,(they run Naplan) there is a generally a direct correlation between postcode and overall school results. We will always be more interested in the individual and their story.
Price Increase: Due to increased costs, our school bags have increased from $40 to $45. We try to keep our margins to the minimum and with the latest order we received, we would have been selling them at a loss.
God Bless and Stay Safe.
Anthony
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
Father, thank you for a fresh start today. Thank you for the reminder of “renewal” that spring represents to us on earth. You “spring forth” a new thing! I am excited and expectant of your goodness in this spring season. Thank you, Father! Prepare me for all the new and wonderful things you have for my life. Help me to let go of the old things that hold me back, the things that do not bring me life, the things that keep me living in the past. I will cling to my new identity in Christ! Help me to keep “springing forward” in my journey with you!
AMEN
Upcoming Events
TERM 3 |
|
Year 5 First Eucharist Saturday 9th October 6pm
Sunday 10th October 8.30, 10.30am & 5pm
Friday 15th October 2.30pm - class Mass |
Last week an email was sent to all Year 5 parents and guardians in regards to new dates for Communion. 2 extra Masses have been added to reduce the amount of people in the church. If you are booked into the Saturday 6pm or Sunday 10.30am Mass and wish to change to one of the extra Masses added, then please email Michelle Ebinger at: mebinger@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au Please note that there are limited spaces available at these extra Masses. |
TERM 4 |
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Year 4 First Eucharist
Saturday 16th October 6pm
Sunday 17th October 8.30 & 10.30am |
Bookings will be transferred from the original date and time to the new date and times If these new dates create any problems, then please feel free to contact Father Greg directly. |
Click here for more information on RU OK day?
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St Mary’s Lego Station and the Rainbow Retreat
St Mary’s School is gratefully asking for donations of any unwanted lego you might have at home. We have set up “Leah the Lego Lorry” and are looking to increase supplies at school for students to use their creative skills during recess and lunchtimes. We are also seeking any Matchbox cars you no longer need to top up the ones available in the Rainbow Retreat.
Donations are being accepted at the school office.
In continuation of supporting families with guiding students in the online world, please find the following resources to support your family through navigating the world of technology safely with your family.
eSafety's parent guide to popular apps
Learn how to help young people safely use popular apps including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and YouTube.
This webinar is designed for parents and carers of young people aged 8-13.
It will cover:
- an explanation of the popular apps used by young people
- case studies, research, and targeted advice
- ways you can support the young people in your life to have safe, enjoyable online experiences.
Dates (Australian Eastern Standard Time)
Tuesday 7 September 7.30 to 8.30 pm
Friday 10 September 12.30 to 1.30 pmWow what a great response to our Father’s Day activities, we hope that all our families enjoyed Father’s Day on the weekend and there were lots of laughs.
On behalf of the P&F Committee we really appreciate all the lovely messages for our hard working crew, who like you, are working through the challenges of lockdown but are committed to making things a little easier for our families where we can. It was so wonderful to hear how much you and the kids enjoyed these activities.
Thank you to Louise Dorinko and Katherine McQuinn for organising the Father’s Day Stall and getting this online and working through restrictions to organise collection. To Siobhain Loftus, Jacinda Davies and Lisa Kirby for getting the Father’s Day Packs and Slideshows together and to all the teachers who hosted the special men in our life on Friday.
Thanks to the Gashi family for sharing a photo from Friday and enjoying their pancakes.
If you feel inspired to learn a bit more about the P&F or you might have some ideas, please join us Monday 13th September for our monthly meeting at 7pm, email secretary@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au
Chocolate Drive
A gentle reminder to our families to organise payment for fundraising chocolates, $60 per box, we have received 148 back so far which leaves approximately 90 outstanding.
Boxes can be paid for via CDF Pay, and if you are within 5kms of the school and wish to drop off cash in the envelope provided, you can do this during school hours. If you have only sold part of the box that’s ok, you can return part boxes with money for sold chocolates returned in the envelope provided.
For each fully paid box, your family will receive an entry into the golden raffle to win a $150 voucher to Santorini's. Thanks to Craig and the team at Santorini's for their support.
All payments need to be finalised by 10 September as the voucher draw will conducted and awarded in the last week of term. If you hare having any issues can you please email president@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au
St Mary’s Spring Ball
It is with a heavy heart that we are confirming that we have had to cancel rather than postpone again the St Mary’s Spring Ball. We are still looking at hosting a parent event of some sort early in the new year and will provide more details in Term 4.
School Disco
We are still looking at ways to host this activity in Term 4 however we know that we are getting close to Graduation and there are many other activities that have been postponed so it may be difficult to reschedule. Once updates on restrictions are available early Term 4 we will give you an update.
Jemima Bowen
P&F President (president@smwiliamstown.catholic.edu.au)
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)