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Dear Parent and Guardian Community.
Thanks to your efforts once again as we continue with Remote Learning. We hear the announcements at the same times as the rest of the community so we do not know how long it will continue. The school is continually looking at ways to connect as a community as we all work through the second round of lock down. We need to make sure we check on each other and keep our spirits strong.
Building Update: The contaminated soil has almost been removed and the works will begin in Rooms 1 and 2. These rooms are also being refurbished during this project with a few changes. Apart from fresh carpet and flooring, there will be new cupboards, new electronic Whiteboards (thanks to the P and F) and the gap between the two classrooms will be widened so it can be opened and closed to allow a bit more flexibility for how the space could be used.
Enrolments 2021: The good news is that our Enrolment Numbers are good despite the disruptions of Covid 19. We always lose a couple towards the end of the year, so we may have a couple of spots open up. So, if you know of any families that are planning to enrol, but have not done so yet, please ask them to enrol as soon as possible.
Marilyn Bunting: After many years as student, parent and employee, Marilyn Bunting, our school bursar, has informed me she will move towards retirement this year. She will finish at the school at the beginning of October and then take some leave before officially ending in March 2021. She has been an excellent employee and has worked tirelessly for our community. We will say more, closer to her departure. Her position will be advertised soon.
Funding Update 2021: The other good news is that St Mary’s will have an increase in its funding in 2021. Catholic Education has longed argued that the students attending our schools were not always representative of the suburb in which was based. The mission of Catholic Education has always to support all families especially the poor. When the review of funding for schools was completed, a new funding model was established based on the students who attend the school, not the suburb, as was the case previously. This has led to a downgrading of the funding score for the school acknowledging that the community’s capacity to contribute to school fees is less than previously calculated. Thus the school receives more funding. Although it is not a huge amount, every little bit helps and is much better than the school losing funding and having to increase school fees.
Community Café: We held our First Community Café last Friday. Please join us every Friday during the lock down as we try to connect as a community. We will continue to hold them on Fridays at 11 during these times.
Meeting ID is meet.google.com/ddt-tmdn-ews
Facebook: For those who do not know, the school has a very active Facebook page where we try to keep our community informed. We use the Facebook page for three purposes, letting people know what is going on, promoting the school and educating parents. You will find lots of information to help you through the lock down times on the page.
MacLean Reserve: We have had further contact from Hobsons Bay Council to let us know that the park upgrade is still going ahead and that community consultation will take place soon. I know I already have some parents who are very keen to get involved in its development. Please let me know if you are also interested.
Schoolzine App: Now is the time to change over to the Schoolzine app as we will stop using the Schoolbag app soon. If you have not downloaded it yet, there is a link on the newsletter page. But basically, download SZAPP, search for the school, sign up and put in the Code 2951.
Cleaners: During the Pandemic, St Mary’s have contracted Danihers Cleaning Company to provide extra cleaning throughout the School Day. The School has also now made the decision to permanently change our entire cleaning contract to Danihers, which means they will do all the regularly night-time cleaning as well. They will take over the contract in the next few weeks. https://www.danihers.com.au/what-we-do/general-and-specialised-cleaning/
Community Skills and Passions: Thank you, we have had another twenty families share their details. We hope to get most families. Our next step will be to send individual emails to families. The link is below for those who have not completed it.
https://forms.gle/ALE7FawUC6aAKhE68
God Bless and stay safe
Anthony
Religious Education
Prayers during a Pandemic
The early Christians prayed in the church of the home. Once more, in troubled times when public worship has to be restricted, we are called to pray in “the domestic church”, always aware of the promise of Jesus, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them.”—Matthew 18:20
IN THIS CHALLENGING TIME
Lord Jesus Christ, our true physician and healer, be merciful to us and bring us your aid in these troubled times. Heal all our sickness and every affliction of your people. Drive out our infirmities of soul and body; free us from all disease and especially from this pestilence.
We place in your gentle Heart the elderly, the frail, people with disability, children, young people and families, our indigenous peoples, those who are poor, lonely and isolated. As you walk with us, free them from fear, and give them patience and hope together with our loving care.
In your mercy deal also with the causes of our pitiful condition, that in curing our lack of faith and spiritual weakness, you may also remedy our bodily ills.
We place our trust in you, the risen Lord, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
FOR THOSE WHO CARE FOR THE SICK
Father of mercies, we thank you for all who care for the sick.
When they diagnose, give them patience.
When they protect the vulnerable, give them your protection.
When they work to heal, give them strength.
When they comfort, give them consolation.
When they are tired, give them rest.
When they are discouraged, bring them your hope.
May we welcome and respect them as we support one another in this time of trial.
FOR THOSE SEEKING A CURE FOR THE VIRUS
Come, Holy Spirit, enlighten the minds of women and men of medical science who are working to find a solution to this viral infection. Guide their research and help them discover what you provide in creation, sure ways of control, protection, inoculation and healing. Strengthen them in their tiring work and enrich in them the virtue of hope.
FOR THOSE WHO GOVERN AND REPRESENT US
Eternal Wisdom, guide our leaders called to serve us in our nation and its States. May they respond to the challenges of this affliction with prudence and sound judgement. With foresight, may their planning alleviate the economic burdens, compensate for losses, protect employment and ensure ample food for the poor and isolated. 1
PRAYERS DURING A PANDEMIC COMPILED BY Bishop Peter J. Elliott Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus, Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne
Parent Education
Parents and the Home Environment they create are the single most important factor in shaping their children’s achievements and prospects. Research has shown that in order to raise achievement, parents need to be both involved in schools and engaged in learning (Harris and Goodall; 2007)
DOING MATHS TOGETHER AT HOME
Children need lots of experiences in making, counting, drawing and talking about numbers. Make connections for your child by explaining how numbers and counting are a part of everyday life. The activities below will help your child develop these skills. You may feel that the maths your child is doing at school is different from how you were taught, but you will still be able to support your child in many ways. Playing shop Collect food and grocery items and label them with prices written on sticky notes or prices cut out of shopping catalogues.
- Talk about how we pay for items using notes and coins.
- Make paper money or use play money to buy and sell goods from the shop.
- Order the food items by height (tallest to the shortest) or by cost (least expensive to most expensive).
- Introduce kitchen scales to the shop to weigh some foods such as a box of tea bags or a bag of rice and order items by weight.
Class Representatives
Congratulations to the students who have been elected as Class Representatives for Term 3.
PL |
Bede Thompson |
PR |
Annelise Frendo |
1K |
Ariana Pino |
1R |
William Trethowan |
2C |
Leo Mc Cann |
2S |
Kobe Jones |
3E |
Alyssa Spiteri |
3S |
Ava Beckton |
4D |
Renata Rojas Julian |
4G |
Evie Nardo |
5M |
Charlotte Petersen |
5C |
Leon Spiteri |
6M |
Samara Stones Nunes |
6B |
Ava Lister Nina Di Fabrizio |
Student Wellbeing - Family Resources
The Department of Education has shared some useful Wellbeing resources to support families. Please take the time to look through the information and you may like to watch the videos with your children.