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Dear Parents, Guardians and Community,
Today we celebrated Ash Wednesday. It was our first chance to come together as a community in a long time, in our Church. Thank you to our Year 3 students who led us today. This marks the beginning of Lent and our preparations for Easter. Our classes will be learning about Easter in preparation. It is also the time when we take on small acts to remind us of the importance of this time of alms-giving, prayer and in some cases, fasting.
This week in our school, we have many of our Leaders doing training in Instructional Coaching. Our school review identified feedback to teachers as an area for improvement. Our Leaders will be taking part of three days of training this week, with follow up days in Term's 2, 3 and 4 with Trish Gooch from TG Coaching. Two other schools have joined us for the training.
Well, our Year 5 and 6 students survived the camp with a few bruises, scraps and the good news, no covid cases. Thanks again to all the staff for their efforts and sleepless nights. Staff reported the excellent behaviour of the students and their willingness to try things and take risks.
Enrolment updates Enrolment numbers for 2023 are very strong at the moment, so please let anyone you know who wishes to enrol at the school to get in quick. Current families do have priority, so they do not need to worry, however, it would be good to get these applications in so we know how many other places we can offer. We have already taken a number of enrolements for 2024.
I have been in contact with our Landscape Architect and we will have our first meeting in a couple of weeks with Tim Nicholas https://www.tnla.com.au/. If you are wanting to be part of this please let me know. The plan is to come up with a ten year plan so we can improve our playground and make it a better space for our students.
God Bless
Anthony
BOOK A TOUR
Visiting our College is a great way to explore our dynamic learning spaces and experience learning in action. Places are limited, so don't delay.
Please visit our website to register for one of our advertised dates.
OPEN DAY - 10am to 2pm
Sunday 1 May
OPEN MORNINGS - 9:15am to 10:30am
Thursday 3 March
Thursday 24 March
Thursday 9 June
Thursday 28 July
Thursday 11 August
We look forward to meeting you!
For all enquiries, please contact Sherri Collins: registrar@msj.vic.edu.au
www.msj.vic.edu.au
133 Maidstone Street, Altona
(03)8398 2000
CLASS OF 2021 VCE RESULTS
31 Median Study Score
45 study scores above 40 (Top 95 of the state)
34.8% students with an ATAR above 80
What is an ATAR?
The Australian Tertiary Admissions Ranking (ATAR) is not a score out of 100 – it is a rank. It shows a student's achievement in relation to other students. For example, a student with rank of 97.85 has performed better than 97.85% of others in the state that year.
What is a study score?
What is a study score? A study score is a rank of all Victorian students in that subject out of 50.A study score of 40 places you in the top 9% of students in the state.
APPLY NOW
Students wishing to attend Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College for Year 7 in 2024 should apply in Grade 5 of their primary school education.
Applications for Year 7 in 2024 are now open. Apply online via the College website. The closing date for applications is Friday 19 August 2022.
For application to Years 8-12, there is no application closing date, but vacancies are limited and waiting lists may apply.
For all enquiries, please contact Sherri Collins: registrar@msj.vic.edu.au
www.msj.vic.edu.au
133 Maidstone Street, Altona
(03)8398 2000
Faith News - School and Parish Connections
Ash Wednesday - 2nd March
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and is always 46 days before Easter Sunday. Lent is a 40-day . Lent is a 40-day season (not counting Sundays) marked by repentance, fasting, reflection, and ultimately celebration. The 40-day period represents Christ’s time of temptation in the wilderness.
Lent is a time for alms-giving (giving to the poor), increasing our prayer and fasting. With our students, fasting is replaced by asking our students to perhaps give up something, whether that be not eating lollies, or using the computer less or taking action, making sure their bed is made every day or even helping to clear the table.
This year we will gather as a school community in the Church. The Mass will be at 9:15.
The children from Years 1- 6 will present their Lenten promises to be blessed and receive the Ashes from Fr Greg.
Important dates to Remember for this Term
Event |
Date |
Time |
Where |
Ash Wednesday Mass |
2nd March |
9:15 am |
Church |
Year 3 Reconciliation Family information night |
7th March |
7:30 pm |
online |
Feast of St Joseph |
18th March |
9:15 am |
Church |
Year 3 Family Mass |
20th March |
10:30 |
Church |
Year 3 Reconciliation |
22nd March |
4pm-6.30pm |
Church |
Year 3 Reconciliation |
23rd March |
4pm-6.30pm |
Church |
Year 3 Reconciliation |
24th March |
4pm-5.30pm |
Church |
Sacramental Dates for 2022
Reconciliation - Year 3
The Year Three children at St Mary's School and parish are underway in their learning and understanding of what it means to reconcile with one another and with God. We have secured Maria Ford to speak to Year 3 parents and candidates about the rite of Reconciliation.
This will be an online event
Date: Monday 7th February
Time: 7:30 pm
Maria asks that those attending find a quiet place in the house. She also asks that you bring a candle and lighter to the meeting. These will be used during the session.
The link for the meeting will be sent out on the Friday 4th March. Please let the school know if you do not receive the link.
The dates for Reconciliation are
Tuesday 22nd March,
Wednesday 23rd March,
Thursday 24th March,
Friday 25th March,
Bookings are open, so please make sure you book in a time for your child.
Eucharist - Year 4
Saturday 21st May, 6pm
Sunday 22nd May, 8.30am & 10.30am
Confirmation - Year 6
Tuesday 26th July, 6pm
Wednesday 27th July, 6pm
Thursday 28th July, 6pm
Character Strengths
Character Strengths continue to be a focus at St Mary’s. Each term the students focus on a number of Character Strengths and how they see them in themselves and the people around them. Character strengths are the positive qualities individuals have—as reflected in their thoughts, feelings, and actions—that promote the well-being of themselves and others.
Research with young people has found that character strengths relate to multiple aspects of well-being, including happiness, mental/emotional health, social relationships, and academic achievement.
Below are the 24 Character Strengths and a brief description of each strength.
This term the students will be focusing on the virtue of Humanity and the character strengths are:
Love, Kindness and Social Intelligence
Clean Up Australia Day for St. Mary’s School
St Mary’s School is proud to do their part in helping the environment by participating in the annual Clean Up Australia day on this Friday.
Students, with their teachers, will be assigned areas around our local area and school to help clean up.
Remember: Students will need to bring to school a pair of gloves from home for the day.
Teachers will also ensure that all hands are washed and sanitised at the end of the clean up.
Classroom Sustainability Leaders
Just note that the Sustainability Leaders for each class group will be presented with Certificates of Recognition at this week’s assembly.
Shrove Tuesday – 1 March 2022
The Shrove Tuesday pancakes were a hit with the children. Thanks to all of the families who donated pancake mix and maple syrup. The P&F extends a huge thank-you to Annette Bakker for organizing Shrove Tuesday again this year, as well as the wonderful parent volunteers
Icy Pole Roster
Monday March 7 - Fran Power, Narelle Sroczynski, Monika McKellar
Tuesday March 8 - Lisa Hussey, Jodie Dingli, Laura Montebello
Wednesday March 9 - Melanie Lehocz, Natasha Alatan, Catherine Johnson
Thursday March 10 - Natalie Densley, Elishah Lusi, Rachael Kisvarda
Friday March 11 - Eilin Taylor, Suzie Hoey, Kate McCutcheon
Quench Berri Icy Poles will be on sale each lunch-time for $1 each, from Monday until the end of Term 1.
Jogathon
The annual St Mary’s Jogathon is being held on Friday 25 March. Run by the Parents & Friends Association, the Jogathon is a day when the entire school participates in a fun run to raise money for the school.
This year the Jogathon will be held on Robertson Reserve, in the afternoon. We encourage parents to come along and cheer the students on or join them for a few laps. Pledge forms and more information about the event will be sent home this week. If you’d like to help out on the day, please contact volunteers@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au
Easter Raffle
The Easter Raffle is on again this year. Donations of chocolate eggs, Easter related toys etc can be left at the office. Please no alcohol. More information will be sent home next week.
Second Hand Uniform Pop Up Shop
Another big Thank You for the wonderful donations we’ve been receiving. Amazing school jumpers in ‘as new’ condition as well as some barely worn school shoes.
We’ve got so much stock we’ve run out of coat hangers so if anyone has spare coat hangers, your donations would be welcome.
The next pop-up shop in the hall has had to be postponed this week and will now be Wednesday March 9th and fortnightly after that, from 8:30-9:30am.
Apologies for any inconvenience but please email orders through at any time to uniformspf@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au
Upcoming shop dates for the rest of term will now be as follows:
March 9th
March 23rd
April 6th (this will be a great chance to top up Winter uniform before school photo day Apr. 7)
One metal 4 drawer filing cabinet with one key lock. There are also about 50 plus suspension file insert folders which fit the cabinet. Please email or see the office for collection.
AFL Victoria would like to extend an invitation to female students aged 6 to 12 years old to take part in a free Junior Girls AFL Footy 4 Fun Program. This is a free program that focuses on giving girls (turning 7-12 years old in 2022) the opportunity to play modified games in a fun and safe environment. AFL Staff will also go over the basic skills of the game with the participants. No previous AFL experience is required
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)