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Dear Parents, Guardians and Community,
Lent
After a few weeks of Ordinary Time (the length of which is dependent on the full moon, which determines Easter) we begin Lent. Lent commences on Ash Wednesday and continues until Holy Week. On Ash Wednesday we receive the mark of the ashes. (The ashes are the blessed burnt palms from the previous Palm Sunday.)They are a symbol of repentance and are placed on the forehead of Catholics around the world. They are a physical sign that Lent has begun. Ash Wednesday is a day of abstinence (going without meat) and fasting.
Lent is a time to rediscover the meaning of life and prioritise what is important in how we live our lives. We try to simplify our lives (fasting), take time out to reflect and pray (prayer), and listen and respond to those in need (almsgiving). Prayer, fasting and almsgiving are concrete ways in which can demonstrate our relationship with God. In prayer we speak through language and action, and in fasting through abstinence, and in giving we reach out to others. Lent is a period of preparation for and renewal of baptism.
Clean Up Australia Day. Last week our students got out into their community and made a difference. The students were amazed about how much rubbish there is left lying around. We thank Melissa Cowan, our sustainability leader, for her work to get this day organised.
School Improvement Plan Update. Now that things have settled down we can start to get work on our School Improvement Plan (2022 to 2025). Our Four Year goals are around
Data Literacy (Reading and using our Data better.)
Behavioural support
Instructional Coaching
Student Voice, Agency and Participation.
So, where are we at so far.
Data Literacy. Leaders continued their work with Bradley Geise from California who is zooming in. We are part of a Western Region project called Data Literacy for continued school Improvement. This is our Second year of this project. In our work last week we looked at our Process data, that are all the processes we have in the school and where are we at on them. This preliminary work got the school to evaluate was it embedded practice, still needed some work or had completing fallen off the radar. Through this project we have learnt to look more widely at our data and consider the four areas of data perception data, demographic data, process data and student assessment data. The work is making us look at the root of a problem and think about more widely why a student may be falling behind. Our leaders will then work with our staff to advance this work.
Behavioural Support: Once again our Leaders have started their training with the Intervention Framework, which is the model we are using. Our School closure day on the last day of term is devoted to this and this is where the training will begin for staff. This year we aim to complete Modules 1 and 2. There are six modules altogether.
Instructional Coaching. Last week we had four staff, Lucy McCarty-Hill, Laura Graham, Brittany Rickman and Hannah Power complete the training. We hosted at the school so I was able to pop in and out and be part of it. The team will now spend the rest of the term practising with each other before they start working with staff. The four areas that we look to coach staff in are Classroom Culture, Content Knowledge, Formative Assessment and Classroom Practice. Our official coach, Lucy, is already been inundated with teachers and other staff wanting to be part of it.
Student Agency, Voice and Participation. So far our leaders have been doing a lot of professional reading in this area. Melissa Cowan attended some training in this area last year and has set up a research folder for staff. We intend to start working with staff with the Melbourne Archdiocesan Catholic Schools Student Voice Statement, as this is the system document that will drive our work. The Child Safe Standards were introduced in response to recommendations from the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and other Non-Government Organisations. It is the Child safe standards, where much of the work around student voice, agency and participation has been developed.
Some Reminders
Toilets: Just a reminder to parents and families that the student toilets are not be used by adults. We have toilets near the office that you are more than welcome to use. This is part of our Child Safe practices.
Early arrivers: Also a reminder to families that supervision of students starts at 8:30am in the morning. We have a large number of students arriving very early to school and being left unsupervised. Can families please make sure the students are arriving close to 8:30. Thanks.
Hot Food: Another reminder on bringing hot food for students. We have the occasional family dropping off hot take away food for their child if they have forgotten lunch eg KFC, McDonald's, Hot Wings etc. Can we request that families do not do this? We cannot send it to the classroom so admin staff end up having to supervise children eating this, quite often in their lunch hour. So if you have forgotten their lunch can you please supply something they can eat in the classroom.
God Bless and Stay Safe
Anthony
School life certainly has returned to normal at Emmanuel. There are events and activities happening everywhere. Last week our St Paul’s Year 12s enjoyed their retreat and really made the most of their time together and hearing from the great guest speakers. This week our first group of Notre Dame Year 7s head off on their camp, there is lots of excited talk about the activities ahead and cabins and all the things that come with camp.
Last week we welcomed many families to our Meet the Principal event at St Paul’s Campus. Parents and potential students heard from the College Principal Mr Chris Stock and enjoyed a tour of the campus led by our amazing student ambassadors. The feedback from the families about the work of the boys has been very rewarding.
Our next Meet the Principal event is at the Notre Dame Campus and the details are below;
Meet the Principal - Notre Dame Campus - Thursday 10 March - Commencing at 9.30am
Bookings are essential for this event and can be made under the tours and events tab on the home page of the College website, www.ecmelb.catholic.edu.au
Applications for Year 7, 2024 are now being accepted. A Prospectus Pack containing an application form can be requested under the enrolment information tab of the College website, by emailing enrolments@ecmelb.catholic.edu.au, calling the College Registrar on 8325 5119 or dropping in to see the friendly staff at reception of either of our campuses.
Please note that applications for Year 7, 2024 close on Friday 19 August 2022. If you have a child in Grade 5 and already have children at Emmanuel College you are still required to apply for the Year 5 student to be considered for a place at the College.
We hope to see you at one of our College events soon.
Faith News - School and Parish Connections
Loving God,
We thank and praise you
for all the gifts you have given us.
But in a world of plenty
too many people go hungry.
We pray that you may work through us,
so our small acts of love
make a big difference
and everyone may have enough to eat.
Amen.
Project Compassion
‘Working together for justice and dignity. Walking together in hope. Building together a thriving future for all.’
Caritas Australia is an international aid and development agency of the Australian Catholic Church.
They strive to seek social justice and dignity for every person.
They work with local communities in Australia and overseas, listening to concerns and assessing the needs of communities.
With help, compassion and our support, Caritas hopes to work towards a world where all people may thrive!
In every classroom there is a project compassion box. During this time of Lent, the children are being encouraged to be compassionate and think of others in need. As part of our Lenten journey we think of those less fortunate and consider ways we can help.
We would like to fill the boxes as much as we can - ways the children can contribute are:
- Put some of their pocket money into the box.
- Choose to donate icy pole money.
- If the children have given up a treat - try and donate the cost, so the children can see their fasting is benefiting someone else.
You will see posters around the school encouraging participation, but also letting you know what the school’s contributions will support!
Shrove Tuesday
I would like to say a big thank you to the P&F and all the volunteers who helped organise, cook and serve the pancakes last Tuesday.
‘Pancake Day’ has been a long standing P&F event at St Mary’s that brings a lot of joy to children, but more importantly raises much needed money to support those in need around the world through Project Compassion run by Caritas Australia.
An event like this needs a lot of parent support to volunteer their time to make sure there are enough pancakes for everyone. So again, a BIG THANK YOU to all the parents that helped on Tuesday.
I am pleased to announce that this year we raised an amazing $340.00 to donate to Project Compassion.
This Week
On Monday the Year 3 children and their parents joined myself, Jenny and Monique for an online session run by Maria Forde as part of their preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The session was very well attended!
A big thank you to all the Year 3 parents and the children who jumped online for the session.
I think we can all agree Maria was a wonderful presenter and gave us all something to reflect upon.
I also wanted to feedback, that Maria thought you were all wonderful and she was so impressed with how eager you all were to participate. She said it would have been wonderful to meet you all and wished she had been able to listen to all your responses.
Important dates to Remember for this Term
Event |
Date |
Time |
Where |
Lenten Liturgy |
11th March |
3:00pm |
Church |
Feast of St Joseph |
18th March |
9:15 am |
Church |
Lenten Liturgy |
18th March |
3:00pm |
Church |
Year 3 Family Mass |
20th March |
10:30am |
Church |
Year 3 Reconciliation |
22nd March |
4:00 - 6:30pm |
Church |
Year 3 Reconciliation |
23rd March |
4:00 - 6:30pm |
Church |
Year 3 Reconciliation |
24th March |
4:00 - 6:30pm |
Church |
Lenten Liturgy |
25th March |
3:00 pm |
Church |
Year 3 Reconciliation |
25th March |
4:00 - 5:30pm |
Church |
Sacramental Dates for 2022
Reconciliation - Year 3
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
All parents and carers with children at St Mary’s Williamstown are automatically members of the Parents and Friends Association, therefore we invite you to our next meeting on Monday 21st March via Zoom. For meeting access and agenda, please email secretary@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au before 21st March. Looking forward to seeing you (virtually) there.
Jogathon
There are only 2.5 weeks until the annual Jogathon on Friday 25th March. Pledge forms were sent out with students last week, and donations can be returned via CDFpay. If you’d like to help out on the day, please contact volunteers@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au
Easter Raffle
Information about the Easter Raffle was sent home last week. Donations of family-friendly, Easter-themed items can be left at the front office. Items are usually combined into hampers, which are raffled off for students just before Easter holidays.
Easter Raffle tickets are now on sale via CDFpay. Tickets are $2 each, 5 for $10, 12 for $20, and 25 for $40. There is no restriction on the number of tickets purchased by each family.
Items Wanted
We are looking for donations of small, clean jars without lids and without stickers. Suitable jars would be 300mL jam or honey jars, however any small, pretty jar would work. Also, we are looking for small organza bags. You might have these left-over from a party or a project. All items can be given to Tanya Dias, or left at the office for collection.
Icy Poles Roster
Monday March 14 - LABOUR DAY
Tuesday March 15 - Zoey Avery, Kitty Colton, Deborah Snowdon
Wednesday March 16 - Josie Penna, Daniel Axiak
Thursday March 17 - Yolanda Andrews, Sherrine McInerney
Friday March 18 - Christine Walter, Katherine McQuinn, Liz Sleeman
Quench Berri Icy Poles will be on sale each lunch-time for $1 each, from Monday until the end of Term 1.
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 will be in the hall on Wednesday March 23rd, from 8:30-9:30am, however a reminder that orders can be emailed through at any time to uniformspf@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au An additional reminder that the Second Hand Uniform pop-up is now completely cash-free.
Upcoming shop dates for the rest of term will now be as follows:
March 23rd
April 6th (this will be a great chance to top up Winter uniform before school photo day Apr. 7)
St Mary's Fabulous Family Fair Sponsors
Thanks to those families that have already reached out to us regarding sponsorship, we hope to share a sponsorship proposal towards the end of term 1 but if you are keen to register your interest, please contact Jemima Bowen fair@smwiliamstown.catholic.edu.au
Our next working group meeting will be held on 22nd March at 7pm in the Parish Centre. We are still looking for a donations coordinator and sponsorship coordinator to help on the working group so if you are keen or interested to know more please reach out via the email above.
GRADE 6 MUMS DRINKS
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)