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Dear Parents, Guardians and Community,
Happy Mother's Day to all our Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunties, and Sisters. An important time to acknowledge the women in our lives. I personally thank all the women of our school and their contributions to our school, community and families. Our wonderful clip that someone in our community that sent me. Very powerful, something all our students and families should see. Don't forget our Mother's Day breakfast and Mass this Friday morning. Thank you to our Parents and Friends Association for organising this event.
Welcome to Aria to our school. Aria has joined our Year 2C class. Welcome also to her mother Melinda. I hope they feel very welcome in our community.
Shade Sails Update. The weather delayed the installation of our shade sails, but they are hoping to start the install this Saturday, weather permitting. Fingers crossed we have some clear weather this weekend.
Footy Cards: Once again Footy Card season is with us and on the whole the students have been trading well so we have been letting students continue. Our SRC are going to set some rules and perimeters and share with the students.
God bless
Anthony
Catholic Schools Supporting Learning Diversity
‘Learning diversity’ refers to the infinite variety of life experiences and attributes that learners bring with them to school. Their age, gender, religion, socioeconomic
background, cultural background, physical and emotional attributes and cognitive abilities can all influence the way they learn.
Physical and cognitive abilities
The attributes of learners vary and can affect their ability to participate in education. Almost one in every 10 Australian children (9.6%) are identified as having a disability (ABS 2018). The functional impact learners experience may include the need for educational adjustments to address sensory, speech and language needs, intellectual needs, physical restrictions, psychosocial conditions, the impact of head injuries, stroke and/or acquired brain injuries. Educational programs are designed to maximise participation and engagement in learning.
Gifted and talented
Gifted and talented students have distinctly above-average intellectual, creative, social or physical abilities (Gagné 2008). The provision of reasonable adjustments optimises their growth in learning (Kronborg & Plunkett 2008).
Culturally and linguistically diverse background
Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) learners are those who come from a range of linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and were either born overseas or have one parent born overseas. CALD students speak one or more languages other than English. Teaching strategies must be responsive to the learning strengths and needs of these learners (AITSL 2018).
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Learners from our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community have a rich culture that educators in Catholic schools celebrate. We are inclusive and respectful of all Indigenous Australians throughout their learning journey. Teaching strategies are responsive and equitable and promote the ongoing participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in education.
Social/emotional needs
The social and emotional needs of students – such as those related to autism spectrum disorder, anxiety and selective mutism – should be understood in order to provide opportunities to harness strengths, interests and abilities. Understanding a learner’s social/emotional needs and their impact on learning and engagement can positively affect a learner’s educational outcomes. Providing reasonable adjustments to support learner participation improves academic performance and skills, while reducing stress and other factors which can negatively affect learning.
Data on learning diversity in schools
Data shows almost one in every five Australian students (19.9%) are included in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD), with 3.2% of students receiving substantial adjustments and 1.6% being provided with extensive adjustments (ACARA 2019).
Schools continue to work with many students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. One in every 11 children aged 0–14 were born overseas, with 66% of those overseas-born children coming from mainly non-English-speaking countries (AIHW 2020). Many more children (25.3% of all children) speak a language other than English at home (AEDC 2018). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, meanwhile, continue to fall behind others in terms of learning outcomes (see Figure 1).
Social/emotional needs are growing. Victoria reported an 11.5% increase in clients of child and adolescent mental health services in 2017–18 (DHHS 2018) and as many as 5.6% of children entering school today are at high risk of clinically significant behavioural and emotional problems (DHHS 2019).
Mental health needs are also on the rise. Between 2013 and 2017, Australian schools saw a 5.4% annual increase in enrolments of students with mental health needs (NSW DET 2020). Research shows that 50% of mental disorders develop before the age of 14 (Kessler et al. 2005) and one in seven children aged 4–17 years will experience a mental health condition in any given year (Lawrence et al. 2015).
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder has been revised upwards (by 40%) in recent years, with one in 70 Australians now believed to experience the disorder (ASA 2018), and 45% of children on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) experiencing autism (Productivity Commission 2017).
underpinned by Catholic teachings, educational and professional responsibilities and the well-established benefits of universal education.
Catholic teachings instruct followers to celebrate diversity and see each student as a sacred creation. As such, Catholic schools value the dignity, differences, strengths and infinite possibilities in all learners.
Educational responsibility
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) (the Act), the Disability Standards for Education 2005 (Cth) (the Standards), the Australian Education Regulation 2013 (Cth) (the Regulation) and the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) reporting requirements outline responsibilities for educators.
• ensure students with disability can access and participate in education on the same basis as others
• make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for students to enable their access and participation
• provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ in consultation with students and/or associates such as parents, guardians or carers.
• the number of students with disability
• the level of adjustment they receive.
The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) guides the professional learning and practice of teachers. It explicitly outlines the elements of high-quality, effective teaching required to improve educational outcomes for all learners.
Teachers are required to build their capacity to teach learners with diverse needs in order to maintain their registration – professional learning requirements stipulate that all teachers must complete an annual professional development component focused on meeting the diverse needs of students.
There is clear and consistent evidence that supporting diverse learners through inclusive education practices delivers life-long benefits for all students (Hehir 2016). Inclusive education systems have been shown to deliver academic (Hehir et al. 2014), social and emotional benefits (Katz and Mirenda 2002), increased post-secondary education placement (Baer et al 2011), improved employment outcomes and greater independence (Wagner et al. 1993).
Faith News - School and Parish Connections
St Mary’s School Prayer
This prayer will be prayed at the morning assemblies on Monday and Thursday and the children say this in class every morning.
Creator God,
We, at St Mary’s School pray that we continue to live by the Gospel in our work and play.
Help us to respect and care
for each other as Jesus teaches us.
Bless everyone in our school,
Parish and beyond as we go forth
and work together as followers of Christ
to reach out to those in need.
Jesus be in our thoughts.
Jesus be in our words.
Jesus be in our hearts.
Mother's Day Mass
The Mother’s Day Mass is a longstanding tradition at St Mary’s and we are so excited to welcome Mothers, Grandmothers and significant females, back to the Church for what always proves to be a very memorable Mass.
Date: Friday 6th May
Time: 9:15 am - After the wonderful Mother’s Day breakfast.
Where: The Church - children can sit with their Mums.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Important Information for Year 4 parents
Parent Information Session
The Year Four children at St Mary's School and parish are underway in their preparation for receiving their first Eucharist and taking the next step in becoming fully initiated into the community of the Church/Faith community.
We have secured Fr Elio Capra to speak to Year 4 parents about the Sacrament of First Eucharist.
Date: Wednesday 11th May
Time: 6:30 pm.
Where: The School Hall
Fr Elio Capra
Rev. Dr Elio Capra is a member of the Department of Systematic Theology and Department of Pastoral and General Studies at Catholic Theological College. He lectures in Liturgy and Sacramental Theology. He is a priest of the Salesians of Don Bosco (sdb).
He has taught units in sacramental theology at Australian Catholic University (ACU), as well as teaching accreditation courses for teachers at ACU. He is constantly engaged as a resource person in liturgical and sacramental theology for Catholic Education Offices and dioceses around Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, Samoa and Solomon Islands.
Support for Ukraine
In the spirit of Mary Mackillop we are asking families to help those in need, especially those in the Ukraine. The senior classes will be bringing home prayer cards and the junior classes will be consider those suffering in their prayers of petition.
Those in Europe are doing so much to help, opening their homes to refugees, providing food and clothing at borders and so much more.
We can help too!
If you are willing and able to provide financial support to those in need in Ukraine, there are flyers in the front office
2022 Young Voices Awards
This is an amazing opportunity for students in Years 5 and 6 who are passionate about making a difference in the world. Students are encouraged to voice their thoughts/opinions/ideas and share it with a wider audience through the medium of print, digital (video/podcast) or photograph.
There is a poster on the bulletin board outside the office with all necessary information. The Year 5’s and 6’s will also have a poster in their rooms. This is a wonderful opportunity for students who have something to say. Let’s hear them!
All information is on the poster!
For more information please visit: www.australiancatholics.com.au/yva
Mary MacKillop - ‘MacKa Moment’
Sister Rita from the MacKillop Heritage Centre in Melbourne has been posting in Chronological order, interesting information about schools or institutions founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph.
This week it is St Mary’s Williamstown’s turn to shine.
Please find some time to watch the video, found in the section of the newsletter under 'Sister's of St Joseph's'
Important dates to Remember for Term 2
We look forward to welcoming parents back to school Masses and liturgies in the Church.
Event |
Date |
Time |
Where |
Mother’s Day Mass |
6th May |
9:15am |
Church |
Year 4 Eucharist Information session |
11th May |
6:30 pm |
School Hall |
Year 4 Family Mass |
14th May |
6:00pm |
Church |
Year 4 Eucharist |
21st May |
6:00pm |
Church |
Year 4 Eucharist |
22nd May |
8:30am |
Church |
Year 4 Eucharist |
22nd May |
10:30 am |
Church |
Year 2 Family Mass |
12th June |
10:30 am |
Church |
Year 1 Family Mass |
19th June |
10:30 am |
Church |
Confirmation - Year 6 Term 3
Tuesday 26th July, 6pm
Wednesday 27th July, 6pm
Thursday 28th July, 6pm
Class Representatives Term 2
Congratulations to the Term 2 Class
PL |
Maya Maurer and Tommy Demos |
PS |
Jacob Nguyen and Luella Montebello |
1K |
Eleni Makripoulias |
1RM |
Harrison Griffin |
2C |
Ava Matina |
2M |
Dunlea Lowres |
3E |
Flynn Densley |
3S |
Coby Meikle |
4D |
Domenic Crowe |
4SB |
David Lopes |
5H |
Nicholas Nastoski |
5C |
Hudson Zaitzev |
6D |
Ethan Collet and Caterina Serrano Bassi |
6B |
Beth Gebeyehu |
Stomp Dance at St Mary’s Primary School
Students from Prep to Year 6 participated in an engaging and fun hip hop dance workshop run by ‘Stomp Dance Company’. The company instructors, who have run workshops in several schools, were impressed with the students' focus and coordination skills. Overall it was a great incursion enjoyed by students and teachers alike!
P&F Association Meeting
The next meeting will be at 7pm, on Monday 9th May, in the Parish Centre. All members of the school community are welcome to come along and listen to what is planned for 2nd term. Agendas can be circulated by email secretary@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au
Mother’s Day Stall
Last Friday, the children of St Mary’s participated in the Mother’s Day stall, where they were able to choose a small gift for the special women in their lives. The stall's success can be directly attributed to the months of planning, wrapping and making by Tanya Dias. Thank you Tanya, and to all of your stall helpers; Jemima, Fiona, Christine, Bianca, Michelle and Victoria. And on behalf of the P&F, we would like to wish all mothers, nonnas, aunties and special ladies a wonderful Mother’s Day on Sunday.
Mother’s Day Breakfast
St Mary’s annual Mother’s Day Breakfast will be held this Friday 6th May from 8am-9am in the school hall followed by a whole school Mother’s Day Mass held in the church from 9:15am.
If you haven’t had a chance to do so, please email through a photo for the Mother’s Day Slideshow (shown in the hall during breakfast) prior to 5pm today (Wednesday 4 May). Photos can be emailed to: pnf@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au
Jogathon
The deadline for Jogathon donations is Friday 6th May. Most classes are 2-3 donations away from winning, however there is 1 class that is just 1 child away from claiming ultimate victory. Don’t forget, your sponsorship can be as little or as large as you choose. Your sponsorship pledges can be returned at any time using the CDFpay app; contact treasurer@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au if you require any help with this app.
St Mary’s Pantry
Expression of interest forms were sent home with the eldest child this week. In the words of Mary MacKillop, “Never see a need without trying to do something about it”. Therefore in this spirit, the St Mary’s Pantry is a community safety-net for families within our school community who are struggling due to illness, death, job-loss or any other significant event. The pantry provides immediate access to an emergency meal for a family of 5. Volunteers can be called upon to provide additional meals as the need arises. Meals are provided and received anonymously, and are coordinated through the school. The expression of Interest form will be circulated to the eldest child this week. Forms can be returned to the school, and you will be contacted directly by the St Mary’s Pantry coordinator.
Second Hand Uniform Pop Up Shop
The 2nd hand uniform shop will be back next term on Wednesday 11th May, from 8:30-9:30am in the hall, and fortnightly after that. In addition, uniforms can still be ordered at any time by emailing Sherrine and Meagan at uniformspf@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au
What’s happening in the 2nd Term?
This is just a snapshot of what the P&F Association has planned for the second term
Date |
What’s happening |
Friday 6th May (8am - 9am), then Mass at 9.15am |
Mother’s Day Breakfast (Hall), followed by Mother’s Day Mass (St Mary’s Church) |
Monday 9th May (7.00pm) |
P&F Association Meeting (Parish Centre) |
Wednesday 11th May (8.30am - 9.30am) |
Second-hand uniform sales in the Hall |
Monday 17th May |
Fair Working Group (Parish Centre) |
Friday 17th June |
School Disco (School Hall) |
St Mary’s Fabulous Family Fair 2022
Stall Champions
Thank you to all our stall champions, we still have a number of stalls without a champion. Pair up with a friend or a group of friends to run a stall. There is lots of support for you and is such a fun way to contribute to the Fair and our school community.
- BBQ
- Devonshire Tea and Cake Stall
- Art and Photography Show
- Hot food vendors
- Books
- Face Painting
- Fruit, Vegetables and Plants
- Lollies
Please get in contact with us today fair@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au
Donation Pledges
We need a tonne of pledges for consumables to support the BBQ, hot food stalls, beverages, if you think that you may be able to help source donations or may have some contacts that you could share with us please email fair@smwilliamstown.catholic.edu.au
Ideas of pledges
- Milk
- Coffee
- Bread
- Sausages
- Eggs
- Ice
- Lettuce
- Tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Oil
- Tea
- Sauce
- Biodegradable cups, plates etc
- Plants - raising plants to sell
Stall Donations - May
This month we are focusing on collecting donations for:
Lucky Dip; small trinkets, leftover party favours, pokemon cards, footy cards, clean glass jars with a lid
Coloured or glitter hair spray, hair decorations, unused hair ties, ribbons, hair spray
Scholastic Book Club Issue 3 is out now! If you would like to place an order simply create a profile online at www.scholastic.com.au/loop. Then just submit and pay.
Please note, all orders must be placed online as the school can not accept money directly.
Orders are due by Wednesday 18th May 2022.
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)