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Dear Parents, Guardians and Community,
May I wish all our Year 4 First Eucharist Candidates all the best for this weekend. Thank you to the families for your efforts in preparing your children and to the teachers, Laura Barker, Jess DaaBoul and Stephanie Streets plus Charlotte Lipnicki for their work as well with the students.
Naplan. We had a very successful Naplan with the move to an online test. We were able to solve any technical problem very quickly and the students found it easy to navigate.
Toilets: The Mount St Joseph's Students have been busy making our toilets look a bit more welcoming. It is a lot of work and we thank them for their efforts. The students are busy working on our upstairs toilets and will then work on the downstairs toilets.
Staff Shortages: Unfortunately with the Covid Cases and the Cold/Flu 's going around, we are having some staff shortages meaning we are having to split classes as we have no replacement staff. It is not an ideal situation but please bear with us as we work through this. Families may be interested to know that so far we have had around 70 students with Covid and around 12 staff, so getting close to 25% of staff and students.
Catholic Education Statistics
Changes to Twice Weekly RAT Tests
I am writing to let you know about changes to the provision of rapid antigen tests (RATs) in our school for the remainder of Term 2.
RATs will continue to be distributed to you as they have been throughout this school year for the remainder of this term.
However, from Monday 23 May 2022, we do not recommend that your child complete a RAT twice a week as previously advised.
RATs will continue to be required by students who are household contacts to attend school (five negative tests over a seven-day period) or who have symptoms.
The ongoing supply of RATs to families in our school will ensure that parents and carers have tests should they need them if their child is a household contact or has symptoms.
Families must continue to notify the Department of Health and the school if their child returns a positive RAT result. Additionally, you should inform us if any of your children are household contacts.
Thank you to all families who have gotten their child vaccinated. Vaccination continues to remain the best way to protect students and staff in our school.
Getting vaccinated is easy and bookings can be done via the Department of Health’s website https://portal.cvms.vic.gov.au. If you have any questions about the vaccines, I encourage you to speak to your GP or a health practitioner.
Thank you again for your ongoing cooperation and support during this time.
Faith News - School and Parish Connections
This week we pray for the year 4 students who will be making their first Eucharist this weekend
Important Information for Year 4 parents
Please check for an email sent you confirming the date and time for your child’s First Eucharist.
Important information for the Mass:
- Please arrive early.
- Each candidate will have a reserved pew.
- Please note that there is a maximum of 8 members per family including the candidate.
- Candidates and their parents (only) will receive the Eucharist first.
- Once all candidates have received the Eucharist the rest of the congregation will be invited to receive the Eucharist
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 consider those suffering in their prayers of petition.
Those in Europe are doing so much to help, opening their homes to refugees, my parents included; 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 - Last few days for entries to be submitted!
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.
The Year 5’s and 6’s have a poster in their rooms and the teachers have encouraged the students to get involved. 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
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 |
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
Thank you to everyone who offered to provide food for the Seniors' Mass Food Roster 2022
Student Voice, Agency & ParticipationAn area of focus this year is to develop student voice, agency and participation with our students. There are 3 main areas the school will be focussing on: Learning & Classroom Practice, Community & Relationships and Student Leadership. As a school we have been in the research and auditing stage to identify the areas we can improve and develop consistent and effective practices. Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools has developed a Student Voice Statement and many resources which will inform and support our work. Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) recognises investment in Student Voice and agency as critical for student engagement where children and young people’s opinions and unique perspectives are valued as a key element in the learning and teaching process. MACS is committed to the active participation of students in all aspects of school life and to empowering children and young people through the provision of meaningful opportunities to contribute to their school community. MACS' Student Voice Statement describes how a shared, purposeful dialogue between students and teachers contributes to better understanding and improved learning opportunities. It provides strategies and ideas that contribute to authentic student engagement in their learning, school and community. Over the last 2 years we have looked at the role of the Class Representative and how we can begin to implement student voice and agency with this role. Class Representative meetings have been introduced (we even tried to keep these going online during remote learning). We are now working with our Class Reps to take our discussions back to the classroom. We are working towards having regular weekly meetings in our classes and building student confidence in presenting their ideas and opinions. Each week we will share the meeting minutes in the newsletter and the School Captains will share any important information at assembly. We are very excited with the possibilities that will come from our meetings and developing student voice, agency and participation at St Marys. Michelle Ristovski Deputy/ Student Wellbeing Leader Week 3 Class Representative MeetingClass Reps shared what their class said about the rules and any new ideas for rules Below are the rules and expectations for Footy/ Pokemon Swap Cards Footy/ Pokemon / Swap cards
Majority of the classes did not want to have year levels playing in separate areas. New item for discussion We would like to plan a Wellbeing day for term 2. What are some ideas or suggestions for our next Wellbeing day? (dress up, theme, mixed year levels, swap teachers, activities, games…)
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The Maclean Reserve cleaning roster is a great way for families to support the school, and ultimately their children. If you are new to the school, and would like to help but don’t know where to start, the Maclean Reserve roster is a great place to start. The commitment is 15 minutes on your rostered morning. Forms can be returned to the office, and Nicole Bennett will be in touch. Please see Nicole Bennett if you have any questions.
The 2nd hand uniform shop will be back next week on Wednesday 25th 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 and 3rd Terms?
This is just a snapshot of what the P&F Association has planned for the second term
Date |
What’s happening |
Wednesday 25th May (8.30am - 9.30am) |
Second-hand uniform sales in the Hall |
Wednesday 8th June (8.30am - 9.30am) |
Second-hand uniform sales in the Hall |
Monday 20th June (8.30am - 9.30am) |
P&F Association Meeting (Zoom) |
Tuesday 21st June (7.00pm - 8.30pm) |
Fair Working Group Meeting (TBA) |
Wednesday 22nd June (8.30am - 9.30am) |
Second-hand uniform sales in the Hall |
Tuesday 19th July (7.00pm - 8.30pm) |
Fair Working Group Meeting (TBA) |
Tuesday 16th August (7.00pm - 8.30pm) |
Fair Working Group Meeting (TBA) |
Friday 19th August (TBA) |
School Disco (School Hall) |
Open Day, Open Day, Open Day
It is with great excitement that we are having the 2022 Open Day at Emmanuel College this coming Sunday. This a terrific way to see our school in action, hear from the College Principal, speak to our students, check out the amazing facilities and discover the wonderful subjects on offer.
Registrations are essential for this event and can be made by clicking the Tours & Events tab on the right hand side of the College website homepage, www.ecmelb.catholic.edu.au.
Details of the events are as follows;
St Paul’s Campus - Sunday 22 May, 2022 - 10.30 am till 1.30 pm
Notre Dame Campus - Sunday 22 May, 2022 - 11.00 am till 2.00 pm
Please come along, we would love to see you there.
Position Title: Maintenance Officer |
Award: Victorian Catholic Education Multi Enterprise Agreement 2018 |
Reports to: Principal |
Salary: School Officer Category A Level 2. Commencement salary $26.48 hourly rate. |
Employment: 21 hours per week – 3 days (FTE 0.6) 7.30am – 3.30pm |
Tenure: 12 month contract (with an option to extend) |
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)