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Dear Parents, Guardians and Community,
Congratulations to our First Communion candidates. I am happy to let everyone know that they did their parents and community proud. Once again, thanks to all who contributed to making this a special day for them. The Sacraments are always a significant event and an important time to mark in our lives.
This week at St Mary's is taking part in National Simultaneous Story Time. Across Australia, classes are stopping to listen to the book, 'Family Tree,' written by musician, Josh Pyke and illustrated by Rhonojoy Ghosh. We have two copies of the book which we use as one of many ways we try to promote reading. If we can make students passionate about reading, it helps them so much with their learning.
Today, our Year 4 students are visiting Emmanuel College to watch their annual musical. This year they have named their musical a 'Showcase of Musicals'. Students also have another day at this College where they will visit the St Paul’s Campus and participate in art, science and physical education activities.
Filming at St Mary's. This week we also have some filming at St Mary's. Charlotte Lipnicki, who we are all very proud of, is being filmed teaching for Educational Services Australia (E.S.A.) ESA is the third of the government agencies for education and the one that is least known. ACARA, which develops Curriculum, Naplan and AITSL, which works on Educational Leadership, most teachers know about. ESA is the government Agency that develops the tools that schools use https://www.esa.edu.au/ It has tools like The Literacy Hub, The Girls in STEM Toolkit, Student Well being Hub, Scottle and other tools that teachers use all the time. Charlotte is being filmed for the Literacy Hub and her work with Synthetic Phonics so that other teachers can see a great example of how to incorporate it into their teaching.
Start of School: Just a reminder that the gates to the school are locked at 9am every morning. Children need to be in class before then or teachers are marking them as absent on the roll.
Shade Sails: We have taken another step in the installation of our shade sails. The shades are now up with only some tidying up around the base to take place. The Shade Sails are part of a Government Initiative to create more outdoor learning space in School.
No update on Maclean Reserve. We are still hoping we are back on it soon.
God Bless
Anthony
Faith News - School and Parish Connections
Parents you are your children’s first teachers. They watch and follow your lead. I ask that you practice making the sign of the cross with your children. As a school we participate in daily prayer, but making the sign of the cross is a simple ritual we ask you as parents to practice at home.
First Eucharist
Congratulations to the Year 4 students
A big congratulations to our Year 4 students who made their First Eucharist this weekend. They will always be welcomed at the table of the Lord. We hope and pray that they continue on their faith journey and return to the table of the Lord as often as they can.
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.
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 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
Week 5 Class Representative Meeting
Class Reps shared ideas discussed in their class about our next Wellbeing Day. Most classes were keen to have a dress up or casual clothes day. Swapping teachers and classes was also high on the list. We will put these ideas together and let you know what our Wellbeing day will be!
New item for discussion
We would like to get the Rainbow Retreat and Nudel Kart organised in the yard. What ideas do you have for these?
Congratulations to all the students who competed in the cross country district competion.
On the weekend it was amazing to have so many families attend the Open Day at both of our campuses. The atmosphere was electric with the school full of interested families. As always the feedback about our facilities and subject offering was terrific, but, the most rewarding part of the day were the incredibly positive comments that people made about our student ambassadors. Whether assisting with subject displays, barbeques or running tours, the students were tremendous and should be as proud of themselves as we are of them.
In a school that never stops, this week sees the Thursday performance of the College musical – Broadway Bonanza. We have about 500 students from feeder primary schools coming to matinee performances during the day on Wednesday and Thursday and there are still some tickets available for the Thursday evening showing. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite via the College website or our social media platforms.
It is important to note that applications are now being accepted for students commencing Year 7 in 2024. Students currently in Grade 5, who wish to be considered for a place at the College in this group need to have an application for enrolment submitted by the closing date of Friday 19 August 2022. A Prospectus Pack containing an application form can be requested via the Enrolment Information tab on the home page of the College website, www.ecmelb.catholic.edu.au, by emailing enrolments@ecmelb.catholic.edu.au, calling the College Registrar on 8325 5119 or by visiting the friendly staff at reception of either of our campuses.
Expressions of Interest in Parent Trivia Night in Term 3
The last couple of years have been hard on our little community of St Mary's, and many new parents have missed the opportunity to socialise and connect with each other at social events such as the School Ball or Cocktail Party.
The P&F Association is seeking expressions of interest from the school community in regards to holding a Parent Trivia Night in Term 3 as an initiative to re-establish connection within our community, however this event will only go ahead if there is general interest throughout the school. We are still in the planning stage, so if there is enthusiasm, details will be circulated in the school Newsletter in a week or so.
Please click the link below to respond with your expression of interest:
Thank you for responding.
Jogathon Class Winners
A big congratulations to Prep S who returned all their jogathon sponsorship money first and also raised the most donations, a fantastic effort! Prep S will now be treated to a fun and entertaining activity with Kelly Sports, with the date now being set.
Congratulations to our runners up, Year 3E. They are the lucky recipients of a hot lunch, kindly donated by Treehaus Williamstown. The date for lunch is now being set and will be communicated to parents in Year 3E shortly.
Thanks to all parents, relatives and friends who sponsored our students for the 2022 jogathon. This year, we raised $7715.00, a fantastic outcome for our school.
Due to an open classroom event scheduled for Wednesday 8th June, the next 2nd hand uniform shop will be rescheduled for Wednesday 1st June, 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 1st June (8.30am - 9.30am) |
Second-hand uniform sales in the Hall |
Wednesday 15th June (8.30am - 9.30am) |
Second-hand uniform sales in the Hall |
Monday 20th June (8.00pm - 9.00pm) |
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) |
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)