St Mary's Primary School Newsletter Term 3 Week 10
- Acknowledgement of Country
- Key Dates
- Principal's Report
- Calling for nominations for our School Advisory Board and Parent Club
- Staffing news
- Enrolments for 2023 and Transition Days
- Getting your child set for Prep
- Curriculum - Chickpea Assembly
- Footy team and sport colours fun day Friday 16th September
- School TV - Online Gaming
- Change to COVID-19 Isolation Rules Effective 9 September 2022
- Community News
- Parish Bulletin
Acknowledgement of Country
St Mary’s Primary School respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the
Wimmera Mallee area, the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagalk
peoples, and pays respect to the ongoing living cultures of First Peoples.
As partners in Catholic Education and open to God’s presence, we pursue the fullness of life for all. St Mary's Catholic Primary School is committed to the safety and well-being of all students.
Key Dates
Term 4 Week 1 | STOMP program 1:45pm-3:15 October 3rd 4th 5th and 7th Thursday 6th October - school closed Warracknabeal Show Day |
Week 2 | Tuesday 11th October Lentil Assembly |
Week 3 | Wednesday 19th October AGM for School Advisory Council and Parent Club 6:30pm |
Week 4 | Monday 24th October Barley Assembly Tuesday 25th October School Closure - Fullness of Life Staff PD |
Week 5 | Wednesday 2nd November Mission Day (more information to come) |
Week 6 | Tuesday 8th November Wheat Assembly |
Week 7 | Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th November Energy Breakthrough |
Week 8 | Tuesday 22 November Chickpeas Assembly; Basketball Clinic for Barley and Lentils |
Week 9 | School Closure Thursday December 1st Learner Agency whole school implemention. Tuesday 29th November Transition Day 1 9am-11am |
Week 10 | Tuesday 6th December Transition Day 1 9am-12am Friday 9th December Student Pool day and BBQ lunch |
Week 11 | Tuesday 13th December - Statewide Transition Day Wednesday 14th December - Grade 6 Graduation Dinner (Creekside) Thursday 15th December - Basket Tea, Graduation Mass, STOMP presentation Friday 16th December - Student last day |
Principal's Report
Welcome to Term 3 Week 10
Whilst this term has brought moments of joy and celebration to our St Mary's school community, we continue to keep in mind those who may be struggling with heartache and grief. It is with great sadness to share with you the passing of Jan Jess, loved wife of our dear colleague Peter, and devoted mother and grandmother to Emma and Zane and their children.
Our love and prayers are with Peter, Emma, Zane as they travel through this difficult time. I understand many may feel this deeply as Jan, Peter and family are very special to the St Mary's and Warracknabeal Community.
Dear Lord, as we entrust the life of Jan into your gracious care, please keep and carry those precious to her in their sadness and loss. Cover them with your great wings of love, give their weary hearts rest and their minds sound sleep. Lord, lift their eyes so that they may catch a glimpse of eternity, and be comforted by the promise of heaven. Amen
The celebration of Jan's life will be held at the Lutheran Church, Warracknabeal on Tuesday 20th September at 11:00 am.
Travel safely with God's blessings
Nerrida Holland
Principal
Calling for nominations for our School Advisory Board and Parent Club
Please consider becoming a member of our School Advisory Council (SAC) or an executive member of Parent Club. The SAC is the leading advisory group for the Principal and an active forum for
parent and community participation. SAC is important in providing support and advice in the strategic planning, school improvement, educational outcomes and stewardship of resources for the school. There are only two meetings in each of Terms 1, 2 and 3 , with the Annual General Meeting in Term 4, so it is not an onerous commitment. It would be great to have more parents involved.
All parents are automatically members of the Parent Club on enrolment of their children. Perhaps you may like to have a role in the executive of the Club - please consider how you may be able to be more actively involved. A nomination form is attached that can be downloaded.
The AGM for School Advisory Council and Parent's Club, will be held on Wednesday 19th October at 6:30pm.
Staffing news
With the wonderful news of Claire and Joel Schulze expecting their first baby soon in November, we are heading towards the time for Claire to lead into her family leave in early Term 4 and have a well-deserved rest before her new arrival. Claire will be here for the first two week of Term 4, and will have her final day with us on Friday 14th October.
We are very lucky to have Stefanie Knight join our teaching staff to be with Chickpea's for the majority of Term 4. Stefanie comes to us with Early Childhood and Primary School training and expertise, and we have already been fortunate to have Stef do some relief teaching this term to get to know the students. Stef will also be in early next term to meet the children again for handover before Claire leaves. I know the Chickpeas and parents will miss Claire, the rapport she has built with families and her terrific work in setting a strong foundation for our students in their first years of schooling. We are very much looking forward to having Stef join our St Mary's community, so please make her very welcome in Term 4.
For 2023, we are excited to have Louise Kemp be our Foundation/Grade 1 teacher. Louise will work closely with Claire and then Stef throughout Term 4 and will also be involved in the Kinder transition programs.
Enrolments for 2023 and Transition Days
Families with Foundation children for 2023, please bring your enrolment forms to the office as soon as possible so we can finalise our class and staff planning. Transition dates have now been confirmed to be Tuesday 29th November 9am-11am; Tuesday 6th December 9am-12pm amd Tuesday 13th December 9am-1:45pm. Further details will be provided next term.
Getting your child set for Prep
Starting school can be an exciting but stressful time for you and your child. For some children it may be the first time that they have been away from their parents. They may be going into a strange environment with unfamiliar people and things around them. The following article has some simple steps to help make your child's time at school more enjoyable and relaxed.
Curriculum - Chickpea Assembly
Thank you Chickpeas with the help of Mrs. Schulz and Deb for your assembly this week. The assembly is available to be viewed on our family facebook page. Congratulations to all who received an award!
Classroom Learning
Footy team and sport colours fun day Friday 16th September
There were so many various sporting teams and colours on show today, everyone proudly wearing their favorite gear and having a fun day to celebrate the last day of term. Thank you Parent Club and helpers for our footy/sport lunch of pies and hot dogs. This was greatly appreciated!
My New Gallery
School TV - Online Gaming
This month on School TV - Online Gaming
Games are an integral part of human behaviour. It is normal and healthy for young people to engage in play as a part of their daily lives, including playing games online. And like most activities, online gaming can have both positive and negative outcomes. It can be intimidating and confusing for carers trying to understand a young person’s online experiences with many considering that staring at a screen is an unhealthy habit. However, the World Health Organisation does believe that as well as the risks, there are also many positive benefits associated with online gaming and these could be key in nurturing bonds with others.
During the pandemic, there was an explosive growth of gaming as people sought much needed connection during isolation. In the media, gaming often gets bad publicity because most coverage tends to concentrate on the minority of gamers who play to such an extent that it compromises all other areas of their life. However, online gaming can teach young people many skills including teamwork, concentration, communication and problem-solving. It requires a level of interaction and skill from the player; unlike watching television, which is more passive.
Online communities provide opportunities for young people to feel socially connected and have a sense of belonging. At healthy levels, gaming can increase their self-esteem and social acceptance. However, any behaviour, when taken to extreme, can also have a negative impact on a young person’s everyday life. Understanding what your young person experiences online and knowing the warning signs if they are at risk, will help nurture a more positive relationship with online gaming and help your family find the right balance.
If you are concerned about your young person’s online gaming habits, it’s important to consider a number of factors. This edition will provide strategies in how to deal with any issues you may be experiencing. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback.
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to this month's edition:
Change to COVID-19 Isolation Rules Effective 9 September 2022
The Victorian Government, in step with the National Cabinet, announced changes to isolation rules for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Those changes come in to effect, Friday 9 September 2022.
Report your result and isolate for at least 5 days.
If you tested positive using a rapid antigen test, you must report your result to the Department of Health online, or by calling 1800 675 398. You don’t need to report your result if you tested positive from a PCR test.
Your isolation period begins on the day you took your positive test.
How long your isolation period goes for depends on whether you have symptoms, which include a fever, sore throat, runny nose, cough or shortness of breath.
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you must isolate for at least 5 days from the date you took your rapid antigen test or PCR test. For example, if you took your test on Monday, you can leave isolation on Saturday if you have no symptoms.
You must isolate whether you have COVID-19 symptoms or not.
When you may leave isolation.
If you are in your 6th day of isolation and you have symptoms – no matter how mild – then you must continue to isolate. If you have a sore throat, runny nose, cough or shortness of breath, you may still be infectious and you may infect others with COVID-19.
If you have no symptoms on the 6th day of isolation, you are free to leave isolation on that same day. You do not need to take a test to leave isolation. For example, if you tested positive on a Monday, you may leave isolation any time the following Saturday.
If you are in your 7th day of isolation and you have symptoms – no matter how mild – then you must continue to isolate. If you have a sore throat, runny nose, cough or shortness of breath, you may still be infectious and you may infect others with COVID-19.
If you have no symptoms on the 7th day you are free to leave isolation on that same day. You do not need to take a test to leave isolation. For example, if you tested positive on a Monday, you can leave isolation any time the following Sunday.
If you leave isolation after 5 days, there are important rules you must follow for those two days:
- you cannot visit a hospital or aged care facility
- you cannot attend work at a hospital, residential aged care facility, disability care facility and in-home care premises (including disability and aged care in the home).
For more information about isolation rules for COVID cases click here: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/checklist-cases
Community News
Warracknabeal Show October 6th
Please see the link below for a document containing the categories primary students can enter for the Warracknabeal Show on October 6th. There is a terrific range for students to show their creative talents. Good luck to all those who enter!
