St Mary's Primary School Newsletter Term 4 Week 4

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

Principal's Report

Welcome to Term 4 Week 4

Today is officially World Teachers Day, where we celebrate and acknowledge all those involved in the educational endeavour in our schools and thank God for their contribution. We pray for all those who educate and support our young people. Last week all staff were acknowledged of this day with a special morning tea in recognition of the passion and care they show for the students of St Mary's. 

Giver of all wisdom and greatest of all educators,

Look upon our teachers and educators with love,

Grant them the resolve to nurture our students’ eager minds and to never give up on those who fall behind.

Bless their hearts for they rejoice when young people succeed and encourage them when they fail.

Kindle a spirit and passion in them that ignites the love of learning,

Help them see the potential in each student,

Instil in our educators a commitment to keep on learning so as to model not to fear new knowledge and experiences.

Inspire them to touch the future,

Let the light of your loving example shine upon all who work with young people in our schools,

To build up with their words,

To love with their mind,

To share with their heart.

It is to the first and greatest educator that we make this prayer, 

Amen

Travel safely with God's blessings

Nerrida Holland

Principal

Hats off to teachers and all education staff this World Teachers’ Day!

Our St Mary's staff have shown great resilience during challenging times,  all so they can give the children the best future possible.

Thank you everyone at St Mary's and hats off to you!

Mission Month

Sunday was world Mission Sunday so a little more this week about Fr Habte and the work he is doing in Emdibir, with the support of Catholic Mission. In a community where opportunities for skills training and employment are scarce, Fr Habte and the Church are coming alongside their community to make a change. Through the expansion of the current Deberety Farm to include a goat rearing centre, their vision continues beyond providing nutritious milk to families in need to include agricultural skills training and employment – opportunities that will allow families to provide for themselves. Many community members do not have the skills or opportunities to secure a bright future for their families. Sadly, the Youth (15-24) unemployment rate is approximately 27% with young women twice as likely as young men to be unemployed. Fr Habte sees firsthand the challenges his community faces and is compelled to act, doing his best to provide them with life-changing opportunities. Your partnership this World Mission Month can help build brighter futures for families in Ethiopia and around the world.  The end result of your help and cooperation is to make our population self-supporting, by providing them the means to improve their farming system. Establishing the Goat Rearing Centre means that families can access agricultural training and/or opportunities for employment, allowing them to financially support themselves and their families. By partnering with this program, you are being a witness of Jesus Christ, as He has called us to be in Acts 1:8, and making a life-changing difference for families in need.   As Fr Habte says, “A person who understands the idea that God is love, a
believer who cares about his fellow man, grieves, and makes every sacrifice possible.”
With your support of Catholic Mission, Fr Habte helps to build brighter futures for families in
Emdibir and around the world. 

Lentils class and the Grade 6 leaders have been very busy planning and coordinating Mission Day Fete  which will be celebrated next  Wednesday November 2. 

                                                               $5 per family

Your support of fundraising activities organised by our students to support this project is greatly appreciated. 

Child Safety Forum

Unfortunately the Horsham meeting designated for this week with other schools was postponed to now early next year, due to poor weather and unsafe road conditions for many participants.  It is hoped an on-site activity with our students chosen this year from St Marys will be able to be organised before the end of the year .

Prelude to Christmas

This previously held annual event will return this year, at the Uniting Church on Sunday 27th November, at 6:30pm.  This is a wonderful ecumenical event where community members from the various churches in Warracknabeal can celebrate together the advent season and love of Christ, through scripture readings and performances.  All children are expected to attend with all families are warmly invited. Students will practice at the church leading up to the event, with days and times yet to be confirmed. There will be Operoos sent out for permission for the children to walk to and from the Church for these practices. 

Songs have been chosen and students will start learning and practicing these over the coming weeks.  The songs are Christmas Star and Christ the King.  At the end of the newsletter are links to You Tube clips for the songs and copies of the words. Please practice these with your children! (Sing out loud and sing it proud!).  We want the students to learn the words by heart and your help  is greatly appreciated.

School TV - A Guide to Safe Partying

Teenage gatherings provide young people with important opportunities to interact and build on their social skills and experiences. Celebrations, partying and socialising are a fundamental rite of passage and one of the most important aspects of a young person’s life. However, it is possible for the best young person to get carried away with their peers and the euphoria of the moment. For parents and caregivers, keeping your young person safe can at times feel daunting and is often a compromise and a challenge. Most teenagers try to do the right thing most of the time, but your leadership as a role model is crucial. Your child may appear to be physically large and mature, but this is not necessarily matched by their emotional maturity and responsibility in behaviour. Every party has the potential to get out-of-hand as sometimes it’s hard for young partygoers to make good decisions. Communication and regular discussions are vital, particularly because young people are often faced with peer pressure to do things they prefer not to engage in. Hosting a celebration at home or at a venue can be a fun and memorable event but it is important to agree on the ground rules well before your event is announced to ensure there are no misunderstandings later on. If hosting an event, you owe your guests a ‘duty-of-care’ and should ensure all reasonable steps are taken to keep partygoers safe. This Special Report provides caregivers with list of things to consider when planning a celebration. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.
Below is the link to your special report

Sunscreen and Insect Repellent

Thank you to families who have already responded to the Operoo for Insect Repellent application. Now we are into the higher UV index time of the year, please apply suncreen as well as repellent to your child's exposed skin each day before school. Spraying clothing with repellent can also be helpful. Many students are also wearing mozzie patches on their clothing which is also encouraged.

School Uniform reminders

As students have now moved back into summer uniform, parents please check sizing as many children have had a growth spurt! In particular, girl's summer dresses may need to be lengthened.  As this is Term 4, purchasing new uniform before another growth spurt over the Christmas break may not be worthwhile, so please know we do have a range of good quality second hand uniform available. 

Also, scrunchies/ headbands/ ribbons must be in school material or dark navy blue. 

Community News

Uniting Wimmera Summer Camp 2023

Uniting Wimmera have been hard at work organising what will be their third Summer Camp at Roses Gap and are now ready to start taking expressions of interest from students to become Campers.

Please see the flyers below. Closure date for the Expressions of Interest is December 2^nd

Facilitators of the campare also seeking enthusiastic community members that would be interested in volunteering their time to be Camp Leaders, and help us give children a memorable experience they can tell their peers about once the new school year begins. 

All relevant information about being either a Camper or Camp Leader is provided on both flyers, as well as contact information should you parents/carers have any queries.

Seussical The Musical

Do you like Green Eggs and Ham?! 
Then maybe you’ll enjoy auditioning for Horsham Arts Council’s…
SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL!

Check out the YouTube video and Google Drive link below for all the information you need on auditioning for HAC’s May 2023 show.

Could you be our Horton the Elephant?  Or maybe you’re more of a Cat In the Hat!  What about our Gertrude McFuzz, or Mayzie LaBird?  We can’t wait to see what talent awaits us in the Wimmera! 

We can’t wait to see who joins us on our trip to the crazy world of Seuss…ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE! 

https://drive.google.com/.../1v62Snw3UYoGt3RmHOBafby7ywzJ...

Songs for Prelude to Christmas Sun Nov 27

Parish Bulletin