St Mary's Primary School Fortnightly Newsletter Term 3 Week 1

Acknowledgement of Country

St Mary’s Primary School respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the
Wotjobaluk Nation, the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagalk
peoples, and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respect to the ongoing living cultures of First Nation Peoples of the Wimmera Mallee area. 

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 3 Week 1

Dear Families and Friends, Staff and Students of St Mary's,

Welcome to a new term, and our second Semester! As always there will be much happening
around our school over the next ten weeks so make sure that you stay tuned for our fortnightly
newsletter to keep up with all the happenings at St. Mary's.

On Monday 10th July our teachers undertook professional development in Learner Agency with the focus of preparing students to engage with their learning data. Researched evidence shows 
when students become data-informed learners, they have a better understanding of their ability as a learner, are more readily able to identify opportunities for growth, and are able to have more specific and targeted conversations about what they need to do to improve. Teachers spent the day investigating the purposes for using data with students and examining different methods by which we will do this.

Our last school closure for teacher professional development will be Friday 15th September, which is the last day of Term 3. The focus on this day will be for Parent Engagement in Learning. 

We wish our football Barley and Lentil students well for next Tuesday's AFL Carnival in Horsham.  Thank you Emma Mansfield, for organising the jumpers for us. We are looking forward to a terrific day. Thank you also to families who have already made a booking for the Parent-Teacher interviews for either next Tuesday or next Thursday afternoon - bookings are still available through PAM.

I wish all families a very happy third term. This is our coldest term but we will continue to work together to look out for each other in the weeks ahead as we learn and play together.

A prayer for the start of our term

Creator God, Thank you for the gift of this new term.

Refresh us. Invite us to discover your presence
In each person that we meet
And every event that we encounter.
Teach us when to speak and when to listen
When to ponder and when to share.
In moments of challenge and decision
Attune our hearts to the whisperings of your wisdom.
As we undertake ordinary and unnoticed tasks,
Gift us with simple joy.
When our days go well, may we rejoice.
When they grow difficult, surprise us with new possibilities.
When life is overwhelming, call us to Sabbath moments
To restore your peace and harmony.
May our living today reveal your goodness.

Amen

Travel safely with God's blessings,

Nerrida

End of Semester Reports and Parent Teacher Interviews

Reports were released last term on Wednesday 21st June through PAM. Please check you have accessed and viewed these. If you are having difficulties viewing your child's reports please email Nerrida.

Parent teacher interviews will be held next week on Tuesday July 18 and Thursday July 20 from 3:30-5:30 pm.  Bookings for these have been released through PAM. Please contact your child's teacher if you need to make another time or a request for a phonecall. 

Lentils Assembly - Thursday 27th July

The next assembly will be with Lentils Thursday 27 July. Also at this assembly we will present the Cross Country perpetual cup, place getter ribbons and House aggregate ribbons.

Camp /Excursion Costs and School Fees

The Chickpea and Wheat day trip to Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement for Monday 14th August has now been organised with PAM permission notifications sent to families. Whilst the entry fee, activities and bus will cost $83.50, this will be subsidised by the school. As such, the cost per student will be $30 which will be added to your school fee account. Please have your child at school at the school by 7:30 am on Monday 14th August

The 4 day camp to Robe from 17th - 20th October for 2023 will cost approximately $910 per student.  This year, Lentil parents will be asked to contribute $400 per student. 

The 3 day camp for Barley to Lady Nortcote from 25th - 27th October for 2023 will cost approximately $575 per student. This year, Barley parents will be asked to contribute $330 per student.  

Please note camp and excursion costs are always dependent on student numbers.  Families who are health care card holders will also receive additional funding towards camps and excursions for their children, so their contribution cost will be less.  Camp and excursions costs are added onto students' fees. 

School fee statements have now been sent to families. If you are having difficulties in making payments for your school fees and camp costs,  please call Nerrida for a confidential discussion.  

Parent Club news - Pie Drive

Thank you to everyone who has supported the pie drive. Delivery of the pies will be next term on Friday, 21st July.

Thank you from Parent Club.

St Mary's Beanies are on their way!

These are currenly being manufactured and should be ready for delivery soon.

Football Cards - no trading at school please.

Many students brought football cards to school earlier in the week and did some trading which caused angst especially amongst some of the younger students. Whilst we want to encourage students' hobbies and interests we do not want to ban the cards if this causes upsets. As such I have spoken to all the students and no trading is to be done at school. Football card collections can be brought for share, but are not be be taken into the yard during recess and lunchtimes. I have also said to students to not trade after school on the bus, and trading should be done at home/afterschool with friends when parents are around. We would appreciate your support in guiding your child through this process, and encouraging your child to keep their footy cards at home. By all means children can bring their collections to school for their share time if they wish, but no trading at school please.  

WWSSA Sports ANZAC Park

Thursday 17th August is the WWSSA sports carnival held at ANZAC park.  This year is St. Mary's turn to run the canteen. Please note this day in your calendars as many volunteers and also food donations will be sought.  There will be further information from Parent Club - please keep an eye on the school Facebook page. 

Wellbeing

School TV - Social Media Influencers

"Social media influencers often present a highly curated and filtered version of their lives, showcasing only the positive aspects. This can create unrealistic beauty standards, success and happiness for children. Constant exposure to this may lead to feelings of inadequacy, low self-worth and dissatisfaction."  Dr Emma Woodward

For more information please go to https://smwarracknabeal.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-social-media-influencers-au

Parent Club Fundraiser- Wonder White Recycling Program

Recycle, earn and play. A fun, easy way to fundraise. White, wholemeal, low GI, wraps all of the above. Collect Wonder white bread bags and send them into the school in the specially marked box. The more bread bags we can collect, the more reward points we can earn, therefore the more sports equipment we can collect for the school.  (Emma Mansfield)

Community News