St Mary's Primary School Fortnightly Newsletter Term 3 Week 5

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

Nerrida

Kindergarten Visit to St Mary's

St Mary's was very pleased to recently host the Warracknabeal Kindergarten students to use our facilities for their Music excursion - it was so lovely to have our visitors!

100 Days of Foundation Celebrations!

All the Chickpeas looked splendid celebrating 100 days of schooling, with the quote of the day from Sid …"I’m too old for this!” Thank you Louise and Bec for your work preparing for this fun celebration, and thank you families for your creative efforts! ( see the Warracknabeal Herald for the write up!)

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Barley Assembly - Thursday 10th August

Thank you to Mrs Letts and Barley for your assembly this week.

The children have loved writing their songs about the different aspects of Australia, such as Victoria, Australian animals and farming life.

The children were excited to learn about convict life. They studied what life was like for a child convict in the 1800’s. The Barley students explored: how children as young as five were sent to prison for stealing a loaf of bread, what the conditions of the convict ships were like and what the convict children did when they arrived in New South Wales. Understanding how people lived in the past can help us appreciate the progress that has been made and the importance of social justice. 

It was lovely to see the students explore their identity and it was interesting to learn new things about each other.  As one student said, “We all grow at different rates and that everyone's journey is a little different but we will support each other in that journey.” 

We explored our Australian identity and the influence of other cultures on our way of life. Learning about how different traditions, foods and customs have influenced our identity helps us to understand and foster an appreciation of different cultures and our own.

At home, it would be fun to have different cultural foods or discuss where some of our words or traditions come from. eg the Christmas Tree is a German tradition. 

(Clare Letts, Barley Teacher)

Chickpea and Wheat excursion to Swan Hill

On Monday 14th August Chickpea and Wheat Students will be travelling to the Swan Hill Pioneer settlement for their excursion.  All permission forms have been acknowledged on PAM - thank you. An additonal information letter was sent home earlier this week with the children  It will be an early start and later return so please have children here at 7:20am, we will return by 5:15-5:30pm.  We will keep you updated on the Facebook page to let you know of the return time. Please dress your child warmly.  If your child requires travel sickness tablets ensure these are taken before the bus trip. 

WWSSA Sports Thursday 17th August

On Thursday 17th August the WWSSA sports carnival will be held at ANZAC park.  Thank you to Andy Malcolm for organising the students into their events this year.  Thank you also to Jess Boyd and Parent Club for your organisation for the lunch orders and canteen this year.  

The day will be a very busy one. We have a large number of students involved this year, and it is terrific so many will have the opportunity to be part of the day's program. Students eligible have been informed and permission forms have been sent through PAM.  Families, please also check your emails for the events your child is in and the times of these events. If you have any queries regarding the events please contact Andy Malcolm amalcolm@smwarracknabeal.catholic.edu.au

Families have been sent home a form with a request for food donations for the canteen. Also,  if you can help out on the day please email jboyd@smwarracknabeal.catholic.edu.au  or respond to the posts on the St Mary's Family Facebook Page. Thank you to all to all those who have volunteered.  Remember lunch orders for the sport participants are due next Monday 14th August (special reminder for those who have students on the Swan Hill excursion that day)

Trip to the Theatre - Cinderella

With the generous assistance from Country Education Partnership, students will be attending the Horsham College's production of Cinderella on Friday August 18th. Permission forms will be sent home through PAM soon.

Horsham College proudly presents Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’

The Tony Award-winning musical from the creators of South Pacific and The Sound of Music!

Douglas Carter Beane’s adaptation of this well-loved classic invites us to build a better, kinder world together. When she meets a dragon-slaying young prince who is just assuming control of his government, Ella helps spark transformation and empower the disenfranchised in their kingdom. With the help of her fairy godmother, a pumpkin and a little magic and humor, Ella, Prince Topher and their generous friends will inspire and delight the whole family.

Book Week Celebrations - Parade Wednesday 23rd August 9:15am

The Children's Book Council of Australia Book Week is from 19th - 25th August. On Wednesday 23rd August, at 9:15 am will be our Book Week Parade and we will also combine the day with other activities to celebrate St Mary's.  There will be a liturgy at 12:30pm and then a special lunch prepared with generosity from Parent Club. For Barley and Lentil students, there will be the Golf Clonic in the afternoon so please have students wear sports uniform under their costume, or bring in their school bag to change afterwards. 

Father's Day Breakfast Friday September 1

St Mary's would like to invite all fathers and significant adult male family members to breakfast from 8:00am on Friday September 1.  We will provide a bacon and egg roll and a morning cuppa. Please let us know of your attendance and dietary requirements for catering purposes - don't forget to bring a keepcup/travel mug for a cuppa! Please complete the google form below or email principal@smwarracknabeal.catholic.edu.au

Dental Van visit 4th September

Forms were sent home with your child earlier this week - please check their bags.  If you wish your child to be involved in the program please return the forms by Monday 21st August. 

School Fee payments

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.  

Wellbeing - Road Safety Quiz

Approximately 1.3 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes. Between 20 and 50 million people suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring a disability as a result of their injury. Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5 - 29 years. The main reason behind these road accidents is not following/knowing traffic & road safety rules.

Trafficquiz.com is FREE to use website developed with an aim to spread awareness regarding traffic rules and road safety rules. Through trafficquiz.com school students can learn and test their knowledge about traffic & road safety rules in an entertaining way i.e. by playing quizzes. Teachers and Parents can also use trafficquiz.com  regularly to refresh their knowledge about traffic, road safety & child safety rules. School bus drivers can also regularly use it to learn and be conscious about following traffic rules. Benefit of being ONLINE is that trafficquiz.com can be used anytime, anywhere on any device. 

Below are links for students, parents, teachers and the driving staff, so that everyone can learn and be conscious about following road safety and traffic rules. This can save many lives.

The links are as follows:

For Age group (5 to 9 years):

 https://trafficquiz.com/road-safety-quiz-junior-level-1/

For Age group (10 to 15 years):

https://trafficquiz.com/road-safety-quiz-secondary-level-1/

 For Parents (Child safety quizzes):

https://trafficquiz.com/child-safety-quiz-for-parents-level-1/

For Parents and Teachers (Traffic & road safety rules quizzes):

https://trafficquiz.com/road-safety-quiz-for-adults-level-1/

For Drivers and support staff:

https://trafficquiz.com/road-safety-quiz-for-adults-level-1/

Road Signs quiz

Why is it necessary?

•  About three quarters (73%) of all road traffic deaths occur among young males under the age of 25 years. 

• More than half of all road traffic deaths are among vulnerable road users: pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
• Road traffic injuries cause considerable economic losses to individuals, their families, and to nations as a whole.  

Our Diocesan Community

The link to the current issue of the Our Diocesan Community is below.

Community News

Dyson Community Grants

The next round of Dyson community Grants is now available. This program has been established to provide grants in support of the many community groups and organisations around Victoria. 

There are two rounds of grants annually, each with $10,000 available (maximum grant $1000). Eligible organisations include schools, sporting clubs, not-for-profit groups, charities, local societies and emergency services.

This next round of grants opens on 13 September and closes 11 October 2021.

All details, including an online application form, can be found at 

http://dysongroup.com.au/about/community-grants

General enquiries, interviews etc:             Peter Cocks

                                                                   Mobile: 0417 398 232

                                                      community@dysongroup.com.au