St Mary's Primary School Fortnightly Newsletter Term 3 Week 7

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

Dear Families,

Last Sunday our St Paul VI parish priest, Monsignor Glynn Murphy celebrated 40 years since his ordination into the priesthood. After Mass in Horsham, there was a lovely gathering to present Mons. with gifts, including a beautiful oil painting. Many St Mary's parish members also joined in the celebrations. 

We are now starting to see warmer days and the signs of new life beginning to emerge. The bulbs are sprouting new flowers, insects are beginning to wake up to seek pollen, the early morning birds are singing in the new day. It won’t be too long now until we can celebrate the sunny days of spring again!

Congratulations to all the students, staff and families for managing the incredibly busy days of the past two weeks.  From the F-2 excursion to Swan Hill, WWSSA sports, whole school excursion to Horsham for the Cinderella perfomance, golf clinics - and then Book Week with the parade, activities, liturgy and special lunch.  Our students have done such a great job of coping with all these events. Their energy is contagious and lifts our spirits. 

Yet there are many in our community who are hurting and grieving. May you surround yourselves with those who love you and find support from family and friends for good company and cheery conversations help to build positivity into our daily encounters. 

Travel safely with God's blessings,

Nerrida 

Principal    (principal@smwarracknabeal.catholic.edu.au)

Friday December 15 - Final day for 2023

With confirmation now from Catholic Education Ballarat, students last day will be Friday 15th December. I will confirm the end of day time once this is known. Thank you, Nerrida

Book Week Celebrations

What a fabulous celebration and turn out we had for our Book Week Parade! It was so lovely to have the Kinder students come along and join in the fun. All our students looked fabulous as they shared their wonderful costumes.  Thank you families and friends for joining us and cheering on the students. There was a terrific amount of work put in by families and students in creating their costumes, with some amazing original designs. The staff looked pretty Fly Gly as well!  After the parade, the students moved into multi-aged groups to hear Book Week stories and complete craft activities - Thank you staff for your work in coordinating this. And as ever, we are grateful for Parent Club for cooking and providing the special  barbeque lunch - sausages in bread is always a hit!  It was a very busy yet fun day!

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Wheat Assembly - Thursday 24th August

Thank you to Ms Clancey and Wheat for your assembly this week.

Students shared their writing including adventures of weekend trips and special family time.  For their work in Religion, students explained the importance of the biblical story of Noah's Ark. They emphasised how the story teaches us about faith, resilience, and the power of hope in times of trouble. The rainbow, a symbol of God's promise, was a central focus, serving as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always the potential for renewal and a brighter future. Students proudly showed the audience their colourful rainbows and Noak Ark  creative pieces.  (Marg Clancey, Wheat Teacher)

F-2 Excursion to Swan Hill

On Monday 14th August, F-2 Chickpea and Wheat students travelled to Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement, a historic site offering a glimpse into the lives of the early settlers of Victoria. The students embarked on a journey back in time to gain an understanding of Australian history and heritage.  The day began with sharing of the local indigenous culture, including a smoking ceremony, an explanation of the tools used for hunting and the use of animal skins. Students then engaged in hands-on activities that replicated daily routines of the pioneers. Students said their highlights were doing the laundry, making butter and riding in the horse and cart.  They said they learnt that people used a scrubbing board to do laundry, people needed to make their own toys (peg dolls), that only men can play didgeridoos, how to make butter and how to write old style letters, all of which  provided the students with real life experiences connected to their History curriculum. 

The children had a fabulous time and were enthusiastic to learn about early Australian history and culture. They gained an appreciation of the lives of indigenous people and challenges faced by early settlers. 

Lions Australia Vision Screening 8th September

We are fortunate to have Lions Australia return to our school to screen the vision of students who missed out on this opportunity last year.  All students new to the school since the previous screening, or who were absent on the screening day last year, will be sent forms. However, if any family wishes their child to be screened again this can be arranged. Lions will conduct a full school screen again next year, and every two years.  Please note, if your child is already connected with an optometrist, there is no need for this screening.  Please return forms by Tuesday 5th September.

Equine-assisted therapy for emotional wellbeing ...seeking 4 x 44 gallon drums!

On Tuesday 5th September, Jessica Cody will be here with her horse Digby to offer equine assisted therapy for all students. Jessica is a qualified teacher with a Masters in equine-assisted therapy and a lifetime connection with horses. The experiential sessions will offer life changing insights and fun, practical activities that develop resilience, hope and optimism. Social and emotional learning are at the heart of the program. Jessica has designed a program for inclusivity for all students.  

“It’s my superpower to help kids and young people to believe in themselves.” Jessica 

To keep Digby in an enclosed area at the back of the school, we are seeking 4 x 44 gallon drums which Jessica will rope to form a yard for Digby while he visits St Mary's.  Please let Nerrida know if you can assist here.  Permission forms will be sent home though PAM shortly. 

WWSSA Sports

On Thursday 17th August the WWSSA sports carnival was 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.  

Congratulations to the following  students  who have progressed to the Little Desert regional competition to be held in Stawell on Thursday 7th September - Isaac, Campbell, Evan, Charlie, Aleah, Harlow, Heidi, Miki, Pippa, Olivia, Bianca, Zoe, Mia and Arielle. We have organised a bus, and Ms Holland and Mr Malcolm will attend with the students.  Ms Holland will be driving the bus. It is a 24 seater so any parents who wish to join us are more than welcome.  Permission forms will be sent home through PAM shortly.

Trip to the Theatre - Cinderella

On Friday 18th August, with generous support from Country Education Partnerships, many schools in our region travelled to Horsham Town Hall to see Horsham Secondary College's production of Cinderella. Primary schools from Minyip, Murtoa, Warracknabeal Special Development School, Warracknabeal Primary and St Mary's School Warracknabeal thoroughly enjoyed the 2 1/2 hour performance. The costumes were spectacular, the music engaging with clever costume changes by the main characters. There was a strong sense of friendship running through the production. The cast had been rehearsing for over 9 weeks and produced a polished theatrical experience. It was a terrific show and thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended.

St Mary's Beanies are here!

Thank you Geoffreys for our snazzy beanies.  Our Student Council is very proud of their final design, and already many have been purchased.  If you would like to purchase a beanie, please contact Paula at the office - they are $20 each. 

Catholic Schools Guide Treasure Hunt

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 your cuppa! Please complete the google form below or email principal@smwarracknabeal.catholic.edu.au

Dental Van visit 4th September

A reminder the van will be here 4th September. Thank you to those families who have returned their forms.  Please note this has now closed. 

Wellbeing - Respectful Relationships

This month on SchoolTV -                     Respectful Relationships

Fostering a nurturing environment of respectful relationships within your family holds the key to not only harmonious living, but also improved academic outcomes for your children. As parents and caregivers, embracing the art of teaching children about respect at a young age sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy interactions and empathetic understanding. It will help cultivate a positive environment where communication flourishes, conflicts are resolved constructively, and bonds are fortified.

Teaching children to respect themselves and others will open up avenues for both personal growth and academic achievement. Fostering an environment where respect is not just a word, but a practiced behaviour, will empower young people with essential life skills. Effective communication, active listening, and the art of compromise, will provide your child with a solid foundation that will transcend family interactions and help them collaborate effectively with peers, teachers and the broader community.

Equipping children with an understanding of healthy versus unhealthy relationships is an important aspect of their development. It will guide them to make informed choices, foster positive connections, and set boundaries that contribute to their emotional wellbeing. Understanding the nuances between healthy and unhealthy relationships provides children with the essential tools to navigate their social world, build self-esteem, and cultivate meaningful relationships.

In this edition of SchoolTV, learn how to empower young people in healthy interactions to embrace differences and forge connections that honour their self-worth. 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 https://smwarracknabeal.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/respectful-relationships

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

Our Diocesan Community

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