2023 St Mary's Primary Term 4 Newsletter Week 2

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,

Welcome to the fourth and final term for the school year! We already have had a very busy first two weeks of the term, so please take time to see the photos throughout the newsletter of all the amazing achievements of our St Mary's children!  Throughout this newsletter is lots of information and key dates, so please, sharpen your pencils and fill in those calendars so you are aware of all that is ahead for us over the next few weeks.

We already have had our STOMP program with the family presentation and movie night last week, Warracknabeal Show day earlier this week,  and now we head into Lentil's camp next week, followed by Barley's camp the week after - along with lots of other events throughout the term. It is busy! So let’s continue to look out for each other this term and enjoy learning and being together at St. Mary's Primary School!

Travel safely with God's blessings,

Nerrida 

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

Congratulations St Mary's Students!

All of St Mary's students were the First Prize Winners for the Best School Art Display!  Congratulations to every student! There were also other special award winners - see the photos from Lentil's assembly.

A special thank you to Mrs. Fiona Holland for organising the show boards and their delivery.

Greater Western Regional Athletics in Ballarat - we now have a State Representative!

Congratulations to Aleah, Campbell, Isaac, Zoe, Arielle, Harlow and Miki for making it through to the Greater Western Regional Athletics level held in Ballarat on Friday 6th October. These students were terrific ambassadors for our school and should be incredibly proud of their achievements. Special congratulations to Arielle for qualifying for State level for High Jump for her age group. Arielle is now training very hard to achieve her goals - best wishes for the next level Arielle!

$5000 GrainCorp Community Foundation Grant received!

Congratulations and thank you to Mrs. Jess Boyd, who on behalf of Parent Club, put forward a submission to obtain funding to continue with the development and refurbishment of the school garden near the sports shed. Under the guidance of Mrs. Fiona Holland, the children have been working hard in re-establishing this area to restore it to its former glory! This money will be used towards paving, establishing new garden beds and re-designing the old chook house into a shaded green house. 

Japanese Kimonos

This week the Wheat class learnt about Kimonos and created their own designs. Some of the Wheat students were lucky enough to get dressed up in Mrs. Boyd's Kimonos that are on display the classroom!

Lentil's Assembly

Thank you Mr Malcolm and Lentils for your wonderful assembly today. A slide show of the Colonial Day was presented and students described the activities they participated in. Students also shared their learning of endangered Australian animals and outlined steps that can be taken to preserve our threatened species. 

A special Principal's award was presented to Meika and Matilda for being such terrific role models for the school and exemplifying St Mary's values. 

STOMP presentation and Movie night

On Friday 6th October after school, the students had a fabulous afternooon presenting their STOMP dances to their families. STOMP dance trainers Jess and Kiera really brought the energy and enthusiasm to the event. The  students were thoroughly engaged and gave their all to their performances! Thank you Sarah-Jayne for filming the event and loading this onto our family Facebook page. 

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 9

Next

School Fees and Levies 2024

A reminder 2023 school fees are due. In previous newsletters it has been shared that St Mary's is updating the technology provision across the whole school through its masterplan, which includes in 2024 updating the students' chromebooks currently used across Years 3-6.  As such, from 2024, a $100 technology levy per student per year will be introduced, for students in Grade 3, 4, 5 and 6. 

School fees for 2024 are:

Family fee $895  per family

Capital fee $90 per family

Student fee $180 per student

Technology levy $100 per student

If you have concerns regarding fees and fee payments, or wish to have a confidential discussion regarding how you can best contribute to your child's fees, please call the school or contact Nerrida at

principal@smwarracknabeal.catholic.edu.au

Lentil and Barley Camps over the next two weeks

Please check PAM for the permission forms for the Barley and Lentil camps.  Lentils will head to  Tarooki camp in Robe S.A  from Tuesday 17- Friday 20 October, with Barley heading to Lady Northcote camp at Bacchus Marsh from Wednesday 25- Friday 27th October. Fee statements have been sent to families and your prompt payment towards these are appreciated.  If you are having difficulties with fee payments please contact Nerrida. 

Mission Day - save the date

Lentils class and the Grade 6 leaders have been very busy planning and coordinating Mission Day Fete  which will be celebrated  on Wednesday November 1. 

                                                               $5 per family

Your support of fundraising activities organised by our students to support this project is greatly appreciated.  More details in the next newsletter. 

Prelude to Christmas - Sunday Dec 3

This annual event will return this year, on the evening of  Sunday Dec 3. The venue and time are still yet to be confirmed. This is a wonderful ecumenical evening where community members from the various churches in Warracknabeal can celebrate together the advent season and love of Christ, through scripture readings and performances.  The children will present two songs, so all children are expected to attend, and all families are warmly invited. Students will practice their songs at school and also at the church leading up to the event. A PAM permission form will be sent closer to the date 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 Is The Time" and "Walk to Bethlehem".  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.

Upcoming dates

Wednesday 1 November:  Lentils Mission Day ($5 per family), also SAC AGM  6pm followed by dinner at the Creekside Hotel

Tuesday November 7 : Lentils Push Cart Challenge (afternoon) with Parent Club BBQ lunch, Casual clothes day for all students with gold coin donation per student for Mission Month.

Saturday November 11: Remberance Day, St Mary's student representatives at Town Hall by 10:15am

Weeks 9 and Weeks 10:   To be confirmed Student Swimming Program

Thursday 7 December: Graduation Dinner at the Creekside Hotel

Wednesday 13 December: Graduation Mass (with presentation of the Shine Award and farewells to fmailies and staff leaving St Mary's)

Friday 15 December:  To be confirmed St Mary's students Pool Party (this is also the last day for students)

Community News

Woolworths Cricket Blast will kick off on Thursday 19th of October with a Come and Try & Registration night. 4:30pm @ ANZAC Park. Ages 5-10yrs 

Follow the link to register: https://www.playhq.com/cricket-australia/register/781c64

Prelude to Christmas Songs