2023 St Mary's Primary School Term 4 Newsletter Week 10

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

This Sunday is the second day of Advent. 

On Monday we will light the second purple candle on our Advent wreath which represents peace and preparation. Together we will celebrate a short Advent reflection in the library after lunch and will talk about the Gospel from this Sunday where Isaiah tells the people to "Prepare the Way of the Lord."  We  will light the second candle to represent John the Baptist, who proclaims Jesus as the Messiah. This candle is the candle of peace, a sign that God's promises will be fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ - Prince of Peace. Peace is a gift that we must be prepared for. God gives us the gift of peace, when we turn to him in faith.

Prayer:       Lord God, may the light of this wreath be a sign of peace and tolerance to all people, who
prepare for your coming. Let the truth of your Word lead us all toward your kingdom, for which we
long. We ask it in the name of the one born in Bethlehem, Jesus our Lord. Amen. 

This week we formally acknowledged our Grade 6 students at the Graduation Dinner at the Creekside Hotel on Thursday night. It was a lovely evening, put together by Bron and a team of helpers. The venue looked amazing with much care and effort put into the decorations and preparations of gifts for the children to have lasting memories of their time at St Mary's.  Thank you Bron, Andy, Bec, Sarah-Jayne, and Paula for your work in creating such a lovely experience. To Blake, Arielle, Zoe, Colby, Olivia, Kendra, Campbell, Jesse, Mia, Bianca, Fergie and Evan- congratulations on your achievements and thank you for your contributions throughout your time here at St Mary's. May you be blessed and filled with grace as opportunites await for your next chapter in secondary education.  Special congratulations to Blake for receiving both the Numeracy and Literacy Awards, presented by Emma Mansfield from the Lion's Club.  Blake will receive $150 for each of the awards towards his secondary education. 

We now head towards our final week of school for the students for 2024. Tuesday 12th is the Statewide Transition day - please see further in the newsletter for more information.  Wednesday 13th at 5:30pm is our Graduation and End of Year Mass. This is a whole school event and all children are required to attend. For our planning and seating arrangements, if there are circumstances which mean your child will not be able to attend please contact me. This is especially important for our current Foundation students and their Grade 6 buddies, as Foundation students have a special role to play in Graduation Mass. 

Friday 15th December is the last day for students.  We will finish the day with a pool party and BBQ provided by St Vincent de Paul.  Weather permitting, we will walk to the pool at 9:30am,  swim and play from 10-12, then walk back to school for a BBQ lunch. Please note it is normal finishing time - school finishes at 3:15pm this day

Grade 6 Graduation photos

Transition Day Tuesday 12 December

On Tuesday 5 December our 2024 Foundation students came for their second transition day.  They stayed a little longer this time to have snack with their buddies and enjoy playtime in the yard with the rest of the school.  The sandpit was a popular destination, with many busy projects engaging lots of children! 

The final transition day for the 2024 Foundation students will be on Tuesday 12 December. This day will run from 8:45am - 1:30pm.

What to Bring

• Fruit snack, morning tea, water bottle
• Sun Hat
• Lunch (on 12/12)

Parents  - at 1:00pm - please meet with Louise Kemp in the Chickpea classroom where Louise will share with you further information to assist with your child's transition. Sally Anderson will also speak regarding our Speech Pathology services. At 1:30pm, while your child eats lunch with their buddies, parents are welcome to enjoy a cuppa and light refreshments together in the staffroom.

We will display samples of the school uniform on transition days in the front office for parents to view. Clothing can be purchased at the front office. We also have some good quality second hand uniform to purchase with a donation.

Whole School Transition Day  Tuesday 12 December

Tuesday 12 December is also the day for our whole school transition program.  On this day the Grade 6 students will have a full day program at Warracknabeal Secondary College. Grade 6 students are to go directly to the Secondary College this day. 

For the rest of the school there will be whole school transition in the morning from 9am -11am, for 2024 Prep to Grade 6 students to be with their new classes and teachers. As per communication sent to families, our classes and teachers for 2024 are

Chickpeas                                               Grades Foundation and 1              Teacher      Louise Kemp

Wheat Grades 2 and 3                       Teachers    Claire Schulz              (Mon, Tue, Wed)                                                                                                                     and             Victoria McPhee          (Thurs, Fri)

Canola Grades 4, 5, and 6                  Teachers    Clare Letts                   (Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri)                                                                                                              and              Meg Werner                 (Tue and PE Specialist)

All 2024 teachers will be with their 2024 classes for the transition morning, while Marg Clancey and Andy Malcolm head to St Mary's Donald for transition at their new school for 2024.  Regular 2023 classes  will resume after recess.  

Transition Day 5 December

School Transitions

In this edition of SchoolTV - SCHOOL TRANSITIONS

Whether it is starting school for the first time, moving up to a higher grade or embarking on a journey through secondary school, there is no doubt that any school transition is a very exciting time for children and parents. It means your children are growing up!

However, transitioning is an ongoing process. It can continue long after students have entered their new environment and may encounter difficulties at a number of different stages. These stressors may appear as anxiety and frustration and result in negative or disruptive behaviours. Such behaviours can become problematic making the transitioning process even more difficult for children and parents.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn practical strategies to assist your child during the transition process and reduce stress and anxiety levels.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the School Transitions edition of SchoolTV
https://smwarracknabeal.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/school-transitions

River Detective Program

On Tuesday December 5, Wheat class had a visit from Jeanie Clark as part of the River Detective program we have been participating in this year. During Term 2, we walked along the creek, observing plant and animal life, and using our scientific skills to classify and sort what we had seen. On Tuesday, Jeanie explained to the children what plant life we could find along the same stretch of creek we had been to, and the types of waterbugs we might see in our water samples. The children were very excited to hunt through their water samples and find different types of creatures. They placed them in bug viewers so the creatures could be seen better. Some water creatures found were boatman, caddisfly larva, mites, water fleas, bloodworm, damselfly nymph and even a couple of small pest fish called a gambuzia or mosquito fish, that are no bigger than a finger. Towards the end of class, students placed each of the bugs found on a food chain. Thank you Jeanie for your time and effort in preparing and teaching the students about plant and animal life along the creek. (Fiona Holland - Specialist Teacher)

Intensive Swimming Program wrapped up.

We have received positive feedback regarding the intensive swmming program held this year over the past two weeks.  Although weather dependent, the students had opportunities to get back into the pool to receive instructional swimming skill development and to also develop greater water confidence. This is so important heading into the summer. Thank you Jess Boyd, Sally Anderson, Bec Lewis, Sarah-Jayne Holland, Renae Clyne, Deb Templeton, Paula Winsall, Claire Schulz, Sam Schulz and WSC student Cody for your work through this program. We anticipate this program will proceed again through November/December 2024.  

School Fees - please finalise accounts

Families please finalise your accounts for 2023 . Statements have been emailed.

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

2024 Beginning of year arrangements and School Closure Dates

For your planning for 2024, our school closure dates have been allocated in consultation with Catholic Education Ballarat staff and external providers for staff professional development. The first school closure day for 2024 will be Tuesday 30 January.  This means all students, including Foundation, will have their first day of school on Wednesday 31 January. Foundation students will then have each Wednesday as a school free rest day from 7th February until 6th March inclusive. 

Our school closure dates for 2024  are:

Tuesday  30th January  (details as above)   Family Engagement in Learning

Friday 8th March (Friday before the Labour Day Long Weekend)  Learner Agency and Data Analysis

Tuesday 11 June (Tuesday after King Birthday Long Weekend)   Catholic Culture and Identity

Monday 15th July (first day of Term 3)  Wellbeing and School Wide Positive Behaviour

These professional development days for staff align with our school Annual Action plan for 2024

Catastrophic Fire Danger Days

Closure of the school due to a forecast Catastrophic day will be confirmed on the day prior and we will provide you with advice before the end of the school day when possible. Any information regarding potential or confirmed Catastrophic fire danger days will be communicated to you by our Family Facebook page and email and School Newsletter.  Please see below DOBCEL's communication regarding BARR (Bushfire at Risk Register) schools including St Mary's.

Virtual Emergency Department

Staff updated their First Aid Certificate recently and were shown this terrific service - the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department  which allows you to access care for non-life-threatening emergencies, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will be  connected to our doctors and nurses via a video call, and receive medical advice from the comfort of your home.  See the flyer below.

Year 5 students - Little Angler Kits

Parents of our Year 5 students can call in to the school office to collect your child’s kit. Students are not to open the kits until they are safely at home with a parent or carer.

The Victorian Government is investing $1.5 million from the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Fund to provide up to 95,000 Little Angler Kits to primary school aged children (Year 5) in Victoria.

The free kits provide a wonderful school holiday activity for children with their families and help ease the cost of living, providing a fun activity close to home.

Year 5 students at all Victorian schools, including ours, will be offered the opportunity to receive a FREE Little Angler Kit. Year 5 students have been selected based on the Victorian Curriculum focus, movement and motor development, and safety considerations.

The program is entirely voluntary. Schools were provided with the option to opt out of the program. Our school has opted to stay in the program so that parents can decide whether they want their child(ren) to receive a free fishing kit.

Parents of Year 5 students can advise the school if they do not wish their child(ren) to participate for any reason whatsoever. We support parents in making decisions that align with their family values and beliefs.

The roll out of kits will occur through the second half of 2023 (16 October - 4 December) so that all participating children will have a kit in time for the summer school holidays.

The kits include a rod, reel with line, tackle tray, some tackle and information on how to use them to catch a fish. Please note that the tackle tray includes fishing hooks. The tackle tray will be wrapped in cardboard and placed inside a pocket inside the fishing kit bag, which will be sealed with a cable tie to discourage students from opening their kits until they are with a parent or carer.

Parents of our Year 5 students can call in to the school office to collect your child’s kit. Students are not to open the kits until they are safely at home with a parent or carer.

The Victorian Fisheries Authority will create a Little Angler hub on their website, which will be live when the kits start being distributed. It will have useful information, instructional videos and online resources about where and how to fish linking to existing resources from Fishcare and new resources to be produced just for the Little Angler Kits program.

This initiative aims to grow recreational fishing participation in Victoria by actively encouraging primary school aged children to learn how to fish, as well as learning more about marine life and the natural environment.

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