2024 St Mary's Primary School Fortnightly Newsletter Term 1 ending Week 5

Acknowledgement of Country

St Mary’s Primary School respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the
Wimmera Mallee area, the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagalk
peoples, and pays respect to the ongoing living cultures of First Peoples.

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 1 Week 5   

150th Anniversary of the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat

The Catholic Diocese of Ballarat is acknowledging its 150th Anniversary during 2024. 

The logo for the 150th Anniversary of the Diocese of Ballarat incorporates the diocesan logo and the bough of a tree drawn by Sr Anne McMillan rsm in 1985. The words Anne had used with this drawing were, “If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come”. It is an old Chinese proverb, which could be interpreted as a reminder to keep hope alive and a call to open our hearts to all. The bough of a tree symbolises growth, interconnectedness and life. The leaves could symbolise the communities, the parishes, the people of the Diocese.

The text Communities: Remember, Revitalise, Hope reflects various aspects of the anniversary.

The word “Community” highlights the fact that a diocese is essentially a community drawn together by Christ, a large community made up of many local communities. The word “Remember” refers us to the history of the diocese. In this remembering, we acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of that history, celebrating the achievements and recognising the failures to live our Christian faith to the full. The word “Revitalise” calls us to invest ourselves in bringing new life to the community today. The word “Hope” encourages us to look forward to the future with confidence in God.

The Scripture verse chosen for our 150th anniversary year reflects various elements of our vocation as a Christian community. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12). The words are drawn from a passage in St Paul’s letter to the Romans in which the apostle lists qualities appropriate for a community inspired by Christ. As the years go by, the community experiences times of trial as well as times of gladness. Through it all, their trust in Christ makes them joyful in hope and patient in affliction. They recognise that they need God’s help in all they do and so they are faithful in prayer, seeking God’s help day by day.

I hope too, those presently enduring grief and loss find comfort seeking God's help. For many this is a challenging and confronting time. May you draw strength from one another as our community  experiences a time of trial. 

Thank you all for supporting the school as we followed the Department of Education's directive to close on Wednedesday 28th February due to the catastrophic fire rating.  I do appreciate these sudden closures put a lot of strain on families to find care and arrange work commitments. Please understand the decision to close is out of our control, as it is unpredictable to forecast precisely how the winds and high temperature are going to play out on the day. I have attached again a resource you may find useful. 

We are still seeking to fulfil the position of Grounds Maintenance person. Please pass on this opportunity to your contacts. Applications close Monday 4th March. 

Letting you all know I will  be on Long Service Leave for the first two weeks of Term 2, returning April 20. Whilst I am away please direct any urgent matters to Louise Kemp who will respond to these in my absence. 

Travel safely with God's blessings,

Nerrida

Fr Matt Restall New Posting

In this week's Parish Bulletin:

Bishop Bird has announced the Diocesan postings for clergy in 2024, which appear in our Bulletin this week. After his first couple of years ministry as a priest, Fr Matt is amongst those clergy moving this year, which will place him at Ballarat East, with Fr Justin Driscoll. There are several ‘organic’ moves of parish boundaries across the Ballarat/Central Zone region, as those of you familiar with the Ballarat traditional
parishes will observe, by the Bishop’s announcement. St Paul VI Parish will farewell Fr Matt but will also bid welcome to Fr Sajan Matthew who is currently serving in the Bungaree Parish region. We will formally welcome Fr Sajan as the April moves arrive. We will have opportunities around our Parish for farewells with Fr Matt, particularly after Masses in appropriate locations. Our school communities within St Paul VI Parish are particularly grateful to Fr Matt for his dedicated Chaplaincy and visits, so too his work with parents and children preparing for reception of Christ’s Sacraments.

Fr Matt’s first years of priesthood have been demanding in a wide expanse of ministry and pastoral area. We pray that such experiences will stay with him and be built upon in coming years and decades of service. Also, our recent weather reminds us that Fr Matt’s CFA skills will, no doubt, be ‘warmly’ welcomed in the Ballarat region, while missed in Warracknabeal.

‘Ad multos annos!’ - Mons Glynn

From all of us here at St Mary's Primary School, we will miss Fr. Matt terribly.  Fr. Matt has been an integral part of our school, visiting our school regularly over the past 18 monys with classroom visits, school activities and and celebrating with our school liturgies and masses.  Best wishes Fr. Matt and we look forward to Fr. Sajan Matthew joining us soon after Easter. 

Diocesan Board Visit

On the 20 and 21st February St Mary's hosted the first meeting of the Diocesan Board for 2024. Our student leaders were amazing in showcasing our school to our visitors. Thank you Mrs Letts for the preparation of gift bags of hope for each of our guests which were gratefully received.  Also thank you to Parent Club and all who were involved in preparing the catering for the Board members over these two days. The Board members were very impressed with the leadership of the students and the ability of our students to articulate their learning as they visited classrooms. 

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Volunteers at St Mary's and DOBCEL's requirements

We are always ever so grateful to all who offer to volunteer at St Mary's, whether this be listening to children read, being a classroom helper, helping with Parent Club activities on site (even after school hours) or helping with specific roles with students on a school sports day. 

All volunteers need to provide a Working With Children's Check, sign our Code of Conduct and also complete a Child Safety Induction with Nerrida.  Please contact Nerrida if you have any queries. 

Project Compassion

Enhancing Catholic Schools Identity (ECSI) Survey 

The ECSI Survey is a key element of this process and all parents are invited to participate. The online survey gathers responses from students in Years 5 and 6, all staff and those parents who choose to participte.

The survey is completed online and your responses are guaranteed to be kept anonymous. If you have any questions, please email principal@smwarracknbeal.catholic.edu.au or contact me through the school office.

Parents of Grade 5 and 6 students - please email Nerrida if you do not wish your child to participate in the survey.

All details are in the letter sent home.

Thank you for your consideration of this request and for your anticipated participation.

Country Eduction Partnerships Circus Challenge

Canola Assembly

Thank you Mrs Letts, Mrs Werner and Bron in preparing the Canola class for our first assembly for 2024.  Students showed their understanding of the brain and how it guides our learning.  The video is uploaded on our family FaceBook page. Thank you Sarah-Jayne for filming the assembly.

Our Canola, Wheat and Chickpeas Award Winners

School Photos next Tuesday 5th March

Students will have school photos on next Tuesday 5th March. Please return your forms as soon as possible. Forms for student-family photos are available at the office. 

Reminder - School Closure Day next Friday 8th March

A reminder we have our next school closure day for staff professional development on Friday 8th March. Our staff will staff will focus on Learner Agency and Data Analysis, as part of our school's Annual Action Plan.

NAPLAN for Year 3 and 5 students

NAPLAN assessment will begin next week for our Year 3 and 5 students. Student have begun practices for these assessments. Please reinforce to your child to not feel anxious or worried about NAPLAN, that each of the tests are a short test to help teachers know more about their  learning. 

Wednesday  13 March                      Writing

Tuesday 19 March                             Reading

Wednesday 20 March                      Conventions of Learning

Thursday 21 March                          Numeracy

Friday 22 March                                Catch Up Day

Congratulations Blue House - Winner of School Swimming Sports 2024

Well done Blue House for breaking their "drought" and taking out the Swimming Sports trophy.  Blue House have not won the swimming sports since 2016! Thank you Bec for organising and overseeing the event and thank you also to all staff and parent volunteers who will be involved on the day.  Parent Club generously provided catering for the staff and volunteers and also a sausage sizzle for the students. The students looked terrific decked out in their house colours.

Little Desert Regional Swimming 6 March

Students who have made it through to the next level of swimming will now compete in Horsham on 6th March. Parents have been emailed. Please note families will need to arrange transport and supervision of their children for this event.

Student Absence from School - Every Day Counts

It is a legal requirement for parents to explain absences from school. Please remember to log on to PAM and state if the absence is due to sickness, doctor’s appointment or family reasons. Alternatively you can email or phone the school prior to 9:30 am on the day of absence, otherwise an absence SMS will be generated. If there is a scheduled absence please advise us in advance. 

Every Day Counts

Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education.
Students learn new things at school every day– missing school puts them behind. Of course we do not want children to come to school if they are ill, and their health is priority. But please consider if the reason for your child to miss a day of learning is important. If your child's school report shows less than 90% attendance for the semester, that represents at least 1 week absent a term or two weeks absence over a semester  -  at least 10% of learning opportunities missed. 

Family holidays - if there are planned holidays during school term time, parents are to notify Nerrida at principal@smwarracknabeal.catholic.edu.au. Please do not write a note in a diary or talk to a teacher for long planned absences, this must come through me, as the Principal has the responsibility for overseeing attendance and all reasons for absences.   For known absences of 3 days or more, parents are to contact the Principal. 

School TV: Grief and Loss

Grief and loss are feelings and experiences that everyone will face at some point in their lives. It is important to understand that these feelings are a normal and natural response to losing something or someone that was important to us. When we experience loss, it can be difficult to understand and accept. However, with love, support, and time, most people are able to heal and move forward. As a parent, it is important to talk to your children and adolescents about grief and loss, to help them understand what they may be feeling and provide them with the support they need to heal.

Select from the videos listed below to view interviews with leading specialists offering guidance and strategies relating to grief and loss. Access additional RESOURCES here or by clicking on the resources button located on the right hand side for further information from key organisations.

Here is the link to further resources for support, including videos

https://smwarracknabeal.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/grief-loss

School Fees

Thank you to families who have paid their student levy and arranged payments. Reminder letters will be sent to families next week. If you are experiencing difficulties with fees please contact Nerrida for a confidential discussion and payment plan options. 

Community News

Yarriambiack Shire Easter Colouring Competition

Good Afternoon,

 Please find attached our Easter Colouring Competition sheets from your local library.

 Can you please ask participants to write their name, age and contact number on the front of their work.

 The following dates and locations of where you can submit your master piece are as follows:

 Warracknabeal colouring sheets are available to pick up in the Library. Closing date for Warracknabeal 5pm - Friday 22nd March submitted at Warracknabeal Library.

 We look forward to seeing all of your wonderful creations.

 Any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us at the Yarriamabiack Libraries 03 5398 1270.

 Kind Regards

 Trish Penny     

The colouring sheets from the Museum have been sent home with students and may be returned to school by Thursday March 21st.