2024 St Mary's Primary School Fortnightly Newsletter Term 1 Week 9
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
2024 |
School Closure Days Tuesday 11 June (Tuesday after King's 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 | ||||||||
TERM 2 | |||||||||
Week 1 | Monday 15 April - Students return Wednesday 17 April Ministry of Dance Hip Hop | ||||||||
Week 2 | Wednesday 24 April Canola Assembly and ANZAC day reflection Thursday 25th April ANZAC day | ||||||||
Week 3 | Cross Country Practices, Time Trials, House Cross Country (date TBC) | ||||||||
Week 4 | Mother's Day Celebration (date TBC) Wednesday 8 May CEP Shrek Performace Horsham Town Hall Sunday May 12 Mother's Day | ||||||||
Week 5 | Monday 13 May Little Desert Cross Country in Nhill | ||||||||
Week 6 | |||||||||
Week 7 | Wednesday 29 May AFL/Netball competition in Horsham (still TBC) | ||||||||
Week 8 | |||||||||
Week 9 | Monday June 10 King's Birthday Holiday Tuesday June 11 School Closure Day Thursday June 13 Lightning Premierships (TBC) | ||||||||
Week 10 | |||||||||
Week 11 | Friday 28 June Last day of Term 2 | ||||||||
TERM 3 students return Tuesday 16th July Monday 15th July is school closure day |
Principal's Report
Welcome to Term 1 Week 9
Easter People
Christians believe they are Easter people because the resurrection of Jesus shows that suffering, disappointment and death can be transformed into new life. Christians believe that they live this pattern now and that it will continue after death. Easter gives us hope - a hope that promises fullness of life.
Easter commemorates the joyful celebrationof Christ's resurrection and continues for the fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost. During this season and every season of the Church's year, prayer can nuture our relationship in faith with God and with one another.
Below may be helpful if you would like to pray a prayer of Hope during this Easter Season.
Teach us to trust in patient hope, O God
When we are fearful for the future...
When all seems clouded by uncertainty...
When we cannot see the way to you...
When pain and grief seem overwhelming...
When we feel lost in sadness or hardened bu ignorance...
Amen
May you all have a restful Holy Easter and holiday break.
Travel safely with God's blessings,
Nerrida
Nerrida absent on leave
Whilst I am on Long Service Leave for the first two weeks of Term 2, Claire Schulz will be Acting Principal in my absence. Please direct all Principal related queries to Claire at cshulz@smwarracknabeal.catholic.edu.au. I am grateful to Claire, to Louise Kemp in her Teaching and Learning leadership role and to all our staff who will step up in my absence to allow me to take this time of leave. I will return to school on Tuesday April 30.
Athletics Carnival Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 March
Thank you to our staff and volunteers for the fantastic two days of this year's Athletics Carnival. The weather was brilliant for both days and the students conducted themselves so well, giving their best and being such good sports. The inaugural student- teacher relay race was a bit of a hoot, with a demand for a rematch as the first race gave the teachers too much of a handicap! Well done students for your terrific win! Congratulations to our Age champions:
Under 9 Girls Portia Under 9 Boys Ollie Under 10 Girls Miki Under 10 Boys Ryan
Under 11 Girls Heidi Under 11 Boys Devon Under 12 Girls Pippa Under 12 Boys Isaac
Congratulations to Gold house for taking out the Athletics trophy yet again for 2024.
L-R Ollie, Harlow, Portia, Isaac, Pippa, Ryan, Devon, Miki
Gold House Athletics Champions 2024
Athletics Carnival 2024
Wheat and Canola recent Award Winners
Wheat
Canola
School Camps 2024
The rising costs of fuel, staffing and budgetary contraints makes it increasingly difficult for small schools to run camps and offer the same experiences to our students as those from bigger cities. Many small rural schools are no longer running camps every year and have moved to a bi-annual experience to cover costs. I raised this at our recent SAC meeting and shared St Mary's will continue to seek all avenues to provide quality camp experiences for our children.
Our Grade 5/6 students will have a Melbourne experience and the Grade 3/4 students will have a camp, however the number of nights will be reduced for both camps.
For the Year 5/6 Urban experience we have been very fortunate to be accepted into the DOXA City Camp September 11, 12 and 13. https://doxa.org.au/city-camp/. We will travel by bus to Ballarat and catch the train to Melbourne. From there we will be met by the Camp coordinators to stay the heart of Melbourne and use public transport to reach our destinations. It will be a true Melbourne experience for our students! DOXA staff will be with us at all times, including travelling on public transport.
The Grade 3/4 camp will be an overnight camp in Halls Gap from 16-17 September. We will leave early on the 16th and arrive late back on the 17th so students get two very full days at a venue closer to home without having to spend a long time travelling. Parents may choose for their child to have a rest day on Wednesday 18th September.
There will be excursion opportunities for Foundation to Grade 2 through the year. St Mary's is committed to continue seeking financially viable options of camps and excursions for our students.
ANZAC DAY 25th April
In Week 2 of Term 2 it will be ANZAC day. All students and families are warmly invited to attend the wreath laying ceremony at ANZAC park in Warracknabeal. Students please wear you summer school uniform. Our school captains will be present to lay a wreath. If school captains are unable to attend, please let Claire Schulz know so other students can be asked to lay the wreath and represent the school.
School TV - Youth Mental Health
Parents and carers can play a crucial role in their children's mental health. As a result, staying informed on the current state of youth mental health is vital, as it not only affects individuals, but also families and communities. According to recent research, the frequency of mental health disorders among young people is increasing, with anxiety, depression, and self-harm being among the most common challenges.
One of the reasons being attributed to this rise is the heightened stress and anxiety that many young people face in today's society. Academic success, social media, and family issues are all influencing factors. Many young people are still suffering the long-term consequences of the pandemic, such as social isolation, uncertainty, and loss.
Parents can play an important role in their children's mental health. Creating a safe and open environment for your children to talk about their emotions, thoughts, and feelings is vital. Encouraging healthy habits like regular exercise, a balanced diet, and proper sleep can help reduce their stress levels and boost your child's overall mental health. There are also many resources and services available to children, adolescents, and their families, such as school counsellors, various mental health organisations, support lines, and of course, mental health professionals. It is important to remember that seeking help is a show of strength, not weakness, and that early intervention is critical in addressing young people's mental health difficulties.
This edition of SchoolTV, discusses some of the major mental health issues affecting young people and how to support a child experiencing them.
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 The State of Youth Mental Health - AU edition of SchoolTV
https://smwarracknabeal.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/state-youth-mental-health
School Fees
Thank you to families who have paid their student levy and arranged payments. If you are experiencing difficulties with fees please contact Nerrida for a confidential discussion and payment plan options.
Community News
