2024 St Mary's Primary School Fortnightly Newsletter Term 2 Week 1

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

Acting Principal's Report

Welcome to Term 2 Week 1

We have had a busy start to the term with Cross Country practice for Wheat and Canola students. We also welcomed Justin from Ministry of Dance teaching the students Hip Hop. There was lots of smiles on faces and great dance moves happening. We thank the Yarriambiack Shire for giving the students this opportunity and we look forward to seeing Justin again in the future.

Next week we will be having another Cross Country practice for Wheat and Canola students on Tuesday afternoon. The students all put in a brilliant effort. We thank the Parents who assisted us along the course and look forward to seeing you again on Tuesday.

As the mornings are cooling down students may like to start wearing their Winter uniform. We are wearing hats for the first few weeks while the sun is still shining.

Claire

Principal leave

Whilst Nerrida is on Long Service Leave for the first two weeks of Term 2, Claire Schulz will be Acting Principal.  Please direct all Principal related queries to  cschulz@smwarracknabeal.catholic.edu.au.    Nerrida will return to school on Tuesday April 30th.

Ministry of Dance

The students were lucky enough to have Justin from Ministry of Dance visit the school on Wednesday 17th April for a Hip Hop Dance session. This event was funded by the Yarriambiack Shire. This is the third year we have been lucky enough to have the Shire support Justin in coming to our school and we look forward to his next visit.

Assemblies Term 2

Wednesday April 24th 9am - Canola

Friday May 10th 9am - Chickpeas Assembly and Mothers' Day Presentation

Thursday May 23rd 9am - Wheat

Monday June 3rd 9am - Japanese 

Monday June 17th 9am - Music/Art/Tech

Mother's Day Breakfast

On Friday May 10th, all Mothers are invited to a Mothers' Day Breakfast at school commencing at 8.15am. Breakfast will be a ham and cheese croissant and a hot drink (please bring a travel mug). Students will also be provided with a croissant. RSVP Catering forms will be sent home shortly. After breakfast Chickpeas will be hosting their assembly along with a special Mothers' Day presentation. 

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 back late on the 17th, so students get two full days at a venue closer to home without having to spend a long time travelling. 

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

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 laying a wreath to represent our school.

Community News

                           Junior Table Tennis

Come and Try nights will begin on Wednesday 24th April,  4.30pm at the Warracknabeal Leisure Centre. All interested payers aged 8 to 18 years are welcome to attend.

Enquiries please phone Heather on 0428535558.

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