2024 St Mary's Primary School Fortnightly Newsletter Term 2 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 2 Week 5 

Last week I attended a meeting of Diocesan Principals in Horsham. As a Diocese, we are developing DOBCEL’s strategic plan for the next five years and beyond. The Diocese will be working alongside world-renowned Finnish educator Professor Pasi Sahlberg and CEO of Future Schools Australia Dave Runge, who will advise, guide and co-design with DOBCEL a strategic plan to shape the direction for our system of schools over the next five years.   

To mark the 150th anniversary of the Diocese of Ballarat, and in recognition of, and sensitivity to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sisters and brothers, four Message Sticks will simultaneously journey to each Catholic school across the four education zones of the Diocese. The Message Sticks were crafted by Trevor Clark and Vicki Clark OAM, a DOBCEL Board Director and founder of The Aboriginal Catholic Ministry of Victoria (ACMV). They were blessed by Fr Marcello Colasante and presented to representatives of the four diocesan education zones during the Catholic Education Week Mass on Friday. 

The Message Sticks now begin their journey across the Diocese, remaining with each school for approximately one week, before being handed onto the next school community, connecting over time, community to community.

Our school continues to thrive in community spirit. From our large attendance at our Mother's Day  Celebrations, to Parent Club raffle drives and families willing to reorgansie their work commitments to drive their children to sporting events - this is all testament to our families and their commitment to St Mary's - thank you. 

As we move to the Feast of Pentecost this weekend, and the completion of the season of Easter, John’s Gospel 20:19-23 reminds us of the connection between the gifts of peace and forgiveness and the action of the Holy Spirit. Jesus greets his disciples with the gift of peace and commissions them to continue the work he has begun: “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  So may together continue Jesus’ work of peace and forgiveness in our school every day. 

Travel safely with God's blessings,

Nerrida

Mother's Day Celebrations

Thank you to staff for the time and effort in organising the Mothers’ Day breakfast, gifts and video for our celebrations last Friday. I hope all mums had a lovely day. We had a fabulous turnout of families with a full library to watch the Chickpeas assembly and special video tribute organised by Sarah-Jayne (thank you!). Thank you Mrs. Kemp and Chickpeas for your wonderful assembly. This can be viewed on our Face Book page. 

Award Winners from Chickpea assembly

A special day for our mums and grandmas

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Award Winners from Canola assembly

Cross Country in Nhill - 2nd in WWSSA Bannerette

Well done to Ollie, Nash, Harry, Ryan, Chloe, Miki, Heidi, Harlow, Aleah, Isaac, Charlie and Pippa who all ran incredibly well in the Little Desert regional cross Country and were terrific representatives of St Mary's, coming second overall.  Well done to Miki and Harlow who have now made it through to the Greater Western Region Cross Country competition to be held in Warrnambool on Monday 27 May.  Thank you very much to the parents who were able to take the students and be their support team!  Thank you Jess Lang for the photos. 

School Student Broadband Initiative

A reminder to families of the Australian Governments School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI) which is available to families through to December 2025. This means for eligible families who sign up now, there is still over 18 months of free internet.

The Australian Government initiative was designed to boost education opportunities and narrow the digital divide, with the Australian Government providing up to 30,000 eligible families with school age children with no internet at home access to free NBN under the SSBI.

Access to the SSBI has become easier, with applications made through the National Referral Centre that parents/carers with school students can contact directly to check their eligibility.

Victorian families with students enrolled in Prep to Year 12, who do not have an active NBN connection (or had one in the previous 14 days) but can access a standard NBN service at their premises can become eligible with an application to the National Referral Centre.

You can find more information about the NRC on Anglicare Victoria’s website available here: Student Internet Program - Anglicare Victoria or contact Jordan Smith at the DOBCEL Office at jsmith@dobcel.catholic.edu.au

The links below contain the promotional and information packs which have been provided directly from the initiative for distribution to families.

$400 School Saving Bonus - but not for our families....

Last week the Allan Labor Government announced a $400 School Saving Bonus for all school students in government schools regardless of income, but only for Health Care Card holders in Catholic schools.

This is deeply unfair.

We believe the payment should apply to all students or be means tested for all students.

It should not be based on which school you attend. 

This policy punishes families for choosing to send their children to a Catholic school.

Our school, together with other non-government schools and our peak body, the Victorian Catholic Education Authority, are working hard to oppose this policy and we need your help.

We need to show the Victorian Government that punishing families who choose a Catholic school is unacceptable.

Please consider contacting our local Member of Parliament, Emma Kealy, to express your concern.

Emma Kealy’s office can be contacted by calling 53820097 or by emailing emma.kealy@parliament.vic.gov.au 

A template letter is available at the below link to assist you with making your voice heard. 

Free Dental Van - forms due Mon June 3

Every child has been sent home a copy of the form below, for a free dental check up later in the year.  The forms are due back to school by Monday 3 June.  No late forms are accepted as these are posted off in a bulk group. If you have misplaced the form, another can be collected from the office.

Parent Club Wood Raffle Fundraiser

 The oldest child in each family has been sent home a ziplock bag  with information for the St Mary's Parent Club Wood Raffle Fundraiser. Each family will have 20 tickets to sell at $2 each. If you sell all of these quickly, there will be more tickets at the office for you to collect. Tickets will need to have name and phone number on each ticket please. We will draw the winner at the Japanese Assembly on the 3rd June!

1st prize, 6 x 12 trailer load;   2nd, 3rd and 4th prize, 6 x 4 trailer load.  With the wood raffle, we are asking if anyone has/works at a business where we can pop some raffle tickets at. If this is something you can do, please contact Hanna Starbuck Parent Club. A huge thank you to the families who are donating wood! 

School TV - NEURODIVERSITY

Neurodiversity emphasises the natural variation in how an individual's brain functions and how they perceive and interact with the world, leading to diverse ways of learning and communicating. While most young people are neurotypical, some exhibit variations in brain development, such as ADHD, autism or dyslexia, making them neurodivergent.

Embracing neurodiversity involves accepting, celebrating, and supporting neurodivergent children and adolescents without attempting to change or treat their differences. Using respectful language, challenging unhelpful attitudes, avoiding assumptions, and actively promoting inclusivity can help embrace neurodiversity effectively.

Acknowledging the unique ways neurodiverse young people do things and then adapting tasks and activities to ensure their full participation will encourage them to develop strategies that feel natural to them. It will help improve their mental health, wellbeing and sense of self. By recognising and nurturing their strengths, parents and caregivers can contribute to building an inclusive and compassionate society where all young people can thrive.

Learning more about neurodiversity, equips caregivers with insights into effective communication techniques, educational strategies, and parenting approaches tailored to the specific needs of their neurodivergent child.

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 Neurodiversity edition of SchoolTV
https://smwarracknabeal.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/neurodiversity

Child Safe Standards

Parent Access Module PAM / SIMON Everywhere

The Parent Access Module PAM (SIMON Everywhere) is our "go-to" for all parent information. Download the SIMON Everywhere app from the app store on your mobile phone and login using your PAM credentials.

SIMON Everywhere delivers instant notifications to parents' mobile phones, delivering the functionality of PAM in an easy to navigate app. We will use SIMON Everywhere for all important notifications.  

You will be able to manage all your day-to-day school needs from Simon Everywhere, including:

• notify us of absences;
• view the school calendar;
• provide permission for student activities;
• update medical/contact information;
• view the lunch orders menu; 
• read the newsletter.

Please contact the office with any questions.

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. 

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