2024 St Mary's Primary School Newsletter Term 4 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

Principal's Report

Monday October 7 has been called by the Pope to be a day of prayer and fasting for peace. Pope Francis says that “in this dramatic hour of our history, while the winds of war and the fires of violence continue to devastate entire peoples and nations,” the Christian community is reminded of its call to "put itself at the service of humanity".

Pope Francis has called on Christians throughout the world to come together to pray for peace in our world. As news continues to spread of the devastating conflict in the Middle East, Pope Francis has shared his sorrow at the situation in Palestine and Israel, calling on all parties to lay down their weapons. 

Whilst we may struggle to understand the meaning of the conflict of those involved, we can pray for the families who have fled their homes in fear, for the mothers and fathers who have escaped with only their children, leaving everything else behind. Their country has changed, their lives will never be the same and they are afraid of the future. This can now be a time for all of us to reflect on how lucky we are to be in Australia, and consider how we treat each other, to forgive those who have wronged us and to act with kindness. Perhaps on Monday and throughout this week we can all take time to be grateful and acknowledge the blessings that we have around us. We are truly blessed to be in this part of the world.

Let us look forward to an unforgettable term full of fun and learning.

Travel safely with God's blessings,

Nerrida

School Closure Days for 2025

Next year the school is embarking on the FLARE Primary Literacy Strategy.  This is a 3 year commitment, which involves whole school closure days for professional development and staff training. 

The whole school closure days for this program for 2025 are Thursday 13 February (Term 1 Week 3) and also Friday 19 September (Term 3 Week 10) - this is also the last day of Term 3.

In addition to these days, DOBCEL has requested schools embark on closer collaborative work with each other, as part of DOBCEL Strategy 2035.  A number of schools, including St Mary’s, are now committed to working collaboratively next year, especially in preparation for the new Victorian numeracy and literacy curriculum. Also recognised is the importance for Learning Support Officers and Administrative staff to also connect and collaborate.

Next year in the first week of Term 2, three days have been set aside for interschool collaboration and professional development. This week is a shortened school week, with Monday 21 April as the Easter Monday public holiday, and Friday 25 April the ANZAC day public holiday.  I am letting families know in advance that Tuesday 22, Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 April 2025 will be school closure days.  This means for 2025, there will be a three week school holiday break for the Term 2 holidays. 

I hope this gives families plenty of notice in planning towards family holidays, child care, personal/annual leave and other family organisational considerations knowing that there is a three week break next year. Please note that these 5 dates (unlike some other schools in the Diocese which will have further days) will be the only school closure days for St Mary's Warracknabeal for 2025. 

Years 3 and 4 Halls Gap Camp

Thnak you to Claire Schulz, Victoria McPhee, Cath Bellis and student teacher Will Martin for attending the Year 3/4 camp in Halls Gap at the end of last term.  The students had a fabulous time - abseiling, bike riding, initiative challenges, bush walking and also eating icecreams and toasting marshmallows!

Years 3 and 4 Halls Gap Camp

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And whilst the Year Three's were on camp, Wheat Year 2 students had their own fun activities including bridge building with spagetti and marshmallows and making paper helicopters. 

F-2 day trip to Halls Gap Zoo Friday 18 October

The F-2 excursion to the Halls Gap Zoo is on Friday 18 October. In addition to spending time at the zoo visiting  the animals and displays, the students will also have an Animal Keeper talk to learn about Australian animals,  endangered species, their habitats and adaptations.

Staff attending are Victoria McPhee, Louise Kemp, Cath Bellis, Deb Templeton, Rebecca Lewis and Claire Schulz. The cost for the excursion will be $30 which will be added to your school fee account.

Students will leave school at 9:00 am. Please make sure your child is at school on time. The estimated return time is now 4:30pm. Families will be notified on Facebook/ PAM when the bus is leaving Halls Gap and close to Warracknabeal.

During the day please direct any queries eg change in pick up etc through the office. Staff on the excursion will have parent contact numbers in the case of an emergency.

Students will need to bring: Fruit snack, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a water bottle. They may also bring books or quiet games to pass the time on the bus. NO DEVICES are allowed. Students are to wear their sports uniform. Staff will bring the childrens’ hats for the day and collect them from the students on return to school.

Medication: If your child requires medication that we do not usually oversee during the day, especially for travel sickness, we need to know BEFORE Friday 18 October. If your child does experience travel sickness and takes medication for it, would you please ensure that you:

1. Administer the medication PRIOR to the bus travel.
2. Provide us with any ADDITIONAL medication in a CLEAR PLASTIC BAG with your CHILD’S NAME for the RETURN journey, and
3. Complete a MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION PERMISSION FORM, available from the office, which will include the name of the medication and the required dosage.

Please inform your child’s teacher if additional medication through the day will be necessary so the form can be sent home for completion. This permission form and medication must be submitted by Thursday 17^th October to prevent delays on the morning of travel.

Thank you for your cooperation and we are looking forward to a terrific day with the students.

STOMP program this week

We are excited to have return to St Mary's the team from STOMP for our annual hip hop dance intensive. The majority of students really enjoy this program. Whilst dancing and performing may not be for everyone, this is another opportunity for students to take themselves out of their comfort zone, challenge themselves and be an important part of the class team.  Students will learn their moves through this Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Remember there is no school on Thursday 10 October due to the Warracknabeal Show Day. On Friday 11 October, students will have a double STOMP session and then will present their class and whole school dances to families available to attend from 2:45 pm onwards. Please contact Nerrida if your child has significant concerns with the STOMP program. 

Class Assemblies Term 4

Assembly Time Table for Term 4

Fee Statements.

Families, please be aware all fees need to be finalised by November 8. Camp payments need to be paid prior to this date. If you are experiencing difficulties paying your fees please contact Nerrida.  For direct debit and payment plan availability, please contact Paula at the office. 

School TV: Social Media Influencers

Social media influencers have become powerful individuals who often shape the opinions and beliefs of others due to strong connections with their audiences. In today's fast-paced digital world, attention has become a valuable commodity.

However, the impact of social media influencers on youth mental health is a growing concern, most recently, the controversial actions and statements of Andrew Tate. His rise to fame has made him a polarising figure, amassing a significant following of mostly young males. Educators and families have raised urgent concerns about the damaging nature of Tate’s content, worried that his messages may radicalise students and create a generation of young men with regressive and harmful beliefs.

Young people often compare themselves to the idealised lives presented by influencers, leading to feelings of inadequacy, low self-worth and dissatisfaction. Social media algorithms may also expose them to inappropriate or harmful content such as explicit material, promotion of harmful behaviours, or distorted perceptions of body image or mental health.

It is important to guide a young person’s social media use and promote open communication. Be curious to comprehend why they might be drawn to radical influencers, like Andrew Tate, and actively seek understanding as part of the solution. While not all influencers have a negative impact, parents play a vital role in ensuring a balanced approach to social media. By actively modelling kindness, respect and positive values, parents can help tackle the sway of radical influencers and be part of the solution to countering unhealthy masculinity.

This Special Report provides guidance on how to respond to misinformation and disinformation, instead encouraging critical thinking and emphasising the value of real-life connections.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:
https://smwarracknabeal.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-social-media-influencers-au

Child Safe Standards - What are they?

Warracknabeal Show Day Thursday Oct 10

The 136^th Warracknabeal Show is being held this Thursday 10^th October 2024 at the Warracknabeal Showgrounds Reserve. There will be no school this day. There are several competitions which students are encouraged to compete in. The theme being everyone is good at something, so the organisers are particularly interested in encouraging first time participants.

The competitions include:

• Cooking
• Craft Work
• Lego Construction
• Photography
• Art
• Other
• The Warracknabeal Community Garden Scarecrow Competition

At the end of the newsletter are attachments which outline the details of the competitions. 

All students are encouraged to participate in the Show and enter some of the competitions.

Community News