2025 St Mary's Primary School Newsletter Term 2 Week 2

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.

Principal's News

Dear families,

The playground was filled with energy and enthusiasm yesterday as we welcomed back students for Term 2. After a three week Easter holiday break there certainly was a buzz of excitement in the air from both students and staff.

Last week staff attended three professional development days building their skills and knowledge in a broad range of curriculum areas to promote best practices in teaching and learning for our children.

As you will all be aware on Easter Monday the leader of the Catholic Church: Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88. Please read the article of Pope Francis in the special page below.

We welcome two new employees this term. Kelly Woods will be working with us on Monday and Friday, in the role of Wellbeing Leader. We are extremely fortunate to have Kelly join our team bringing with her a great deal of skills and knowledge she obtained through her additional university studies. Kelly is employed through the Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) Program.  

We also welcome Nicola Clyne into the Chickpeas room as the LSO, working alongside Mrs Kemp and Mrs Lang. The playground was certainly alive with children swarming for Nicola’s attention and maybe an opportunity to have a bit of fun and build on their ball skills.

Next Monday and Tuesday- Lights, Camera, Action. A film crew from the Catholic Education Office will be in classrooms and the playground filming children and staff, creating a promotional video for St Mary’s School. There will be little disruption to classrooms as the film crew discreetly wander through capturing scenes of natural and authentic work in progress. 

I invite you to a Parent & Carer Information Evening in Horsham. Please read the below flyer regarding a free event night: Wellbeing for School Communities 2025 Youth Mental Health Roadshow Featuring Dr. Michael Carr-Gregg.

Friday week, the staff will be hosting our Mother’s and special friends breakfast from 8.15am. At 9:00am the Foundation Chickpeas Class will lead the School Assembly in the Library. Families are warmly invited to attend all our Assemblies and various events held throughout the year. Following assembly we invite  our mums, special friends and families into all classrooms till 10:00 am for an activity and chat.

Julie

Key Dates

The Passing of Pope Francis

On Easter Monday, 21st April 2025, the Catholic Church and the whole world lost a true shepherd and leader who inspired many and welcomed all. There are so many examples of Pope Francis quietly challenging all of us to be better people through his acts of servant leadership, and his humble words to those on the margins. Whether they were refugees, people in prison, the poor, the homeless or those who felt ostracised, Pope Francis drew them in and called to all of us to do the same. One of my favourite images of Pope Francis is when he washed the feet of prisoners on Holy Thursday – not the exalted members of society but prisoners – reminding us of our shared humanity. More recently a friend and mentor of mine: Miriam Rose Baumann, was invited to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican, specifically in St. Peter's Square, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations by a series of initiatives and events held in Rome and in Australia.

I will finish with a quote from Pope Francis which resonates deeply with me: “We must restore hope to young people, help the old, be open to the future, spread love. Be poor among the poor. We need to include the excluded and preach peace.” And a poem which was included in our Diocesan Education Office Newsletter which also reminds us of the Hope we all have in the Resurrection of Christ and in eternal life: 

“The very last thing Pope Francis included in this book is a poem by Alexis Valdes titled Hope, In light of his death and especially in this Easter season, this poem may point to the lasting effects of Pope Francis for us and our times.” 

HOPE 

When the storm has passed and the roads are tamed. and we are the survivors of a collective shipwreck. With a tearful heart and our destiny blessed, we will feel joy simply for being alive. And we’ll give a hug to the first stranger and praise our good luck that we kept a friend. And then we’ll remember all that we lost and finally learn everything we never learned. And we’ll envy no one for all of us have suffered, and we’ll not be idle but more compassionate. We’ll value more what belongs to all than what was earned. We’ll be more generous and much more committed. We’ll understand how fragile it is to be alive. We’ll sweat with empathy for those still with us and those who are gone. We’ll miss the old man who asked for a buck in the market, whose name we never knew who was always at your side. And maybe the poor old man was your God in disguise. But you never asked his name because you never had the time. And we’ll all become a miracle and all will become a legacy. And we’ll respect the life, the life we have gained. When the storm passes I ask you Lord, in shame, that you return us better as you once dreamed us. 

ANZAC Day

Thank you to our school captains and school leaders, Heidi, Harlow and Caleb, alongside other school families, students and staff, who represented St Mary’s with pride and distinction at the Warracknabeal ANZAC Day Service on Friday 25th April 2025.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: 

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 

At the going down of the sun and in the morning 

We will remember them.

Reading Helpers📚

As we enter Term 2 and have settled into the school year and school routines, we are seeking Reading Helpers. If available, could you please see your child's classroom teacher to listen to children reading in the classroom first thing in the morning. Please note parents, grandparents and carers will need a WWC check and to sign a Child Safe document in the office before commencing.

SchoolTV: Physical Activity & Exercise

“Research shows, regular physical activity and exercise leads to changes in the brain. It improves cognitive function, elevates mood, improves learning and reduces ‘stress chemicals’ like cortisol.”

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

We are a BARR school (Bushfire at Risk)

Pleae read the communication below. As a Bushfire at Risk school, on days there is a Catastrophic fire danger forcasted in our district, the school will close. Other educational providers in our area will also close, and there will be no school byses running. We need to receive notification from the Department if Education and also DOBCEL in order to close. The school will always endeavour to notify families as soon as practical. We did have two Catastrophic school closure days earlier this year. 

Please ensure you have downloaded the SIMON everywhere app to receive the first notification of a sudden school closure through PAM, as this is the official school emergency notification platform.

Then emails will be sent to families, followed by a Facebook update. 

DOBCEL Strategy 2035

Please find below a letter from Catholic Education Ballarat Executive Director, Tom Sexton and DOBCEL Board Chair Terry Harney regarding the DOBCEL Strategy 2035.

This letter introduces the new strategy that all DOBCEL schools will be working through over the next ten years.

Child Safety at St Mary's

St Mary's is committed to zero tolerance of child abuse, listening to and empowering children and young people and keeping children and young people safe. We are committed to being proactive in the care, wellbeing and protection of children and young people. Child Safe Standard 11 as below highlights what we as an organisation must do. regarding documentation. If you ever have any concerns, regarding the safety and wellbeing of your child please contact the Principal. Your information makes us more aware of what needs to be addressed and how we can improve. 

For more information please visit this link Child Safe Standards 

Thunderstorm Asthma

Community News