2025 St Mary's Primary School Newsletter Term 2 Week 4

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,

Please remember that tomorrow, Wednesday 14th May is a School Closure Day. All staff will be in Horsham for a Professional Development Day; Pursuing a Fullness of Life for all, DOBCEL Strategy 2025. 

Lights, Camera, Action, last week a film crew from the Catholic Education Office visited St Mary's to create a promotional video for our school. Throughout the two days the crew discreetly filmed children and staff in classrooms and the playground, capturing scenes of natural and authentic work in progress. There was little disruption to classrooms and within the next couple of weeks the Youtube promotional video will be added to the St Mary’s School webpage. 

It was great to see so many families last Friday when the staff hosted our Mothers and Special Friends Breakfast. Following this, the Chickpeas had so much fun leading the School assembly and then all classrooms warmly welcomed families in for an activity and chat. (See below).

The School Cross Country trials had taken place during the last two weeks on a marked course around the Yarriambiack Creek. Special thankyou to Meg Werner for all she does to make these events happen for our students. We also thank our volunteers and congratulate those students that went on to the next level yesterday at Kaniva (see below).

This week we are very excited to have the STOMP Dance Company in our school for the week (not Wednesday). We invite families to a special Whole School Performance this Friday afternoon at 2:30pm . Friday is also Walk to School Day and WSC is holding a Bake Sale in front of the Post Office to help the students with their visit to Japan.  We ask that you make an effort to support them (see below).

Julie

Key Dates

Habemus Papam - We have a Pope

White smoke bellowing from the Sistine Chapel chimney signifies the Vatican has elected  a new Pope. 

The Catholic Church made history last Thursday with the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first-ever American-born pope. Formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost from Chicago, Pope Leo greeted tens of thousands from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, calling for peace and honouring the legacy of Pope Francis. Pope Leo is 69 years old and brings a wealth of global experience. He spent many years as a missionary in South America, is a dual citizen of the United States and Peru and has led an important Vatican office that oversees bishop appointments. Many believe he will continue the reforming spirit of Pope Francis while bringing new energy to the role. This is an exciting and hopeful time for the Church. Having a pope with such a global perspective may help the Church become more inclusive, compassionate and responsive to the challenges faced by people around the world today. Let us keep Pope Leo XIV in our prayers as he begins his leadership journey.

Pope Leo XIV

On Wednesday the 30th April, Lachlan and Charlie received their Reconciliation at St. Mary's Church in Warracknabeal in the presence of the whole school community. 

Walk Safely to School Day

This Friday is National Walk Safely to School Day.    This is an annual campaign which encourages all primary school children, their parents and carers, to walk safely and regularly to school. Physical activity has many social, emotional, physical and mental health benefits.  Encouraging children to be active each day establishes good habits that can stay with them throughout their lives.

At 8:30am, buses will drop off children at ANZAC Park and from there  they will walk to school.

Mother's Day Breakfast

On Friday the 9th May we had a Mother’s Day Breakfast. We had invited Mums, Grandmothers, Great Grandmothers and Special Friends. Every year the St Mary’s staff work very hard to make the croissants and plan who does what during the morning, and setting up the special activities. We really enjoyed the croissants for breakfast and the  tea and hot coffee.

After we had finished our croissants we had the Chickpeas Assembly. After the Chickpeas had finished their amazing assembly, we were sent into groups with who we had invited, making memories about that year. We did Mother’s Day Activities in each classroom.

Written by Indigo.

Mother's Day Breakfast

Stomp Dance Company

This week students are having so much fun learning some unique dance moves with the STOMP Dance Company.

See more pictures on our FaceBook Page

School Cross Country Trials

Over the past two weeks, students have competed in the school Cross Country Trials on a marked track around the Yarriambiack Creek. The weather has been sensational and all students have put in their best efforts, achieving some very impressive times. Some of our talented students went through to the next level and we are very proud of the effort our students made in trying their best!

Meg werner

Little Desert Cross Country Kaniva.

Yesterday Harlow Krahe, Miki Spicer, Ryan Williams, Laura Anderson, Ollie George, Nash Krahe, Teddy Boyd and Ollie Werner qualified to compete in the next level at Little Desert Cross Country Kaniva. 

We are extremely proud of all of our students as they  came  third overall in our districts and each one  of them improved on the PB times. Congratulations to all our school reps particularly to Miki Spicer who will now represent St Mary’s in Warrnambool. 

Also a huge thank you to Shannon Byron, Katrina Sibley, Sarah Spicer, Jess Lang, Elle Henderson, Kristy Gove, Kirilee Rowe, Amanda Marshman and Hanna Morcom for kindly giving up their time to marshal the track. Without their support these events wouldn’t be possible. 

Stay tuned for P-2 Cross Country. 

Meg Werner

Senbei Time

Boys Japanese Dress Day

As part of our Japanese Language Sudies, the Boys from St Mary's will have their Boys Day (as the girls have had their day). It would be great to see them dressed up in casual and bring their favourite toy. Senbei or Japanese rice cracker mugi-cha (barley tea) will be provided for all students (including girls).

SchoolTV: SPECIAL REPORT: Online Game Fortnite

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