Newsletter Term 4 Week 4
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Families,
There were some very excited Year 6 students at the train station this morning, all looking forward to their trip to Melbourne to experience Urban camp! Watch our socials to keep up with the action over the next few days.
This week we welcome Lane Cardenas and Hollie Everett who are on work experience from SHSC. Tuesday is the first day for Jotham Sijo who joins 1E and it was lovely to witness how the children in that class made Jotham so welcome when he visited last Friday.
To assist the Seal Lake school community, Chris Prockter has agreed to take on the role of Acting Principal this term. Chris is replacing their principal Kate Nunn, who is on sick leave, for 4 days a week for the remainder of the year. This will commence on Monday 4th November. Chris will still be here each Monday and Kyle Doran will take on many aspects of Chris’s role until the end of the year. Chris and Kyle are spending time this week organising how their job share will look to ensure the continuity of our Learning Diversity and Wellbeing services.
Lastly, we wish Alisha and her husband Ryan all the very best as they prepare for the arrival of their first baby later this year. We will all miss Alisha’s efficiency, terrific work ethic and positive approach in the office and hope that she will be back with us sometime in the future.
Class Groupings 2025
Over the next few weeks, our teachers are putting the final touches to class groupings for 2025. In doing this, academic, social and emotional considerations are taken into account to inform decisions. We are fortunate that St Mary's teachers plan learning activities that often allow our children to mix across the year group where they are working alongside all the children within their age and class grouping. School is a place where children learn how to relate to other children. It is important that children learn to mix with lots of children. In doing this, they learn about themselves in relationships and identify qualities within others that they find positive and assuring for themselves.
We are also finalising staffing needs and will publish teachers and levels towards the end of term. I would ask any family who believes that they will not be here at St Mary’s in 2025 to let me know as we are working on class structures for next year. Thank you for your consideration.
School Hats
Throughout Term 4, students need to be wearing their school hat when playing outside. They should not be wearing any other hats, caps or beanies - only a St. Mary’s hat. Please make sure your child’s name is clearly labelled on the hat. We look to parents for support in reinforcing our SunSmart policy regarding hats.
SRC Fundraising
Last Friday our “Go Bright” day raised $331 in support of Catholic Mission - Mission Month. Thank you to all families for your generous support of this very worthy cause.
Book Fair
Well done to Lisa and all the helpers for another successful Book Fair. Lisa will finish up the final orders on Friday November 1st.
Just a reminder that next week is a short week, as Monday 4th November is a pupil-free day and Tuesday 5th November is a public holiday.
Enjoy the warmer weather and the chance to see Foundation Blue in action at assembly this Friday.
Kate
"Never See a Need Without Doing Something About It"
Mary MacKillop - Sisters of St Joseph Foundress
Key Dates
Monday October 28th - Thursday October 31st
Year 6 Camp
Thursday October 31st
Hotshots Tennis
Friday November 1st
Assembly 12.25pm - Foundation Blue
Regional Basketball
Monday November 4th
Pupil Free Day
Tuesday November 5th
Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Wednesday November 6th
State Athletics
Thursday November 7th
Year 4 Swimming commences
Friday November 8th
Assembly 12.25pm - 6O
Wellbeing with Mr Prockter
Child Safe Standard 4: Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
Nurturing Growth: How Parents Can Support Children with School Concerns
Primary school is a crucial period in a child's educational journey, laying the foundation for future academic success and personal development. However, it's not uncommon for children to encounter various challenges during this time, whether it be difficulties with academics, social interactions, or emotional well-being. As primary caregivers, parents play a pivotal role in supporting their children through these challenges, providing the necessary guidance, encouragement, and resources to help them thrive. In this article, we explore effective strategies for parents to support their children with school problems in a primary setting.
Establish Open Communication:
Effective communication between parents, teachers, and children is essential for addressing school-related issues. Parents should maintain regular contact with their child's teachers to stay informed about academic progress, behavior, and any concerns that arise. Encourage your child to express their feelings and concerns about school openly. By fostering an environment of trust and open communication, parents can better understand their child's challenges and work collaboratively with teachers to find solutions.
Identify and Address Learning Difficulties:
Every child learns differently, and some may face difficulties in certain subjects or learning areas. Parents should pay attention to signs of learning difficulties such as poor grades, lack of interest, or frustration with homework. If you suspect your child is struggling academically, consider seeking professional assessments or evaluations to identify any underlying learning disabilities or developmental delays. Once identified, work with teachers to develop personalized learning strategies and accommodations to support your child's academic needs.
Foster a Positive Attitude Towards Learning:
Encourage a positive attitude towards learning by praising your child's efforts and achievements, regardless of the outcome. Emphasize the importance of perseverance, resilience, and problem-solving skills. Create a supportive home environment that values education and curiosity, with designated study areas, regular homework routines, and access to educational resources such as books, puzzles, and educational games. Celebrate small victories and milestones to boost your child's confidence and motivation.
Teach Coping Strategies for Stress and Anxiety:
School-related stress and anxiety are common among children, especially when facing academic challenges or social pressures. Parents can help their children develop coping strategies to manage stress and anxiety effectively. Encourage relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or engaging in physical activities. Teach problem-solving skills and encourage your child to break tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Validate your child's feelings and provide emotional support during times of stress.
Promote Social Skills and Peer Relationships:
Social interactions play a significant role in a child's development and well-being. Parents can support their children by fostering social skills and healthy peer relationships. Encourage your child to participate in extracurricular activities, clubs, or sports where they can interact with peers who share similar interests. Teach empathy, kindness, and conflict resolution skills to help your child navigate social situations effectively. Monitor your child's social interactions and be available to offer guidance and support when needed.
Supporting children with school problems in a primary setting requires patience, understanding, and active involvement from parents. By establishing open communication, addressing learning difficulties, fostering a positive attitude towards learning, teaching coping strategies for stress and anxiety, and promoting social skills, parents can empower their children to overcome challenges and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Have a great week everyone!
Mr Prockter
RE with Mrs Davies
PE with Miss Clark
T20 Cricket
Last week on Friday the 25th of October, there was a T20 Cricket competition for those students that qualified from Summer Sports. We had two boys teams and one girls team play a style of Cricket that focused on scoring runs with a boost to their score if they hit the ball into the ‘double zone’. The girls won 2 out of their 4 matches, the boys Div 1 team won 3 out of their 4 matches and the boys Div 2 team unfortunately didn’t win a match. Overall, it was great to see the Year 5 and 6 students working together in their teams to produce several great catches, take wickets, sixes being hit and great fielding. Thank you to Mrs Parsons and Bec who helped supervise the teams on the day.
Regional Hotshots Tennis
St Mary’s will be represented this week with a boys team of 8 who will attend the Hotshots competition on Thursday 31st of October. This style of Tennis is played on a smaller court with smaller racquets and low compression red tennis balls. Serving is done by dropping the ball and hitting it underarm and winning a rally scores 1 point. Students will play both singles and doubles at Swan Hill Tennis Club. Best of luck to our students!
Regional Basketball
Also happening this week is Regional Basketball where St Mary’s has both our girls and boys teams from the Division Summer Sport competing. These teams have qualified from the Division Summer Sports earlier on this year and for the past week have been training hard at recess and lunch times. Games will be played at the Swan Hill Basketball Stadium. The draw has also been sent out to parents. Thank you in advance for any parents and family members who are able to come down to support our St Mary’s students. We wish these students all the best!
St Mary’ tops reminder
Another reminder to any students that have borrowed a St Mary’s singlet top for a sporting event to please return it to the PE office ASAP. These tops are needed for students attending upcoming events including State Athletics and Regional Basketball.
@2 Murlong Before & After School Care
The Out of School Hours Care program, @ 2 Murlong, is operating out of the gym hub and provides before and after school care for school age children in the Swan Hill area. Please express your interest via the following link;
https://prodadmin.myxplor.com/enrollment/index/dHdBOThsSW9JeHUxYTEwaHNxZlMrdz0
News from the Office
Working with Children Check
A reminder to bring your Working with Children Check with you if you are coming on to the school grounds for volunteer purposes.
Country Bus Travel
Country Buses are to be used for registered travellers only. If Country Bus travel is required in an emergency, please contact the office so that the appropriate paperwork can be completed.
News from the Canteen
Volunteers Needed:
We are always on the lookout for volunteers in our school canteen. You just need your VIC WWCC. Volunteer hours at 11.30am-1.30pm. Please email office@smswanhill.catholic.edu.au if you are able assist
Ordering from the canteen:
Recess and lunch orders are placed online only via CDF Pay. The orders close at 9.30am each day, so it is recommended you place your order the night before. Our canteen is a very busy, so late orders will be offered limited options. Please contact the office if you need help with CDF Pay.
https://smswanhill.cdfpay.org.au
Canteen Roster
Just a reminder to sign in at the office when you are on canteen duty
Happy Birthday!
Term 4 Highlights
