Newsletter Term 1 Week 1
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Families,
Welcome to the 2025 school year! I sincerely hope that everyone has had a restful and relaxing summer break. It has been wonderful to catch up with the children as I visited the classrooms today and to welcome our new Foundation students to their first day of school. There was a real buzz in the air and it was great to see rooms filled with smiling faces and children happy to be back as we gather to begin another year of learning.
This is a particularly special time for the children who are beginning school in Foundation and those joining us from other schools and their families. I hope that during this transition into our school community you feel warmly welcomed and trust that through our strong partnerships with families, you will feel connected with your children’s development as they begin their learning journey at St Mary’s.
To all families old or new, please remember that we are always more than happy to assist with any queries, concerns, ideas or just to be a listening ear. You are always welcome to contact us by phone or email at school or call in for a chat.
I would like to acknowledge and welcome our newest staff members:
We welcome Jasmine Roberts, Anthony Rullo and Karl Fedele who have joined our LSO team and welcome back Mr Corey Daniels and Mrs Carla Gorman who are both returning after taking leave.
And welcome to our new St Mary’s students and their families as well!
Year 2: Jace Arentz, Ethan Jacob
Year 3: Paddy Walters, Zane Lecuona, Kyrah Virdi
Year 4: Carter Arentz
Year 5: Johnny Walters
Congratulations
Lovely news for Alisha Devereux and her husband Ryan who welcomed Tommy into their family over the holidays and to Mrs Patney on the safe arrival of her first grandchild, Rudra. Congratulations are also for order for Liv Scott and Damian who became engaged just after Christmas and Evie Jennings and Michael Herilhy who announced their engagement in January.
Holiday Update
We have been busy over the summer break with new projects and maintenance work being undertaken across the school. The construction of the highly anticipated Ninja playground begins on Monday, February 3rd. Lots of cleaning and maintenance work has also occurred and our grounds are looking fabulous and ready for the start of the school year.
Meet the Teacher Chats
It was wonderful to see so many families take the opportunity to meet their child's new teacher yesterday with our second round of Meet the Teacher Chats running on Tuesday, February 4th.
Book via the following details;
www.schoolinterviews.com.au
Log in code: 94wpm
School Photo Day
Just a reminder that our school photo day is fast approaching - Friday 7th February. All information has been sent out via PAM. The students' individual and class photos will be taken on this day. If you have any concerns or queries regarding your school photo order please give the office a call.
Friday Assembly
With school photos on Friday the 7th and our opening School Mass on Friday the 14th, our weekly whole school assemblies will commence on Friday the 21st February, with 6N leading the way.
Bus Travel Reminder
Our bus schedules have rolled over from 2024. f you have made any changes to your bus travel arrangements for 2025, please contact the office on 50332541.
Also, a reminder to our Foundation families, if your child will be catching a bus, please advise the office of a start date, even if they have older siblings at school. This helps to ensure our records are up to date and to make sure each child has a buddy to assist them with bus travel.
Curriculum Newsletters
Next week, your child's Term 1 curriculum newsletter will be sent to you via PAM. The curriculum newsletter outlines the key learning that will take place in their classroom and when they attend specialist classes. This newsletter assists you to know what is happening at school so you can chat more knowledgeably with your child about the many exciting things they are involved with at St Mary’s.
Parent Carparks
We will continue with our system of students with surnames A-L using the carpark near the office and M-Z using the parent gym carpark at the start and end of the day.
There is much news to share with you and I ask that you take the time to read this newsletter and continue to do so throughout the year. Have a great week as we all get back into the swing of school life.
Kate
"Never See a Need Without Doing Something About It"
Mary MacKillop - Sisters of St Joseph Foundress
Key Dates
Thursday January 30th
First day of the 2025 school year for all students
Tuesday February 4th
Meet the Teacher chats
Wednesday February 5th
Foundation rest day
Foundation Literacy & Numeracy testing commences
Thursday February 6th
Swimming Trials
Friday February 7th
School Photos
Wednesday February 12th
Foundation rest day
Friday February 14th
Beginning of Year Mass - School Gym at 9.15am
@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. If you would like to apply for a Working with Children's Check, please follow the link below;
https://service.vic.gov.au/find-services/work-and-volunteering/working-with-children-check
PAM (Parent Access Module) - How can I notify the school of my child’s absence via PAM?
PAM is our preferred notification method for absences. Absences must be entered prior to 9.25am on the day your child will be absent. Absences can also be entered in advance.
On PAM, you can add an absence if:
- Your child is going to be absent for the day (All Day)
- Your child is going to be late to school (Arriving Late)
- Your child is going to be leaving early from school (Leaving Early)
- Your child will be leaving school and returning eg. for an appointment (Partial)
- Your child is going to be absent for more than one day (Multi-day max of 7 days)
To add an absence:
- Log in to your PAM account
- Select “Parent Notified Absences” listed under “Students”. This can also be accessed by selecting the 3 line menu bar on the top right hand corner of the screen and selecting “Parent Notified Absence”. Select 'Add Absence"
- Select the child who will be absent
- Select the reason for your child’s absence
- Select the appropriate absence period
- Select the absence date
- Notes can be added if required
- You can edit or delete current and future absences, by clicking on your child and amending it if required
School Photos - Friday February 7th
Please see information below to order your child's 2025 school photos.
If you would like family photos taken with siblings at MacKillop College or Swan Hill College, these will be taken after school on Friday February 7th at 3.25pm. There will be discount coupons available for family photos (with siblings at St Mary's and MacKillop College/ Swan Hill College only), please contact the office - office@smswanhill.catholic.edu.au and a coupon code will be provided.
Changes to CDF Pay
Please see below instructions to create your new CDF Pay account. Our previous system has been disabled. Please do this at your earliest convenience to be able to order recess/lunch from our school canteen.
Book Club - Issue 1 orders close Monday February 17th
Scholastic Book Club Issue 1 has been sent home. We will not be accepting cash payments for orders. Please order online following the instructions below. This is the link for LOOP, which will allow you to make an online order and payment;
https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/Parent/Login.aspx If you are not registered for LOOP, click on the link above and create a new account. You will need to enter your details, add children and select our school (typed as is here); St. Mary's SWAN HILL
If you have any questions or are having trouble with the LOOP ordering system, please contact the office via email office@smswanhill.catholic.edu.au
News from the Canteen
Volunteers Needed:
We are looking for canteen helpers on Fridays in 2025!
You will need your VIC WWCC. Volunteer hours at 11.30am-1.30pm.
Please email office@smswanhill.catholic.edu.au if you are able assist.
Happy Birthday!
