Newsletter Term 2 Week 2
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Families,
It’s shaping up to be a fun-filled week at St Mary’s, packed with exciting highlights! From the launch of the Great Race and the Colour Run and the GRIP Leadership Conference, plenty is happening for all to enjoy.
The Great Race - April 28th-May 2nd
The Great Race is always one of the highlights of our school year! Kicking off at lunchtime today, this much-loved event leads into our Senior and Junior Cross Country races. Students and staff can earn points for their teams by walking or running laps of the school oval during lunchtime, promoting fun, fitness, and teamwork. It is a wonderful sight to see so many children involved in this activity and parents are very welcome to come and join us each day. Children are allowed to wear their PE uniform or runners to school each day of the Great Race week so that they can participate fully at lunchtime.
To wrap up the Great Race in style, we’re excited to bring back the hugely popular COLOUR RUN, on Friday, May 2nd — this time with the added fun of a bubble machine! Running from 2:00–2:45 pm, this fantastic P&F fundraiser will help support the creation of our new sensory room. It's sure to be an afternoon full of colour, laughter, and high energy!
We still need parent helpers for this event, please contact the office if you are able to assist.
More detailed information about the Colour Run was shared via PAM last week and is attached to the newsletter.
School in Action Tours
This week, we are holding our first of our School in Action tours for families with preschool aged children looking to enrol in Foundation in 2026. School in Action mornings give families the chance to see how our school operates in real time by visiting different classrooms as they go about their daily work. They really are a great opportunity for prospective parents to look around our beautiful school, particularly our vibrant junior classrooms and to gather information about St. Mary's. If you know of anyone considering St Mary’s as their school of choice for 2026, please encourage them to ring the office or register via the link below;
https://smswanhill.catholic.edu.au/book-a-tour/
GRIP Leadership
Our Year 6 leaders, together with Mrs Davies and Mr Cleeland, are heading to Bendigo to participate in the GRIP leadership conference on Thursday. Designed to enhance student leadership capabilities, this is a great opportunity for our senior students to gain self-confidence as well as leadership skills and strategies to enhance their role. We look forward to seeing them put these into practice on their return.
Enrolments for 2026
Enrolments are now open for children who start in Foundation in 2026. Interviews for new and existing families will take place later in Term 2 and continue in Term 3. Parents of existing families who have a child to start in 2026, please ring the office so an enrolment form can be forwarded to you.
School Uniform
It seems we have our last burst of sunny weather this week before things start to cool down. The beginning of Term 2 is a transition period from Summer to Winter uniform. At the moment, students can wear either Summer or Winter uniforms based on the weather for that day. Further notice will be given in the newsletter when the full transition to Winter uniform is required. Hats or beanies are both acceptable as we transition into Winter uniforms. To avoid a phone call home or a uniform notice, please ensure your child is only wearing their sports uniform on the day they have PE with Miss Clark or their level sports day. Thank you for your support in ensuring your child is in the correct uniform each day.
Enjoy this beautiful Autumn weather and hope to see many of you throughout the week.
Kate
"Never See a Need Without Doing Something About It"
Mary MacKillop - Sisters of St Joseph Foundress
Key Dates
Tuesday April 29th - Thursday May 1st
The Great Race
Wednesday April 30th
School in Action Tours
Thursday May 1st
GRIP Leadership Conference
Friday May 2nd
Colour Run
Wednesday May 7th
MacKillop College Year 6 Transition
School in Action Tours
Thursday May 8th
Year 1 Camp
Senior Cross Country
Friday May 9th
Mother's Day Event
Colour Run - Friday May 2nd
Wellbeing with Mr Doran
This month on SchoolTV - Cybersafety
Young people today are growing up in an increasingly connected world where technology is part of their everyday lives –– for learning, socialising, and entertainment. While the digital world offers enormous benefits, it also comes with serious risks. From cyberbullying and online predators to inappropriate content and screen time concerns, navigating the online environment can be challenging for young people and their families.
Cybersafety is not just about blocking access –– it's about empowering young people with the knowledge and skills they need to use technology responsibly and safely. This includes understanding privacy settings, recognising scams, and developing healthy digital habits. At the same time, it's important for parents and caregivers to stay informed, have open and judgement-free conversations with their children, and lead by example through positive online behaviour.
In today's digital age, safeguarding a child's wellbeing must also include protecting their online life. This edition of SchoolTV will help you better understand the digital landscape your child is navigating and offer practical strategies to help them stay safe, confident and in control online.
Here is the link to your Edition https://smswanhill.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/cybersafety-au
Curriculum with Mrs Hall
Curriculum Newsletter
This week via PAM you will receive a copy of your child’s termly Curriculum Newsletter from both the Year Level as well as our Specialist Team. The primary purpose of our Curriculum Newsletters is to enhance communication between the school and parents/guardians regarding the academic programs and learning experiences taking place within the school. Our curriculum newsletters are designed to inform families by highlighting key concepts, subjects, and skills being taught in all subject areas throughout the term.
RE with Mrs Davies
First Eucharist Enrolment Sessions - Term 2
Next week a large number of our Year 4 children will be attending their First Eucharist Enrolment sessions in preparation for receiving this special sacrament later this term. A big thank you to Father James and Mary for organising and leading such engaging and informative sessions for the children and their families. Enrolment sessions will run over Monday 5th - Wednesday 7th May - times and session information will be sent via email from the Parish. If you have any questions about this please contact the Parish Office - 50324144.
PE with Miss Clark
The Great Race
The Great Race starts this week from Monday 28th of April- Thursday 1st of May. Both staff and students are encouraged to participate at lunchtimes for four days and run or walk laps of our school oval to gain points for their house. Students can wear their sports uniform for the week. The Great Race is to help prepare our students for the Senior and Junior Cross Country also held this term. A big thank you to the house captains who will be helping out. Goodluck to all houses!
Great Race Finale!
On FRIDAY the 2nd of May from 2-2:45pm, we are celebrating the conclusion of the Great Race week by students participating in a COLOUR RUN. There will be no laps counted on this day and is a chance for the students to be proud of their efforts in the Great Race for the week and have some fun with their classmates.
Senior Cross Country
The Senior Cross Country will be held on Thursday, 8th of May for the Year 3 – 6 students at Riverside Park. Every student is encouraged to do their best to complete the course. The 9 and 10 year olds will run 2km and the 11, 12 and 13 year olds will run 3km. The top students for their age group qualify to represent the school at the Division Cross Country on the following Tuesday, 13th of May. Information regarding this event was sent out towards the end of last term via SIMON. Please ensure permission has been given for your child/ren to attend this event. Parents and friends are welcome to watch and support the students.
The following is approximate times of each event:
10 year old girls: 11.30am
10 year old boys: 11:40am
8/9 year old girls: 11:50am
8/9 year old boys: 12pm
11 year old girls: 12.10pm
11 year old boys: 12:20pm
12/13 year old girls: 12:30pm
12/13 year old boys: 12.40pm
@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 do I let the school know if my child is absent from school?
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
Book Club - Issue 3 orders close Tuesday May 13th
Scholastic Book Club Issue 3 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
Happy Birthday!
