Newsletter Term 2 Week 5
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Families,
Last week was a busy one at St Mary's, with PAT assessments taking place across the school. PAT testing in literacy and numeracy is completed in May and assists teachers to gauge where students are at with their learning at this stage of the year, and these are repeated later in the year so that data can be compared. Our students took these assessments in their stride and understand that they are a way of assessing the growth made so far this year.
This Sunday, 25th May is the next of our scheduled Open Days. These have been very successful with many new families taking the opportunity to look through our school, meet staff, and ask questions about aspects of school life at St Mary’s and about Flying Start our preschool transition program we run in Late Term 2/start of Term
Flying Start
Enrolments have been steady for Flying Start and places are filling fast, especially in the 9.30 am sessions, so don’t forget to contact the school to confirm a place for your preschooler.
They love the chance to experience sessions of Science, Music, Italian, PE, Art, and Technology and to meet many of our teachers along the way.
Flying Start starts on Thursday, June 19th, and runs on Thursday or Friday mornings (repeat sessions) for all interested families. Ring our friendly office on 50332541 for more information.
Catch up over Coffee
Thanks to a wonderful suggestion from our SAC members, we’re excited to introduce a new initiative—Coffee and Chat sessions with the leadership team each term. It's a relaxed opportunity for parents to come along, hear what’s happening at St Mary’s, ask questions, and share ideas. Our first session is this Wednesday from 9:00–9:45am in the staffroom. We’d love to see you there!
School Facebook Page and Instagram
Would you like to keep up to date with school events and see photos of our staff and students in action? YES!
Then make sure you like our St. Mary’s Facebook page or follow us on Instagram by using the links below.
St Mary's Primary School Swan Hill
https://www.instagram.com/stmarysswanhill/?hl=en
DOBCEL 2025 vision
DOBCEL has launched a new strategy to guide the future of Catholic education across the diocese. Underpinned by our Catholic identity, the 2035 vision focuses on equity, wellbeing, and high performance—especially for regional students. Through collaboration, innovation, and shared responsibility, the strategy aims to move our system from good to great. 2025 marks the beginning of this journey, with schools beginning to explore and align with the new vision.
Tuesday, 27th May is a pupil free day as our staff travel to Robinvale to hear firsthand about the new DOBCEL 2035 vision for education.
Catholic Social Teachings in Action
This week, our Catholic Social Justice program comes to life with 6O visiting Alcheringa, 3G heading to Logan Lodge, and the Choir performing at Neighbourhood House. These opportunities allow our students to reach out to others in our community, living out the Gospel values through meaningful action and compassionate service.
Transition in Winter Uniform
All good things must come to an end! This week marks the transition into winter uniform with all children expected to be decked out in winter uniform by Friday 24th May
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 Clarke or their level sports day. Thank you for your support in ensuring your child is in the correct uniform each day
Have a terrific week and I look forward to seeing many of you at assembly hosted by 2R on Friday or for coffee and a chat on Wednesday morning from 9am.
Kate
"Never See a Need Without Doing Something About It"
Mary MacKillop - Sisters of St Joseph Foundress
Key Dates
Wednesday May 21st
Catch up over Coffee 9.05am-9.45am
Thursday May 22nd
Year 2 Camp
Swan Hill College Transition Day
Sunday May 25th
Open Day
Monday May 26th
Flying Bookworm Incursion
Tuesday May 27th
Regional Cross Country
Pupil Free Day
Friday May 30th
CESH Mass
Wellbeing with Mr Doran
RE with Mrs Davies
Laudato Si’ Week 2025
The 2025 Laudato Si' Week theme is “Raise Hope.” This is inspired by the Jubilee Year and its theme of "Pilgrims of Hope". The week is celebrated annually in Australia from May 17 to 24. It coincides with the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical on climate change, "Laudato Si'". The theme encourages raising hope in communities by sharing stories and photos about caring for our common home. The week is a time for reflection, prayer, and action on environmental issues.
PE with Miss Clark
Division Cross Country
On Tuesday 13th of May, the Division Cross Country was held down at Riverside Park. It was ideal running conditions for the event with little wind and slightly on the cooler side. Well done to all St Mary’s students for your amazing efforts on the day. It was a very successful event with St Mary’s even starring in a few podium place finishers. Congratulations to the following students who have qualified for Regional Cross Country;
Patrick K, Rory P, Mattaeus C, Mia H, Seth T, Judd O, Wilhem F, Raf F, Sailor S, Willow C, Arlee P, Lewis K, Cooper S, Jasper B, Conor M, Rosie, A, Maddy M, Nylah K, Oscar B and Elise K.
A special mention to Oscar, Elise, Conor and Wilhem who all came first place in their race!
Regional Cross Country will be held in St Arnaud on Tuesday the 27th of May. We look forward to cheering on these students and hearing about the day. Thank you to all the parents, family and friends who were able to come down to show your support.
PMP
As part of the PE curriculum, our Foundation students will participate in a PMP program (Perceptual Motor Program) to help promote fundamental motor skills in fun small group station activities. This program will start this term in week 7 and will run for 4 weeks during their PE lesson time.
This program requires parental assistance to operate successfully.
If there are any parents who can assist during the program, look out for information sent home with your student if you would like to volunteer to help run a station activity.
Junior Cross Country
A heads up that the St. Mary’s Junior Cross Country (Foundation to Year 2) is coming up in week 7 on Wednesday, 4th of June on the St. Mary’s School oval between 2:00pm and 3:00pm. All family and friends are welcome to attend to support their child/ren. All children are encouraged to participate with the aim of having fun and trying your best. The following are approximate times of the events;
- 2.10pm - Foundation Girls
- 2.15pm - Foundation Boys
- 2.20pm - Year 1 Girls
- 2.25pm - Year 1 Boys
- 2.30pm - Year 2 Girls
- 2.40pm - Year 2 Boys
@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 make bus changes on PAM?
We encourage you to make bus changes via your PAM account. This includes bus passes, not on bus, change of bus etc.
- Log in to your PAM account.
- From the three line menu in the top right hand corner, select “Transport Passes”.
- Ensure the date is correct, displayed above the student schedule table.
- Click on the “Edit” button of the child you wish to add/remove from a bus.
- “Select New Route” will allow you to add your child to a bus, add your child to a different bus or select “No transport needed” if your child is not to travel on the bus on that particular day.
Scheduled Transport - this is for children who are on a regular bus schedule. It is the bus that your child would usually catch on that day.
Actual Transport - the bus that your child is catching on that particular day eg. if a change has been made.
Bus changes via PAM must be made by 2.30pm. For last minute changes, contact the office on 50332541. You can action bus changes up to 7 days in advance. If your child requires a permanent schedule change, please contact the office. Need assistance? Please contact the office 50332541.
Please note you can not add your child to a Country Bus unless they are registered to travel on that particular bus.
News from the Canteen
Happy Birthday!
