Newsletter Term 2 Week 6

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Families,

This week, we celebrate Catholic Education inspired by the theme “May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace.” In this Jubilee Year, we are called to be Pilgrims of Hope, drawing on the wisdom of St Paul and the vision of Pope Leo to become communities of reconciliation, renewal, and joyful witness to Christ’s love.

Our week has several highlights, including Open Day, a school performance, the annual CESH Mass and a shared lunch with MacKillop College. Significantly, Catholic Education Week this year aligns with National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June), which invites all Australians to reflect on our shared past, recognise our present responsibilities, and work together towards a more united and respectful future. Both weeks call us to live out the values of hope, peace, and reconciliation, reminding us of the vital role education plays in shaping hearts, minds, and a better world for all.

This week, we farewell Rachel Edwards as she commences parental leave on Thursday. It’s a very exciting time for Rachel and her partner Ash as they prepare to welcome their first baby later this term. We will miss Rachel’s calm and caring presence, along with her dedication to our new STEM program. We wish her all the very best for the months ahead and hope to see her back with us soon. Rachel’s classes will be covered by Nikita Wade and Liv Scarce, who are both looking forward to stepping into their new roles.

Year 2 camp
The weather was very kind to us, and everyone had a wonderful time on the Year 2 camp and thoroughly enjoyed all the many experiences on offer. It was also lovely to see so many family members join the campers for their pizza tea at St Mary’s before they departed for the Pioneer Settlement to experience the Heartbeat of the Murray laser show. Thanks so much to all who came along and who pitched in and helped with serving afternoon tea and the evening meal.

Catholic Social Teachings  program
St Mary’s received very positive feedback from staff and residents about the respectful and thoughtful way our Year 6 students conducted themselves during their visit to Alcheringa last week. Similarly, the Choir was warmly praised for their performance at Neighbourhood House on Thursday. These experiences provide our students with valuable opportunities to connect with others in our community, living out the Gospel values through meaningful action and compassionate service. More visits to local aged care homes are planned for later in the term.

Flying Bookworm Performance
Our Foundation and Year 1 students had an absolute ball at the Flying Bookworm performance today! They were completely engaged as the stories of the Ugly Ducking, Jack and Beanstalk and Goldilocks were brought to life on stage—it was funny, full of energy, and had the kids laughing and joining in from start to finish.

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 3.

Enrolments have been steady for Flying Start and places are filling fast, especially in the 9.30am session, 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 commences 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.

DOBCEL 2025 Vision Launch
A reminder that tomorrow Tuesday, 27th May is a pupil free day as our staff travel to Robinvale to hear firsthand about the new DOBCEL 20235 vision for education.

SRC Casual Dress Day - Thursday May 29th
This month our casual theme is wearing RED with all money raised going to support MS. To get into the spirit of things and support the Multiple Sclerosis Fundraiser, staff and students will be walking laps from 10.30 am-11.00 am on Thursday. Parents and family members are most welcome to join us.. There will also be strawberry gelato for sale at recess and lunch for $2, please bring coins only.

Winter Uniform
All students should now be in winter uniform. Students do have the option of wearing shorts instead of winter pants on regular school days and shorts instead of track pants on PE days. Please make sure your child is in the correct uniform each day and only wearing the PE uniform on the days they have PE and level sports.

Enjoy what the week brings.

Kate

"Never See a Need Without Doing Something About It"
Mary MacKillop - Sisters of St Joseph Foundress

Key Dates

Monday May 26th
Flying Bookworm Incursion
Tuesday May 27th
Regional Cross Country
Pupil Free Day
Friday May 30th
CESH Mass
Tuesday June 3rd
Year 4 Eucharist Retreat
Wednesday June 4th
Junior Cross Country
Monday June 9th
King's Birthday Public Holiday

Wellbeing with Mr Doran

Mac, Our Wellbeing Dog – A Much-Loved Member of Our School
Many of you will already know Mac, our wonderful wellbeing dog who has been part of our school community for several years now. Mac continues to play an important role in supporting the wellbeing of our students and helping to create a positive, caring school environment.

Research and our own experience show that having a wellbeing dog like Mac offers many benefits, including:

• Reducing stress and anxiety
  
  
• Providing comfort and emotional support
  
  
• Encouraging social connection and empathy
  
  
• Boosting confidence, especially in reading and communication
  
  
• Creating a calm and welcoming atmosphere across the school

Mac is a gentle, friendly companion who is much-loved by students and staff alike. Interactions with him are always supervised and optional, with careful consideration given to student needs and comfort.

We’re proud to have Mac as part of our school family and grateful for the joy and support he continues to bring to our community.

Curriculum with Mrs Hall

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) - The Truck Cat 
Now in its 25th year, National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) has grown and grown, and in 2024 attracted over TWO MILLION registered participants!  NSS is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) with the aims of encouraging young children to read and enjoy books as well as teach them the value of literacy. Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. This year The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel and Danny Snell is the NSS title for 2025.

The Truck Cat is a story about cats and humans, immigration and identity, and homes lost and found. 

With illustrations by multi-award-winning artist Danny Snell and words by award-winning new voice Deborah Frenkel, The Truck Cat is the perfect book to inspire kindness and compassion in young children everywhere.

Some cats are house cats. Some are apartment cats. But Tinka is a truck cat. Tinka lives everywhere. Along with his human, Yacoub, Tinka travels roads wide and narrow, near and distant. But no matter how much they travel, home feels very far away – for both of them.Yacoub drives his truck to make a living, learning the landscape of a new country along the way, and longing for connection. When Tinka and Yacoub are unexpectedly separated, they are determined to find their way back to each other – and, in doing so, might find more than they expected …

In response to the delightful story Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel, our students in Year 1Y, along with Mrs Woodburn engaged in creative activities designed to inspire wonder, awe, and reflection. As part of their response, students explored the art of origami folding, creating their very own paper cats . They also created their own unique "Truck Cat Travel Buddy" bookmarks and shared imagining new adventures for Truck Cat. These activities encouraged imaginative thinking, emotional connection, and a deep appreciation for storytelling.

RE with Mrs Davies

CESH Mass 2025 - Jubilee Pilgrims of Hope
On Christmas Eve 2024, Pope Francis symbolically opened the Holy Door at St Peter’s Basilica, marking the start of the 2025 Jubilee Year.

Jubilee years happen every 25 years and are times of reconciliation and renewal. The theme of this Jubilee is Pilgrims of Hope. 

This Year of Jubilee in the universal Church calls us to embrace, and be renewed in, the hope of Christ—a hope that does not disappoint. We are embarking on a particular time of pilgrimage, and as the Holy Father has reminded us, Jesus, ‘is the destination of our pilgrimage’. He is both the way, and the path to be travelled.

This Friday 30th May we celebrate our annual CESH Mass with St Mary MacKillop College. This will be held in the Jubilee Centre at St Mary Mackillop College beginning at 12pm. Families are more than welcome to attend. After Mass the students will have a shared BBQ lunch together - there will be NO recess or lunch orders on this day.

PE with Miss Clark

Regional Cross Country
We will be thinking of the 20 students from years 3-6 who will be representing our school at Regional Cross Country on this Tuesday the 27th of May. These students will brave the cold and windy conditions at St Arnaud and race against some challenging competition on a hilly 2km or 3km course. We wish all competitors the best of luck and acknowledge what an amazing effort it is to reach this level!

Junior Cross Country 
We continue with the running events this term with the St. Mary’s Junior Cross Country (Foundation to Year 2 students) on next week Wednesday the 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;

2.00pm - Foundation Girls
2.05pm - Foundation Boys
2.10pm - Year 1 Girls
2.15pm - Year 1 Boys
2.20pm - Year 2 Girls
2.30pm - Year 2 Boys

Mia SSV Basketball
St Mary’s is super proud to announce that Mia Hirst has been selected for the School Sports Victorian Under 12 girls Basketball team. To mark the team, Mia participated in a number of selection trials and training sessions in Bendigo and Melbourne before being selected in the final team. Mia will travel to Queensland and compete in the School Sports Australian Championships in late July against teams from across the country. We wish Mia all the best as she represents our school and the State. What a fantastic achievement for Mia!

@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

School Beanies
With the weather cooling down, now is the perfect time to purchase a school beanie. Available on CDF Pay, under "Shop" for $20.00. Remember to put your child's name on them.

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

Student of the Week

Happy Birthday!

What's happening in 2V?