Newsletter Term 4 Week 2
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Families,
It was great for our staff and students to get back into the ‘normal’ school routine last week and we had a fantastic first week of Term 4. This morning we said goodbye and good luck to our Year 6 staff, students & parent helpers who were up early to get on the train to head to Melbourne for Camp. They have a great week of activities planned for the next 4 days. We also have about 25 students competing at the Regional Athletics in Bendigo today - good luck to all involved. This week we welcome Isabella Colombo, Milli Lawry and Minke Van Coller who are joining us on work experience.
Grandparents & Friends Day - Wednesday 29th October
This week the children continue their preparation for Grandparents & Friends Day which is coming up in Week 4. For those who are new to our school, this event incorporates a visit to your child’s classroom to see all the fun and great learning that happens in our school and then families stay on for a concert performed by the students. Families are very welcome to bring a picnic lunch to share on our grounds before the concert commences. BYO chairs are also a very good idea. Keep an eye out for information coming out this week with further details.
Swimming Program
Taking on board feedback from families, St Mary’s has expanded its swimming program in recent years. This week our Year 3 Swimming program commences, with the other year level programs occurring later in the term.
Summer Uniform and being Sunsmart
As the weather heats up in Term 4, students need to be wearing their school hats when playing outside as part of our commitment to being a Sunsmart school. Please note that full summer uniform is to be worn this term. If you are unsure of the uniform please refer to our school webpage.
School Camps
School camps are always a highlight of the year. This week Year 6 are in Melbourne for camp. In Week 3, it is the turn of Year 5 who head to Log Cabin Camp in Creswick. The final camp for the year will be Foundation - they have a fun filled day of activities in Swan Hill on November 7th.
Catholic Social Teachings program
St Mary’s has received very positive feedback from the community for all of our Social Justice visits to local Community Groups in 2025. This week 2W are visiting Swan Hill North Kinder and 5A are making a visit to Shamrock Park Kinder. Next week 6O are visiting Alcheringa and 3G will visit Logan Lodge. 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.
Jason
"Never See a Need Without Doing Something About It"
Mary MacKillop - Sisters of St Joseph Foundress
Key Dates
Monday October 13th
Regional Athletics
Monday October 13th - Thursday October 16th
Year 6 Camp
Tuesday October 14th
Year 3 Swimming program commences
Thursday October 16th
T20 Cricket
Monday October 20th-Friday October 24th
Book Fair
Monday October 20th-Wednesday October 22nd
Year 5 Camp
Year 3 Confirmation Parent Sessions
Monday October 20th
T20 Cricket
Tuesday October 21st
Nudie Tuesdie
Wednesday October 29th
Grandparents & Friends Day
Wellbeing with Mr Doran
Child Safety Standard 4 - Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing
World Mental Health Day was celebrated last Friday 10th October. For more information see-
https://smswanhill.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-world-mental-health-day-au
Curriculum with Mrs Hall
Young Writers Award
We’re delighted to let you know that the following students from your school have been shortlisted for the Young Writers Award! Students, teachers along with families are invited to attend the awards ceremony at Swan Hill Library on Wednesday, 22nd October @ 7pm. Mayor, Cr Stuart King, will present students with a certificate and gift in recognition of this wonderful achievement.
- Scottie P - Foundation
- Aria W - Foundation
- Athena R - Year 2
- Hattie M - Year 3
- Emily D - Year 3
- Amahlia M - Year 4
- Di V - Year 4
- Ellie W - Year 6
- Isabel F - Year 6
- Miyana B -Year 6
Swan Hill Show Award Winners
Congratulations to all our Swan Hill Show Award Winners;
Handwriting
Foundation:
Vy T - 3rd
Grade 3:
Charlotte P - 1st
Grade 4:
Joseph K - 1st
Sailor S - 3rd
Grade 5:
Angela W - 1st
Leni W - 3rd
Grade 6:
Cherry N - 1st
Mary D - 2nd
Encouragement Awards:
Athena R, Madison C, Tavi L, Ziming X, Mine' D, Dustin M
Art
12 Years & Under Drawing:
Eve G - 3rd
12 Years & Under Pastel:
Tamika B - 2nd
12 Years & Under Collage:
Beau F - 1st
Violet G - 3rd
12 Years & Under Painting:
Eliza M - 1st
Encouragement Awards:
Audrey M, Stella T, Miller C, Paddy W, Mav C, Max L, Harrison B, Arlee P, Mia H, Will O, Cherry N, Sophia N, Eve G
RE with Mrs Davies
Sacrament of Confirmation 2025 - Year 3 and above
This term we are looking forward to welcoming our Year 3 Children (for Baptised Catholics) who will be preparing for and celebrating their Sacrament of Confirmation. Children above Year 3 who have not yet been Confirmed are also welcome to be part of the program. The program begins with attending one of the enrolment sessions in Week 3 of Term 4.
Invitations will be sent directly to the families of Baptised Catholics the school has a record of. If for whatever reason you miss this invitation, and want your child to be part of the program, please contact the Parish directly via email sacramentalprogram.holyfamily@gmail.com or phone 50324144 and they can assist you.
Below are some other important dates to remember -
Enrolment Sessions- 22nd, 23rd or 24th October- (need to book in via Try-booking)
Presentation Masses - Saturday Oct 25th 6pm or Sunday Oct 26th 10.30am
Retreat - Tuesday Nov 11th
Mass Celebration - Saturday Nov 22nd 6pm or Sunday Nov 23rd 10.30am
PE with Miss Clark
Regional Athletics
Congratulations to 25 students who qualified for the Regional Athletics held in Bendigo today. Thank you to the parents and family for transporting the children to and from the event.
Well done Judd - new record!
Last term, Judd competed in the Divison Athletics in a number of events. He performed very well on the day and we received notification that he broke the Long Jump record in the 11 year old boys event. The previous record was 4.17m set in 2002. Judd has set a new record of 4.30m. Judd was presented with his certificate at Assembly on Friday. Well done Judd!
@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
Bookfair next week!!
Bookfair begins Tuesday October 21st - Friday October 24th. Last orders will close on Friday October 28th.
Donations for Breakfast Club
We are kindly asking for donation of vegemite, jam and fresh fruit for Breaky Club. Donations can be left at the office.
Labelling your school items
Just a reminder to clearly label any items your child brings to school, in particular jumpers. We collect a huge amount of jumpers every week, some of them brand new and they can't be returned unless they are named.
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
How to make your 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.
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