Newsletter Term 4 Week 1
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Families,
Welcome back one and all to our new school term. I hope everyone had a great holiday and enjoyed the chance to visit family and places over the break and also to relax at home! It was lovely to see the excitement on the yard this morning as the children met up with friends, caught up on each other’s holiday news and checked out the progress on our new building project.
We are all looking forward to another fun filled term with some anticipated highlights including the Year 1, 4 and 5 camps, swimming for our Year 2 students, our Carols Evening and making a return after a two year absence, Grandparents and Friends Night which will be celebrated in November.
Welcome to Jamie Sewell who has joined our office team and we also welcome six new students starting this week, Matilda and Alfred Craig, Cindy and Jason Zheng, Riyaa Burmi and Cleo McAlpine. We hope they have a wonderful first day and enjoy their new school and life at St Mary’s.
Meet Mac..........
We are excited to announce that we are about to launch the Dogs Connect program in our school. This is a whole school wellbeing program which will see the introduction of a wellbeing dog in our community. Our school wellbeing dog Mac, will become a much loved and important member of our community.
We are very appreciative to have attracted $15,000 funding from the DET via Northern District Community Health to support this fantastic initiative.
Year 1 Camp
The Year 1 children and their teachers head off on their school camp this Thursday. With a visit to the Pioneer Settlement, Police Station, CFA, Tower Hill Park and Showbiz Cinemas it's sure to be an action packed day! Thanks you to the Year 1 teachers for putting together a really terrific camp experience for the children. I know everyone appreciates these activities being back on the agenda and hearing how much fun their children had while enjoying these opportunities.
Sunsmart School
It is very important to protect our children against the harmful effects of the sun's UV rays. St Mary’s is proud to be a ‘Sunsmart’ school. This means that hats are worn during Term 1 and Term 4. Please ensure that your child has a school hat for Term 4 as all students at St Mary’s are required to wear their school hat during playtime breaks and outdoor school activities such as sport.
Summer Uniform
Please note that full summer uniform is to be worn this term. If you are unsure of the uniform, please check the 2022 Parent Information Handbook or refer to our school webpage;
https://smswanhill.catholic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2022-Parent-Information-Handbook.pdf
Junior Hub Update
Construction started over the holidays and you will see the place looking like a building site with portable fencing etc being erected behind the empty Year 5 buildings. It will be exciting to see lots of progress this term.
Class Structures 2023
St Mary’s will run 27 straight classes in 2023. We are finalising our staffing needs and will share our classroom
teacher placement for the next school year later in the term.
Foundation x 4 | Year 2 x 3 | Year 4 x 4 | Year 6 x 4 |
Year 1 x 5 | Year 3 x 3 | Year 5 x 4 |
We will commence constructing class groups for next year over the next few weeks. In doing this, academic, social and emotional considerations of all students are taken into account to inform decisions. Any parental considerations regarding your child’s 2023 placement must be emailed to principal@smswanhill.catholic.edu.au or delivered to the office in an envelope marked Att: Principal by Friday October 28th. Please do not assume previous requests are ongoing as we begin each year afresh at St Mary’s.
2023 Preparation - Families Leaving
We would ask that any family who believes that they will not be here at St Mary’s in 2023 to let Kate know( via email or a phone call) as we are about to commence possible class structures for next year. Thank you for your consideration.
I hope you all have a great week and look forward to you joining us when 6B host assembly this Friday.
Kate
Key Dates
Monday October 3rd
Start of Term 4
Thursday October 6th
Year 1 Camp
Friday October 7th
Assembly 12.25pm - 6B
Monday October 10th
Regional Athletics - Information has been sent via PAM
Wednesday October 12th
Come & Try Morning
Year 3 Sacramental Preparation Day
Friday October 14th
Assembly 12.25pm - 3H
Monday October 17th - Wednesday October 19th
Year 5 Camp - Information has been sent via PAM
Wellbeing with Mrs Gook
Hello everyone,
My name is Miss Rebecca and I am thrilled to be working with your school to deliver the Kaleidoscope program through The Song Room. Over the last few weeks I have met your fabulous school staff and wonderful students. We will continue to work together into Term 4 on developing our Social Emotional Learning skills through the performing arts including dance, drama and music.
I am so pleased to see how engaged students have been in the initial sessions and I look forward to seeing them continue to learn and grow over the course of the program. I am sure the students would love to share some of the new skills they are learning with you so please ask them about their learning in the program.
If you would like to find out more about The Song Room please visit the website here: https://www.songroom.org.au/
I am looking forward to working with staff and students again in Term 4.
Miss Rebecca
RE with Mrs Davies
Confirmation Term 4 - Year 3 Children
Over the coming weeks our Year 3 Children will begin their preparations in receiving their Sacrament of Confirmation. Your child began their Sacramental journey at Baptism when they were filled with his life and grace and welcomed into his family, the Church. As they now grow in maturity and faith as followers of Jesus, he invites them to further deepen their relationship with him by continuing on their Sacramental journey.
To present your child for Confirmation -
*Collect and complete Confirmation Program Booklets from the Parish Office if you haven’t done so already at the enrolment mass.
*Children will attend the Confirmation Retreat Day on Wednesday 19th October at the Parish.
Confirmation Masses will be held on the weekend of October 22nd/23rd. If there are any issues with that date please make contact with Fr James at the Parish.
PE with Miss Clark
Division Athletics
There were 69 students who participated in Division Athletics last term on Monday the 12th of September. Despite the very cold conditions, it was fantastic to see all the children try their best and show great sportsmanship in their events. We have several students that came either first or second in their event and who will progress to Regional Athletics in Bendigo on the 10th of October. Information will be sent home shortly to families regarding if your child has qualified for this level.
Primary School Golf Competition
A reminder that on Friday 21st of October there is a Golf Competition held at Kerang Golf Course for Years 3 to 6 students.
This competition is run by Goal Australia and students will play 9 holes on a shortened course. Students have the chance to qualify for the state finals and will play 18 holes on a shortened course at Kooringal Golf Club. Golfers MUST have their own set of clubs and have some skill of hitting.
The following information are some rules for the day;
- Entry is done online through Vic Golf website https://www.golf.org.au/schoolevents
- They don’t need a handicap
- Maximum no. of shots per hole is 10
- Drop out of the sand one stroke
- Par 3 -100m, Par 4 -200m Par 5- 300m
- Recommended one adult to attend per four golfers to help with rules, scoring etc.
If your child is interested could they please come and see Miss Clark for further information to take home.
Sustainability with Mrs Ward
This week’s sustainability tip comes from Lenny Coleman in 1Q:
Don't put things like oil down the drain to keep the oceans clean. Put it in a jar and try use it again next time!
@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
Rapid Antigen Test Collection - Weeks 1 - 4
You can collect your test kits from the office window for Weeks 1-4(2 boxes per student) between 8.30am and 4pm. Please notify the office via email if someone else will be collecting them on your behalf.
School Fees
A reminder that school fees were due at the end of Term 3. At the end of the term, an email was sent to famlies with an existing direct debit that needed to be increased. If you have not already returned the direct debit amendment form, please do so at your earliest convenience. If you have any questions about school fees, please contact the office.
Signing in at the Office
Just a reminder to bring your Working with Children's Check with you when you visit our school and remember to sign in and out at the office.
PAM Notifications
With a busy term ahead, please ensure you are reading all school correspodence thoroughly, in particular school activity permissions. If you are having trouble accessing your PAM account, please contact the office.
Labelling school items
With the mornings cool and the afternoons warming up, just a reminder to clearly label school jumpers and hats so they can be returned to your child.
Book Club - Issue 6
Scholastic Book Club Issue 6 has been sent home. We will not be accepting cash payments for orders. Please order online following the instructions below.
Issue 7 orders are due Friday October 21st
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
Items for Sale
The following items are available for a donation. Please contact the office 50335241.
News from the Canteen
Rivett's Pies are available every Tuesday & Thursday
from the Specials Menu for $4.50!
Our cut off time for CDF Pay orders is 9.30am
If you are able to help in the canteen in Term 4, please email the office office@smswanhill.catholic.edu.au
CANTEEN ROSTER:
Student of the Week
Birthday Wishes
What's happening in 2S?
Community News
Swan Hill Soccer League Summer 5's
Starts this Friday 7th October at Ken Harrison Reserve from 6pm. The first few weeks will be come and try days. Registration Day is Thursday 6th October 5.30pm-6.30pm. Registrations must be paid prior to the season starting.