Newsletter Term 4 Week 6

Principal's Message

Dear Parents & Families,

We keep the increasing number of  families impacted by the current floods in the Swan Hill and surrounding districts in our thoughts and prayers this week as all anxiously wait for rivers to peak in the coming days. It is a very stressful time for everyone and heart breaking for those on the land to see crops ruined and homes and livestock under threat. There has been separate correspondence sent via PAM detailing support on offer from the school to all families affected.

Saturday evening was a special one for some of our Year 3 students, who received the Sacrament of Confirmation, supported by their families and sponsors at our parish mass. It was wonderful to witness their genuine excitement at taking this next step in their faith journey.

Staffing and Student Update
We are going to miss two very talented LSO’s in 2023 with Tahera Jafari  moving to Melbourne for a 12 month stint and Renee Hirst taking leave to focus on completing the last of her teaching degree.

This week we welcome Rosie Lennox and Rachel Evans, 3rd year university students from ACU, who are starting a 4 week placement in 5 Green and 3G respectively. We also welcome Shiman He to 5 Orange, Taylah Lynas to Foundation F and Addison Wanklyn to Foundation D , with all three girls having started at various times throughout the past week. In a week of hello and goodbyes we said farewell to Luke Pham who moved to Brisbane last week, while tomorrow is the last day for Rubi and Logan Slee who are moving to Echuca. We wish Luke, Rubi and Logan all the best at their new schools and will miss them here at St Mary’s.

Grandparents & Friends Night 
Weather permitting, we are looking forward to our annual Grandparents & Friends night this Thursday 10th November. We  understand that the current flood situation may impact on some families or their loved ones being able to attend. While lower key than normal, it will still be a great night and we are currently  in the midst of dance practices and costume making in readiness for our special visitors.
We have many new families to our school who may be unaware of how this event  is organised. Hopefully the following will provide some clarification. We invite all families to attend this night and to bring along their Grandparents or  special  friends as it is a wonderful opportunity to gather and celebrate as a school community. Students sit with their teachers throughout the concert.

ORDER OF THE NIGHT
5:00-6:00—Classrooms are open for all to visit and see the environment and the work that has taken place over the last few weeks. 

6:00-6.30—Classrooms are closed so that children and staff can eat and get ready for their performance. At about 6:20 children will be asked to sit in their year level under the permanent shelter.

6:30—Each year's level presents their performance with the raffle being drawn in between some performances. The evening ends with the staff performance.

FOOD & DRINKS—Food and drinks can be bought on the night. The canteen is also open for sales until the concert starts. A flyer has been sent out informing you of the types of food available.  A map has been attached to the newsletter showing where the various food stalls will be located on our grounds.

RAFFLE— Raffle tickets have been sent home for families to purchase. Please return them via the office basket by Thursday morning. Tickets are also available on the night with raffle ticket sellers located at the school front entrance gates. 

WHAT TO BRING—It is a really good idea to bring your own chairs and rugs to sit on as we often have over 2000 people attend this night. Remember your mozzie repellent! 

PARKING-  The staff car park gates will be open and there is parking in the side streets and in Karinie Street.

Please do not park on our school oval as it is extremely waterlogged.

The children enjoy this night and love presenting their act to everyone. It is not a production but we are always amazed at how well the children and staff perform.

School Advisory Council Nomination - 1 Vacancy remaining
The School Advisory Council’s role is to support and give advice to the principal in matters which affect St Mary’s. This includes input about policies, aspects of management and in planning future directions for the school. 

With some of our parent representatives finishing their two year term in December, currently there is one vacancy remaining on the SAC.  Please give this some thought and if you are interested in this area of school life please contact Kate or Jason as we would welcome discussing the SAC with you.  Nominations must be  handed into the school office by Friday 18th November or by emailing principal@smswanhill.catholic.edu.au

I hope you all have a wonderful week and look forward to seeing you Thursday night.

Kate

Key Dates

Tuesday November 8th
Regional Basketball
Thursday November 10th
Grandparents & Friends Night
Monday November 14th - Tuesday November 15th
Year 4 Camp
Friday November 18th
Assembly 12.25pm - 4M

Wellbeing with Mrs Gook & Mr Prockter

Wellbeing support during this time of uncertainty surrounding the floods across our country.

We understand how anxious many families are at the moment as many have had to relocate as the rising water starts to really impact their homes, land and animals. It is a very stressful time for everyone and heart breaking for those on the land to see crops ruined and homes and livestock under threat. The uncertainty of it all makes it difficult for children to understand and impacts on their emotional wellbeing.

If you would like any extra support for your children from our wellbeing team please contact either Kate Quin or Ginny Gook.

Curriculum with Mrs Hall

Christmas Card Drawing Competition
A very big congratulations to Arna C on her fabulous drawing and being a joint winner of Anne Webster MP (Federal Minister for Mallee) Christmas Card Drawing Competition. Her winning design will be featured on Anne’s Christmas Card which will be distributed to a range of people; including constituents, my fellow MP’s, Senators and Community Groups.

 Arna will receive a $50.00 book voucher and our school has won a $500.00 (book voucher or gift voucher) to spend on books in your library.  Well done Arna, the St Mary’s Primary School community is very proud of you!

RE with Mrs Davies

Year 3 Confirmation
A big congratulations to the children who celebrated their Sacrament of First Confirmation over the weekend. It was a lovely occasion and a special time spent together with family and friends to undertake the next step in their faith journey. A big thank you to Fr James and Mary for all of their preparation and hard work in organising this special occasion.

PE with Miss Clark

State Athletics
We had 8 students attend State Athletics last Wednesday in Melbourne.
The results are as follows;
Kayla Mc: 9th in 100m (14.39 seconds), 12th in 200m (31.06 seconds)
Myles H: 14th in Hurdles (15.87 seconds)
Isla B: 12th in 200m (31.19 seconds)
Violet C: 16th in Shot Put (7.22m)
Ollie S: 9th in High Jump (1.33m)
11 Girls relay team (Kayla Mc, Lola R, Lola P, Kayla S) 11th (1.03.34 seconds)

A special mention to Kayla for 100m in sprint, Myles in Hurdles and Violet for shot put for improving their score at State level compared to Regionals.

Well done again to all these students. St Mary's is very lucky to have so many students representing our school at the State level!

Regional T20 Cricket
Last week on Friday the 4th of November, St Mary’s had two boy’s teams and one girls team attend the Regional T20 Cricket day at Swan Hill and Tyntyner ovals. The weather was perfect and all teams showed great sportsmanship and thoroughly enjoyed the day. Both the girls and boys teams 2 ended the day coming 4th and the boys team 1 narrowly lost the grand final and came runners up for the day. A big thank you to Mr Cruickshank for coming to help out with the teams. Also a big thank you to parents, family and friends who came to support our students.

House Captain Interviews
This week myself and Mrs Quin will be conducting House Captain interviews on Friday the 11th of November. Students that have applied should think about their strengths, why they want to be house captain and sports they enjoy/ play to prepare for the chat. There will be four student captains for each house. Goodluck to all applicants!

Upcoming Sports this week
Regional Basketball: Tuesday 8th of November
Regional Hot Shots Tennis: Thursday 10th of November
Goodluck to the teams competing!

Sustainability with Mrs Ward

National Recycling Week: 7th to 13th of November
Check It! Before You Chuck It is a new campaign encouraging us all to always check the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) when disposing of packaging. 

@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

Rememberance Day
We have items available at the office for this years Rememberance Day RSL Poppy Appeal. Prices range from $1-$5.

Rapid Antigen Test Collection - Weeks 5 - 8
You can collect your test kits from the office window for Weeks 5-8 (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.

News from the Canteen

CHECK OUT OUR NEW SPECIALS!!!!
WEDNESDAY - PIZZA PINWHEELS (x2) $2.00
FRIDAY- SUSHI BALLS (x2) $2.00

Our cut off time for CDF Pay orders is 9.30am 

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!!!!! If you are able to help in the canteen in Term 4, please contact the office on 50332541 or email office@smswanhill.catholic.edu.au

Student of the Week

Birthday Wishes

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Community News