Newsletter Term 4 Week 10

Principal's Message

Dear Parents & Families,

Last week we said farewell to Rosie Lennox and Rachel Evans, both students from ACU (Australian Catholic University) who have spent the past month here on placement in 3G and 5Blue as part of our involvement in the ACU rural hub initiative. They both loved the country experience and we hope to see them again next year. This week brings the excitement of Orientation Day and also for us as a faith community, the second week of Advent. Advent is a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ’s first coming is remembered and a time of joyful expectation.

Carols Night-Tuesday 6th December
This wonderful evening is fast approaching and we are looking forward to seeing you all at school  tomorrow evening, Tuesday 6th December.

The children, along with their teachers, Mrs Dunstan and Mrs Gerakis, have been busy practising to make sure this is a special night in the lead up to Christmas. The night will begin with our choir singing, then the Year 2  children, Year 1 and then and will follow with each year level in order. The whole school sing will conclude the night! We look forward to seeing you all at this special School Christmas event! The evening begins at 6.00pm with the first performance beginning at 6:30 pm sharp.

2023 Planning Day - Thursday December 8th
Just a reminder to all families that Thursday, 8th of December is our final school closure day. This time is used by staff to work with their new team and begin preparation of curriculum to be taught in the 2023 year.

St Mary’s Orientation Day 2022 & Year 6 Transition Day
This Friday December 9th, we will hold our Orientation Day when our new Foundation children come to our school and all our existing students move up into their new classroom, meet their new teacher and begin to form relationships with their 2023 classmates. This day runs until 12.30 pm and provides a great opportunity for your child to familiarise themselves with their new classmates and teachers. At 12pm, our preschoolers go home and at 12.30pm all other children return to their 2022 classrooms for the remainder of the day. Year 6 students transitioning into Year 7 are also spending time at their respective new schools in the latter part of the week.

Your child will bring a copy of their 2023 class list home with them on Wednesday afternoon along with details about how to book in for our 2023 Meet the Teacher Chats.

Fly into Foundation 
It has been fantastic to have our newest St Mary's students join us for our Fly into Foundation, our Term 4 transition program. They were very excited to participate in classroom activities last week and we are looking forward to them joining us and meeting their new teacher and classmates on Friday.

Staffing Update  2023
Please find below the specialist and support staff  teachers for 2023;

In other staffing news, we farewell Wendy Rodriguez, Kate Dunstan who has taken a position closer to home in Kerang and Nicola Rintoule who is heading to Darwin to work. We are going to miss these ladies on staff, but wish them  the very best in their new roles. We also farewell Tahera Jafari who has taken 12 months leave to spend time with her family in Melbourne.

St Mary’s Got Talent
The ever popular St Mary’s Got Talent is back with students and staff alike set to enjoy the singing and dancing routines being performed by many of our students throughout the week. Set up many years ago, it has become an integral part of December lunchtimes at St Mary’s. With auditions completed in Week 9, we have three days of fabulous acts lined up so are certainly in for a  treat!

 St Mary’s End of Year Mass 
On Tuesday, 13th December at 11.00am we will celebrate our school year with a Mass at St Mary’s Church. This Mass is our way to formally reflect upon and celebrate all we have achieved this year and to say farewell to our Year 6 students and any departing staff. We hope all families can attend this Mass as it is such a special occasion for our school community. 

Start of Year - Meet the Teacher Chats
Before the end of the school year, you are asked to book a timeslot for our annual Meet the Teacher Chats which are conducted at the start of the school year. You will receive instructions and a code on how to log in to select your preferred time on Friday 27th January. Please look out for a flyer coming home this week detailing how to book a time.

I hope you have a great week and are enjoying the lead up to Christmas with your family,

Kate

Key Dates

Tuesday December 6th
Christmas Carols Event
Thursday December 8th
Pupil Free Day
Friday December 9th
Orientation Day
Monday December 12th
Year 6 Graduation
Tuesday December 13th
End of Year Mass
Wednesday December 14th
Break up day activities/Last day for students

2023 Dates
Friday January 27th
Meet the Teacher Chats - more information to come
Tuesday January 31st
First day for all students
Tuesday Febraury 7th
School photo day - more information to come

Wellbeing with Mrs Gook & Mr Prockter

The Why of Kindness
‘The biggest benefit of being kind is its impact on our own mental health and on those around you.  Simply put, it makes you happy! According to one study, happiness stems from the achievement of a psychological reward, and being kind to others is one of our important adaptive goals.’

‘Being kind also creates a sense of belonging and reduces self-isolation.’ ‘Finally, kindness is infectious’.  ‘Make kindness the norm!’

As we get ready for Christmas and holidays it is more important than ever to be mindful of kindness. It can be such a busy and often stressful time so a little kindness never goes astray.

RE with Mrs Davies

As part of our commitment to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and make a difference in the community, St. Mary's helps out with Meals on Wheels in Swan Hill. Here are some of our Year 6 students helping out last week.

PE with Miss Clark

State Golf Championships
Last Friday, the 2nd of December was the Primary School State Golf Finals held at Gisborne Golf Club. Well done to Mason F who represented St Mary’s at this competition. He did such a great job and it is a fantastic achievement to play at this level. Mason came 56th in this tournament and we will no doubt see him at Murray Downs Golf Club enjoying the great game!

Sustainability with Mrs Ward

Here are some sustainable living tips for beginners;
1. Buy reusable water bottles
2. Invest in reusable bags
3. Be mindful of your transportation
4. Minimise your water use
5. Use a clean energy supplier
6. Take advantage of your councils recycling program

@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

As we approach the end of the year we are starting to plan for 2023.
We wanted to let you know that your 2022 standard bookings will be rolled over for 2023.
If you wanted to make any changes to your bookings for 2023 please send an email to office@smswanhill.catholic.edu.au

News from the Office

School correspondence during Christmas holiday break
Just a reminder to regularly check your emails during the holidays as important school related information will be sent in January. This includes an upgrade to PAM which will require all familes to reverify their accounts.

Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club is kindly asking for donations of vegemite and jam. Donations can be left at the office.

Rapid Antigen Tests
We have excess supply of Rapid Antigen Tests available for families. You can collect test kits from the office between 8.30am and 4pm. 

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 

If you are able to help in the canteen in 2023, please contact the office on 50332541 or email office@smswanhill.catholic.edu.au

Student of the Week

Birthday Wishes

Year 5 Camp

Community News