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Newsletter Term 1 Week 2

Principal's Message

Dear Parents & Families,

We had a very positive start to our school year last week and it was wonderful to see our classrooms and the playground full of happy children. Our Foundation children loved their first opportunity to meet and work with their Year 6 PALS, the brekky club was back, and it was equally as exciting to get into all classrooms and see children bright and energized and ready to start another school year! It was also fantastic to see many families taking the the opportunity to bring their child to the classroom and meet their teacher and other staff who work in that room.

School Photo Day - Tomorrow Tuesday February 7th
Get those hairdos happening and make sure the shoes are polished, as it’s school photo day tomorrow, Tuesday 7th February! On school photo day students wear the normal school uniform they would wear on Tuesdays. This means if your child has PE or Sport on Tuesday, they would wear their Sports uniform. If they don’t, they wear their regular school uniform. All information has been sent out via PAM. The students' individual and class photos will be taken on this day. If you have any concerns or queries regarding your school photo order please give the office a call.

Beginning of School Year Mass - Thursday 9th February
All families are warmly invited to join us this Thursday February 9th at 9.15 am to celebrate the 2023 Beginning School Year Mass in the gym.

The first few weeks............
In the first few weeks of this year we focus on “Learning To Learn” at St Mary's. Time is spent on creating a safe and supportive learning environment, getting to know all students' DNA (Dreams, Needs and Abilities) and on establishing learning routines and expectations. There is also a strong emphasis on developing a culture of understanding and respect for each other in our school, supporting children to build their skills of resilience, have a growth mindset and relish taking on challenges. Across the classes we are discussing the different kinds of learning dispositions that we can develop and how we can live out the St Mary’s Way.

Positive Greetings

Positive greetings and taking the time to say hello and how are you is our first School Wide Positive Behaviour focus. It has been delightful to see and hear the children taking the time to practise this very important life skill as they interact in the yard and in class.

I love this short video we put together to show our students just what positive greetings look like and thank our staff who volunteered their children for a few cameo appearances!

Keeping in touch – Our communication with you
Throughout the year there will be times when you need to contact your child’s teacher(s) or one of the senior leadership team. We encourage frank and open discussions at all times and would suggest that any matter, major or minor, is best dealt with sooner rather than later. If there is something you are concerned about, unsure of or puzzled by regarding your child we would encourage you to touch base with us. While it may be convenient to try to catch a teacher before or after the school day, this may not be the most appropriate time to have an in-depth discussion about your child. So how do you do this? Phone or email to the school, who will contact the class teacher asking them to call you. We strongly encourage all families to join our school Facebook page www.facebook.com/stmarysswanhillvictoria as it captures many different events occurring at the school while our Instagram page #stmarysswanhill gives you lots of insights into what is happening on a day to day basis around the school. In particular, our Facebook page is a handy quick reference if you want to check details about upcoming events as these are always promoted on this platform. Our school website www.smswanhill.catholic.edu.au provides a very comprehensive overview of the school and the snapshot tours are well worth a look.

In terms of other communication, please ensure that you have set up your PAM account. This platform will keep you up to date with weekly reminders and the newsletter. We showcase key events in The Guardian and upcoming events regularly on the local radio station and on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Assembly Celebrations
Our Friday assemblies start on Friday 24th February with each class taking a turn to host the assembly. Friday assembly runs from 12:25pm -12.55pm and all families are warmly invited to attend and to stay for lunch in our grounds. You will see our School Captains at the Gym entrance, who will show you where to sign in and direct you to your seats. Each week we video the Students of the Week award winners and share this on our school Facebook page.

Parent Carparks
We will continue with our system of students with surnames A-L using the carpark near the office and M-Z using the parent gym carpark at the start and end of the day.

Have a great week as we all get back into the swing of school life,

Kate

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

Key Dates

Tuesday February 7th
School photos
Thursday February 9th
Start of Year Mass - 9.15am (Gym)
Swimming Trials - 1pm-3pm
Friday February 10th
Backflips against Bullying Incursion
Tuesday February 14th
Regional Swimming
Wednesday February 15th
Year 6 Leadership Day
Monday February 20th - Wednesday February 22nd
History Box Incursion
Tuesday February 21st
Shrove Tuesday
Wednesday February 22nd
Ash Wednesday Liturgy 9.15am
Friday February 24th
Assembly 12.25pm - 5I
Monday February 27th
Pupil Free Day - Staff PD Day
Monday March 13th
Public Holiday
Tuesday March 14th - Friday March 17th
Year 6 Camp
Wednesday March 15th
NAPLAN Testing Period commences
Monday March 27th & Tuesday March 28th
Year 4 Reconciliation
Wednesday March 29th
Italian Day
Thursday April 5th
Holy Week Liturgy 9.15am
Thursday April 6th
End of Term 1

Wellbeing with Mr Prockter

Week 1 has finished as quickly as it has started! It’s been overwhelming how well all students have settled into the classrooms through week 1, in particular the Foundation students. I thought I would use these newsletter posts to share some information around ‘What is Wellbeing?”.

As we roll into another week of everyone’s busy lives, it’s important to keep a focus on our mental fitness and general wellbeing. By taking time out for yourself each day is crucial- but challenging. I encourage you all to find time to do something you love each day. A focus on sleep, nutrition, movement and human connection will enhance your day and lift your mood and perspective. When we are in a mentally fit mindset we are able to practice gratitude better. You’re able to to notice and accept how you’re feeling and can avoid getting stuck in a vortex of negative or anxious thoughts about the past or future.

Please remember if your child was receiving Wellbeing Support in 2022 and you would like it to continue, you need to contact the office or come and see me to sign a consent form.

Have a great week 👍🏼
Stay positive 🙏
Mr Prockter

RE with Mrs Davies

PE with Miss Clark

Swimming Trials- Years 3-6
Students that are interested in participating in the Swim Trial would have received a hard copy note towards the end of last week. The Trials will be held on Thursday, 9th February at the Swan Hill Town Swimming Pool (outdoor) beginning at 1.15pm for students 9 years and older.

This is an OPTIONAL event and students who participate must be able to swim 50m (1 lap) non stop in order to try out. On the day, each child who wishes to participate will be given the opportunity to swim in the stroke(s) that they have nominated. All strokes will be 50m. We will record their time for each nominated stroke to determine the fastest 2 swimmers for each event in each age group to qualify for the DIVISION SWIMMING competition held later in the month. I will also be asking for parent volunteers for timing and recording results. Please ensure permission is returned asap.

Team Vic State Team Trials
The Team Vic Registration period has opened again for students wishing to trial for the 2023 Team Vic teams. This is a parent driven process of registering online, paying a fee and attending trials after school. If you have a child who is highly skilled in AFL, Basketball, Soccer or Netball and would like to trial for any of these sports please register via an online portal https://www.ssv.vic.edu.au/team-vic (there is a $25 registration fee payable for each sport. Unfortunately, no trials in Cricket this year)

*Registrations close late February early March and no late entries will be accepted so please register early.

Students need to be turning 12, 11 or 10 this year. However it is recommended that students have high skills in their chosen sport/s as the trials are not come and try events.

Once you have registered you will be notified of trial dates occurring in Swan Hill in late April early May 2023. (TBC 4 – 5pm). For further information please feel free to contact Tim Croft 0439032354 or Max Carroll 03 50321336

What has Mac been up to?

Mac began his first full day with students last Wednesday. He was a huge hit with the students, as they were all so eager to finally see him.

Mac was able to do a meet and greet with the majority of the classes and spent some time later in the day with 6O.

He was somewhat tired by the end of the day, but he was fired up later that night ready to go for a walk.

Mac will be at school on Mondays and Wednesdays, with the aim of coming to school even more as he settles in and the year progresses. He will have an evolving timetable that includes yard duties, time with the wellbeing team and in general classrooms.

@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

Bus Travel Arrangements
With a new school year comes the beginning of new after school activities. Please take the time to confirm your child's bus travel arrangements and notify the office of any changes. It is also a good idea to chat with your child about how they are getting home from school each day and a reminder to let the office know, rather than your child's teacher if there are changes to their normal travel arrangements.

School Fees 2023
We have finalised the school accounts for 2023 and these will be emailed or posted out this week. If you would like assistance setting up a direct debit or have any questions or queries about the fees please contact the office, we are more than happy to discuss them.

Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF)
Applications for CSEF close on 23rd June 2023

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child. The annual CSEF amount per student is $125 for primary school students.

HOW TO APPLY:
New applicants should contact the school office to obtain a CSEF application form or download from the CSEF website www.vic.gov.au/camps-sports-and-excursions-fund

If you applied for the CSEF at your child’s school in 2022, you do not need to complete an application form in 2023 unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.

You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred:

new student enrolments; your child has started or changed schools in 2023 or you did not apply in 2022
changed family circumstances; such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing at the school in 2023.

If you are unsure please contact the school office on 50332541.

If you are eligible for CSEF you are also eligible for the Family Fee Assistance Scheme. The FFAS amount for 2023 is $850.00. This amount is credited against your school fee account once your CSEF application has been validated.

Breakfast Club
Our Breakfast Club program is in need of vegemite, honey and jam. Donations can be left at the office. We are also looking for a parent helper every Tuesday from 8.25am-9am. Please contact the office if you would like to assist.

Book Fair
Our Book Fair will be running from Monday February 20th - Friday February 24th. More information to come.

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.

Book Club Issue 1 - due Thursday February 16th
Scholastic Book Club Issue 1 has been sent home. We will not be accepting cash payments for orders. Please order online following the instructions below. 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

News from the Canteen

Ordering from our canteen for recess or lunch is online via CDF Pay
www.swswanhill.cdfpay.org.au
Orders are to be placed by 9.30am. We recommend ordering the night before.

We need your help in the canteen in 2023. Volunteer hours are 11.30am-1.30pm and all you need is your VIC WWCC.

Please contact the office via phone 50332541 or via email office@smswanhill.catholic.edu.au if you would like to be added to the roster.