Newsletter Term 1 Week 6
Principal's Message
Dear Parents & Families,
This week our Family Welcome Picnic on Tuesday 7th March offers a great chance to join in fun activities and meet up with new and old friends!
Families are warmly invited to bring the picnic rug, a picnic tea and enjoy time at school from 5.30pm-7.00pm, mixing informally, having a look around our school and enjoying some music by Tony Haley in the passive play area.
Classrooms are open from 5.30-6.15, it's a great chance to reconnect and there are loads of games and activities for the kids to enjoy! Look forward to seeing you there!
NAPLAN
NAPLAN is being held this term in Week 7-8, March 15th- 23rd
Students in Years Three and Five will complete four assessments - Writing (narrative or persuasive), Reading, Conventions of Language and Mathematics. Each online session will run between 40-50 minutes depending on the topic and year level. NAPLAN is a point-in-time assessment that allows parents to see how their child is progressing in Literacy and Mathematics against the national standard and compared with their peers throughout Australia. At the classroom level, NAPLAN provides additional information to support teachers’ professional judgment about student progress.
The best way you can help your child prepare for NAPLAN is to reassure them that NAPLAN tests are just one part of their school program and to advise them to do the best they can on the day. Ensure your child has had proper rest and has a healthy snack and lunch as usual. Students who are funded under Special Needs may be exempted from completing the NAPLAN tests. Parents/Guardians who do not want their child to sit the test, please contact the school for an Exemption form. If your son/daughter is not a funded student, a parent/guardian may withdraw the student from one or all of the NAPLAN tests. Parents/ Guardians need to contact their child's teacher, Chris Prockter , or myself if they wish to withdraw their child from any of the NAPLAN tests.
NAPLAN information has also been sent to all families with students in Years 3 & 5 via email.
Cyber Safety Workshop
Today Senior Constable Andrew Downes ran a very informative and frank session with our Year 4, 5 & 6 students and teachers on using social media in a responsible and appropriate manner. Andrew discussed a wide range of topics and the issues involved when young people fail to use the internet responsibly
He will be back again in Term 2 to run an information session for parents.
Open Day 1 - Wednesday 15th March 5pm
We are happiest when prospective families pay us a visit to see for themselves what makes us different. New and existing families are invited to join us to learn about St Mary’s at our first Open Day - Wednesday 15th March with tours starting at 5pm. We will have further Open Days on weekends in May and the opportunity to see our school in action throughout the day during Term 2. Please call the office on 50332541 or filling a registration form at:
https://smswanhill.catholic.edu.au/book-a-tour/
St Pats Races - Sunday March 19th
Save the date! Sunday March 19th is the annual St Patrick's Cup Family race meeting in Swan Hill and a major fundraiser for our school. With free children's activities there is everything from face painting, foot races, kick the footy in the ute, the jumping castle and pony rides, not to mention the actual races - the St Pat’s Day races. All this makes it a terrific family day out. 100% of proceeds from the entrance to the races and raffle sales go towards the purchasing outdoor playground equipment to create a NEW Ninja Playground area.
Parent Teacher Interviews and Student Led Conferences
Tuesday 21/3 and Tuesday 28/3 have been set aside for staff to conduct Parent/Teacher Interviews. This is a great opportunity for all parents to book a time to spend with your child’s teacher. Our Year 5 & 6 students will participate in Student Led Conferences with their families, while our Year 2-4 students will run 3 Way Chats with both parents and their children required to attend. Foundation and Year 1 will have Parent/Teacher interviews where the children are not required to attend. Bookings will open next week on PAM.
Parent Survey - Paper vs Electronic
Parent feedback is something we value and with this in mind, I would ask you to take 1 minute out of your day to fill in this very short survey which seeks your opinion about paper versus electronic based school reports. Your feedback will help shape a decision about which format is preferable going forward. https://forms.gle/iUeZEpp2Jo1A5ZxY9
Public Holiday -Monday 13th March
Just a reminder that next Monday is a public holiday in Victoria so all schools are closed on that day.
Have a great week and enjoy the long weekend,
Kate
"Never See a Need Without Doing Something About It"
Mary MacKillop - Sisters of St Joseph Foundress
Key Dates
Monday March 6th
CyberSafe Workshop
Tuesday March 7th
Welcome Picnic - 5.30pm-7pm
Friday March 10th
Assembly 12.25pm - 2C
Monday March 13th
Public Holiday
Tuesday March 14th - Friday March 17th
Year 6 Camp
Tuesday March 14th
Regional Swimming
Wednesday March 15th
NAPLAN Testing Period commences
Open Day (tours at 5pm)
Friday March 17th
Assembly 12.25pm - 1B
Sunday March 19th
St Pat's Cup Family Day
Tuesday March 21st
Parent Teacher Interviews
Friday March 24th
Assembly 12.25pm - 4N
Monday March 27th & Tuesday March 28th
Year 4 Reconciliation
Tuesday March 28th
Parent Teacher Interviews
Wednesday March 29th
Italian Day
Friday March 31st
Assembly 12.25pm - 1Y
Year 5/6 Summer Sports
Thursday April 5th
Holy Week Liturgy 9.15am
Thursday April 6th
End of Term 1
Wellbeing with Mr Prockter
The Resilience Project
Parent & Carer Presentation - 23rd March
What you can expect...
Through emotionally engaging stories and practical strategies, this session will help parents and carers understand the benefits of letting go of shame, perfection, ego and control. It will combine powerful research with candid storytelling, along with a few laughs to help support what is arguably the toughest job in the world... being a parent or carer!
Why a Parent & Carer presentation?
When building positive mental health in schools, we know the best impact happens when we work together.
The ‘Authentic Connection’ presentation helps do just that by sharing those same evidence-based strategies being taught in the classroom, so they can be also practised at home and beyond. Attendees will also be reminded of the importance of their own wellbeing - we bring the best versions of ourselves to our family and community, when we make time to look after ourselves.
ABOUT THE RESILIENCE PROJECT (Click the link): About - The Resilience Project
Parents and Carer will need to register for the webinar using the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkfuipqD8qE9W3e5ySVSZgpLSwgmocjYTi
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Mr Prockter 👍
RE with Mrs Davies
Reconciliation Enrolment Sessions
It was lovely to see lots of Year 4 children and their families attend Mass and the Reconciliation Preparation Sessions over the weekend. Fr James and Mary led a very informative and engaging session where the children learnt all about what Reconciliation is and how they can begin to prepare for this special sacrament. The magic trick was definitely a highlight! Families will now work through the 3 week program sent home after the session. For those needing some help or extra support with this the parish will be running sessions over the next few Thursdays from 4-5pm in the Parish Function Centre.
PE with Miss Clark
Sharon Denham Year 6 Basketball visit
The Year 6’s have completed 3 out of 4 sessions so far with Sharon. This last week's focus was on defence. Sharon focused on bending at the knees, hands out wide and ‘shuffling’. She also made a point to point out that it was important to get in front of the opposition with the ball when defending to slow them down on their way to the basket or to make them pass. All classes have been doing modified games with the focus of ‘cutting’ after passing the ball. Meaning when you pass the ball you should move under the basket and then away to create space. These are such great skills that can be transferred to any attacking and defending sport.
Year 5 and 6 Summer Sport Practice
The Year 5 and 6 students have completed their third coaching session for the Summer Sports. There are 2 more coaching sessions before the competition on Friday the 31st of March. It is also great to see some students practicing their chosen sport at recess and lunch times to get in additional practice.
Sustainability with Mrs Ward
Discover some simple hacks, tips and guidance to make the most of your food at home. Find out why it’s so crucial that we all do our bit to save our food from the bin - and protect our beautiful planet at the same time too.
https://lovefoodhatewaste.com/
@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
PAM - Connect Fields
We kindly ask that all families log in to their PAM accounts, view the "Incomplete Connect Fields" that will appear on your homescreen and action the Digital Tech Agreement & Photo/Video Permission for 2023. If you still require assistance with your PAM account, please contact 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
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.
If you are able to help in the canteen on any of the dates in yellow, please contact the office on 50332541 or email office@smswanhill.catholic.edu.au
Student of the Week
Birthday Wishes
What's happening in 2E?
Community News
