Newsletter Term 2 Week 3

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Families,

It was wonderful to celebrate and acknowledge how special our Mums and special Friends are to their families this morning at our annual Mother's Day morning tea. The children loved the opportunity for a special person in their lives to visit their classroom, receive a special treat for morning tea and then share recess with them in our beautiful gardens.

On Friday, we said farewell to Sophie Key who has relocated to Mildura to live and today we welcome Dhruthika Sowoji to Foundation Yellow. We also said good bye and thank you to Jess Taylor, one of our wonderful LSO’s and wish her and Koby all the best as they await the arrival of their new baby in late May.

Colour Run
There certainly was some slime and coloured powder flying around on our senior oval on Friday as staff, students and some brave parents got into the spirit of things! It was fantastic to see all the kids out there having a great time and there was a huge crowd of parents and friends along to witness all the fun. The weather was kind to us and it was a perfect lead into the Senior Cross Country tomorrow. Special thanks must go to Sarah Clark who has done a fantastic job organising both the Great Race and the Senior Cross Country and to Renee and Ebony for all their hard work behind the scenes to ensure the Colour Run success. They both did a mighty job to make sure it all ran without a hitch! To date we have raised almost $12,000 to assist with the installation of a new Ninja playground. Online donations for this event closes on Monday 15th May.

Senior Cross Country
The Great Race was a terrific lead up to the Senior and Junior Cross Country. Thanks to Miss Clark and the Year 6 House Captains for their organisation and encouragement of all the children and it was wonderful to witness so many students and staff out there walking or running laps for their respective teams. The Senior Cross Country Is taking place at Riverside Park tomorrow and we are sure there will be a big turn out of supporters to cheer the runners on.

Year 2 Camp
It's all happening in Year 2, as they get ready to board the bus and set off on an action packed school camp on Friday! Building on their history unit, highlights include, a visit to the Catalina Museum, lawn bowls, a tour through the Kerang museum before returning to Swan Hill for tea at St Mary's and attending the Laser Light show at the Pioneer Settlement.

St Mary MacKillop Transition Day 1
Just a reminder that on Thursday May 11th, our Year 6 students will spend the day at St Mary MacKillop College as part of their transition to secondary school program. This is a great opportunity for our students to enjoy a range of experiences and gain confidence and familiarity in the secondary environment. Please refer to details provided by the college that outline the format for the day.

Enrolments for 2024
Enrolments are now open for children who start Foundation in 2024. Interviews for new and existing families will take place later in Term 2 and continue in Term 3. Parents of existing families who have a child to start in 2024, please ring the office so an enrolment form can be forwarded to you.

I hope all our families have a chance to celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend and that all mothers, nanas and the special women in our lives have a day of happiness, a day where they feel  cherished and where they can share special time with their families. May you feel special and know how loved you are.

Kate

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

Key Dates

Monday May 8th
Mother's Day Morning Tea
Tuesday May 9th
Senior Cross Country
Wednesday May 10th
GRIP Leadership Conference
Thursday May 11th
MacKillop College Transition Day
Friday May 12th
Year 2 Camp
Assembly 12.25pm - 6R
Monday May 15th-Tuesday May 16th
Year 3 Camp
Tuesday May 16th
Division Cross Country
Wednesday May 17th
Pupil Free Day
Thursday May 18th
Year 4 Eucharist Retreat
Friday May 19th
Assembly 12.25pm - 2D

Wellbeing with Mr Prockter

Separation Anxiety 
Separation anxiety is a common experience for many young children when starting school, and it can be a challenging time for both the child and the parent. To help ease the transition and deal with separation anxiety at school drop-off, there are a few strategies parents can employ. Firstly, establishing a consistent routine can be helpful in providing a sense of predictability and security for the child. This might involve developing a set routine for drop-off, such as a special goodbye ritual or a specific time frame for leaving. Additionally, parents can encourage their child's independence by gradually increasing the length of time they spend away from their child, starting with shorter periods and gradually building up over time.

Another helpful strategy is to validate and acknowledge the child's feelings of anxiety and fear. Parents can listen to their child's concerns and offer reassurance and support, reminding them that they will return at the end of the day and that they are loved and cared for.

Separation anxiety can be extremely common… and it can all be ok! Easier said than done though, there is no magic wand but there are always different ways to try and people to support you and your child. 

Have an awesome week!
Mr Prockter :)

Curriculum with Mrs Hall

ANZAC Day Artwork Commemoration
What better way to commemorate the people who sacrificed their lives for their country than an Anzac Day Art. At the start of the term our students spent time researching and learning the important reasons behind the traditions and symbols of Anzac Day. Poppies symbolise remembrance at other times as well as on Anzac Day. The red poppy can be seen at major commemorative events and at military funerals. In ANZAC ceremonies across Australia and New Zealand you would normally hear a lone bugler playing the Last Post, a tune that signals the remembrance of fellow soldiers who lost their lives. 

This beautiful Anzac Art is displayed in our school office area and was created by the  children and teachers in 1Y Mrs Woodburn and 5I Mrs Dacey.

RE with Mrs Davies

Please find below the link for the March 2023 edition of “Our Diocesan Community”

https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ODC-March-2023-website.pdf 

PE with Miss Clark

The Great Race
Well we certainly had all seasons during last week for the Great Race with rain, wind and sunshine. Nevertheless the results are in! But first, a very big thank you to all those staff and students who participated in running or walking laps at lunch time. There was an amazing atmosphere in the school for the week and a great effort by all. Well done to the DINGOES who were the winners this year.

Senior Cross Country
Goodluck to all students in Year 3-6 as they will be participating in the Senior Cross Country this week on Tuesday the 9th of May at Riverside Park. 

The following is approximate times of each event; 
10 year girls and boys starting at 11.30am (2km run)
8/9 year girls and boys starting at 11.50am (2km run)
11 year girls and boys starting at 12.10pm (3km run)
12/13 year girls and boys starting at 12.30pm (3km run)

Family and friends are welcome to come down to support the students. The top students for their age group can go on to represent the school at the Division Cross Country on Tuesday the 16th May.  If your child/ren has qualified for the next stage they will be notified and information regarding this event will be sent home via PAM.

School AFL Clinics
This term, St Mary’s has received funding from Sporting School Victoria and are running 4 weeks of AFL clinics for Years 4 and 5 during their PE sessions run by AFL Victoria. Each week will focus on a different skill needed in AFL. This week the students participated in activities and games to improve their handballing skills

PMP parent helpers
Still calling out for any parent volunteers to help with Foundation and Year One PMP this term starting in week 5! In particular Foundation Green, Blue and Orange and Year One A, B, W and X. Volunteers will be asked to help run a station activity with a small group of students under my guidance during their PE specialist time. If you are interested please return your child/ren’s note or contact the office.

Year 5 and 6 Winter Sports
Training for Year 5 and 6 Winter Sports starts this week. The students could choose from Netball, Football, Soccer or T Ball. All training sessions are conducted by Mackillop students and held here at school on Friday afternoons. The Division Winter Sports day will be held on Friday the 16th of June. Information for this event will be sent via PAM at a later date.

@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

School Beanies
With the weather cooling down, now is a great time to purchase a school beanie! Available on CDF Pay for $15.00.

How do I give permission for my child to attend a school excursion/activity on PAM
You will receive an email notification advising you have a new “school activity permission” available to view. There will be a link to access this through PAM.

Click on this link, this will take you to PAM, log in and in the top right hand corner on the “bell” will be a red dot with a number inside. These are your notifications. Click to view school activity permission details.  Consent is given by scrolling to the bottom of the school activity details. The red numbered dot will disappear once the school activity permission has been opened.

You can view past Excursions & School Activity Permissions by clicking on the student, profile menu, “School Activities”.  You can also use these steps to give consent if the notification has disappeared.

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 3 - Due Friday June 12th 
Scholastic Book Club Issue 3 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
https://smswanhill.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

We are after more parents/grandparents/special friends to help fill out canteen roster. All you need is your VIC WWCC.

Birthday Wishes

Highlights for The Great Race

Community News