Newsletter Term 2 Week 6

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Families,

This morning we farewelled our Year 4 staff and students as they boarded the buses to head to Cave Hill Creek Camp near Ballarat. Check our socials for updates of all the fun to be had there!

We had a great day on Friday celebrating Catholic Education Week with St Mary MacKillop College followed by a shared lunch at Mackillop College before returning for an afternoon of fun and activities at school.

Catholic Education Week was a perfect time to showcase all our wonderful school has on offer and we had an excellent response to our School in Action tours with a number of prospective families taking up the opportunity to see our Foundation classrooms  and specialists working in real time. We also had quite a few new families enjoy a school tour at our most recent Open Day held yesterday, Sunday May 28th. 

Lastly, farewell and all the very best to Dillon Boby who is moving to Bendigo on Friday and a warm welcome to Livleen Brar and Dhruthika Sowoji who have recently moved to Swan Hill and joined  5J and Foundation Yellow last week.

Flying Start and 2024 Enrolments 
Enrolments have been steady for Flying Start and places are filling fast, especially in the 9.30am session, so don’t forget to contact the school to confirm a place for your preschooler. They love the chance to experience sessions of Phonics, Music, Italian, Physical Education, Art and Technology and to meet many of our teachers along the way. Flying Start runs in Term 3 on Thursday or Friday mornings from (1) 9:00 to 10:30 and (2) 11:30 – 1:00 for all interested families. Ring the office for more information.

Junior Cross Country
Oh this was a LOT of fun!  Well done to Miss Clark for her organisation of the Junior Cross Country. There was a terrific atmosphere on Thursday, with friends, family and our older students all encouraging our runners and celebrating their efforts.

SRC Report
We raised a $546.60 on Wednesday and enjoyed the chance to walk in the sunshine while we clocked up laps for the Multiple Sclerosis Fundraiser, 50K in May. The chance to hear from Luke O’Toole about what MS is and how it can affect someone who lives with it also really helped us understand more about this disease. Thanks to Mrs Davies, Mr Davidson, Mr Dullard  and the SRC for organising this event.

Gen Bryant
There are always so many amazing experiences on offer at St Mary’s and this week is no exception with the return of with Gen Bryant and her band performing for the school. Back by popular demand, we all enjoy and are inspired by Gen’s music as she plays many original songs which share her love of God and her faith. Gen is running a workshop for our choir followed by a whole school concert at 11.30am. All parents and caregivers are warmly welcome to attend.

Have a terrific week and I look forward to seeing many of you at assembly hosted by 1A on Friday or as we celebrate the Year 4 children making their First Holy Communion over the weekend at our Parish Masses.

Kate

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

Key Dates

Monday May 29th - Wednesday May 31st
Year 4 Camp
Wednesday May 31st
Gen Bryant Concert
Friday June 2nd
Assembly 12.25pm - 1A
Saturday June 3rd & Sunday June 4th
Year 4 Eucharist Masses
Monday June 5th - Wednesday June 7th
Year 5 Camp
Tuesday June 6th
Regional Cross Country
Friday June 9th
Assembly 12.25pm - 4M
Monday June 12th
Public Holiday

Wellbeing with Mr Prockter

In accordance with Child Safe Standard 9: Physical and online environments

We all can fall into the trap of technology. It is the way of the world…but we can control its impact on our children and us! We have to think about how phones can be best used and at what age do they actually need them? I found this quote by Adam Grant is really interesting. Adam is an organizational psychologist.

RE with Mrs Davies

Catholic Education Week - CESH Celebrations
Last Friday our whole school travelled down to St Mary MacKillop College to celebrate our annual CESH Mass. During the mass we reflected on the great work that our Catholic schools do in educating the young people of today’s world. After Mass we had a shared lunch together with the MacKillop students. A big thank you to Fr James, Gerry and all of our wonderful staff from both schools who organised the day. 

Sustainability with Mrs Ward

Zero Waste
As we get into cooking comfort meals, veggies begin to become a highlight of these dishes. A way to save you time, reduce food waste and to give your meals an added nutritional boost, DON’T PEEL YOUR ROOT VEGETABLES! The skin will become tender during the cooking process, so just make sure you give them an extra scrub under water before using them.

PE with Miss Clark

PMP
The Foundation and Year One students have completed their first week of the PMP program. Thank you to the parent and family helpers and House Captains who have helped run a station activity so far. Every week there will be four new station activities for the students to practice their motor skills such as balance, throwing and catching, jumping etc. The students also continue to develop skills such as taking turns, listening to instructions, resilience and decision making.

Junior Cross Country
The Junior Cross Country was held last week on Thursday the 25th of May. We were very lucky that the rain held off until the evening which left the conditions perfect for a run but may be a little chilly for a spectator!  Well done to all the junior students that participated.  It was wonderful to see so many children try their best in a fun, encouraging and competitive environment.  We are grateful for all the parents, family and friends who came to watch and support the children. A big thank you to all the teachers for their support on the day and to the House Captains who all did an amazing job for helping run the event. Students that finished in the top 10 for each race will have certificates presented at the next assembly.

@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

CSEF Applications 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.

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 to add your child's absence on PAM
PAM is our preferred notification method for absences. Absences must be entered prior to 9.25am on the day your child will be absent. Absences can also be entered in advance.

On PAM, you can add an absence if:

• Your child is going to be absent for the day (All Day)
• Your child is going to be late to school (Arriving Late)
• Your child is going to be leaving early from school (Leaving Early)
• Your child will be leaving school and returning eg. for an appointment (Partial)
• Your child is going to be absent for more than one day (Multi-day max of 7 days)

To add an absence:

• Log in to your PAM account
• Select “Parent Notified Absences” listed under “Students”. This can also be accessed by selecting the 3 line menu bar on the top right hand corner of the screen and selecting “Parent Notified Absence”.
• Select “Add Absence”
• Select the child who will be absent
• Select the reason for your child’s absence
• Select the appropriate absence period
• Select the absence date
• Notes can be added if required
• You can edit or delete current and future absences, by clicking on your child and amending it if required
  

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. 

Lost Property
School shoe found in the school carpark - size 2.

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

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