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Newsletter Term 3 Week 7

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Families,

You may have noticed a feature near our front gate, the St Mary’s little free library is installed and already in action! Proceeds from our April Casual dress day were used to purchase the library kit and donated books have helped fill the shelves. The library is there for use by Shamrock Park Kinder families, OSHC students and of course our own students at St Mary’s. Why not check it out this week?

On Wednesday we welcomed Dakota Shelton to our school and it has been impressive to see how quickly she has settled into Foundation Yellow. A warm welcome to Miss Aimee Mangiemeli who is on placement in Foundation Blue and Congratulations to Mrs Brooke Bennett, Braidon and big sister Lottie on the safe arrival of Mya.

Lastly farewell to Anoop Kaur and her family who are moving to Bendigo. We have loved having Anoop here at our school and wish her all the very best at her new school.

There is always something on at St Mary’s and this week contains some very popular events taking place for the students to enjoy. Not only is Casual dress for Foundation-2 students on Friday the following is also happening:

First Aid in Schools Incursion
First Aid in Schools Program is a free program delivered by St John Ambulance Professional Trainers, teaching primary school students the importance of First Aid and what to do in an event of an emergency. We have the team back this week delivering this very valuable program to all year levels. This year the program is focussing on what to do in an emergency, teaching our students basic CPR and the how to put patients in the recovery position. It has been great to see so many levels making connections to this incursion with other aspects of the curriculum.

Book Parade
Each year, schools and libraries across Australia spend a week celebrating the new work of Australian authors and illustrators often culminating in a day of dressing up as favourite book characters. St Mary's is famous for its wonderful Book Parade so a warm invitation is extended to join us at the outside assembly area at 9.10am this Thursday where everyone from Kev and Bev to Pig the Pug will be on parade as children and teachers strut their stuff. We thank teachers for the great work they do behind the scenes promoting book characters to children looking for costume ideas and for ensuring that all classes have read and discussed the award winning books. A special thank you to the parents who are so supportive and creative with the costumes for their children.

Senior Athletics (Year 3 – 6)
The St Mary’s Year 3-6 Athletics carnival will be held this Friday the 25th of August at Ken Harrison Reserve. This is always a great day and we thank Mr Smith and Alisha for the enormous amount of work behind the scenes to put this day together. Thank you to those parents who have offered to help on the day. The timetable for events is as follows :

Father’s and Special Friends Celebrations-Advance Notice
Put this on the calendar! On Friday 1st September, we are holding a special event to celebrate all of the Dads and special male figures in the lives of our students. Come along between 10.30-11.30 to see your child in action in the classroom and hear all about what they are learning before spending some time with them on the yard at recess.

Enjoy the week ahead and I look forward to seeing you at either the Book Parade, Athletics Day or out and about in the yard

Kate

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

Key Dates

Tuesday August 22nd & Wednesday August 23rd
First Aid in Schools Incursion
Thursday August 24th
Book Week Parade 9.10am
Friday August 25th
Senior Athletics
Casual Dress Day (Foundation - Year 2 only)
No Assembly
Wednesday August 30th
Parent Teacher Interviews
Friday September 1st
Father's Day Event

Wellbeing with Mr Prockter

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

The Crucial Role of Establishing Routines for School Children
In a world filled with constant change and uncertainty, one thing remains steadfast in its significance: routine. For school children, having a structured daily routine is more than just a mundane sequence of events; it is a vital component that contributes to their overall development and well-being. A well-structured routine provides children with stability, a sense of security, and the opportunity to cultivate essential life skills. Let's delve into the importance of having a routine with kids in school and how it positively impacts their lives.

**1. Consistency and Stability: Children thrive in environments that provide a consistent framework. A well-established routine offers predictability, which in turn promotes feelings of stability and security. When children know what to expect, they are better equipped to manage their emotions, reducing anxiety and stress levels. This stability acts as a foundation for their learning and growth, allowing them to focus on their studies and other activities without the distractions of uncertainty.

**2. Time Management: Learning to manage time is a critical life skill that extends far beyond the classroom. A routine teaches children the importance of allocating time for various activities, whether it's studying, playing, or spending time with family. As they adhere to their routines, they gradually learn how to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and balance different responsibilities – skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

**3. Healthy Habits: A structured routine promotes the establishment of healthy habits. From consistent bedtimes and meal times to regular exercise, children who follow a routine are more likely to engage in practices that support their physical and mental well-being. This foundation of healthy habits significantly reduces the risk of health-related issues and instills an understanding of the importance of self-care.

**4. Optimal Learning: A routine enhances a child's ability to concentrate and learn effectively. Regular study periods incorporated into the routine provide dedicated time for homework and assignments, preventing the last-minute rush that can lead to incomplete or subpar work. When children have designated periods for learning, they are more likely to absorb and retain information, leading to better academic performance.

**5. Social and Emotional Development: Routines help children develop essential social and emotional skills. For instance, scheduled family time encourages bonding and open communication. Additionally, the predictability of a routine allows children to anticipate transitions and changes, reducing tantrums and outbursts. This predictable structure also fosters emotional regulation, enabling children to navigate their feelings in a healthier manner.

**6. Independence and Responsibility: A routine gradually empowers children to take responsibility for their actions. As they follow their daily schedule, they learn to take charge of their tasks, make decisions, and manage their time effectively. These experiences build a sense of independence and autonomy, setting them on a path to becoming responsible individuals who can contribute positively to their communities.

In conclusion, the importance of having a routine with kids in school cannot be overstated. It lays the foundation for their growth, development, and future success. A routine provides consistency, stability, and a platform to develop essential life skills, from time management and healthy habits to social and emotional growth. Parents, educators, and caregivers play a pivotal role in helping children establish and maintain routines that will set them on a path to becoming well-rounded and responsible individuals.

Have a great week! :)
Mr Prockter

St Mary's Stars

Curriculum with Mrs Hall

Interactive Writing
Interactive writing provides students with opportunities to actively participate in constructing sentences and expressing their thoughts. Students in Year 1 have been working together during interactive writing sessions, discussing ideas, sharing insights, and collectively creating written content. This collaborative approach encourages teamwork and communication as well as enhances their vocabulary, sentence structure, and overall language skills. The students used this approach to co-construct “How to make Fairy Bread” and certainly enjoyed ‘the making’ part of the session.

RE with Mrs Davies

Feast Day Celebrations
It was a lovely celebration of our Assumption of Mary Feast Day last Tuesday. We gathered together for our whole school mass celebrating the life of Mother Mary and what a special person she was. A big thanks to Fr James and the Year 5 students for leading a beautiful mass. Throughout the rest of the day our amazing Year 6 students organised and led tabloid sport activities for the whole school out on the oval. The weather was kind to us and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day! This was topped off by a Zing treat afterwards!

PE with Mr Smith

Seniors Athletics
This Friday, August 25th, students from Years 3-6 will be heading to Ken Harrison Reserve to participate in our Senior School Athletics Carnival. Students have been practising hard at all events throughout the duration of the term and are raring to go on what looks to be a nice day weather wise. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to help out for the day, much appreciated. Those who haven’t but would like to, please feel free to get on board as we are a little light on numbers.
Hope to see you all at Ken Harrison Reserve on Friday.

Junior Athletics Carnival
On Thursday, September 7th 2023, the Junior Athletics will be held here at St Mary’s on the oval. Information in regards to this has been sent out via PAM. Much similar to the Senior Athletics, many hands make light work so if you are willing to help out for the day either register via PAM or feel free to send me an email with a time slot that suits you. Thank you to those who have already signed up as a helper. It is greatly appreciated.

@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

Parent Teacher Interviews
Bookings are open for Parent Teacher Interviews which are scheduled for Wednesday 30/8 and Tuesday 5/9. These interviews are a great opportunity for all parents to book a time to spend with your child’s teacherand all families are strongly encouraged to attend. Our Year 5 & 6 students will participate in Student Led Conferences while our Year 1-4 students will run 3 Way Chats with both parents and their children required to attend. Foundation interviews remain a more traditional Parent-Teacher style interview.

Bookings to be made via www.schoolinterviews.com.au
Code: 85yx5

Lost Property
Please make sure your child's school jumper is clearly labelled so it can be returned to them.

Breakfast Club Donations
Breaky Club is kindly asking for donations of Jam. These can be left at the office.

School Beanies
The mornings are still cool and we still have Beanies available! Purchase on CDF Pay for $15.00.

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
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 need your help to fill the Term 3 roster!!!