Newsletter Term 3 Week 9
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Families,
It really did feel like Spring had arrived yesterday!
What a terrific roll up we had for Donuts for Dad on Friday. It was wonderful to see so many dads, grandpas, uncles and special friends come along to spend some time in our classrooms and out in the yard playing basketball, hanging out in the sandpit, kicking a footy, or just spending time with their children. There was a very positive feel around the playground at this very special event and the kids loved the opportunity to give thanks for the love, support and guidance provided by the male figures in their lives. To all our dads, grandads, uncles and special male figures in our school community, we hope you all had a very happy Father’s Day on Sunday. You deserve it!
New Staff Appointments
We have been busy interviewing throughout the term and are delighted to announce we have appointed the following new teaching staff for 2024;
Michael Herlihy, Evie Jennings, Jaime Bailey, Renee Hirst, Gabi Boers and Lorren Bezuidenhout.
Michael and Evie are well known to us, having worked here earlier this year, while those from the Sea Lake area may know Jaime, as she worked at St Mary's, Sea Lake before moving interstate to teach. So too, Renee, Gabi, and Lorren are all familiar names and faces, who have just recently graduated and are excited to start teaching next year.
Parent Teacher Interviews
This Tuesday 5th September has been set aside for staff to complete our second round of Parent/Teacher Interviews. It has been terrific to see so many parents booking in via schoolinterviews.com.au and if you have not yet done so, it is not too late to book in this week. 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 while our Year 1-4 students will run 3 Way Chats with both parents and their children required to attend. Foundation children will have Parent/Teacher interviews where the children are not required to attend. Please ring the office if you have any issues with booking a time.
Bookings to be made via www.schoolinterviews.com.au
Code: 85yx5
Junior Athletics Day
You wouldn't want to miss this great day out! They have been practising hard under Mr Smith's guidance and are all very excited about the upcoming school sports! This Thursday, September 7th the Foundation to Year 2 students will take part in their Athletics on the St. Mary's oval. Many thanks to those who have offered to help on the day.
State Netball
Congratulations to our girls Senior Netball team who are off to represent St Mary’s at the State Netball Championships in Melbourne this Friday. This is a wonderful achievement and we look forward to hearing about the girls' experience playing against teams from all around Victoria.
Fr James’ Anniversary – 10 Years a Priest!
Mark your calendars! Holy Family Parish is looking forward to celebrating Father James’ milestone anniversary with a party on Sunday 10th September in the Parish Function Centre after the 10.30am. Mass in Swan Hill. All families are welcome to attend this very special occassion.
Transitioning to Summer Uniform
Towards the end of Term 3 the weather begins to warm up. Children can transition into summer uniform on these warmer days, keeping in mind that there will still be some colder days ahead. By the start of Term 4, all children should be in summer uniform and will need to have their school hat at school.
2024 Enrolments
We are still taking enrolments for Foundation and other year levels for 2024 and encourage you to let your family and friends know about the warm and supportive environment offered at St Marys for all students.
I will be on leave from Monday 4th September until Friday 7th October. In my absence Mr Jason Perry will be Acting Principal and our Senior Leadership team will be taking on some of Mr Perry’s normal duties. I have every confidence the school will be in good hands and am very appreciative that Jason and our leadership team have enabled me to spend some time away with my family.
Have a wonderful week and we look forward to seeing many of you at the Junior Athletics or at assembly which will be hosted by Foundation Blue.
Kate
"Never See a Need Without Doing Something About It"
Mary MacKillop - Sisters of St Joseph Foundress
Key Dates
Tuesday September 5th
Parent Teacher Interviews
Thursday September 7th
Junior Athletics (Foundation - Year 2)
Friday September 8th
Assembly - Foundation Blue 12.25pm
State Netball Finals
Monday September 11th
Division Athletics
Thursday September 14th
Foundation Camp
Friday September 15th
Assembly - 1W 12.25pm
End of Term 3
Monday October 2nd
Start of Term 4
Wellbeing with Mr Prockter
In accordance with Child Safe Standard 8: Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
The Circle of Control
Something that I work on a lot with staff and students is the Circle of Control. The basic format of this is talking about which things in your life you can control, (Attitude, effort, things you say and do, how you treat others/yourself). Things you can’t control, (People's thoughts about you, words they say, things others do, the weather etc). This concept is clear for kids and makes things clear to them.
The more advanced part of this concept breaks into 3 parts. Inner circle is the Circle of Control, Middle circle is Circle of Influence (The situations we can control and can do something about. Then finally the outer circle, Everything else! This gives us the idea
Try this yourself and then with your kids, it is a great way to get them to identify feelings, emotions and ways to move forward.
If you would like to know more about this please make contact with me and I would be happy to discuss further.
Have a great week!
Mr Prockter
St Mary's Stars
Curriculum with Mrs Hall
2023: Young Writers Competition: Move
This year again as a school we are proud to be participating in the Young Writers Award, which is kindly organised by our local library. The competition is devised to inspire students to write a narrative piece of no more than 500 words. This year’s theme is Move. The competition consists of 7 categories; Grade Prep, Grade 1/2, Grade 3/4, Grade 5/6, Year 7/8, Year 9/10 and Multi-class.
The following students have made the shortlisted entries on behalf of St. Mary’s and have had their entry submitted to the library. We wish them all the best.
Swan Hill Show
This year we are excited to enter over 100 pieces of work from our school in the local Swan Hill Show. These entries will be on display in the pavilions from 6th Oct - 7th Oct. The art teachers have selected a range of beautiful artwork in various forms of media, such as painting, collage and pastel. Our classroom teachers have selected entries for the handwriting section per year level. We congratulate the following children who have had the opportunity to have their work entered into the show this year and wish them the best of luck with their entries.
RE with Mrs Davies
Father James Anniversary – 10 Years a Priest!
Mark your calendars! North East Holy Family Parish is looking forward to celebrating Father James’s milestone anniversary with a party in our Parish Function Centre after the 10.30am Mass in Swan Hill, on Sunday 10th September. All parishioners and our school community across Holy Family North East Mallee are welcome and encouraged to attend. There will be drinks and speeches immediately after Mass, with lunch, dessert and music to follow. We look forward to seeing you there!
PE with Mr Smith
Junior Athletics Carnival
This Thursday, September 7th is our St Mary’s Junior Athletics Carnival held on the St Mary’s School oval. Please refer to the timetable below for an outline of the day. Thank you very much to all the parent helpers who have put their hand up to make the day run smoothly. A note will be sent home today outlining your duty for the day.
State Netball
This Friday, September 8th, 10 St Mary’s girls will be heading to Melbourne to represent St Mary’s at the State Netball Carnival. To make it to state championships is an outstanding achievement in itself. The whole St Mary’s community wishes you all the very best. Thank you very much to parents for transporting the students to the day and Teagan Lawry and Tenay Fellows who are coaching the girls on the day.
Senior Athletics Award Winners
The following students will be presented with certificates at Assembly this Friday. Well done to these students. Parents and friends are invited to come along to watch the following students receive awards;
Age Champions
8/9 Girls: Leni W, Maeve M and Arlee P (21 Points)
8/9 Boys: Harrison Band Judd O (24 Points)
10 Girls: Samantha P(24 Points)
10 Boys: Indy C and Sebastian C(23 Points)
11 Girls: Belle L and Asha N (21 Points)
11 Boys: Hamish L (24 Points)
12/13 Girls: Prue O and Natalia B(23 Points)
12/13 Boys: Tommy N (24 Points)
Sportsperson Awards
8/9 Girls: Violet G
8/9 Boys: Jagger F
10 Girls: Lexi M
10 Boys: Leo E
11 Girls: Ayva W
11 Boys: Sampson S
12/13 Girls: Madison B
12/13 Boys: Reuben C
Well done to all these students.
@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
Breakfast Club Donations
Breaky Club is kindly asking for donations of Jam. These can be left at 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
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
Birthday Wishes
What's happening in Foundation Blue?
