Newsletter Term 4 Week 1
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Families,
Welcome back one and all to our new school term. I hope everyone had a great holiday and enjoyed the chance to catch up with family & friends over the break and also enjoyed the time to relax at home! It was fantastic to see the excitement on the yard this morning as the children met up with friends and caught up on each other’s holiday news.
Personally, it was great to see my team Collingwood win the AFL Grand Final over the weekend. The bell music has been replaced by the Collingwood theme song today and Mr Prockter and myself are proudly wearing our Collingwood gear! Congratulations to many of our staff and students who were either Runners-Up or Winners in their football and netball Grand Finals over the holidays!
We are all looking forward to another fun-filled term with some anticipated highlights including the Year 1 camp, swimming for our Year 1, 2, 3 & 4 students, Grandparents and Friends Day, our Carols Evening and Year 6 Graduation.
New students
This term we welcome Lene' B to Foundation Green and Zoe Q to 1X. Lene' and her family have recently moved to Australia from South Africa and Zoe has moved here from China.
Year 1 Camp
This Thursday our Year 1 students and staff will head off on Camp. The camp consists of activities in Swan Hill including a visit to the Police Station, CFA, a scavenger hunt at Riverside Park, Tower Hill Park for lunch and Showbiz cinemas. A big thanks to our teachers for organising a fun day for our Year 1 students!
Grandparents & Friends Day
Save the date - Friday, October 20th. This week the children will continue to learn their dances with Mrs Gerakis in preparation for Grandparents & Friends day in Week 3 of Term 4. The classrooms will be open to show families all the great learning and fun happening in our school and the fun will conclude with our Year Level dances. More information will be shared with families in a separate letter this week.
Summer Uniform and being Sunsmart
As the weather heats up in Term 4, students need to be wearing their School hat when playing outside as part of our commitment to being a Sunsmart school. Please note that full summer uniform is to be worn this term. If you are unsure of the uniform please refer to our school webpage;
https://smswanhill.catholic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-Parent-Information-Handbook.pdf
or check the 2023 Parent Information handbook.
Junior Hub Update
The Junior Hub building is progressing very well with all the final touches starting to happen such as painting, carpets. concrete paths outside and the final fit off. We are very excited to make use of this new building during Term 4.
2024 Classes
We will commence constructing class groups for next year over the next few weeks. In doing this, academic, social and emotional considerations of all students are taken into account to inform decisions. Any parental considerations regarding your child’s 2024 placement must be emailed to principal@smswanhill.catholic.edu.au or delivered to the office in an envelope marked Att: Principal by Friday October 27th. Please do not assume previous requests are ongoing as we begin each year afresh at St Mary’s.
Mrs Quin is still on leave until the end of this Week. I hope you all have a fantastic week ahead and that many of you have the opportunity to join in the fun at the Year 1 camp or can come along when 3U leads assembly this Friday.
Jason
"Never See a Need Without Doing Something About It"
Mary MacKillop - Sisters of St Joseph Foundress
Key Dates
Monday October 2nd
Start of Term 4
Thursday October 5th
Year 1 Camp
Friday October 6th
Assembly 12.25pm - 3U
Monday October 9th
Regional Athletics
Wednesday October 11th
Year 2 Swimming Program commences
Thursday October 12th & Friday October 13th
Philip Green Aboriginal Survival Technology incursion
Friday October 13th
Assembly 12.25pm 6P
Saturday October 14th & Sunday October 15th
Confirmation Parent Sessions
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.
Welcome back to Term 4, it’s crazy how quick this year has gone. I hope everyone enjoyed watching Collingwood win the premiership on Saturday! GO PIES!
Digital Nutrition
Digital nutrition is a relatively new concept that has emerged in response to the increasing role of digital technology in our lives. Just as we pay attention to what we eat to maintain our physical health, digital nutrition focuses on the quality and quantity of the digital content and experiences we consume to maintain our mental and emotional well-being. In today's digital age, where we are constantly bombarded with information and stimuli from various digital sources, digital nutrition has become a crucial aspect of our overall health.
Here are some key aspects of the concept of digital nutrition:
Content Quality: Just as we choose to consume nutritious foods, we should also be selective about the digital content we engage with. This means prioritizing high-quality, informative, and meaningful content while avoiding or limiting exposure to low-quality, sensational, or harmful content that can have a negative impact on our mental health.
Screen Time Balance: Managing the amount of time we spend on digital devices is essential for digital nutrition. Excessive screen time can lead to issues like digital eye strain, sleep disturbances, and a decline in overall well-being. Striking a balance between screen time and other activities is important for a healthy digital diet.
Mindful Consumption: Practicing mindfulness while consuming digital content is a fundamental aspect of digital nutrition. Being aware of how certain content makes us feel, and whether it contributes positively or negatively to our well-being, helps us make informed choices about what to engage with.
Digital Detox: Just as detoxing or cleansing diets are popular for physical health, a digital detox involves taking a break from digital devices and online activities to refresh and recharge. Periodic digital detoxes can help reduce stress and improve mental clarity.
Privacy and Security: Protecting our online privacy and ensuring the security of our digital data is also a part of digital nutrition. Being mindful of how our personal information is shared and taking steps to safeguard it contributes to a sense of digital wellbeing.
Digital Literacy: Developing digital literacy skills is crucial for making informed choices in the digital world. Understanding how information is created, disseminated, and manipulated online helps us navigate the vast landscape of digital content effectively.
Positive Digital Experiences: Seek out and create positive digital experiences that enhance your wellbeing. This could include engaging in online communities that support your interests and passions, using digital tools for personal growth and self-improvement, or enjoying digital entertainment that uplifts your mood.
In summary, digital nutrition is about being mindful of what we consume in the digital realm and making choices that promote our mental and emotional wellbeing. Just as we make choices about what we eat to maintain physical health, we must make thoughtful choices about our digital consumption to ensure a healthy and balanced digital life. By practicing digital nutrition, we can harness the benefits of technology while minimizing its potential negative impacts on our mental and emotional health.
Have a great first week back.
Mr Prockter :)
RE with Mrs Davies
Year 3 Sacraments - Term 4
Just a reminder to our Year 3 Families that the Sacrament of Confirmation is coming up this term for children who are baptised Catholics. Please refer to the flyer below for important dates to schedule into diaries. All information about sacraments will be provided at the Enrolment Masses.
PE with Miss Clark
Division Athletics
On Monday, the 11th of September, St Mary’s had . In what were fantastic conditions, it was pleasing to see all the children try their best and show great sportsmanship in their events. We had many students that came either first or second in their event and who will progress to Regional Athletics in Bendigo on Monday,9th of October.
Another record for Kayla
Congratulations to Kayla M who broke another record at the Division Athletics on the last Monday of term, this time in the 100m sprint. This is the fourth different event that Kayla has broken a record in over the last two Athletics meets. Kayla ran the 100m in 12.94 seconds, breaking the previous record set in 1991. This is a fantastic achievement Kayla, well done.
Regional Athletics
Next Monday, October 9th, 42 students will be heading to Bendigo to participate in the Regional Athletics Championships to be held at the Bendigo Regional Athletics Complex. Students were given notes both at the Division Athletics in regards to the location of the event and on the last day of Term 3. If you could have the notes regarding travel arrangements in to Miss Clark ASAP it would be greatly appreciated. We wish these students all the very best.
@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
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.
School Fees 2023
Thank-you to those who have paid their 2023 school fees. The school fees were due by the end of Term 3. Please contatc the office if you have any questions about your school fee account.
Hats & Jumpers
Just a reminder to clearly label all school items, in particular jumpers and hats.
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
Student of the Week
Birthday Wishes
What's happening in 2D?
