Newsletter Term 4 Week 3
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Families,
We had a beautiful presentation led by 6P and our school captains for Mrs Gook at our Friday assembly and farewelled her in style. Mrs Gook will still pop in and out to check in on us and for the odd shift in brekky club when she is not too busy in retirement! This week we also say goodbye to Mrs Stewart as she takes time out to prepare for the birth of her second baby in November. We thank her very much for her work in Year 3T and 4N this year and hope she wont stay away too long.
Excitement is building as the children and their teachers finalise preparations for our annual Grandparents and Friends Day. This highly anticipated day is one of the biggest community events on our school calendar and takes place this Friday, October 20th so we are in the midst of dance practices and costume making in readiness for our many special visitors.
As a significant part of our playground is fenced off as part of the junior hub construction, so we will not be running the food truck street this year. Instead families are very welcome to bring a picnic lunch to share on our grounds before the concert commences. BYO chairs are also a very good idea.
Parents and Friends Raffle
Parents and Friends have organised a raffle in the lead up to Grandparents Day with all proceeds going to the installation of a new Ninja Playground in 2024. Thanks to our wonderful LSO staff who are taking on selling raffle tickets on the day to allow our P&F Parents to fully enjoy the event. Please send back tickets and money via the office basket 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. This means that hats are worn during Term 1 and Term 4. Please ensure that your child has a clearly labelled school hat for Term 4 as all students at St Mary’s are required to wear their school hat during playtime breaks and outdoor school activities such as sport. 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 or check the 2023 Parent Information handbook.
https://smswanhill.catholic.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-Parent-Information-Handbook.pdf
2024 Classes
We are 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.
I would ask that any family who believes that they will not be here at St Mary’s in 2024 to let me know (via email or a phone call) this information affects possible class structures for next year. Thank you for your consideration.
I hope you all have a great week and look forward to seeing many of you at Grandparents Day this Friday.
Kate
"We have much for which to be thankful"
St Mary MacKillop 1875
Key Dates
Friday October 20th
Grandparents & Friends Day
Monday October 23rd
Book Fair commences
Wednesday November 1st
Armistice Day Presentation Year 5 & Year 6
Friday November 3rd
Assembly 12.25pm - Foundation Orange
Monday November 6th
Pupil Free Day
Tuesday November 7th
Public Holiday
Wellbeing with Mr Prockter
In accordance with Child Safe Standard 4 Family Engagement - Families and communities are informated and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
Let's talk body confident children and teens
Facilitator: Shannon McDonough
About this session
With a focus on prevention, this session provides information and practical tips to help parents better understand and promote positive body image in the home.
Format: Live Virtual Presentation using Zoom (time-limited recording available)
Length: 1hr, plus 15 minutes for questions
Time: 7pm - 8.15pm (AEST)
Suitable for: Carers of primary and secondary age children. Please note this session is not designed for children to attend or for those caring for someone with an eating disorder.
You will explore:
- Overview of body image and the importance of prevention
- Key influences on body image, including social media
- The impact of diet culture and weight stigma
- Reducing appearance talk and how to respond when a child expresses negativity towards themselves/others
- The power of role modelling positive body image and healthy behaviours
- Understanding warning signs and the importance of early intervention
- What to do if you are concerned.
Click the below link to register or contact Chris for more information:
Have a great week everyone.
Mr Prockter
Curriculum with Mrs Hall
Young Writers Award
We wish all our 24 shortlisted finalists the very best and acknowledge the significant accomplishment by all students. The winner's presentation is on Wednesday, 25 October at 7 pm, at the Swan Hill Regional Library.
Shortlisted students, their families, teachers and friends are warmly invited to join this event and the honour of being nominated. Winners will be announced at the presentation. All shortlisted entrants will receive a certificate and gift.
RE with Mrs Davies
Confirmation Enrolment Masses
It was wonderful to see a large number of families at Mass over the weekend to begin preparations for our Year 3 students with their Sacrament of Confirmation. Over the next few weeks children and their families will learn about this special sacrament in readiness for completing their Confirmation over the weekend of 18/19th November. On Thursday 26th October the students doing their Confirmation will attend a Retreat Day at the Parish from 9.30-2.30pm to learn more about this special sacrament.
PE with Miss Clark
Regional Athletics
We couldn't have asked for a better day weather wise. All 43 of our students competed in their events against some very talented students from other schools so they should all be proud of their efforts. It is also worth noting that I saw many of our students shake hands with their competitors after their events which showed great sportsmanship.
The following results are the medal winners for the day;
3rd place Georgia M shot put
3rd place Kayla M triple jump
3rd place Archie O 100m and 200m
3rd place Archie O, Lucas F, Henry O and Dex M relay
2nd place Kayla M 100m
2nd place Mattaeus C 200m and 100m
A special congratulations to Kayla and Mattaeus for qualifying for States in Melbourne at the start of November. St Mary’s will be cheering these two students from Swan Hill on November the 1st.
St Mary’s tops
If any students have a St Mary’s top from sporting events including Regional Cross Country, Regional Athletics, Regional Football could they please return it to the PE office.
@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
Book Fair
Book Fair will be held on Monday October 23rd through to Friday October 27th. Children will fill out a wishlist in their normal library time. Order forms will also be sent home if you would like to make a purchase. Book Fair is designed to give kids access to more books they want to read, from recent new releases to classix award winners. All proceeds benefit St Mary's and you can be rest assured that your kids' classroom libraries will be growing as well.
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 contact 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.
Book Club - Issue 7 orders close Monday 23rd October
Scholastic Book Club Issue 7 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
How to order:
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 during Term 4 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 4N?
Community News
