Newsletter Term 4 Week 9
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Families,
It's been all action here this morning as Years 1 and 2 moved into the new Junior hub, Italian and Music specialist programs returned to the gym classrooms and Year 6 found a new home in the Labyrinth area. After a year of creatively using any available space we could find in our school to work from, it has been wonderful to spread our wings once more. Our teachers have been amazing getting whole classrooms packed up and ready to go and it was an absolute delight to see the faces of our students as they proudly set up their new classrooms in the hub.
A huge thank you to Condely Construction for not only building a magnificent state of the art learning space that takes pride of place in our grounds, but for rolling up their sleeves and helping us move in! On a personal level, it has been an absolute pleasure to work with both Jim Gleeson, our architect and Nathan and the team from Condely Constructions and they should be rightly proud of this amazing building. I am also grateful to Brendan Chalmers and the team at DOBCEL for their support, whilst we undertook this project. Members of our school community are warmly invited to have a tour through the building after our Advent liturgy on Friday.
Foundation 2023 Information Evening & Fly into Foundation Program
We had so much fun reacquainting ourselves with the 2024 Foundation students when they joined us for their first session of Fly into Foundation last Thursday and Friday. This week we are looking forward to them joining our Foundation classes to try out life at school in readiness for 2024.
Just a reminder to all families that on Wednesday 29th of November, we are holding our Foundation Information evening for the parents of our 2024 Foundation children. The meeting will take place via Zoom and we look forward to seeing everyone online and sharing important information about the start of the school year. All relevant information and links have been sent to families.
Casual Dress
Not only did we love getting the Christmas gear out, we also raised $527.20 from our casual dress day last Friday. This will be used by the SRC to purchase and wrap gifts that will be placed under the parish Christmas tree at the end of the year. Thanks to our SRC for organising this event.
St Mary’s Got Talent!
Back by popular demand, St Mary’s got Talent is coming soon! Auditions later this week with 3 days of amazing talent on display during lunch time in Week 10! We all love this very popular Term 4 event and are always amazed at the talent we have amongst our student body.
Christmas Carols Event
In another chance for the staff and children to don the Christmas gear, we are on the countdown to our annual Christmas Carols Event which is happening on Tuesday December 5th.
This wonderful evening is fast approaching and we are looking forward to seeing you all at school next week. The children, along with their teachers, Mrs Clarke and Ms Gerakis have been practising long and hard to make sure this is a lovely night in the lead up to Christmas.
It has been wonderful to see items coming through the office baskets with families donating a small item for our Christmas hamper raffle. These will be collated on Monday December 4th in preparation for the raffle draws which take place throughout the carols evening.
Staffing Allocation for 2024
Please find below the classroom teachers for 2024. Specialist teachers and support staff will be in the next newsletter.
Mental Health Funding
It was exciting to learn that we will receive funding from the National Wellbeing Support Program to address the impacts of COVID-19 on the mental health and wellbeing of students. This money has been used to engage another team member to our current wellbeing team.
Look forward to seeing many families at our Advent Liturgy on Friday, to mark the beginning of Advent on Sunday December 3rd.
Kate
"We have much for which to be thankful"
St Mary MacKillop 1875
Key Dates
Monday November 27th - Thursday November 30th
Fly into Foundation Session 2
Friday December 1st
Advent Liturgy
Tuesday December 5th
Christmas Carols Evening - 6pm
Thursday December 7th
Pupil Free Day
Friday December 8th
Orientation Day
Monday December 11th
Year 6 Graduation - 7pm
Wednesday December 13th
End of Year Mass - 11am
Thursday December 14th
Break up day activities
Friday December 15th
Final Day for students
Tuesday January 30th 2024
First day for all students
Wellbeing with Mr Prockter
Child Safe Standard 3: Child and student empowerment - Children and young people are empowered about their right, participare in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
This week is the lead up to the International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) which will be on December 3rd.
The Australian Government has been supporting International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD) since 1996. Through the Department of Social Services it funds a national program to help promote and raise awareness of this day.
The IDPwD program aligns with Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-31. This includes improving community awareness by recognising the lived experience of people with disability, and building confidence in the community to work and engage with people with disability.
The IDPwD national program includes a range of activities aimed at increasing public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability on 3 December and all year round, including:
- Videos and written stories to encourage the community to have conversations, share lived experience, and get involved with IDPwD
- Resources to help governments at all levels, private organisations, workplaces, schools, community groups and individuals to recognise the day, including information kits, posters, banners and social media tiles
- Sponsorships of national awards, events or activities that showcase the work and experiences of people with disability and help promote inclusion across Australia. Read more about our partners
- Sharing the real, authentic stories of people with disability through the support of our ambassadors
- Helping break down misconceptions and encourage inclusive attitudes and behaviours through the IDPwD website and Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
IDPwD is a joint effort between governments at all levels, schools, organisations, community groups, businesses and individuals. Anyone can use the generic logo and resources on this website for purposes consistent with the aims of IDPwD.
Enjoy the week ahead 🙂
Mr Prockter
RE with Mrs Davies
Advent 2023
This Sunday 3rd December marks the beginning of the Advent season for 2023. Advent is a very special time being the period of four Sundays and weeks before Christmas. Advent means 'Coming' in Latin. This is the coming of Jesus into the world.
Christians use the four Sundays and weeks of Advent to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas. It is a very special time of waiting in anticipation for the coming of Jesus Christ.
Here is a link to a fantastic video explaining to children the meaning of Advent - A time Waiting for Jesus that you might like to watch with your children at home - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AySe5pZnwig
This Friday we will be holding our whole school Advent Liturgy at 9.15am in the Gym. The Foundation students will be leading the liturgy with Fr James. Families are most welcome to attend.
PE with Miss Clark
House Captains for 2024
The House Captain interviews for next year were conducted last week. All students that applied did such a great job in their application and interviews. They can all be very proud of their efforts. Myself and Mrs Quin were very impressed with so many Year 5’s wanting a leadership role for next year.
Congratulations to the following successful students;
Wombats: Pearl D, April T, Hamish L and Sampson S
Bunyips: Willow V, Lily N, Archie O and Temi O
Bandicoots: Madison M, Sienna A, Zach R and Jagger M
Dingoes: Ella F, Samantha P, Zavier F and Jook M
I am looking forward to working alongside these students next year.
St Mary’s tops reminder
Still singing out for any students who have a St Mary’s top from a sporting event this term such as Athletics or Basketball if they could 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
Breakfast Club Donations
We are kindly asking for donations of Vegemite for our Breakfast Club Program. Donations 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.
Hats & Jumpers
Just a reminder to clearly label all school items, in particular jumpers and hats.
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, please contact the office on 50332541 or email office@smswanhill.catholic.edu.au
Student of the Week
Birthday Wishes
