Newsletter Term 1 Week 4
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Families,
It was fantastic to see so many St Mary’s students competing in the Riverside Tri over the weekend at Riverside Park. The weather was perfect and a great time was had by all involved. Today, 24 of our Year 3-6 students head off to the Division Swimming Carnival. Well done to all students who have made it through to this level and all the very best with your swimming events.
A highlight on our school calendar this week is the annual Welcome picnic for all families, held tomorrow evening from 5.30 pm. Families are warmly invited to bring the picnic rug, a picnic tea and enjoy time at school from 5.30pm-7.00pm, mixing informally, having a look around our school and enjoying some music by Tony Haley in the passive play area.
Classrooms are open from 5.30-6.15, it's a great chance to reconnect and there are loads of games and activities for the kids to enjoy! Look forward to seeing you there!
Parents & Friends - Shout out for new members!
We would love you to consider joining our Parents & Friends. Parents & Friends are a very important part of our school community. They provide an opportunity to take an active part in school activities. These activities are predominately social and fundraising, but there are also opportunities for information, making suggestions and contributing to the maintenance of the school. The money raised by Parents and Friends enables the school to purchase equipment that makes our school a better place for learning and play. Parents and Friends meet regularly, with dates advertised in the school newsletter. Our Parents & Friends generally have four major fundraisers each year. It would be fantastic if you would consider helping out with one or more of these events. For more information about our wonderful P & F please contact our office.
PALS Program
Our Foundation students have settled into life beautifully at St Mary's and are enjoying learning many new things. They have loved meeting and working with their PAls as demonstrated in our recent PAL video made with the help of the Schoolcaptains and some fabulous Foundation students.
Open Day 1 - Wednesday 6th March 5pm
We are happiest when prospective families pay us a visit to see for themselves what makes us different. New and existing families are warmly invited to join us to learn about St Mary’s at our first Open Day on Wednesday 6th March with tours starting at 5pm. We will have further Open Days on weekends in April and May and the opportunity to see our school in action throughout the day during Term 2. Current families are our best form of advertising so please be sure to let family and friends know we have Open Days coming up. Please call the office on 50332541 or register via
https://smswanhill.catholic.edu.au/book-a-tour/
Casual Dress Day - Friday 23rd February
At St Mary's, our Student Representative Council (SRC) coordinates our casual dress days on the last Friday of every month. They help support a wide variety of organisations from local community initiatives through to larger world wide organisations such as Catholic Mission. These days always link in to our Catholic vision and mission of reaching out and helping others just as Jesus did. This Friday will be our first Casual Dress Day for 2024. It will be normal casual clothes with our usual gold coin donation. All money raised will be going towards supporting the Food Bank helping local families in need.
Pupil Free Day Monday 26th February
Just a reminder for all families that Monday the 26th February is a pupil free day (no school),as teachers spend the day learning more about planning personalised inquiry units of work, under the direction of leading expert in this area, Shaz Bailey.
Bus Travel Reminder
Our bus schedules have rolled over from 2023, if you have made any changes to your bus travel arrangements for 2024, please contact the office on 50332541.
Also a reminder to our Foundation families, if your child will be catching a bus, please advise the office of a start date, even if they have older siblings at school. This helps to ensure our records are up to date and to make sure each child has a buddy to assist them with bus travel.
It’s been lovely to catch up with so many families since the start of the school year and I look forward to seeing many of you at the Welcome Picnic or at assembly, led by 4J this Friday.
Kate
"We have much for which to be thankful"
St Mary MacKillop 1875
Key Dates
Monday February 19th
Division Swimming
Emergency Services visit to Foundation students
Tuesday February 20th
Welcome Picnic
Tuesday February 20th - Friday February 23rd
Book Fair
Wednesday February 21st
Foundation Rest Day
Friday February 23rd
Assembly 12.25pm - 4J
Casual Dress Day
Monday February 26th
Pupil Free Day
Thursday February 29th
Year 5 Open Water Swimming
Friday March 1st
Assembly 12.25pm - 6N
Wellbeing with Mr Prockter
Child Safe Standard 4 Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
In the hustle and bustle of the morning rush, parents often find themselves navigating through the chaos of getting their children ready for school. Amidst this flurry of activity, establishing a consistent routine for school drop-off might seem like just another task on the to-do list. However, the benefits of implementing a structured and predictable routine extend far beyond mere convenience. In fact, a well-established drop-off routine can significantly alleviate anxiety for both parents and children, setting the tone for a smoother start to the day.
Setting Expectations and Reducing Uncertainty
One of the primary sources of anxiety for children, especially those starting school for the first time or transitioning to a new environment, is the uncertainty surrounding the drop-off process. Will Mom or Dad be there? What will happen after they leave? By establishing a consistent routine, parents can help alleviate these concerns by providing clear expectations and reducing ambiguity.
Building Trust and Security
Consistency breeds familiarity, and familiarity fosters a sense of security. When children know what to expect during the drop-off routine, they feel more confident and reassured. This sense of predictability helps build trust between parents and children, as well as between children and their teachers or caregivers. Trust is a crucial foundation for healthy emotional development and can significantly reduce separation anxiety.
Promoting Independence and Self-Reliance
A well-established drop-off routine encourages children to develop independence and self-reliance. When children know the routine, they feel empowered to navigate the morning transition with greater autonomy. Over time, this fosters a sense of competence and self-assurance, which are essential skills for success both inside and outside the classroom.
Enhancing Emotional Regulation
Anxiety often arises from a sense of overwhelm or unpredictability. By streamlining the drop-off process and making it a consistent part of the daily routine, parents can help regulate their children's emotions more effectively. When children feel secure and supported during the drop-off, they are better equipped to manage any feelings of anxiety that may arise throughout the day.
Tips for Establishing a Successful Drop-Off Routine
Plan Ahead: Prepare everything the night before, including backpacks, lunches, and clothing, to minimize morning stress.
Stick to a Schedule: Set consistent wake-up times, breakfast routines, and departure times to create a predictable routine.
Create Rituals: Establish special rituals or traditions during drop-off, such as a goodbye hug or a secret handshake, to make the separation process more comforting.
Communicate Openly: Encourage open communication with your child about drop-off expectations and address any concerns or fears they may have.
Stay Positive: Maintain a calm and positive demeanor during drop-off to reassure your child and set a positive tone for the day.
Have a great week everyone. If you’re experiencing drop off anxiety please contact me.
Mr Prockter
RE with Mrs Davies
Shrove Tuesday/Ash Wednesday
It was a lovely week of celebrations last week with us entering into the beginning of our Lenten Season for 2024. All classrooms really enjoy making pancakes for Shrove Tuesday and learning about the importance of this special day. On Wednesday morning we gathered as a whole school community to mark the beginning of Lent with our Ash Wednesday Liturgy. Thank you to Fr James and the Year 5 students who led us in prayer and reflection about the meaning of Lent.
PE with Miss Clark
Sports Captain Badges
The 2024 Sports Captains were announced last Monday morning and presented with their badges at assembly. The sports captains are; Bunyips: Willow V, Lily N, Archie O and Temi O, Bandicoots: Maddison M, Sienna A, Zach R, Jagger M, Dingoes: Ella F, Samantha P, Zavier F, Jook M, Wombats: Pearl D, April T, Hamish L and Sampson S. I am very much looking forward to working alongside these students for the year.
Division Swimming
Goodluck to the 24 students representing St Mary’s today at the Division Swimming competition! We hope you all enjoy the atmosphere and swim your very best!
Year 5/6 Summer Sports practice sessions
Students in Year 5 and 6 will begin their coaching session for Summer Sports with their first session this week on Tuesday afternoon during their sport time. They will have five sessions in total on the following dates; Feb 20th, 27th, March 5th, 12th and 19th of March all on Tuesday afternoons. The students will be coached by the Sport and Rec MacKillop College students. The sport options available to the students were Basketball, Tennis, Cricket and Softball. These coaching sessions allow students to practice and enjoy their nominated sport for the upcoming Division Summer Sports competition day on Tuesday the 26th of March.
All Girls Cricket Blast
This is a brilliant opportunity for all girls from Years 1-6 who might be interested in playing in fun, fast “school-cup” type cricket games on Wednesday nights at Swan Hill Showgrounds
- All-Girls Cricket Blast Junior Cricket – 4 week program
- Swan Hill Showgrounds Oval
- Starting Wednesday 28th of Feb – 5:00pm – 6:00pm
- $25 – Includes ‘Pop-Up Blast Pack’ for participants
- https://www.playhq.com/cricket-australia/register/8224a1
If you have any questions, please contact jdearaugo@cricketvictoria.com.au
@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
The Book Fair commences this week, Tuesday 20th February to Friday 23rd February. We will have a large range of books displayed, which the children will view during their library class time. The children make a “Wish List” which they bring home with an order form. If purchasing any books the order form must be sent back to the office no later than Monday March 4th.
Camps, Sports & Excursions Fund (CSEF)
Applications for CSEF close on 28th June 2024
If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF. The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child. The annual CSEF amount per student is $150 for primary school students.
HOW TO APPLY:
New applicants should contact the school office to obtain a CSEF application form or download from the CSEF website www.vic.gov.au/camps-sports-and-excursions-fund
If you applied for the CSEF at your child’s school in 2023, you do not need to complete an application form in 2024 unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.
You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred:
* New student enrolments; your child has started or changed schools in 2024 or you did not apply in 2023
* Changed family circumstances; such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing at the school in 2024.
If you are unsure please contact the school office on 50332541.
If you are eligible for CSEF you are also eligible for the Family Fee Assistance Scheme. The FFAS amount for 2024 is $860.00. This amount is credited against your school fee account once your CSEF application has been validated.
How can I notify the school of my child’s absence via PAM?
PAM is our preferred notification method for absences. Absences must be entered prior to 9.25am on the day your child will be absent. Absences can also be entered in advance.
On PAM, you can add an absence if:
- Your child is going to be absent for the day (All Day)
- Your child is going to be late to school (Arriving Late)
- Your child is going to be leaving early from school (Leaving Early)
- Your child will be leaving school and returning eg. for an appointment (Partial)
- Your child is going to be absent for more than one day (Multi-day max of 7 days)
To add an absence:
- Log in to your PAM account
- Select “Parent Notified Absences” listed under “Students”. This can also be accessed by selecting the 3 line menu bar on the top right hand corner of the screen and selecting “Parent Notified Absence”.
- Select “Add Absence”
- Select the child who will be absent
- Select the reason for your child’s absence
- Select the appropriate absence period
- Select the absence date
- Notes can be added if required
- You can edit or delete current and future absences, by clicking on your child and amending it if required
St Pat's Cup Family Day - Sunday March 17
Tickets are available to purchase from the link below. All proceeds with the St Pat's Cup Family Day benefit St Mary's Primary School and St Mary MacKillop College.
News from the Canteen
We are looking for volunteers to help in our school canteen during 2024. Volunteer hours at 11.30am - 1.30pm. If you have a Victorian WWCC and would like to assist, please contact the office on 50332541.
Ordering from the canteen:
Recess and lunch orders are placed online only via CDF Pay. The orders close at 9.30am each day, so it is recommended you place your order the night before. Our canteen is a very busy, so late orders will be offered limited options. Please contact the office if you need help with CDF Pay.
https://smswanhill.cdfpay.org.au
Birthday Wishes
