Newsletter Term 3 Week 4

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Families,

This morning Mr Perry and I braved the cold and headed to the train station to farewell our Year 6 students, their teachers and helpers as they departed to the big smoke for the Year 6 Urban Camp. There were some very excited ‘campers’ ready for the Harry Potter musical, ice skating and lots more! They have an absolutely action packed itinerary and I look forward to hearing about their adventures in and around the city and following their moves on our school Facebook page.

In other news we say farewell to Mrs Hanns as she and her husband Tim prepare for the birth of their first baby in September. We will miss Mrs Hanns infectious personality, her sense of fun and the deep commitment she has to the children in her care and hope that she doesn't stay away too long from St Mary’s!

100 Days of Learning
It’s that time of year again when our families and staff tease the grey hair, unpack the shawls, braces, stockings and gloves, borrow the walking sticks and get ready to celebrate 100 days of learning. We are really excited to celebrate our Foundation students 100 days of learning this Wednesday August 3rd! This annual event is one that the staff and children in Foundation really look forward to and we love to see Foundation students dress up and have fun, celebrating just how clever they have become this year!

Child Safety- Drop off times in the morning 
A teachers day starts far earlier than 8.55 am when the bell goes. Prior to 8.30am, they are either in meetings with members of the leadership or wellbeing teams, responding to parent phone calls or emails or preparing for their work day ahead.  Our staff all get to work early to ensure that when head to class and open their doors at 8.30 am, they are fully present to spend time with their students as they arrive. 

Schools are required to have playground supervision in place for students from 8.30 am each day. Recently we have had a small number of children being dropped to school far earlier than this time. This has raised safety and wellbeing concerns, as it is very cold, our playground supervision does not commence until 8.30 am, nor are our classrooms open until that time.

Fortunately we have before school care available from 7 am at our OHSC program @2 Murlong OSHC for any families who require care for their child prior to the 8.30 mark. For more information about the before school care program please contact our office to assist.

St. Mary of the Cross Liturgy - Monday 8th August
St Mary’s is proud of its Josephite heritage and the work of the Sisters of St Joseph at our school for many years. On Monday, the Year 1 students and Fr James will lead us in celebrating our St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Liturgy at 9.15 am. The liturgy will take place in the school gymnasium and all family and friends are welcome to attend.

St Mary’s Way-Manners Blitz
This week we continue our whole school ‘blitz’ on manners. Foundation are leading the way with over 50 tickets issued already with Year 5 hot on their heels. Each morning we acknowledge some of the many students who have been noticed using their manners on the morning announcements and the spreadsheet detailing how many tickets have been awarded to each year level is updated each day. Here are just a few of the students at St Mary's who have noticed  using good manners over the past few days; Charlotte P, Maverick C, Sophie J, Martin N.

It was lovely to see so many families at our assembly last Friday. Congratulations to the children in 1P who were extremely proud to lead our assembly prayer. This week we look forward to hearing from 3G.

Enjoy the week ahead,

Kate

Key Dates

Monday August 1st-Thursday August 4th
Year 6 Camp

Tuesday August 2nd
Regional Football

Wednesday August 3rd
100 Days of School - Foundation

Thursday August 4th & Friday August 5th
Flying Start Session 3

Friday August 5th
Assembly 12.25pm 3G

Monday August 8th
St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Liturgy - 9.15am

Tuesday August 9th
Courage & Crowns - Workshop 1

Thursday August 11th & Friday August 12th
Flying Start Session 4

Friday August 12th
Assembly 12.25pm 4N

Friday August 19th & Monday August 22nd
Pupil Free Days

Tuesday August 23rd & Wednesday August 31st
Parent/Teacher Conversations

Wellbeing with Mrs Gook

Courage & Crowns
We invite all our Year 5 & 6 daughters and mothers/carers to come to our “Courage & Crowns” workshops presented by Megan Simpson. Megan has 29 years experience in wellbeing and is a great advocate and leader in teaching young girls about self love, self worth and high standards. The workshops will be presented over 2 nights, Tuesday 9th August and Tuesday 6th September at 6.00pm. 

Workshop 1 - Building the foundations of self-love and self-worth. 

Workshop 2 - Developing a deeper understanding of emotional wellness and develop a personal suitcase of self-love.

Please find attached the below flyer for more details.

Curriculum News with Mrs Hall

CBCA Book Week 2022: 'Dreaming with eyes open'
Each year since 1945 the The Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) has brought children and books together across Australia through CBCA Book Week. The annual CBCA Book of the Year Awards aim to: promote quality literature for young Australians; support and encourage a wide range of Australian writers and illustrators of children's books and; celebrate contributions to Australian children's literature.

During this term our teachers and students spend time celebrating the shortlisted books and Australian children's authors and illustrators, during our Literacy, Inquiry and Art sessions.  Book Week presents a time to celebrate favourite characters from classics through to contemporary books. While children are engaged in a range of fun activities to celebrate Book Week, families are reminded of the ongoing benefits of early reading for future success.

Religious Education with Mrs Davies

At St Mary's, we bring the Gospel to life in many ways. As part of our commitment to Catholic Social Teachings, we regularly raise money to support those in need. Last Friday, the SRC held a casual dress day in support of the Cancer Council Australia. We raised $535.80 which will go towards supporting children with cancer.

Physical Education with Miss Clark

Renegades Cricket visit
What a treat for the Year 1’s and 2’s last week on Monday with a couple of Renegades players coming to visit. Our students really enjoyed asking the players questions and participating in some Cricket Blast games. A big thank you to Cricket Victoria for organising the visit of Ella Haywood and Mackenzie Harvey to St Mary’s.

Regional Soccer and Netball
On Thursday, 28th of August, St Mary’s had a Netball team and a girls and boys Soccer team competed in the annual regional event against schools from Bendigo, Echuca and Mildura areas. The girls Netball team made it to the grand final and in a super close game only lost by a goal. All teams demonstrated their great skill, attitude and sportsmanship throughout the day. Well done to the following teams;

Netball girls: Zoe B, Lana B, Isla B, Chloe N, Miela R, Pippa W, Meg Y, Violet C, Eliza L and Maddox P.

Soccer boys: Thomas K, Arou M, Brayden M, Harrison B, Tommy N, Martin N, Kit C, Ramel A, Jasnoor K and Oliver M.

Soccer girls: Zyma A, Natalia B, Sophie W, Morrisey M, Zoe C, April G, Kayla S, Lacey C, Alexis L and Lil H.

A big thank you to Mrs Martin for coaching Netball and Chaz and Mrs Kennedy for coaching Soccer and to all parents, families and friends who attended throughout the day to support the teams. 

Regional Girls and Boys Footy
On Tuesday, the 2nd of August, St Mary’s will have both the Senior boys and girls team representing the school at the annual Loddon Mallee Regional Footy event. 

The boys team are playing at the Swan Hill and Tyntynder Football ovals, while the girls team will compete at Ken Harrison Reserve. A copy of the game times have been sent home with the students participating. Parents, families and friends are welcome to attend the event to support the children.

Senior Athletics Carnival
The St Mary’s Year 3-6 Athletics carnival will be held on Friday the 26th of August  at Ken Harrison Reserve. Information regarding this event will be sent home to parents and families on PAM. 

Junior Athletics Carnival
The Foundation - Year 2 Athletics Carnival will be held on Tuesday the 6th of September on the St Mary’s school oval. Information will be sent home in coming weeks.

Sustainability with Mrs Ward

This week’s tip comes from Mitch B in 2U

“Go green by turning off switches when you are not using them”

@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

School Beanies
The days are freezing...........jump on to CDF Pay and order your child a beanie
($15 each).

Rapid Antigen Test Collection - Weeks 1-4
You can collect your test kits from the office window for Weeks 1-4 (2 boxes per student) between 8.30am and 4pm. Please notify the office via email if someone else will be collecting them on your behalf.

Donations of second hand uniforms
We are after donations of second hand tracksuit pants, grey long pants, grey shorts and winter skirts.  These can be left at the office.

Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club is kindly asking for donations of vegemite and jam. Donations can be dropped at the office.

News from the Canteen

Warm Chicken Wraps are available from the Lunch Specials menu on Mondays!

Our cut off time for CDF Pay orders is 9.30am 

We require helpers in the canteen on Mondays and Tuesdays in Term 3. Please email the office office@smswanhill.catholic.edu.au if you are able to assist. 

CANTEEN ROSTER: 

Student of the Week

Birthday Wishes

What's happening at Flying Start?