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Newsletter Term 2 Week 4

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Families,

Last week, we received the very sad news that Nikita Wade delivered her beautiful baby girl Halle Jessica who was stillborn. Nikita and her mother Deanne are both much-loved classroom teachers at St Mary’s and dear friends to many of our staff. At this time our school community offers its heartfelt condolences, thoughts and prayers to Nikita, Jake, their son Solly, Deanne and their families as they come to terms with the loss of their precious daughter, sister and grandchild.

The Colour Run on Thursday was one of the highlights of Catholic Education Week, with a huge turnout of family and friends to assist and simply enjoy the fun. The children loved the event and it was fantastic to see both staff and students getting into the spirit of things. The weather was kind to us and it was a perfect lead into the Senior Cross Country on Wednesday. Special thanks must go to Sarah Clark who has done a fantastic job organising both the Great Race and the Senior Cross Country and to Ebony & Renee and our P & F helpers for all their hard work behind the scenes to ensure the Colour Run's success. Ebony & Renee both did a mighty job to make sure it all ran without a hitch! To date we have raised over $9000 to assist with the installation of a new Ninja playground. Online donations for this event closes on Friday May 10th.

Equally so, our CESH Mass, celebrated with St Mary MacKillop College on Friday was a wonderful way to end Catholic Education Week and both the students and staff enjoyed the opportunity to gather and share time before Mass.

Catholic Education Week was a perfect time to showcase all our wonderful school has on offer and we had a very positive response to our first School in Action tour. School tours run again this Thursday for prospective families to see the Foundation classes in action as they go about their learning.

Lastly, we said farewell to Manjaap Sindhu and Ryan Hayes last week and today welcome Lucy Bibby to St Mary's and 3Y.

Senior Cross Country
The Great Race was a terrific lead up to the Senior and Junior Cross Country. Thanks to Miss Clark and the Year 6 House Captains for their organization and encouragement of all the children and it was wonderful to witness so many students and staff out there walking or running laps for their respective teams. The Senior Cross Country Is taking place at Riverside Park on Wednesday, May 8th and we are sure there will be a big turn out of supporters to cheer the runners on.

Year 2 Camp
It's all happening Year 2, as they get ready to board the bus and set off on an action packed school camp on Thursday! Building on their history unit, highlights include, a visit to the Catalina Museum, lawn bowls, a tour through the Kerang museum before returning to Swan Hill for pizza tea at St Mary's and attending the Laser Light show at the Pioneer Settlement. We can't wait to hear all about it on Friday!

Mothers & Special Friends Morning tea - Friday May 10th
On Friday, all Mums and special friends are invited to school between 10:30-11:30 to visit their child's classroom, receive a special treat for morning tea and then have the opportunity to share recess with their loved ones. We hope lots of you can join us at that time to celebrate and acknowledge how special you are to your families!

St Mary MacKillop Transition Day 1
Just a reminder that on Thursday May 9th, our Year 6 students will spend the day at St Mary MacKillop College as part of their transition to secondary school program. This is a great opportunity for our students to enjoy a range of experiences and gain confidence and familiarity in the secondary environment. Please refer to details provided by the college that outline the format for the day.

Enrolments for 2025
Enrolments are now open for children who start Foundation in 2025. Interviews for new and existing families will take place later in Term 2 and continue in Term 3. Parents of existing families who have a child to start in 2025 please ring the office so an enrolment form can be forwarded to you.

A mother's love is kept locked deep in our hearts, knowing it will always be there to comfort us. I hope all our families have a chance to celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend and that all mothers, nanas and the special women in our lives have a day of happiness, a day where they feel cherished and where they can share special time with their families. May you feel special and know how loved you are.

Kate

"We have much for which to be thankful"
St Mary MacKillop 1875

Key Dates

Wednesday May 8th
Senior Cross Country
Thursday May 9th
MacKillop College Transition Day 1
School in Action Tour
Year 2 Camp
Friday May 10th
Mother's & Special Friends event
Thursday May 16th
Pupil Free Day - Staff PD
Friday May 17th
School in Action Tour
Monday May 20th & Tuesday May 21st
Year 3 Camp
Monday May 20th
Dion Drummond Indigenous Performance
Wednesday May 22nd
Year 2 Level Liturgy 11.30am
Thursday May 23rd
Junior Cross Country
Friday May 24th
Assembly 3Y - 12.25pm

Wellbeing with Mr Prockter

Child Safe Standard 4: Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.

Nurturing Growth: How Parents Can Support Children with School Concerns
Primary school is a crucial period in a child's educational journey, laying the foundation for future academic success and personal development. However, it's not uncommon for children to encounter various challenges during this time, whether it be difficulties with academics, social interactions, or emotional well-being. As primary caregivers, parents play a pivotal role in supporting their children through these challenges, providing the necessary guidance, encouragement, and resources to help them thrive. In this article, we explore effective strategies for parents to support their children with school problems in a primary setting.

Establish Open Communication:
Effective communication between parents, teachers, and children is essential for addressing school-related issues. Parents should maintain regular contact with their child's teachers to stay informed about academic progress, behavior, and any concerns that arise. Encourage your child to express their feelings and concerns about school openly. By fostering an environment of trust and open communication, parents can better understand their child's challenges and work collaboratively with teachers to find solutions.

Identify and Address Learning Difficulties:
Every child learns differently, and some may face difficulties in certain subjects or learning areas. Parents should pay attention to signs of learning difficulties such as poor grades, lack of interest, or frustration with homework. If you suspect your child is struggling academically, consider seeking professional assessments or evaluations to identify any underlying learning disabilities or developmental delays. Once identified, work with teachers to develop personalized learning strategies and accommodations to support your child's academic needs.

Foster a Positive Attitude Towards Learning:
Encourage a positive attitude towards learning by praising your child's efforts and achievements, regardless of the outcome. Emphasize the importance of perseverance, resilience, and problem-solving skills. Create a supportive home environment that values education and curiosity, with designated study areas, regular homework routines, and access to educational resources such as books, puzzles, and educational games. Celebrate small victories and milestones to boost your child's confidence and motivation.

Teach Coping Strategies for Stress and Anxiety:
School-related stress and anxiety are common among children, especially when facing academic challenges or social pressures. Parents can help their children develop coping strategies to manage stress and anxiety effectively. Encourage relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or engaging in physical activities. Teach problem-solving skills and encourage your child to break tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Validate your child's feelings and provide emotional support during times of stress.

Promote Social Skills and Peer Relationships:
Social interactions play a significant role in a child's development and well-being. Parents can support their children by fostering social skills and healthy peer relationships. Encourage your child to participate in extracurricular activities, clubs, or sports where they can interact with peers who share similar interests. Teach empathy, kindness, and conflict resolution skills to help your child navigate social situations effectively. Monitor your child's social interactions and be available to offer guidance and support when needed.

Supporting children with school problems in a primary setting requires patience, understanding, and active involvement from parents. By establishing open communication, addressing learning difficulties, fostering a positive attitude towards learning, teaching coping strategies for stress and anxiety, and promoting social skills, parents can empower their children to overcome challenges and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Have a great week everyone!

Mr Prockter

RE with Mrs Davies

CESH Mass
On Friday we celebrated our much loved CESH Mass together with Fr James and St Mary Mackillop College. We all enjoyed a lovely morning tea and then joined together for our Mass. This year we celebrated 150 years of Catholic Education in our Diocese so was a very special occasion for all

PE with Miss Clark

SSV Basketball trials
On Monday the 29th of April we had three students travel down to Bendigo to try out for the Victorian School Sport team in Basketball. Mia H, Ivy P and Hamish L all did an excellent job stepping up to the challenge to try and perform at their best to show the selectors their amazing Basketball ability. Congratulations to Hamish L who has progressed to the next selection stage.

Great Race results
What an impressive turnout we had for the Great Race last week! It was great to see so many staff and students getting involved by walking and running laps to add points for their house in the beautiful sunshine. A very big thank you to all the house captains for giving up their lunchtime to mark laps and to make sure it all ran smoothly. There was an amazing atmosphere in the school for the week and a great effort by all. Well done to the DINGOES who were the winners this year.

Senior Cross Country
Goodluck to all students in Year 3-6 as they will be participating in the Senior Cross Country this week on Wednesday the 8th of May at Riverside Park.

The following is approximate times of each event;
10 year girls and boys starting at 11.30am (2km run)
8/9 year girls and boys starting at 11.50am (2km run)
11 year girls and boys starting at 12.10pm (3km run)
12/13 year girls and boys starting at 12.30pm (3km run)

Family and friends are welcome to come down to support the students. The top students for their age group can go on to represent the school at the Division Cross Country on Tuesday the 14th May. If your child/ren has qualified for the next stage they will be notified and information regarding this event will be sent home via PAM.

PMP
As part of the PE curriculum, our Foundation and Year One students will participate in a PMP program (Perceptual Motor Program) to help promote fundamental motor skills in fun small group station activities. This program will start this term in week 6 and will run for 4 weeks during their PE lesson time.
This program requires parental assistance to operate successfully.

If there are any parents who can assist during the program, look out for information via sent home with your student if you would like to volunteer to help run station activities.

@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

Working with Children Check
A reminder to bring your Working with Children Check with you if you are coming on to the school grounds for volunteer purposes.

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.

Buses - Town & Country bus reminders
Just a reminder that casual travel on our town bus service is $3 per day/per family. We kindly ask that this is sent to the office on the day that travel in required.

We are unable to issue bus passes for Country Buses. These buses are State Government funded and are for registered travellers only to travel to and from their place of residence.

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

Canteen Roster