Newsletter Term 2 Week 10
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Families,
On Friday we welcomed Kevin Tran to St Mary’s, with Mrs Morris and 4J looking forward to him joining their class, while this week we have Riley and Morgan from Swan Hill Secondary College here completing work experience. In some lovely staff news, we were excited to hear about the safe arrival of Ocie and Birdie, 2 beautiful baby girls for Tagan Koschitzki, her partner Kyle, and big sisters Inca and Naima to love and spoil.
Flying Start and 2025 Enrolments
We had a great time at the first Flying Start sessions which commenced last week and enjoyed getting to know many of our 2025 Foundation students and their families before they commence school next year. Limited places are available in some sessions so please let family and friends know there is still time to ring the office for more information and to come along and join in the fun.
Junior Hub Opening
It's hard to believe that our Junior Hub has been in operation for over 6 months. On Wednesday, all those involved in its design and construction will join the Year 2 and 3 students and some special guests in a special ceremony to officially open the hub. At this ceremony, Fr James will bless the building and we will unveil a plaque that acknowledges Federal capital grants assistance to complete this exciting school refurbishment project.
St Vinnies Winter Appeal
Lots of donations of non-perishable food items have started to stockpile in classrooms with families being very generous in their support of the St Vinnies Winter Appeal. Items can be sent through all week with hamper bags being organized and distributed to St Vinnies and other local agencies that support families in need in our community. As a finale to the appeal, we are holding our ‘Winter Pyjamas’ casual dress day this Friday 21st June. Due to all the fantastic items already donated, we will not be having a gold coin donation for this day.
Parent Survey- your opinion matters!
Thank you to the many families who have already completed the survey. We value your opinion about what we are doing well and anything we could do better to continue to continue to improve our school. I would encourage all parents to take a few minutes to complete this short survey which asks for your feedback on a range of areas of school operation. The survey will be open until the end of the term.
Thanks to our P & F!
Each year the CRT primary schools program provides a gift of $2000 to 25 chosen Parent and Friend Groups in a rural area. For some years Renee on behalf of the P & F has submitted an application that details how we would use this gift if selected. On Thursday we found out we were one of the lucky schools to receive $2000 which we will put towards purchasing a piece of equipment for the new ninja playground. Thanks, Renee and our P&F for all you do for our school.
I will be on leave next week and the first week of school next term. In my absence, Mr Jason Perry will be the Acting Principal, Mrs Mardi Hall the Acting Deputy Principal and our Leadership team will be taking on some extra duties to support them while they are undertaking these roles. I have every confidence the school will be in good hands and am very appreciative that Jason, Mardi and our leadership team have enabled me to spend some time away with fellow Principals on a spiritual pilgrimage to Ireland.
Enjoy the week ahead and good luck to our Senior Students who are participating in the Winter Sports Carnival this Friday,
Kate
"We have much for which to be thankful"
St Mary MacKillop 1875
Key Dates
Wednesday June 19th
Junior Hub Official Opening
Thursday June 20th & Friday June 21st
Flying Start Session 2
Friday June 21st
Casual Dress Day - Pyjama Day
Year 5/6 Division Winter Sports
Assembly 12.25pm - 2R
Wednesday June 24th
Peter Walsh visit - Year 4
Friday June 28th
Assembly 12.25pm - 2S
End of Term 2 - 1 hour earlier finish time
Monday July 15th
Start of Term 3
Wellbeing with Mr Prockter
RE with Mrs Davies
St Mary’s Winter Appeal 2024
This week we are celebrating our annual St Mary’s Winter Appeal where we are called to remember Jesus’ love for everyone.
We are asking that over this week for everyone to bring in donations of any non perishable food items to help those in our own local community who are in need of our help. This year we are supporting St Vinnies, Swan Hill Food Hub & A Good Kitchen.
Some ideas of non perishable food items to donate are:
*Boxes of Cereal
*Dry Pasta/Jars of Pasta Sauce
*Rice
*Tinned soup/vegetables/fruit
*Muesli Bars/Dry Biscuits
We will be holding our ‘Winter Pyjama Day’ themed casual dress this Friday 21st June. The SRC are very excited to be involved in this event and will be coming around to classrooms to collect all of the items donated.
Year 5/6 have their Winter Sports Day so will come in their full PE Uniform.
Donations Needed - if you would like to donate any reusable shopping bags (like the ones pictured) can you please send to school with your child.
PE with Miss Clark
Division Winter Sport
Goodluck to our Year 5 and 6 students who have the Division Winter Sports competition at the end of this week on Friday the 21st of June. A big thank you once again to the Mackillop students who helped prepare our students for the day. Below is the location of each sport if parents or family would like to support our students;
Football (AFL) - Tyntynder Oval and Swan Hill Oval
Netball - Alan Garden Reserve
Soccer and Teeball - Ken Harrison Reserve
Students are required to wear full sports uniform on the day. Students going to AFL are strongly encouraged to wear a mouth guard. If students have their own helmets and footy boots for AFL and shin guards for Soccer they are welcome to bring them along to wear. Students will be provided helmets and shin guards from the school if needed.
PMP Week 3
Our Foundation and Year 1 students have completed their third session of PMP activities last week. They included throwing at a target with dodgeballs and practicing throwing a vortex, Soccer goal kicking, walking using large feet and throwing bean bags into hula hoops.
Exciting team selection news!
A huge congratulations to Mia H who has made the Under 12 Girls AFLW School Sport Victorian team. St Mary’s school community is super proud of Mia’s hard work to reach this amazing achievement. We can’t wait to hear how she goes. Well done Mia!
@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.
School Beanies
With the weather cooling down, now is a great time to purchase a school beanie. Available of CDF Pay for $15.
Student Absences
Just a reminder that if your child is absent from school, you need to let the office know, preferably via PAM, prior to 9.25am.
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
Just a reminder to sign in at the office when you are on canteen duty
Student of the Week
Happy Birthday!
