Newsletter Term 3 Week 1
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Families,
Welcome back to school for Term 3! I hope you all enjoyed the holiday break and are back rested and ready for another exciting term of learning. New to our school this term is Eireen Shaino. We hope she quickly settles into life at St Mary's and we look forward to getting to know her family.
A warm welcome to Ms Toni-Mia Scalora who will step into the Music teaching role 2 days a week.
Toni-Mia has already been working here at St. Mary’s in an LSO role - we wish her all the best in the next part of her career!
A big congratulations to Stacey Hanns, Tim & Ed on the arrival of little Roy on 6/7/24. We hear that Ed is loving being a big brother!
Flying Start and 2025 Enrolments
We are really looking forward to the 2024 Flying Start program continuing this Thursday and Friday and getting to know many of our 2025 Foundation students and their families before they start school next year. We have had strong interest in this very successful program with a few spaces still available in each group for any preschoolers in our district to come along and join the fun! Just ring the office to find out how to register your child. A reminder that 2025 enrolments are open - forms can be collected from the office.
Curriculum Newsletters
This week you will be emailed a copy of the Term 3 curriculum newsletters that outline the key learning that will take place in your child’s classroom and when they attend specialist classes. The curriculum newsletters are produced to assist you to know what is happening at school so you can chat more knowledgeably with your child about the many exciting things they are involved with at St Mary’s.
Parent Teacher Interviews
Advance notice to all families, our second round of Parent Teacher Interviews will be conducted in Weeks 8 & 9 of this term. Online bookings will be advertised via PAM, the newsletter and on our Facebook page closer to the date.
ACU Student Teachers
This week we welcome 3 ACU students to our school who will be on a 3 week teaching placement. Rosie Conlan, Tearna Clamp and Chloe Parker will be joining a Year 1, Year 5 and Year 6 classroom. We hope they enjoy their time at our school and learn lots from our wonderful staff and students!
St Mary’s Disco
The St. Mary’s disco is back! The disco will be held on Friday, July 26th at the Jubilee Centre (MacKillop College).
Our P&F do a great job organizing events that not only raise money for the school but provide the children with lots of fun. They are looking for parent helpers to decorate the hall and /or to assist the leadership team in supervising the disco. Separate information about the disco will be sent to all families this week.
Just a reminder that Kate Quin is still away on leave for the first week of Term 3 - she is having a great time travelling overseas and will be back on deck in Week 2.
We are looking forward to a great first week of Term 3!
Jason - Acting Principal
"Never See a Need Without Doing Something About It"
Mary MacKillop - Sisters of St Joseph Foundress
Key Dates
Monday July 15th
Start of Term 3
Thursday July 18th & Friday July 19th
Flying Start session 3
Friday July 19th
Assembly 12.25pm - 5A
Monday July 22 - Wednesday July 24
History Box incursion
Thursday July 25th
Division Boys Netball
Division Girls AFL
Thursday July 25th & Friday July 26th
Flying Start session 4
Friday July 26th
Assembly 12.25pm - 5C
Casual Dress
School Disco
Wellbeing with Mr Prockter
Standard 4 Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
The Importance of Positive School Drop-offs
Starting the school day with a positive drop-off experience can significantly impact a child's attitude, confidence, and overall school experience. The transition from home to school can be a source of anxiety for many children, and a positive drop-off can help set the tone for the rest of the day. Here’s why positive school drop-offs are crucial and how they contribute to a child's well-being and success.
Building Emotional Security
- Reducing Separation Anxiety: Separation anxiety is common among young children. A calm, reassuring drop-off can help alleviate their fears and make the transition from home to school smoother. When children feel secure and confident as they part from their parents or caregivers, they are more likely to start their day with a positive mindset.
- Fostering Independence: Positive drop-offs encourage children to develop a sense of independence. By confidently walking into school, children learn to trust their own ability to navigate their environment, fostering self-reliance and independence.
Practical Tips for Positive Drop-offs
- Prepare Ahead of Time: Ensure that everything needed for school is prepared the night before. This can include packing lunches, laying out clothes, and organizing school supplies. A smooth, stress-free morning routine can contribute to a positive drop-off experience.
- Stay Calm and Positive: Children often mirror their parents' emotions. By staying calm and positive, parents can help reduce any anxiety their child might be feeling. A cheerful tone and a smile can go a long way in making the drop-off more pleasant.
- Keep Goodbyes Short and Sweet: Lengthy goodbyes can increase anxiety. A quick, positive farewell with a hug or a special handshake can provide reassurance without prolonging the separation.
- Establish a Routine: Having a consistent drop-off routine can provide a sense of predictability and security for children. Whether it’s a special phrase, a hug, or a high-five, creating a ritual can make saying goodbye easier.
- Acknowledge Feelings: If a child is feeling anxious or upset, acknowledge their feelings without dwelling on them. Acknowledge their emotions, reassure them, and encourage them to look forward to something positive about the school day.
Positive school drop-offs play a vital role in shaping a child's school experience. They help build emotional security, enhance engagement, and strengthen parent-child relationships. By fostering a positive start to the day, parents and caregivers can help children feel more confident, independent, and ready to take on the challenges of the school day. Implementing simple strategies can make a significant difference, ensuring that children begin their school day on a positive note, ready to learn and thrive.
Have a great first week back to school :)
Mr Prockter
Curriculum with Mrs Hall
CBCA-Book Week 2024:”Reading is Magic”
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.
This year the 2024 CBCA Children's Book Week theme is “Reading is Magic ''. The theme celebrates reading stories and their amazing power to transport minds. Encouraging kids to be curious about the wonders in our world. It is a positive and affirming message for our young people. The magic of reading also lies in its power of enticement; a good story provokes conversations. Talking about the stories with others connects the reader with other readers.
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.
PE with Miss Clark
Welcome back everyone!
We have lots of sporting events for the students in Term 3 including Senior and Junior Athletics, Regional level Soccer, Teeball, AFL and Netball, Year 6 Boys Netball, Year 5 and 6 Girls AFL and Gymnastics after school. Look out for the Newsletter reports on how these teams and events progress.
State Cross Country
On Thursday 18th of July we will be wishing Mia H the best of luck as she will be competing in the State Cross Country in Melbourne. Mia has achieved amazing results to get to this level and St Mary’s will be thinking of her as she runs the 3km course towards the end of the week!
@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.
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.
School Beanies
With the weather cooling down, now is a great time to purchase a school beanie. Available of CDF Pay for $15.
News from the Canteen
Volunteers Needed:
We are always on the lookout for volunteers in our school canteen. You just need your VIC WWCC. Volunteer hours at 11.30am-1.30pm. Please email office@smswanhill.catholic.edu.au if you are able assist
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!
What's happening in Foundation Green?
Community News
