Newsletter Term 3 Week 4
Principal's Message
Dear Parents and Families,
It might have been day 7 at the Olympics in Paris but we had our own sea of “Green and Gold” here as we celebrated our mini Olympics on Friday.
There was everything from potato Olympians, egg and spoon relays to some very heated 'Number Hockey' competition happening throughout the day as all students took part in the fun. Many thanks to our wonderful staff who worked together to make this global event come to life for the children on our home turf.
Staff Update
Last week we said goodbye to 2 popular staff members, Philippa Randle and LeeAnn Clarke.
LeeAnn has taught music here for the past 18 months. A talented musician and gifted singer, LeeAnn bought and energy and creativity to our musical specialist program and we thank her for inspiring many students to learn and instrument or express their creativity through song. We also farewelled a much loved LSO, Philippa, who is relocating with her family to Bendigo. Philippa's love of her work and boundless positivity will be greatly missed and we wish both her and LeeAnn all the very best going forward.
St. Mary of the Cross Liturgy - 8th August
On Thursday, August 8th, the Foundation students and Fr James will lead us in celebrating our St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Liturgy at 11.40 am. Mary Mackillop is Australia's first saint and founded the Sisters of St Joseph who served our school community for almost 100 years and are a huge part of our St. Mary’s school history. Mary’s statue takes centre stage in our school grounds to remind us of her legacy. The liturgy will take place in the school gymnasium with all families warmly welcome to attend.
School Improvement Survey
Every 2 years our school community is required to complete a survey which provides us with data concerning our school. This data is used in the process of assessing growth, setting goals and working towards school improvement. 2024 is a survey year. A selection of parents have been chosen randomly from our family list, and will receive a survey for completion between Monday 26th July and Friday 9th August. If you receive an invitation to participate it would be fantastic if you could take the time to complete the survey. Staff and senior students are also involved in completing surveys and providing important feedback for our school.
Book Week Parade
With our 2024 Children's Book Week theme, ‘Reading is Magic’, we're celebrating reading stories and their amazing power to transport minds. We are encouraging kids to be curious about the wonders in our world. It is a positive and affirming message for our young people. Some advance notice to celebrate Book Week, we have our very popular annual Book Week 'Dress Up Parade' on Friday 23rd of August at 9:10 am.
Parent Teacher Interviews-Advance notice
Tuesday 3/9, Wednesday 4/9 and Tuesday 10/9 have been set aside for staff to conduct our second round of Parent/Teacher Interviews. This is a great opportunity for all parents to book a time to spend with your child’s teacher. Our Year 5 & 6 students will participate in Student Led Conferences while our Year 1-4 students will run 3 Way Chats with both parents and their children required to attend. Foundation interviews remain amore traditional parent-Teacher style interview. The dates are on our school calendar. Online bookings will be advertised via PAM, the newsletter and on our Social Media pages with bookings opening late in August.
Good news spotlight!
There is always much to celebrate at St Mary’s and this week the spotlight is firmly on our LSO’s. They all work extremely hard supporting the children they work with to thrive at school.
Did you know to assist them with keeping abreast with best practice and develop their skills and expertise, Rickie, Flick, Jess, Vicki and Kasey are all completing their Certificate IV in Teacher Assistance, Kerrie, Julie, Bec, Anne-Maree and Min are all completing a Diploma in OSHC, while Imica, Paige, Olivia and Jade are studying teaching part time.
How lucky is this school community to have that level of dedication and commitment for our education support staff?
Parent Survey
Thank you to the families that responded to the Parent Feedback survey which was advertised on the school newsletter last term.
We really appreciated the feedback about various aspects of our school operations.
This week I have heard what parents thought about our resources, extra curricular activities and facilities methods, with 1 indicating disagree through to 3 which means strongly agree.
It was lovely to see so many families at our assembly last Friday. Congratulations to 2T who shared the connections they made between the Olympic spirit and our St Mary’s Way. This week we look forward to 2U taking centre stage.
Have a great week,
Kate
"Never See a Need Without Doing Something About It"
Mary MacKillop - Sisters of St Joseph Foundress
Key Dates
Thursday August 8th
Regional Netball (Girls & Boys)
Regional Soccer (Girls & Boys)
St. Mary MacKillop Liturgy - 11.40am
Friday August 9th
Assembly 12.25pm - 2U
Tuesday August 13th
Regional AFL (Girls & Boys)
Thursday August 15th
School Feast Day - Assumption of Mary Mass - 9.10am
Friday August 16th
Pupil Free Day
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
PE with Miss Clark
SSV Mia Footy
Exciting times for one of our St Mary’s students, Mia H who starts her Under 12’s girls footy competition playing for the School Sport Victoria National team this week playing in Geelong. Mia went through a rigorous selection process to be chosen to represent the Victorian team. We are so very proud of her here at St Mary’s and can’t wait to hear how she goes!
Gymnastics
The first of four sessions for gymnastics was held after school last week on Thursday the 1st of August. The students demonstrated different movement patterns and explored different equipment around the gym. The next session is this week on Thursday, 8th of August.
Regional Netball and Soccer
This week, we wish our St Mary’s girls and boys Netball teams and girls and boys Soccer teams the best of luck as they compete at the Regional level on Thursday, 8th of August. Netball games will be held at Alan Garden Reserve. Soccer games will be at Ken Harrison Reserve. Draws will also be emailed out this week. Go St Mary’s!
Senior Athletics Sports Carnival Volunteers
The Senior Athletics permission have been sent out on PAM for students in Year 3-6 to attend the day. I am also after some volunteers to assist with the St Mary’s Primary School Athletics Carnivals.
Senior Athletics (Years 3-6) at Ken Harrison Reserve - Thursday, August 29th.
@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.
Country Bus Travel
Country Buses are to be used for registered travellers only. If Country Bus travel is required in an emergency, please contact the office so that the appropriate paperwork can be completed.
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!
Flying Start highlights
