Newsletter 2nd November 2022
Upcoming Dates
4th & 11th November: Combined Schools Days at St Mary's
11th November: Remembrance Day
11th November: Excursion to the Ballarat Art Gallery, 9:00am to 12 noon
15th November: Final Meeting with Tony Dalton at St Mary's, 6:15pm
15th November: St Mary's Annual General Meeting, 7:00pm
17th November: Junior Stayback and Grade 2 Sleepover
18th, 25th November & 2nd, 9th December: Combined Schools Days at St Brendan's
24th November: Little Feet, Big Footprint Final Session at All Abilities Playground, 12:30pm-2:30pm
29th November: Orientation Day for Year 6 students at Catholic Secondary Schools & "Going Up" Day for Foundation to Year 5 students
14th December: End of Year Excursion to Xtreme Bounce & Waterpark
16th December: Last Day of Term 4 for students; Assembly at 12:30pm
30th January 2023: First Day of Term 1, 2023
Principal's News
Over the past few weeks we have been reminded that our land is a country of many contrasts. Through the floods that many of our communities are struggling through, we are reminded of who we are, what we value and that we should be grateful every day for what is good in our lives. So many people are struggling with so much in their lives every single day.
I share this prayer with you:
Let us Pray.
We remember in our prayers:
Those whose lives have been devastated
Those who are feeling vulnerable and weak.
Those who are stranded
Those who are facing both long-term and short-term needs.
Those who are homeless in this crippling time
We pray also for all those who are meeting needs at this time:
Volunteers and community workers
Those working to rescue people who are stranded and feed the hungry.
Those supplying food, water, equipment, money and urgent supplies
Those working to clear roadways and homes that have been damaged
Police officers, emergency personnel, medical and social welfare responders
Those seeking to offer protection from theft and fraud.
We pray that each of us will play our part in responding to the overwhelming conditions of this time, and particularly in reaching out to those who are struggling to rebuild their lives.
We pray too, that we will continue to urge the Government to play its part in strengthening structures that will heal our land, restore creation, and relieve those suffering homelessness and poverty.
We make all our prayers in the name of Jesus, who reached out always to those most in need.
Amen.
Jan Barnett rsj
Josephite Justice Co-ordinator
Josephite Justice Network
Staffing Next Year
We are at that point of the year where we begin planning for 2023. Our staffing for next year will remain much the same as this year which I am grateful for. It will provide consistency and predictability for the children after two years where so much was unknown.
There are a few changes to hours for some staff. Anita is going to 3 days a week; Kelly will be full time at St. Mary’s and Lyndal will be the Learning Support Officer from Monday to Thursday at St. Brendan’s, while maintaining her current teaching hours at St. Mary’s. Things may need to be ‘tweaked’ a little, however, this is how things look now.
Work with Tony Dalton
Tony and I met last week to discuss the feedback from the community meetings at the end of last term and from surveys sent home.
Tomorrow we are meeting at St. Mary’s with a small group of parents who have offered to help brainstorm around the ideas that have emerged so far. Please feel free to join us at 9am for about an hour. This will be followed up with our final meeting for the year to make a plan moving forward into 2023. We will be listening to what you have to say, your thoughts on the ideas and considering the direction we will take next year.
Little Feet, Big Footprints Program
Today we were going to have our final day of the Year 6 Little Feet, Big Footprints Program. Due to the weather, this will be postponed until Thursday, the 24th November. This will give our Year 6 children a chance to reconnect with friends before the Secondary School Orientation Days on Tuesday, the 29th of November.
We are thrilled to inform parents that this program will continue next year for our 2023 Year 6 students.
Transition and "Going Up" Day
On Tuesday the 29th of November, our Year 6 children will have their transition day at their 2023 secondary schools. The children at St. Mary’s and St. Brendan’s will spend the morning in their 2023 classes with their teachers. Our Year 2 students and next year's Foundation children will begin to transition into next year's classes within the next few weeks.
Annual General Meetings
A reminder that our Annual General Meetings are coming up. St. Mary’s will be held on Tuesday, the 15th of November; St. Brendan’s on the 22th of November. Both will start at 7pm.
All are welcome to attend. Wine and nibbles will be provided.
Junior Stayback and Year 2 Sleepover
The much anticipated Junior Stayback and Sleepover will be held on Thursday the 17th of November. Further details will follow soon.
Dates
A reminder that the dates for all public events are in the school calendar and on the newsletter. Please check these regularly as it is going to be a busy time as we approach the last half Term 4.
As we know dates for 2023, these will also go into the calendar. I know many families are already planning things for next year. We will always try to give you as much advanced notice as possible, however, sometimes it does take time to finalise the details.
Stay dry and go gently,
Inez
School Fees
Just a reminder regarding school fees. As per our School Fees Policy, all school fees must be finalised by the 30th November of the current school year. If you are experiencing difficulty in managing your school fees, please make an appointment to discuss this with Inez.
Junior Room - Junior the Kindness Monster
As reported in our last newsletter, Junior the Kindness Monster has been visiting the homes of the Junior Room students. Junior loves kindness and helping others to be kind.
Adelaide: I shared by popcorn with Junior at the movies!
Paige: I made by brother a drink on his birthday.
Quinn: I shared by birthday presents with my sisters.
Patrick: I stacked the dishwasher and set the table. I helped Dad sort out the toolbox. I helped Dad put exhaust stacks on the truck. I got the mail from the mailbox. I got the bins in.
My New Gallery
Senior Room - "Our Body" Unit
The senior students have commenced the Relationships and Sexuality program with the unit "Our Body".
So far we have discussed the sacredness of our bodies and why we should respect them both physically and emotionally. We have shared the different slang terms we sometimes use for different body parts and discussed the importance of knowing and using their correct names.
Last week we listed the changes that occur during puberty and that puberty occurs at different times for different people. We acknowledge that this topic can be a little awkward and embarrassing but we encourage the students to have courage to actively participate in the sessions, sharing what they know and asking questions. We offer a 'question box' for any questions the children wish to ask anonymously.
We have been impressed with the knowledge the students have brought to the sessions to date and continue to encourage them to share with their parents what we have been learning.
Happy Birthday!
Today is Kaezia's birthday! Happy birthday Kaezia, enjoy your special day!
Help Required!
We have some larger items that need to go to the tip/recycling centre. If any of the parents are able to assist with the transfer of these, please see Claire in the office. Thank you!
Gardening & Tidying Roster 2022
25th October - 7th November: Gage Family
8th November - 21st November: McNamara Family
22nd November - 5th December: Singline Family