Newsletter 27th October 2021
Principal News
It finally feels like we have some sense of the new normal to our lives. All of our children are back and we have some consistency to our days. While we are not out of the woods yet, we are beginning to forge ahead and make plans for the rest of the year, with a Plan A and then Plan B. Please understand that it is difficult for staff as we want to do as much as we can within the restrictions that will continue to change over the next few months. Many guidelines are still a bit murky, such as who needs to be vaccinated to attend what events, where the events can take place and with what numbers. We are unsure if we can have excursions and then there is the threat that exposure sites can pop up at any time. We will do our best to make things happen and give parents as much warning as we can if things do change because of things beyond our control. We still have a few dates to confirm and I will send out a list later on this week when dates are set.
This week I sent out an email about staffing at our schools for 2021. The adjustments are that Callum will be full time in the Senior Class at St. Brendan’s in 2022 and Sue will be working Monday to Wednesday in the Senior Class at St. Mary’s in 2022. Jess Sartori will be taking some leave to have a baby and all other staff will remain in their current positions. As stated in the letter – ‘Our schools are very fortunate to have a staff of experienced teachers who are committed to working collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes for all.’
The structure of the classes will remain the same for 2022 with the Junior classes encompassing Prep to Year 2 and the children in Years 3 – 6 will make up the Senior class.
At this stage, we still cannot have parents on site, unless it is absolutely necessary. If you do need to enter the grounds, you must have a mask on and QR code in if you need to enter the buildings. I understand this is very difficult however, I do ask that you adhere to these rules because, as we are aware, schools are continually becoming exposure sites and I know that you all want to keep our children, staff and families safe.
Our school photos will be taken on Wednesday the 17th of November. This date is confirmed. Children will need to wear their summer uniform, no sports uniforms on this day please. Envelopes were given to families some time ago so please make sure that you still have them and send them with the children on the 17th November. If you require another envelope please contact Leonie or Anita in the office.
This Friday is Teacher Appreciation Day. Over the past few years, many people have had to perform the task of being teacher and we thank you for all of your efforts. Many parents and carers have said that they have a new appreciation of what our teachers do each and every day. A very special thanks to the teachers in our schools who always got over and above to make sure our children are safe, happy and well educated. We, as a community are blessed that we have such dedicated, hardworking, professional and positive, happy teachers that work so well together.
Friday the 29th is Teacher Appreciation Day
Upcoming Dates
Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Tues 2nd Nov
School Advisory Council
AGM
9th November
7.30 pm
Sacramental Retreat and Sacraments @ Bungaree Parish Centre
11th November
School Closure Day
Staff First Aid Training
Mon 15th Nov
School Photos
17th November
Sacramental News
The children in years 3 and 4 will thankfully be able to receive and celebrate the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist this term. On Thursday 11th November, they will gather for a Retreat Day where they will continue to learn about these sacraments and then they will celebrate with a special mass on Thursday afternoon at 5:30pm to receive their sacraments. Please remember Oscar, Lucy, Ahlia, Sullivan, Maeve, Pat and Tara who have been preparing for this special time. We are very appreciative of Fr Sajan for working with us to find a time to celebrate these sacraments throughout the disruptions caused by Covid.
Installing Schoolzine App
Our new Website is now up and running. To access the newsletter through your phone please download the Schoolzine App. If you have any problems please contact Anita and she will be happy to help.
Please follow the instructions in the below guide.
Happy Birthday
Kaezia will turn 6 on the 2nd Nov
School Photos Wednesday 17th November
School photos have been confirmed for Wednesday 17th October.
Please contact Leonie if you are unable to locate your photo envelope or have any further queries before Wednesday 17th October.
Student Teacher
This week we welcome Cate Lidgett to our school for a teaching placement. Cate is a second year student at ACU and will be spending some time in the Junior Room this week and then returning on the 15th of November for 2 weeks. The children are very excited to have yet another ‘teacher’ in the classroom.
AGM Tuesday 9th November 7.30 pm
The AGM will be held at school on Tuesday the 9th of November at 7.30 All are welcome and if anyone would like to, we can also set up a Zoom so you can join in if unable to attend in person. You will need to wear a mask and QR code.
Photo Competition
Late last term a number of our senior students submitted entries into a photo competition run by Earth Ed, a Ballarat based educational facility providing real world earth science experiences for students. As we were in the midst of yet another lockdown, the competition's theme was "What's in your 5kms?" Students were invited to submit images from their 5 kms, in categories including nature, colour, outside and up high.
We were very excited to hear that 2 of our students' images impressed the judges. Congratulations to Maeve and Stella on your winning entries!
All entries can be viewed at:
https://sites.google.com/earthed.vic.edu.au/earthed5kchallenge/competition-entries?
Senior News
Since the start of term the seniors have been doing some work on Poetry. So far they have been introduced to Kenning Poems and Limericks. Here are some of the fantastic poems that have been produced thus far.
Junior News
In the Junior we have been embracing our creative side recently, we designed t-shirts that also glow in the dark, plus check out Leo's interpretation of Margaret Wilds book Fox using chalk.
Play Report
The St Mary's students have been really enjoying their lunch times since the return to school and being together again. There have been a number of different games and activities played over the past couple of weeks and it has been wonderful to see everyone playing, laughing and enjoying each other's company. This is the students' 'Play Report'.
William, Patrick P, Kaezia, Chloe and Paige have been playing in the sandpit. Creating truck depots, tunnels and farms. They have been loving the new tractors and trucks that were kindly donated by Lyndal and her son Sam.
Tennis has been extremely popular this term amongst the seniors and juniors. They have been playing big combine games and making sure everyone is involved and having a go. They are very grateful for the brand new tennis balls after having sent most of ours sailing over the fence with some impressive forehand and backhand shots.
Red light/Green light was also played this week. A huge game involving almost the entire school was played on the oval. It was great to see a number of skill sets on display. Some great freezing, running and teamwork.
We hope to see more of this wonderful weather so that our great lunch times of fun and games outside can continue.
Gardening and Tidying Roster 2021/2022
Involves general tidying and weeding that will require basic tools and basic safety precautions.
Sweep the deck, sweep the front concrete path, cob web brush buildings, bang mats, weed the garden beds at the front of the school, weed the garden beds at the side of the school, weed the garden beds in the playground.