Newsletter - 4th September 2024

Acknowledgement of Country

We respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, the Wadawurrung people.  It is a privilege to be standing on Wadawurrung country.  

We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.  We acknowledge the contributions of Indigenous Peoples from the past, present and future who contribute to this country in which we live.  

May Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous Australians continue to work together to educate, unite and live in peace on this land we call home, Australia.

Upcoming Events

5th September:  St Patrick's College SEED Day 

10th September:  Playgroup 9:00am-11:00am

11th September:  School Concert, 6pm-7:30pm

12th September:  Sovereign and Eureka Division Athletics (for students who have qualified)

13th September:  Excursion to Creswick Bowling Club, 1:50pm-3:20pm

15th September:  Lunch orders delivered

16th September:  Playgroup 9:00am-11:00am

20th September:  Last day of term.  Early finish at 1:30pm.

7th October:  Classes resume; start of Term 4.

Prayer for Social Justice Sunday

Messages from the Principal

FATHERS' DAY CELEBRATIONS 

What a beautiful morning we had on Friday, surrounded by dads, grand-dads, uncles, and brothers, all gathered around one table, sharing stories and laughter. The room was alive with the energy of our students, who took great care in taking breakfast orders and delivering them with love and pride. The morning continued with a deeply moving liturgy, where our students offered prayers, Ben read a thoughtful reflection and the students shared something they hear their dad or special guest say all the time.

The excitement peaked with the Dad's Challenge—this year’s contest to see who could fly their paper plane the furthest. Congratulations to Ben Gage, who soared to victory for the second year running!

A big thank you to everyone who joined us. This event is truly one of the highlights of our year, and your presence made it all the more special!

CONCERT - THE OLYMPICS

Get ready for an unforgettable evening! Our much-anticipated concert is happening next Wednesday, 11th September, and we couldn't be more excited! Our talented students have been working tirelessly, perfecting their lines, nailing their moves, and even adding some fantastic dance routines to the mix. We can't wait to showcase their hard work and creativity. We look forward to seeing you, your family, and friends for a night full of fun and celebration!

We're inviting each family to bring a plate of supper to share after the concert. 

The concert kicks off at 6pm sharp and we ask that all students arrive by 5:50pm to get prepared and settle in before the big performance. 

BRICKs RELAUNCH

Our School Leaders—Alexis, Emilia, Evie, Leah, Leo, and Maeve—have decided it's the perfect time to relaunch our school values: Respectful, Inclusive, Courageous, and Kind. Each week, we'll shine a spotlight on one of these values and explore how it can be lived out in different areas of our school community.

Last week, we kicked things off by focusing on being Respectful. Students who embodied this value were invited to place a ‘spud’ in the spud bag. Once the bag was filled with 20 spuds, the students were treated to a Golden Gaytime (yellow is our color for respect).

Now, as we turn our attention to being Inclusive, the excitement builds—what could this week’s reward be? Could it be something green? Stay tuned!

BISHOP PAUL’S VISIT TO THE PARISH

Last weekend, our Parish had the honor of welcoming Bishop Paul Bird as part of the 150 year anniversary of the Diocese. Bishop Paul led Mass at Dunnstown, Gordon and Ballan, and shared a special lunch with many of our parishioners on Sunday. I had the pleasure of inviting Bishop Paul to visit the children and staff at our school, and he graciously accepted. Today, we had the privilege of showing Bishop Paul around St. Mary’s, giving him a glimpse into our vibrant school community. It was a delightful afternoon filled with shared stories and the warmth that makes our school so special.

WELCOME SARAH

We are thrilled to welcome Sarah Matthews as a part-time Education Support Officer until the end of the year. Sarah will work each day until 12.30pm and joins Kelly in the vital role of working closely with individuals and small groups of students and supporting our classroom teachers. Together, they do an outstanding job, ensuring that each student receives the attention and guidance they need to thrive. We're excited to have Sarah on board and look forward to the positive impact she will have on our school community!

ATHLETICS FOR CHILDREN GOING THROUGH TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Next Thursday 12th September, Alexis, Evie and Maeve will be participating in various events at the Sovereign and Eureka Track and Field Carnival at Llanberris. These students earned their spots by excelling at our sports day back in May, and now they're ready to take on this next challenge. We wish all our participants the best of luck. They have already made us incredibly proud and we know they will represent St. Mary's with pride and determination.

Please note that parents will be responsible for transporting the children to and from Llanberis. If you need any assistance with this, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. 

HEAD LICE

We kindly request that all parents and guardians take the time to carefully check your child's hair for any signs of nits or lice. It's important to conduct thorough inspections to catch any potential issues early. If you do find nits or lice, we ask that you promptly treat them to prevent further spread within our school community.  A reminder that hair longer than shoulder length must be tied up.

INSIDE PLAY 

Due to the recent weather, we've had to move some of our play and lunch times indoors. To keep things engaging, we've been exploring alternative activities and recently, some students have taken up a craft sewing project. Here’s Alexis proudly showing off her completed bear.

SAFETY ON THE ROADS

This is just a reminder that we all need to be extra careful on our country roads when dropping off and picking up our children. The roads around our schools are not in the best condition. They are narrow and have lots of potholes due to the bad weather. Winter is especially a tricky time as roads are wet and slippery. Please take extra care and be mindful that school zone limits are in place around our school. 

We want everyone to arrive at their destinations safely and we need to be mindful of each other as we travel to and from school. Our families' safety is very important to us.

Stay warm and well,  

Clare Scanlon, Principal

South & North News

Once again, we have had a busy fortnight in the classrooms. We had a wonderful celebration of all the important men in our lives last Friday to celebrate Father's Day. It was lovely to see all the fathers, brothers, uncles and grandfathers gathering together for a special breakfast and a beautiful liturgy that celebrated all these special men in the children's lives. 

The children commented that they liked seeing their fathers have the opportunity to chat with each other and then sit down together at the breakfast table. They also enjoyed serving breakfast to their special guests, as well as participating in the annual Father's Day Challenge, which was paper plane making and flying. Congratulations to the winner, Ben Gage. We hope that all these special men enjoyed a wonderful Father's Day on Sunday.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to Leah who will turn 12 on Tuesday, 10th September.  Congratulations Leah, we all hope you have a most fantastic birthday!

School TV - Healthy Study Habits

In today's world, where distractions are abundant and the pressure to excel is high, guiding children to develop healthy study habits is more important than ever. As students aspire to achieve academic success, the cornerstone of that achievement lies not just in their intelligence or drive, but in the study habits they cultivate.

It's essential for students to recognise that good study habits aren't merely about spending extra hours hitting the books. It's more about quality over quantity and having a more balanced approach. Emphasising the value of a routine is essential. Consistent study times establish a sense of structure and discipline, turning studying into a natural part of their daily routine rather than a burdensome task.

Additionally, how students approach their study sessions is equally important. Taking regular breaks is a crucial part of this process in maintaining focus and preventing burnout.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes sufficient sleep, a balanced diet, and consistent physical activity are indispensable elements that will significantly impact your child's ability to study effectively. Fostering these healthy habits is one of the most valuable gifts we can offer children, paving the way for a lifetime of learning and achievement.

This Special Report will help you support your young person as they embark on studying for exams.

Mt Prospect Tennis Association - Junior Pennant