St Mary's School newsletter Term 3 - Week 1

Principal's message

Hello everyone!

It has been an icy start to Term Three this week!  Despite the weather, the children returned to school full of enthusiasm as we commence Term 3. We will have an Emergency Drill next week as part of our Emergency Management Plan schedule.

The children shared stories of their holiday activities and adventures - whether it was going to the snow, visiting places close by or overseas going to the park or watching movies at home with friends and family, all had great stories to share. A beautiful news story was Miss McNamara waltzed into school with a gorgeous engagement ring! Please join me in congratulating Miss McNamara!

This term is two weeks shorter than Term Two but no less intense with much to get through both academically and with extra curricular activities.  This week and next week the students will be undertaking mid-year DIBELS testing.  This is a literacy assessment which is completed at the beginning of the year, mid-year and again at the end of the year.  

Miss Kiahn Chpaman will be completing her Teacher Placement from Week 3 fulltime at St Mary's this term for a 7 week block in the Junior Room.

During Term 3 we have lots on the calendar - the local Choral Festival, 100 days of school, Athletics, Book Week Dress Up and Footy Colours Day as some of our upcoming events!

We are looking at updating our Website and our Facebook page in the coming weeks. Keep an eye on updates!

Welcome, Immerse, Belong!

Right now is a great time to begin exploring your options. Starting school is an exciting time for children and families!

Welcome - to St Mary's!

Immerse - your child into our calm classrooms!

Belong - we are a family school! 

Prep at  St Mary's  is a welcoming beginning of a child's school journey. We focus on nurturing confidence with a love for learning  supported by experienced educators.

Join us for 'Welcome, Immerse, Belong' on Monday 28th July or August 8th at 9:00am -10:30am. Walk with us and see for yourself the beautiful St Mary's school journey to educate your child. 

Grandparent's or Special Person Day - Tuesday 29th July:

Our favourite day of the year is almost here!  Our Grandparent’s and Special People Day celebrations will be held on Tuesday 29th July from 9:30am-11:30am and will include:

9:30am: School Liturgy

10:10am: Family Group Activities

11:00am: Morning Tea

11:30am: Finish

Grandparents or Special Persons are warmly invited to attend all or part of the day.  Our children love sharing this special time with their grandparents.

Take care,

Melissa Drum

Increase in Respiratory Illnesses

There is an increased number of respiratory cases in the community at the moment, including influenza, COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). All of these conditions have vaccination programs available which should be considered by those eligible, especially those with underlying susceptibilities.

Some links which you may find useful:

Prayer

School Uniform

A gentle reminder to check that your child is wearing the correct school uniform. As it gets colder, we notice that students don’t always have a jumper or school jacket. If you require assistance with uniforms, please see Alicia in the front office. 

Names on Personal Belongings

Please ensure that all students' personal belongings, including clothing, have their names written on them. Many students are misplacing their items, and it is much easier to find these with students' names on them. 

The Donald Bakery will be closed in the first week of Term 3 - there will be no lunch orders on Friday 25th July. 

Book Club

               

ISSUE 5 IS OPEN, and there's a lot to get excited about in this Issue:

• 60 Book Week Costumes to WIN!
• Brand-New Books from Beloved Authors!
• $5 Promo Code is Back!

Why it Matters...
-- Teachers will have engaged readers with books that kids are excited about
-- Parents save time and money while getting Book Week sorted
-- Students get stories they’ll treasure – and a chance to dress up, too!

Grandparents and Special Person Day

Letter from Tom Sexton

MHiPS with Liz McIntyre

Topic: Cybersafety (repeat from last term)

Young people today don’t have the maturity to use their digital devices responsibly. For example, giving a smartphone to an 11 year old can be akin to giving them a ‘loaded gun’. Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

From the eSafety Commissioner

Swimming between the digital flags: helping young Australians navigate social media’s dangerous currents

The relationship between social media and children’s mental health is one of the most important conversations of our time. That's why, from mid-December, the Australian Government will require certain social media services to take steps to prevent under 16s from having accounts. 

This week, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant outlined how Australia plans to take this bold action forward, in a speech delivered at the National Press Club. 

Here's what parents need to know right now: 

1. It’s not a ban, it’s a delay. We’re giving kids more time to build digital skills and resilience before facing the pressures of social media.  
    
2. The responsibility lies with the platform. There are no penalties for children or parents—only for platforms that fail to take reasonable steps to prevent under 16s from having accounts.  
    
3. You’re not alone. eSafety offers trusted resources for parents and carers, educators, young people and kids. We’ve got the flags, the swimming lessons, and the safety tips to help you support your kids. And our protective powers in areas such as cyberbulling and image-based abuse will still be there to help if things go wrong.  

Australia is building a culture of online safety—just like we’ve done on our beaches. Because the internet, like the ocean, is not going away – and our kids are already dipping their toes in.

To stay up to date on social media age restrictions and much more, visit the eSafety Commissioner's website using the link below.

Beanies for winter. Remember to keep warm with a St Mary's beanie! Contact Alicia in the the office.

In 2024, our senior students created the design for our winter beanies.

This year our beanies are still available to purchase.

Parent Access Module PAM / SIMON Everywhere app

The Parent Access Module PAM (SIMON Everywhere app) is our "go-to" for all parent information. Download the SIMON Everywhere app from the app store on your mobile phone and login using your PAM credentials.

Simon Everywhere delivers instant notifications to parents' mobile phones, delivering the functionality of PAM in an easy to navigate app. We will use Simon Everywhere for all important notifications.  

You will be able to manage all your day-to-day school needs from Simon Everywhere, including:

• notify us of absences;
• access reports
• view the school calendar;
• provide permission for student activities;
• update medical/contact information;
  
• read the newsletter.

Please contact the office with any questions.

Our Newsletter can be read in a variety of languages!

When you open the school newsletter, click on “select language” beside TRANSLATE, at the top of the newsletter. Simply scroll to choose which language you would like to read the newsletter in! 

Breakfast Club

Breakfast clubs for students at school offer numerous benefits that contribute to their overall wellbeing and academic success:

• Improved Academic Performance: Eating a nutritious breakfast improves concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills, leading to better academic outcomes.

• Nutritional Benefits: Breakfast clubs ensure children receive essential nutrients that might otherwise be missed, promoting healthier growth and development.

• Social Interaction: It provides a relaxed setting for children to socialise with peers and staff, fostering positive relationships and a sense of belonging.

• Establishing Routine: Regular attendance at breakfast clubs helps establish healthy eating habits and a consistent morning routine, which can improve overall behaviour and attendance at school.

• Reduced Hunger: Children who eat breakfast are less likely to experience hunger during the morning, allowing them to focus on learning rather than their empty stomachs.

• Support for Families: Breakfast clubs can ease morning stress for families by providing a convenient, affordable option for ensuring their children have a nutritious start to the day.

Overall, breakfast clubs contribute significantly to the physical, emotional, and academic wellbeing of children, making them a valuable resource for schools and families alike.

Breakfast club will continue to run every morning between 8:30-8:50am. 

On Monday we have Milo/ Hot chocolates and Friday is Cheese Toasties!

Change of Emails/Addresses/Phone Numbers

Could families please inform the school if they have changed their mobile number, address or email. It is vital that the school has the most up to day information, to enable us to contact you when needed.

Student late arrival, early departure, temporary absence procedures

All student late arrivals, early departures or temporary absences must be recorded in the Passtab iPad located in the foyer.  Please ask office staff for assistance.

FLARE - Structured Literacy

Birthdays in July

Happy Birthday!

July 19th Madeline

St Mary's Enrolments Open!

EWHS -

From the office - Mrs Greenaway

Under Department of Education Regulations, typically the only acceptable reasons for absence from school are illness and medical or dental appointments that cannot be arranged outside of school hours. It is a legal requirement that parents contact the school regarding any student absences or lateness.

In the event of any absence, a brief note, phone call, or SMS text explaining the reason is required. This must be done before 9:15am. 

Any absences not advised by 9.15am, will be followed up via SMS or phone call.

The number to use for text messages regarding your child’s absences is 0418 701 650. Absences may also be advised via the form on the Skoolbag App., via telephoning the school, PAM or by email.

Community News

Child Safety

As partners in Catholic Education and open to God’s presence, we pursue the fullness of life for all.

St Mary’s School is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all students.

St Mary's School is a child safe school.