Dear Parents and Friends of St Mary’s.

This is a gentle reminder to all students who ride scooters, bikes and walk to school to respect the broader community sharing footpaths and appropriate language. When in uniform, we represent St Mary's values and school-wide expectations.

Be Safe,

Be Respectful,

Be Responsible

And,

Be a Learner.

Parents, please ensure you are contactable throughout the day; we have had many students who have been unwell and unable to be collected due to parents not answering phones. We will always try your emergency contacts, but if your child is unwell at the beginning of the day, please let their teacher know. Thank you!

Tomorrow is a student-free day, as staff are entitled to Time In Lieu Days under the new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.

Maria

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

TERM THREE

August

September

Our Junior Classroom students had a surprise visit of the best kind today!

MIDDLE CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

As part of our Fibre and Design Unit, students shared their understandings and physical examples of Dreamcatchers. We also read: 'Dream Catcher Legend and How It Became' (St Joseph’s Indian School), where traditionally a person's good ideas were captured in the web and the bad ones passed through the hole in the Dreamcatcher. The children also wrote a story about a good dream that they may have had, or would like to have.  

Congratulations to Bianca Barlow who won the Adjudicators Award at the Yarram Eisteddfod for her outstanding vocal recitation.

Each plate is $10.00. The students will start their painting next week.

We appreciate your help in making this program fun for the kids and thank you for your continued support.

Please note that we are limited to one plate per student.

Dear Parents,

The Victorian Government has begun to roll out a new initiative in schools called Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS). This initiative will be rolled out over the next four years in different areas around Victoria. We have been very lucky to be in the first group and I have taken on the roll as the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader (MHAWL) at St Mary’s. I will be adding information from time to time in our newsletters that may assist parents and families with any concerns they may have in regards to their child’s mental health and wellbeing. You can contact me to discuss my role further or if you would like any more information or to just to have a chat about your child. Here is a snippet of information from Melbourne University where I am currently completing four units of study for this role. I have also included some websites you might find useful in regards to childhood anxiety.

Over 8 percent of children aged 4-11 years have a diagnosed mental health disorder, and 20 percent of children experience mental health difficulties that inhibit their daily functioning. Mental health and wellbeing in primary school aged children is particularly complex, as it can be difficult to differentiate behaviours and emotions that are developmentally appropriate from those that require additional support. For those that do require additional support, it can be difficult for teachers and parents to understand how and where to access help.

In 2019, the Victorian Royal Commission into Mental Health explored and analysed how Victoria’s mental health system can effectively prevent mental illness, and deliver treatment, care and support so all Victorians can experience optimal mental health, now and into the future. A strong theme emerging from the Royal Commission interim report, released in November 2019, was that schools represent a key location for promoting good mental health, identifying signs and symptoms for those at risk of poor mental health, and supporting external referrals to community services for those students who require extra support.

In response to the needs, the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI), the Melbourne Graduate School of Education (MGSE) and the Victorian Department of Education partnered to develop a project aimed at building the capacity of Victorian Primary Schools to support the mental health and wellbeing of their students. This project was funded by the Ian Potter Foundation, Ross Trust and the Victorian Department of Education.

https://www.rch.org.au/anxiety/

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/anxiety-in-children

Thank you

Debra Owens

Religion News: Thursday the 17^th of August 2023

On Tuesday 15th August we celebrated the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, 

the mother of God. We celebrated Mary’s passing from this world into the glory of God. 

We remember that Mary had great faith in God. She trusted God even when things were difficult. She also trusted her Son, Jesus, and knew that he was a special gift from God. 

We pray that we are inspired by Mary’s life and that we will see her as a model of faith and trust in God.

Prayer

Gracious and generous God, 

You chose Mary who was faithful and true to be the mother of Jesus. 

Mary taught Jesus to be faithful, trusting and loving and to believe that God was always with him. 

May we be inspired by Mary’s constant hope and faith in you, 

always believing and always trusting in your goodness. 

We ask this through Jesus, your Son. 

Amen.

Mary had a great love for God and trusted in him.  In the Catholic Church, there are many Feast days where Mary is honoured for her love and faith.

Last year, at the Parish Assembly it was decided that St. Mary’s Parish, including St. Mary’s Catholic School, should honour Mary on one of her Feast Days.  It was decided that we would celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of Mary which falls on September the 8^th.  The nearest Sunday to this is Sunday the 10^th of September.

St. Mary’s School will join the parish in celebrating this Feast Day.  We have been asked to assist with singing, altar serving, catering, setting up and packing up.  We would appreciate everyone’s assistance.  I will send out notes shortly asking for children to join the choir on that day.

Kind Regards

Sue Benc

We regretfully had to postpone our School Photo Day this week. The new date is Monday 30th October 2023.

All current orders will be honoured and we would like to encourage you to place an order if you haven't already done so.

Forms have been sent home with students. Please contact the school office if you would like a form. If you would prefer to order online, please use the links below:

School Photo Order Form

QR Code:

Click on this link for the QR code