Dear Parents,

This Sunday, as I’m sure that you are all aware, is Father’s Day. Father’s Day is a great time to stop, reflect and appreciate the significant role that our fathers/step fathers/grandpas and significant others, play in our lives.

Fathers, like mothers, are pillars in the development of a child’s emotional well-being. Children look to their fathers to lay down the rules and enforce them, whilst also providing a feeling of security. Children want to make their fathers proud, and an involved father promotes inner growth and strength. Studies have shown that when fathers are affectionate and supportive, it greatly affects a child’s cognitive and social development. It also instills an overall sense of well-being and self-confidence.

Whilst being in Stage 3 restrictions makes it slightly more difficult to celebrate Father’s Day, it doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything. Below is a list of quarantine-inspired ideas that your child can do to show their dad appreciation for all that he does for them.

1. Build a golf course for Dad

If Dad loves all things golf—from 18 holes to mini golf—create a course in your backyard! You can use rocks or bricks or other items you have at home to make your obstacles.

2. Go on a bike ride

Go for a ride on a local bike trail. Take snacks or some lunch so you can take a break and talk to your dad about some of his best and funniest dad moments with you.

3. Find activities you can do together

Help your dad with a project around the house or build something cool together. It will give you time to learn a new skill and get a few interesting stories about his life that you’ve always wanted to know.

4. Watch some historic sport highlights

If your dad is a sports junkie, then find some famous moments in sporting history on YouTube and watch them with your dad. You can ask him about some of his favourite sport highlights and have him share his memories.

5. Put on a Father’s Day talent show

Since you can’t go to the movies or a show, produce a variety family show at home! You can make your own video about why your dad is so cool, create a song and/or dance routine for your dad, play a tune on your favourite instrument or do a short comedy spot of the best and worst dad jokes you ever heard!

6. Learn from your Dad

If your dad loves to cook on the BBQ, plan a BBQ meal for Father’s Day! Watch some videos of famous grill masters for recipes and to learn new techniques. Don’t forget to give your dad praise for his superior skills on the grill!

7. Watch a virtual music fest

For the dad who loves music and is missing his concerts, go to YouTube to see if his favourite band has a virtual concert. If not, listen to some of your dad’s favourite songs.

8. Host a Classic game tournament!

You can play SO many games indoors, outside and virtually! You can connect with other family members with virtual bingo, trivia, charades and scavenger hunt games. Try to find out what games your dad played when he was younger and play them together for a family game night. And if your family is competitive, host an outdoor Father’s Day game tournament with catch, frisbee, relay races and tug of war.

9. Make a handmade gift

Make your dad something that will make him feel loved when he uses it. There are so many DIY crafts and projects to choose from for Father’s Day. Whatever you do, make sure it’s from the heart!

I hope that you all have a fabulous Father’s Day weekend together as a family.

Kind regards,

Joel

TERM 3

Thursday 5th August - Remote Schooling Starts          

Monday 31st August - School Photos- cancelled  We are hoping to reschedule for Term 4

Friday 18th September—Last Day of Term.                                                                                                     Talk Like A Pirate Dress Up Day (Online)

TERM 4

Monday 5th October - Term 4 Starts

Monday 5th - Wednesday 7th October - Grade 3/4 School Camp to Forest Lodge has been cancelled 

Monday 19th - Wednesday 21st October - Grade 5/6 School Camp to Melbourne has been cancelled 

Monday 2nd November - School Closure Day 

Tuesday 3rd November - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday 

Friday 18th December - Last Day of Term 4 

 Olivia's Claude Monet  IMPRESSIONISM  Inspired Garden Pond.

Please complete the attached On-Site School Intention form if your child/children will be attending school for remote learning.

This is for the following:

• students whose parents, guardians or carers are considered as permitted workers
• students with additional needs who require learning adjustment
• vulnerable students including: children in and out of home care; children deemed by Child Protection and/or Family Services to at risk of harm; children indetified by the school as vulnerable.

Well done Tyler M, Brylee (Tyler's little sister),Olivia B, Arlin and Oscar for particpating in the MS readathon this year. Donations can still be made until the 14th September.

Prep 2021 Enrolments

         Prep 2021 Enrolment process –  Applications and Enrolments for our 2021 Prep students are now open -  please note the following:-

Enrolment application forms can be downloaded from our website - stmyarram.catholic.edu.au
 or collected from our School Office between Mon- Fri 9.00am – 3:00pm

Forms can be emailed to hleemon@stmyarram.catholic.edu.au along with the extra required information attached – Birth Certificate, Immunisation Certificate and Baptism Certificate 

 They can also be completed and returned to our School Office – we ask that you please return your enrolments as soon as possible.

Help kids tap into their inner resources

My First Parenting mentor, Maurice Balson, author of Becoming Better Parents constantly reminds parents,"If you want your child to be resourceful, you need to put them in position to develop their resources."

Talk Like A Pirate Day

On Friday, 18th September St Mary's will have a swashbuckling good time!
Celebrating Talk Like a Pirate Day!

Dress up in your best pirate outfit and join in a Pirate Google Meet with you class mates.

Important Message About School Fees

Dear Parents, Carers and Guardians

I wish to reassure families impacted financially by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that we want to assist you in every way possible to continue your child(ren)’s enrolment at St Mary's Primary School.

As many in our school community grapple with unprecedented changes to finances, emotional wellbeing and physical health, we have taken a clear position on enrolments.

Any parent, carer or guardian who wishes their child to receive a Catholic education at St Mary's Primary School will not be denied the opportunity to do so due to financial circumstances.

If you have concerns about your financial situation, please contact Heather at the school office, hleemon@stmyarram.catholic.edu.au so that we can explore confidential financial support arrangements to enable your child(ren)’s education at our school to continue.

School fees are an essential portion of resources for the operation of our school and assist our leaders and staff to enhance curriculum and teaching programs.  Therefore, we are asking, for those who can, to continue to support the school financially.

We will respond to applications for financial assistance as promptly as possible, given our own constraints during this time.  We are absolutely committed to working with our families as we all move through these challenging times.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding these arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact St Mary's Primary School.

Thank you for your continued support of our St Mary's Yarram community.

Your support will enable us to continue to provide quality learning opportunities and strong pastoral programs for all our students.

Yours sincerely

Joel Brayshaw

Community News 

Understanding Your Childs Behaviour

ParentZone Gippsland have a number of programs to help support families in Gippsland. Current programs offered include: Please click on the following links 

Bullying: Helping Your Child

Communication