Dear Students, Parents, and Guardians,

I hope this message finds you well and filled with the excitement of learning and
growth. I want to take a moment to reiterate our school-wide expectations and
emphasise the importance of fostering positive relationships within our community.

Our School-Wide Expectations:

Respect: We believe in treating every individual with kindness, empathy, and
dignity. Respect for oneself, peers, teachers, staff, and the learning
environment is fundamental to creating a harmonious and supportive
atmosphere.
Responsibility: Taking ownership of one's actions, academic pursuits, and
contributions to the community is essential for personal growth and collective
progress. We encourage every member of our school to embrace
accountability and strive for excellence in all endeavours.
Safety: Ensuring a safe and secure environment is our top priority. We are
committed to providing a nurturing space where everyone feels physically and
emotionally protected, enabling optimal learning and growth.
Learning: We learn through positive experiences that create challenges and
achievements. We are active participants in our learning and understand that
mistakes allow us to grow and become resilient.

At the heart of our educational philosophy lies the belief that positive relationships
are the cornerstone of a thriving learning environment. Whether between students,
teachers, parents, or administrators, these relationships form the bedrock of our
community and significantly impact academic success and overall well-being. Here
are a few ways we strive to nurture positive relationships:

Open Communication: We encourage open and transparent communication
between all stakeholders. Whether it's through regular newsletters,
parent-teacher conferences, or student-led initiatives, we value dialogue that
fosters understanding, collaboration, and mutual respect.
Empathy and Understanding: Building empathy and understanding is integral
to creating a compassionate community. We encourage everyone to practice
active listening, seek to understand differing perspectives and offer support
and encouragement to one another.
Celebrating Achievements: Recognising and celebrating achievements, both
big and small, reinforces a culture of positivity and motivation. Whether it's
academic accomplishments, acts of kindness, or personal growth milestones,
we take pride in acknowledging and honouring the achievements of our
students and staff.
Community Engagement: Engaging with the broader community allows us to
cultivate meaningful connections and enrich our collective experience.
Through partnerships with local organisations, volunteer opportunities, and
community events, we extend our commitment to service, empathy, and social
responsibility beyond the walls of our school.

Thank you for your continued support, dedication, and partnership in making St
Mary’s a place where every individual has the opportunity to shine.

Maria

Heavenly Father, in moments of emotional turmoil, grant me the strength to find peace within myself.

Lift the burdens of my heart and guide me towards healing and serenity.

Amen

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

TERM 1 2024

February

March 2024

TERM 2 2024

April

May

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Happy Birthday to Mila and Arlin who celebrate their birthdays on 28th February and 4th March. We hope you have a wonderful day.

HOT LUNCH FRIDAYS!

School canteen lunches are every Friday. All lunch orders are to be in by 9:00 on Friday morning. The price list is the same as last year, please see below for details:

Hot Lunches - Price List 2023

Instructions on placing an order

Please contact the school office if you would like a price list sent home. 

SCHOOL FEES SCHEDULE 2024

School fees are important for the school to meet its financial commitments. School fees are set annually in consultation with the School Board and Parish Administrator. Families who experience difficulty in paying school fees please do not hesitate to make contact with the Principal or Administration Officer to make alternative arrangements.

All fees and levies for the entire school year will be invoiced in February. Fees are to be paid in full by the end of Term 3. Alternatively, you can pay in equal instalments over 12 months from January to December.

Family Fee Assistance Scheme

All families in which the fee payer holds an eligible health care card or pensioner concession card are eligible to apply for the Family Fee Assistance Scheme. 

This allows for a significant reduction in your school fees. Application forms are available from the school office or click on the following link: School Fees Concession Application

For more information about concessions, please contact the school.

CSEF Assistance
This is a government assistance scheme for families with an eligible Health Care Card. Applications are available at the office or click on the following link: 

CSEF Application Form 2024

Conveyance Allowance
Victorian Conveyance Allowance is available for children who reside in Victoria and are more than 4.8 kilometres from the nearest free school bus service. Please call the office to complete an application form.

Terms of Payment for School Fees Accounts
Fees can be paid in one lump sum, by term, monthly, fortnightly or weekly. At the beginning of the year, you are asked to nominate a payment frequency eg. Weekly, fortnightly, or per term. If no payment mode is nominated it will be presumed that you will pay by the end of Term 3,  Friday, September 20th 2024

There are numerous options available to pay your school fee account. Money can be received via:

• Cash, Cheque or Credit Card at school office
• Direct Debit payments to our account from your bank - direct Debit Authorisation forms are available here:

Direct_Debit_Authorisaiton_Form_2024.pdf

• Centrepay-Centrelink can deduct school fee payments before paying via your Centrelink.

Application forms are available at the school office or click on the following link:Centrepay Deduction Authority

We would ask that you consider all the payment options available to you and make a commitment to one of them. 

2024 SCHOOL FEES

Fees per Family (per annum)  

Family fee - $1120

Capital fee -$ 172.00

Fees per Student (per annum) 

Tuition Fee - $172.00
Swimming - $75.00
Excursion -$75.00        

Camp Fees per Student

Year 2, Excursion $20.00                                                                                     

Year 3 & 4, Karoonda Park - $450 ($300 Camp fees + $150 food component) TBC

Year 5 & 6, Melbourne - $450 ($300 Camp fees + $150 food component) TBC

Additional Fees  

Sacramental Program
$25.00 per student                                                                                              This fee is for Catholic children who participate in the Sacraments.

Please contact Debbie at the school office if you would like to set up a payment plan for 2024 school fees. For families who already have one in place, this will continue for this year. 

CLASS DOJO

Class Dojo is a school communication platform that teachers, students, and families use every day to build close-knit communities by sharing what’s being learned in the classroom home through photos, videos, and messages.

Invitations will be sent to parents of each classroom via Email in the next few days. 

Click on the link below for instructions on how to set up your CLASS DOJO account:

Class Dojo Setup Resources

Religious News: Thursday the 22nd of February 2024

Shrove Tuesday

Last Tuesday we came together in the Mary Mackillop to celebrate a prayer service for Shrove Tuesday.  The students were involved in Shrove Tuesday activities, making and eating pancakes together.  Shrove Tuesday is the day before the Season of Lent begins.  It is a time to reflect on how we can make better choices in our lives. 

Dating back to 1000 AD, over the years Shrove Tuesday not only became a day for Confession but a time for Catholics to feast on eggs, sugar and dairy which were traditionally restricted during the Lenten fast.

Not only was Shrove Tuesday a last chance to enjoy such foods but it was also a way to use them up before the fasting of Lent began.

We are now in the Liturgical Season of Lent.  Last Wednesday we celebrated a beautiful Mass with the St Mary’s Parishioners.  It was led by our senior students. Due to the power outage, it was a quiet and reflective Mass allowing us time to think about the Season of Lent.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent.  On this day, when we receive the ashes, it is a reminder for all on how we can follow in Jesus’ footsteps.

During this season of Lent, our loving God asks us to look closely at our lives so that we can see how to lift up others and bring them hope. Let us take a few minutes to think about how we have missed opportunities to be positive and inspiring and bring the light of hope into their lives. We pray that the love and guidance of Jesus will help us to open our hearts to others.

During Lent, our students will be inquiring and learning about the wonderful work of Caritas Australia. Our children are learning how they can partake in social justice initiatives and are gaining a greater insight into how the Catholic Church is living out its Lenten season through the many charitable works that strive to bring about change for those living in unjust and impoverished situations.

Project Compassion boxes are available for our students, where our children are able to donate money to support those in need. This is a great example of how our students can demonstrate they are following in Jesus’ footsteps.

School Mass

We will celebrate a whole School Mass on Thursday the 7^th of March at 10:00 am.  During this Mass we will commission our Grade Six leaders and welcome all our new students.  All families are invited and encouraged.  After Mass there will be a morning tea for families at the school.  Please put this date in your calendar.

Pray for Peace

On February the 24^th it will be two years since Russia invaded Ukraine.  Please Pray for peace not only for Ukraine but for all countries.

World Day of Prayer

World Day of Prayer is an ecumenical prayer event held on the First of March each year all around the world.  Each year a different country prepares the services, highlighting their culture, joys and problems.  This year we pray for Palestine.  The people of Palestine want us to ‘hold their hands,’ pray with them and support them.  There will be a prayer service at St. Mary’s Catholic Church starting at 10:30 am on Friday the 1^st of March.  Everyone is welcome

Kind Regards,

Sue Benc

While everyone was dealing with the aftermath of the storm, we had a few helpers who did a wonderful job of helping staff with gardening, the school looks beautiful, thank you Lachlan, Levi and Hunter.

Thank you to our parent helpers for making pancakes with us on Shrove Tuesday, the students had a great morning helping to cook their pancakes and then eating them.

Promoting Wellbeing in Our Children

What is Wellbeing?

The World Health Organisation defines wellbeing as:

"A state in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stress of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community."

 Wellbeing is usually understood as a multidimensional concept involving a student's emotional, mental, physical and social health and includes how the student thinks and feels about themselves and their life generally. 

Recent research collected the perspectives of over 600 primary and secondary school students across Australia to elicit their views on the meaning of 'wellbeing' and how it is best facilitated.

Students conceptualised wellbeing, across three interconnected domains of 'being', 'having' and 'doing' -  

• 'Being' - Students identified wellbeing as a state of 'being' that existed when their needs were met and when they experienced a sense of satisfaction. For example, being happy, loved, cared for, connected, wanted, safe and healthy.
• 'Having' - Students conceptualised wellbeing in relation to 'having' support, rights and social justice. For example, students described the importance of having a voice, justice, fairness, help with schoolwork, good friendships, communication and respect.
• 'Doing' - Students also understood wellbeing in relation to their own actions. For example, the actions students most referred to included looking after oneself, accepting yourself and others, making good decisions and doing acts of generosity and kindness 

 Factors that support and promote wellbeing

The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) describes six factors which support and promote the wellbeing of a child or young person:

1. Loved and safe

This includes positive family relationships and connections with others, along with personal and community safety. Children and young people who are loved and safe are more likely to:

• Be confident, have a strong sense of self-identity and high self-esteem. 
• Form secure attachments, have pro-social peer connections and positive adult role models or mentors in their life.
• Be resilient, withstanding life challenges and responding constructively to setbacks and unanticipated events. 

2. Material basics

The wellbeing of children and young people is enhanced when they:

• Have access to material basics that they need to live their life.
• Live in adequate and stable housing, with adequate clothing.
• Have access to healthy food and clean water and the materials they need to participate in education and training pathways.

3. Healthy

Children's wellbeing is promoted when they:

• Have their physical, developmental, psychosocial and mental health needs met.
• Have access to services to support their growth and development.
• Have access to early intervention measures to redress any emerging health or developmental concerns.

4. Learning

Learning is a lifelong process. Children and young people learn through formal and informal experiences within the classroom and in their home and community. Children's wellbeing is enhanced when they participate in and experience an education that enables them to reach their full potential and maximise their life opportunities. 

5. Participating

Children and young people's participation includes involvement with peers in the community, having a voice and say on matters that concern them and access to technology for social connections. The wellbeing of children and young people is promoted when their views are considered, and they are involved in decision-making processes that affect them. 

6. Identity and Culture

Having a positive sense of culture and identity is central to the wellbeing of children and is particularly important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and other culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) children. This includes having a sense of spiritual wellbeing. 

If you have any questions regarding this information do not hesitate to contact me.

Deb Owens

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader.

Positive Partnerships are running a FREE government-funded autism workshop for parents/carers in Traralgon on the 19^th & 20^th March 2024.

This workshop is for parents, carers, grandparents, and kinship carers who support a school-aged child on the autism spectrum (or still considering/undergoing assessment).

Dates: 19^th & 20^th March, 2024

Time: 9.30-2.30pm each day

Location: Century Inn

                 5 Airfield Road

                 Traralgon, Vic, 3844

 The workshop will cover the following topics:

• Diversity of autism
• Understanding sensory processing
• Understanding behaviour
• Working together.

Free morning tea and lunch will be provided.

For more information and to register, please visit https://www.positivepartnerships.com.au/workshop/?eventtemplate=78-2-day-parent-carer-workshop-vic&event=1561

Click to view flyer