Dear Parents,

Swimming and water safety have been the focus at St Mary’s this week, with the students participating in four 1-hour lessons at the Yarram Pool. Despite the mornings and the water being a little bit fresh, everyone approached these lessons with great enthusiasm and a commitment to do their best. I was fortunate to work with a couple of groups and I was amazed at the progress they made over the four days. I had one child in my group that was very nervous and not overly confident putting his face in the water on the first day. It was amazing to see the sheer joy on his face, on the third day, when he stood up after moving unassisted through the water for about 5m, and announced “I can swim now!” I was also really proud of another student who was a little bit upset as she crossed the crossing on Wednesday morning because she didn’t want to go swimming. She spoke about how swimming makes her feel nervous and gives her butterflies in her tummy. After speaking with her and her mum for a few minutes about the importance of learning how to swim, I still wasn’t sure if we would get her in the pool. To her credit however, she showed great courage and resilience and decided that she was going to give it another go. She participated fully on that day and the final day and did a fantastic job. Whilst I have highlighted these two situations, I am really proud of all of our students. The growth that they have shown both in their confidence and skill level over the past four days has been outstanding. As parents, you too should be proud of what they have achieved!

Family Picnic Dinner

Tomorrow night, Friday, 12^th February, we have our St Mary’s Family Picnic Dinner from 5pm – 7pm. Due to COVID restrictions, you will need to bring along your own dinner to share as a family. Please check into school when you arrive using the QR code. Your child’s classroom will also be open so that they can take you through and show you some of the work that they have completed so far this year. I encourage all families to come along and celebrate a successful start to the 2021 school year and enjoy time together as a school community.

Assembly/Liturgy

This year we have decided to alternate our Friday afternoon Liturgy with an assembly. This Friday, 12^th February at 2:45pm in the Foundation & Grade 1 classroom, we will be having our first assembly for the year. At the assembly, we will celebrate birthdays, hand out awards to students that have been recognised as following our school wide expectations, showcase what has been happening in the rooms and during specialist classes, and discuss any other important events. Please come along and join us as we provide a little insight into what’s happening in and around St Mary’s. 

Parent/Teacher Interviews

This Wednesday, 17^th February from 2pm – 7pm, we will have our Term 1 Parent/Teacher Interviews. These interviews are a great opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, discuss how your child has started the year and help build a positive connection between home and school. Please make an appointment to see your child’s teacher, however if Wednesday is not a suitable time for you, please arrange a time on a different day.

School Advisory Committee Annual General Meeting

Our 2021 School Advisory Committee Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Tuesday, 16^th March at 5:15pm. At the AGM we will be forming a new committee with the roles of chairman, secretary and general committee members all up for renewal. The role of the School Advisory Committee is to act as an advisory body to the principal and discuss matters concerning education in the school. Nomination forms for the positions will be forwarded to you shortly and I encourage you all to consider joining the committee. Please put the date in your calendar now so that you are free to attend.

Kind regards,

Joel

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

TERM 1 2021

February

March

TERM 2 2021

April

May

June

Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences for all students will be held on Wednesday 17th February 2021 2.00pm - 7.00pm.

Parents that do not have Internet access may call the school office on 5182 5659 and we will make a booking on your behalf. 

•  Go to www.schoolinterviews.com.au and enter the event code rcaz8.
•  Or click on this link: https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code?code=rcaz8
• Enter your Details
• Select the teacher you wish to see
• Select the appointment time that suits your family best
• Click finish. Your interview timetable will be emailed to you automatically. 

SCHOOL FEES SCHEDULE 2021

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 of 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 2021 Application Form

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 at 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, per term. If no payment mode is nominated it will be presumed that you will pay by the end of term 3, Friday 17^th September 2021.

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 Credit to our account from your bank.
• Centrepay-Centrelink can deduct school fee payments prior to paying you Centrelink.

Applications 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. 

2021 SCHOOL FEES

Fees per Family (per annum)  

Family fee - $1000.00
Capital fee -$150.00

Fees per Student (per annum) 

Tuition Fee - $150.00
Swimming - $60.00
Excursion -$65.00       

Camp Fees per Student

Year 2, Sleepover  $20.00

Year 3 & 4, Phillip Island - $390   

Year 5 & 6, School Camp - to be advised of Camp destination and cost  

Additional Fees  

Sacramental Program

$25.00 per student 

This fee is for Catholic children who participate in the Sacraments.

Please contact Heather at the school office if you would like to set up a payment plan for 2021 school fees. For families who already have one in place this will continue this year. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 

ICY POLES

The Year 6 students will be selling Icy poles at lunchtime on Fridays to help raise money for their Year 6 Polo Shirts.

50 cents each

SCHOOL CANTEEN STARTS TOMORROW FRIDAY 12th FEBRUARY

School canteen lunches are every Fridays. All lunch orders are to be in by Thursdays at 3.15pm. 

Canteen Price List

Instructions on placing an order

Please contact the school office if you would like a price list sent home. Prices are the same as 2020.

Book Club orders are due back by Friday 19th February 2021.

The student's are to wear their sports uniform on the following days:

Junior Class - Tuesdays & Thursdays

Middle Class -  Tuesdays & Thursdays

Senior - Tuesdays & Wednesdays