Dear Parents and Friends of St Mary’s,

 Welcome back to the beginning of our 2022 school year. It has been wonderful to see our students happy and eager faces ( although behind masks) and hear the excited chatter as they reconnect after the holiday break.

 After meeting with the staff, we all agreed that the students feel settled and the Learning Spaces are a hive of activity as students settle into the routines and expectations of learning at St Mary’s.

 We welcome our Foundation students Arlo, Grace, Blake, Noah, Zane, Maliah, Kaiden and Paige and wish them all the best as they begin their learning journey.

 Communication is vital for a positive relationship between home and school. If you have any queries or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact your child's teacher or me to make a time and discuss concerns.

 We gathered COVID safely to discuss arriving and leaving our school ground. The students will line up in their classes at the end of the day and walk quietly to the adult awaiting them. Those that will access the crossing will wait behind the designated line with the teacher on crossing duty. All students and parents are asked to please use the crossing to meet their students if parking on the opposite side of the road.

 Our School-Wide Expectation for the beginning of Term One is “Be a Learner”. Through our Learning Spaces, we have been discussing what this means at St Mary’s.

The students have described the attributes of a learner as

• A learner is willing to have a go at something new.
• A learner understands that they may not be there yet when introduced to new concepts.
• A learner makes mistakes, and that’s ok!
• A learner celebrates moments of understanding and clarity.
• A learner tries their best at all times.
• A learner encourages others to have a go.
• A learner never stops learning.

 Stay Safe,

 Maria

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

TERM 1 2022

February

2022 Class Structure

As mentioned at the end of 2021, we have a new class structure for 2022. This year we have three classroom environments, with Debra Owens teaching Foundation, Grade 1 and Grade 2, Anthony Sheedy teaching Grade 3 and 4 and Hope Haughie teaching Grades 5 and 6.

Every Wednesday, Hope, Anthony and Deb will be replaced in their classrooms by Sue Benc (Foundation, Grades 1 & 2), Maria Moore (Grade 3 and 4) and Heather Flynn (Grade  5 and 6) for their planning and leadership release. This year our teaching staff will again be supported by our Education Support Officers, Tracey Richards (Foundation, Grade 1 and 2 ), Jo Griffiths (Grade 3 and 4) and Sharon Garland (Grade 5 and 6).

Our Education Support Officers will work closely with those students who need extra support in a variety of areas of the curriculum. This year we are also pleased to have Sue Benc in a Literacy Support role. Sue will work closely with a select group of students, from all three classrooms, targeting their individual needs in reading, writing and oral language. This will have a significant impact on improving these essential Literacy skills.

The Curriculum

St Mary’s uses the Victorian Curriculum to enable teachers to plan, monitor, assess and report on the learning achievements of every student. We provide an engaging curriculum that supports students who are experiencing learning difficulties, whilst also extending those students that have demonstrated success.

Reading, writing and oral language development is a high priority at St Mary’s. All students are individually assessed and monitored in this area, which allows teachers to target their teaching to meet the individual needs of all students. Mathematics is another key learning area, where students are individually assessed and taught according to their needs. Mathematics aims to develop proficiency in Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability. Religious Education is also an integral part of the curriculum, which aims to deepen the students understanding of the Christian Story and Catholic Tradition.

Specialist Classes

In 2022 St Mary’s has also altered the structure of its specialist classes. This year all students will be involved in our ‘Specialist Day’ each Tuesday. On this day, students will participate in 45-minute lessons in Visual/Performing Arts, Physical Education and Indonesian. Visual Arts and Performing Arts will be taught by Hope Haughie. Visual Arts allows students to create visual artworks that communicate and express their ideas through varied mediums, whilst Performing Arts will support students to develop knowledge and skills in a broad range of art forms, including dance, drama and music.

Physical Education will be taught by Anthony Sheedy and will provide students with the opportunity to learn a wide range of sport skills, with the aim of developing an enthusiasm for sport.

Indonesian will be taught by Deb Owens and will focus on communication skills and developing an understanding of the role of language and culture in communication.

The specialist program has provided great variety to our school curriculum since it's implementation and we are happy that we are able to continue the program.

The St Mary’s Community

St Mary’s prides itself on its community atmosphere and welcomes all families and friends to be involved in day-to-day school life. Whilst COVID-19 is still presenting its challenges in this regard, we are endeavouring to involve and inform parents as much as we can. With many COVID-19 protocols and safety measures still in place to ensure everyone’s safety, your support in these areas is essential when participating in school-based activities.

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 Application form 2022

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. 

Click on the link to view information and download forms

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 or Cheque 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. 

 2022 SCHOOL FEES

Fees per Family (per annum)  

Family fee - $1030.00
Capital fee -$155.00

Fees per Student (per annum) 

Tuition Fee - $155.00
Swimming - $65.00
Excursion -$65.00       

Camp Fees per Student

Year 2, Sleepover  $20.00

Year 3 & 4, Forest Lodge - $ 240.00

Year 5 & 6, Melbourne - $240.00

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 2022 school fees. For families who already have one in place this will continue this year. 

School Swimming Program

Our school swimming program will be held next week from Monday, 7^th February through until Friday, 11^th February at the Yarram Pool. We will not be walking to the Yarram pool on Thursday, 10th February due to prior pool bookings, however we will be doing related exercises at school.

All students will be involved in a one-hour lesson each day, that focuses on water familiarisation and safety.

You should have all received a regarding this. Please make sure this note is returned as soon as possible if you have not already done so.

On Friday, 11th February, the program will be focusing on safety exercises and will be entering the pool fully clothed, please pack a pair of pyjamas or loose fitting clothes that can be worn over their bathers. A list of what to pack will be sent home with your child.

SCHOOL NEWSLETTERS & INFORMATION

A primary source of communication between home and school is our weekly newsletter. This will be every Thursday. If you would prefer a copy to be sent home with your child, please contact me at the school office.

The newsletter is also available on our school website. https://www.stmyarram.catholic.edu.au/

All school information, updates and news will be on our new SZapp only. 

Please go to our website https://www.stmyarram.catholic.edu.au/

click onto Get Our School App and follow the Installing Szapp Instructions. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 

Happy Birthday to Nate, Lexi, Lilly, Grace, Blake Smith, Lachlan, Seamus and Ivy who celebrated their birthdays last month and also to Zane and Noah who celebrate their birthdays this week.

Every year, St. Mary's welcomes all our families and students to get together for a picnic-evening so we can get to know each other in a relaxed environment.

This date will be confirmed at a later stage due to current restrictions on gatherings.

JUNIOR CLASSROOM

FOUNDATION:  We have been studying the story of the Wonky Donkey this week, looking at rhyming words, sequencing and funny narratives. The Foundation students enjoyed making their Wonky Donkey masks.

Gr 1/2- In Religious Education this week we have been looking at love and how this is reflected in the way we live our lives. The Grade One and Two students made lovely hearts showing the love they have for their families. 

Hot Lunches start on Friday, 4th February (tomorrow). The Yarram Bakery has kindly agreed to provide hot lunches for the students of St. Mary's every Friday. This is something that the students (and staff) look forward to each week.

INSTRUCTIONS ON PLACING AN ORDER

Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays- Summer Uniform 

Girls Summer Uniform:

• Blue check dress
• Short white socks 
• Grey Skorts
• White short-sleeved polo shirt with emblem
• Royal blue school jumper
• Black leather school shoes
• Blue/white or grey ribbons

Boys Summer Uniform :

• Grey school shorts
• White short-sleeved polo shirt with emblem
• Blue school jumper
• Grey socks, black leather school shoes or boots

Tuesdays & Thursdays—Sports Uniform

Girls Sports Uniform:

• Royal blue track pants/ shorts or sports skorts
• Royal blue sports polo with emblem
• Royal blue sports jacket or polo fleece jumper
• White socks
• Sneakers

Boys Sports Uniform:

• Royal blue track pants or shorts
• Royal blue sports polo with emblem
• Royal blue sports jacket or polo fleece jumper 
• White socks
• Sneakers

School Hats must be worn at recess and lunch times in Term 1. 

Sneakers are only to be worn on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Grade 6 Students may wear their Grade 6 Polo on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Uniform price lists are available at the school office.

Love

This term our Religious Education focus is ‘Love.’  Love of ourselves, our family, our friends, in our community and globally and in God. 

St Paul wrote:

“If I speak like an angel, but do not have love, I am no better than a clanging cymbal. And, if I can understand all the mysteries, have all knowledge, and faith big enough to move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give away all that I own, even my own body, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

Love is the glue that keeps families together and gives us belonging and purpose.

During this first week at school students have been exploring such concepts as ‘What does love look, like feel, and sound like?’

These are some of the answers that the children spoke about.

Love is: hugs, kisses, high 5, warm, good, happy, crazy, peaceful, exciting, joyful, calm and laugh.

Love is different in each family but it always a sense of belonging.

Kind Regards

Sue Benc

Liturgies

Our first small step towards welcoming our students back as a part of school community will commence this Friday, 5^th February with our school liturgy at 2:45 PM At the liturgy this week, we will welcome our new Foundation students to St Mary’s.

Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions, parents are not able to attend.