Dear families,
What an absolute joy this week has been!
It seemed that students, parents and teachers alike were equally ecstatic about the students returning to school (albeit for different reasons, I’m sure!)
St Mary’s was buzzing with the sound of truly happy children and staff. As they did last time, the children once again proved just how resilient they are. While teachers were preparing to receive hesitant, sad and perhaps anxious students, it appears we too, have underestimated how strong they are.
While we are all no doubt tired at the end of this first big week back, it has been a most successful transition.
I spent as much time in classrooms as I could this week and I was amazed at how settled the place was once the shrieks of reacquainting with long-lost friends wore off (especially in the senior rooms!)
Our focus this last week has been on re-settling into school and spending time with friends and classmates, re-establishing class routines and once again getting used to a ‘regular’ school day. Teachers will begin assessments in earnest this coming week, in order to hone in on student needs over the coming months. This information will also form decisions around staffing and student intervention for 2021. It was welcomed news last week that schools will receive extra funding for tutors next year. As a school, we have also decided to have smaller class sizes heading into 2021. While this will place extra financial strain on resources, we feel this is an important decision in further assisting students in bridging any gaps that this year may have formed. It is also why ensuring our fee collection rate is strong, even in this currently difficult climate.
We will soon be issuing revised fee statements for 2020 to families. The school will be crediting families all excursion, camps, swimming, graduation and other extra levies (besides family fee & curriculum levy) that have been paid, even if some of these did/will take place. If you are yet to pay these levies, we will be re-issuing statements minus these soon. Please remember that if your family is experiencing genuine financial hardship, we will be able to assist you in setting up a manageable payment plan.
At this stage, we are working hard on finding ways to run transition programs for our new prep students and graduation for our Year 6s. We will await the Premier's announcements this weekend to see what these important milestones will be able to look like. We are determined to find creative ways to work within our boundaries to ensure our new prep students feel ready for their commencement and our Year 6s get a truly memorable send off.
Have a wonderful weekend
Regards
Sonia
Book Week is from the 19th - 23rd October.
The theme for this year is Curious Creatures, Wild Minds!
To celebrate Book Week:
We will be having a Dress Up day on Thursday. You can come dressed as a book character or a footy player in preparation for the Grand Final on Saturday.
Due to Covid restrictions we will only be able to parade in class levels and unfortunately parents will be unable to attend.
Students will be involved in class activities that will explore the many books nominated for awards during Book Week.
Virtual performance will be shown at school for all students. This has come out of the excursion budget and is $3 per child. Please see below for an outline of the show!
THE GREATEST DISCOVERY…(Virtual Show)
What’s in the box? That’s the question on everybody’s lips when students bring to school something they’ve uncovered that has been put in a storage box – in a cupboard, in the shed, at the back of an old second hand store…
Both Claire and Jonno believe they have found something that is sure to be the winner of ‘Greatest Discovery’ on the day. Is it Jonno whose imagination has run wild or Claire, who has an incredible story to tell, who will win the day? Get ready to cheer, sing, dance and get involved as these two lovable characters go head to head and everyone rushes along with them towards the moment we hear the announcement of who has made The Greatest Discovery!
We invite you to fill out this form to share some of your ideas with us.
Mon: PE: 3/4L, 3/4B, Prep L & D Performing Arts: 3/4B, 3/4HK, Prep L & D |
Tues: PE, Perf Arts & Art: Year 5/6 PE: 3/4HK & K Performing Arts: 3/4K & L Art: 3/4L & HK |
Wed: PE, Perf Arts & Art: Yr 1/2 Art: Prep L & D Italian: Yr 1/2, 5/6 & Prep L |
Thurs: Art: 3/4K & B Italian: Yr 3/4 & Prep D |
The Word of the week is...
Scatter
Verb
To scatter means to throw something in lots of different directions; or to move quickly in lots of directions
Synonyms: disperse, to separate.
I scattered the coconut over the icing.
The crowd of people scattered when they saw the policeman coming.
What are WOWs?
WOWS, or Words of the Week, are words that will appear every week both in the newsletter and in the display cabinets around the Prep/1 building as a way to help the students at St Mary’s Primary School build their vocabulary.What we know from research about the importance of a large vocabulary is as follows:
What can we do with the Word of the Week?
It is important to talk about the words of the week with your child. Initially, discuss what the word means and put it in a sentence. Use the word frequently throughout the week – at set times like in the car after school or at the dinner table but also incidentally throughout general conversation where appropriate. When the child has a solid understanding of the word, you can think about other ways to build upon this knowledge and further increase vocabulary by thinking about other words that mean the same thing (synonyms) and words that mean the opposite (antonyms) to the WOW.
Two Tuning in to Teens courses will be running in term 4:
Registrations essential. Learn more over on our webpage: www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/teens