Dear families,

I hope you are keeping well. We are well and truly approaching the finish line!  

I had the pleasure of meeting our School Education Board last week. As of the 1st January next year, all Catholic schools in Melbourne will undergo a change of governance. 

This means that Parish Priests will no longer be the employers on Catholic schools, rather they will now be governed by a body known as MACS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools). The day-to-day running of schools will not change at all and Parish Priests will still hold the important role of faith leaders in our schools and communities.  It will also mean a change in structure in School Boards to School Advisory Councils. As the documentation and charter around these new bodies is yet to be finalised, St Mary’s Education Board will continue to function as is until next year’s AGM.  Thank you to the parents who have expressed an interest in joining the Council.  You are welcome to come along to the AGM and register your interest on the night. The AGM will be held in May 2021. We will confirm the actual date early in the new year.

Reports will be shared with families through nForma as they were in Semester 1. These will be ready early next week. You will receive a notification when they are ready and instructions on how to access these. If you would like to arrange a time to discuss your child’s report with their teacher, please contact the teacher directly to arrange this.

As mentioned in the eNews a few editions back, the first week back will look a little different to previous years at St Mary’s. 

• There will not be regular classes this week. 
• On Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th January, families will be allocated a session to attend.  Siblings will attend together.  During their session, teachers will use this time to assess students. 
• Next week, you will receive your children’s allocated dates and times.  If this time doesn’t suit your family, you will need to contact the school to arrange another time slot.  
• Our new Prep students will also attend school on Thursday 28th from 9am - 1:30pm.
• On Friday 29 January, staff will undertake professional learning.  
• Classes will resume for the whole school on Monday 1 February.

If you have any questions about anything contained in this message, or about anything else, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Regards,

Sonia

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Play is so important to optimal child development that it has been recognised by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child.

As we head into the holidays I encourage you to reflect on the importance of play to support our students growth and development.

Play- both unstructured and learning based-  is crucial for child development. Play builds imagination, fosters creativity, promotes physical fitness and facilitates interaction with others. The holidays provide many opportunities for children to harness their inquisitive nature, build play perseverance and engage in problem solving.

If you would like to read more about the “Power of Play” as we head into the summer break then grab a cuppa, put your feet up and enjoy this article Why is Play so Important.

Stefanie Harvey
Learning & Teaching Leader

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During the third week of Advent, we focus on good news for all through the birth of Christ. We light the 3rd Advent Candle as a sign of joy — a testimony to the Light of God coming into our world that will shatter the darkness and bring healing to all who suffer and mourn. 

We don’t do this for aesthetics, no, that 3rd candle is pink ( technically rose-colored) because it’s known as Gaudete Sunday. We refer to the Third Sunday in Advent as Gaudete Sunday because the introit for the mass begins “Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete” meaning “Rejoice in the Lord always: again I say rejoice.”  The Third Sunday has traditionally been a respite from the penitential themes of Advent emphasising instead the joy of the coming of the Lord.

This year, when pondering the changes in your life, and in our world, think about Christmas and the birth of Baby Jesus. Sometimes that manger scene seems so irrelevant and so far removed from day-to-day life. Yet an old verse in the Bible can bring freshness if ponder how the Baby Jesus impacts your life today. It truly gives new cause for joy — to stop and listen again to:

“For unto us a child is born …and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Any need you have in life and in the changing landscape of your mosaic can be answered by Jesus. If you need wisdom or strength, He will be your Counselor. If you need a mountain moved, He is your Mighty God. If you need comfort, forgiveness and gentle healing, He is your everlasting Father; and if your heart is anxious and troubled, He will be Peace to you. Jesus is our rock and our hope — our cause for joy!

Let your heart pause with thankfulness as you prepare for Christmas. Look at the manger scene with the fresh wonder of all He is to you. Let joy seep into the changes of your life. No need or change that you face will not be met by Him. He is so much more than just a baby! Invite Him into your changes! Let joy fill your soul.

Advent Liturgy & Theme	Host classes	Date
3rd week of Advent JOY	Year 1/2 classes	Monday 7th December
4th week of Advent LOVE	Year 3/4 classes	Monday 14th December

Again this coming Monday, we will be sharing a video liturgy to celebrate this important event in our liturgical year. A link to this will be shared on Monday as a Seesaw announcement.

Yours in Faith

Matthew Taylor

Religious Education Leader

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On Thursday 10th December all students and staff are invited to wear casual clothes with a Christmas theme.  This might be Christmas colours, tinsel or reindeer antlers, Santa hats or Christmas themed t - shirts ~ whatever makes you merry!
 The JSC will run some fun events at recess. Ho, ho, ho!

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Our next and final Walk / Ride to School day for 2020 will be on Tuesday 8th December.
 We hope to see lots of students coming to school in an active way.

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Action for Happiness has launched their December calendar ~ Do Good December. 

2020 has been a difficult year in so many ways. We have suffered with uncertainty, anxiety, isolation and challenges with our financial situation, health or relationships. 

One thing that can hold us together and help us get through is kindness.

Although we can't change our situation, we can choose to respond to others (and ourselves) with kindness. And when we're kind, everything goes better. We help others, we help ourselves and we encourage others to be kinder too.

Click here to access the calendar

Click here to sign up to receive their calendar each month via email

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Term 4 will end for students on Wednesday 16th December.  The school day will finish at the usual dismissal times (3pm for Preps & siblings, 3.10pm for Yr 1/2s & siblings and 3.20pm for all other students).

Parents are now allowed onsite every day afterschool. We are planning to open the school gates in the afternoons from 2:50pm (2.30pm on Monday) so that parents can choose to enter and wait for their children on the netball court.

Please remember that you will need to wear a mask if you can not safely distance.

Please let your child know where you plan to meet them so they will know where to find you. It will be lovely to see you all back.

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News from around the community...Parish, Secondary schools, Hobsons Bay council and Camp Australia.
    Take a peek...there might be something for you.

There's new information about the Hobsons Bay Music Academy who are running music lessons for children from a young age.

Church Bulletin 13th December
Williamstown Magic Basketball
Camp Australia - Summer Holiday Club
Hobsons Bay Music Academy
Hobsons Bay Netball Club
Creative Music for Schools


St Mary's College - Enrolments
Dear Family and Friends of St Mary’s College
Our final newsletter for 2020 is now available:

https://newsletters.naavi.com/i/kNVOjyJ
Just a reminder – to continue to receive our newsletters after this year, please subscribe:
https://newsletters.naavi.com/p/O5gLrNE/subscribe

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas!
Warmest regards  Jenny Knox ~ Director of Innovation & College Develpment

 

Camp Australia

Camp Australia brings to you The BIG Art & Expression Competition – where your child can display their creative talents and win BIG prizes. The competition is open to all registered Camp Australia families and, if you’re not registered, registration is free! Register free at http://pp.campaustralia.com.au/ and find out more about the competition at https://campaustralia.com.au/bigartcomp

There will also be 3 prizes for the top 3 schools; 1st prize $3,000 art grant, 2nd prize $2,000 art grant, 3rd prize $1,000 art grant. 

 

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sluggish

Adjective

If something is sluggish it means it’s moving very slowly.

Synonyms: inactive, slow, lethargic.

My mum felt sluggish this morning so she had a coffee.

After the big run I felt sluggish and needed to rest.

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