St. Mary's eNews

Term 2 Week 8


Principal's Message 11 June 2021

Hello everyone,

I’m sure the overwhelming majority of our community received yesterday's news with great joy and relief. Thank you all for once again stepping into the role of para-teacher during the last few weeks.

I would also like to thank our teachers who once again, transitioned with relative ease into remote learning, doing all they can for our students. Finally, a big thank you and well done to the students themselves for their adaptability, resilience and dedication during this time. 

I have created a
simple form to collate some quick feedback about this week’s remote learning experience. Although it was only a week, I’d like to be able to use this information to tweak, if necessary, our processes over this last week, so that we have a very clear picture of what remote learning will look like moving forward. This will also ensure we are ready to go from Day 1 in the future.
This is one of those scenarios where we will never be able to please everyone. For every person who wants more of one thing, there is another who prefers less. Our aim is to endeavour to put in place what works best for the majority of students and parents and adjust for individuals requiring something a little different, where feasible.

This Sunday 12 June, our tireless P&F team, led by Jarrod Pye, will be hosting our Bunnings fundraiser BBQ at Altona. We have been inundated with support through offers of donations or time. Thank you to all who have been able to help in any way.
Please come along and support our fundraising efforts by purchasing lunch from us on Sunday. We’d love to see you there.

Please note the following onsite COVID restrictions/requirements currently in place from today:

  • Adults must wear masks inside and outside the school (unless there is a medical exemption)
  • Parents are not permitted to attend assemblies until further notice
  • Parents must not congregate but are permitted to enter the school grounds at this stage. Please ensure you are physically distancing and wearing a mask. 
  • Parents are not permitted to enter classrooms or buildings (unless entering the office through the front office doors) If you need to speak with your child’s teacher, please contact them via Seesaw or email or contact the office.
  • Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences will all be online. For those who selected the in-person option

Staff News

It is with great sadness that I make the following announcements:

Carolyn McGuffie will be finishing up with us at St Mary’s at the end of this term. Carolyn has decided that at this time of her life, she wants to have more time at home to take care of her children’s needs.
Thanks Carolyn for your work at St Mary’s over the last 3 years. I’ve only just begun to get to know that wicked sense of humour and I will miss it, and you, for sure.

I’m sure many of you have heard by now, but we have exciting baby news for 2 of our 3 dynamic 1/2 teachers.
Cailtyn Gallagher and Niamh Bannon are both expecting within  days of each other!
Caitlyn will be with us until the end of Term 3. Niamh has decided to finish up full-time work at the end of this term. I know this decision has not been made lightly. She will be returning in Term 3 for one day per week. I’m sure our 1/2 N families will be very excited to hear that Nancy Leone will return to take over from Niamh for 3 days per week from next term. Alessandra Sottile (Miss S, our PE teacher) will teach the class on the other 2 days. 

Loretta Balfoort who has been with us since mid last year will be finishing up at the end of this term as Jane Kirkwood returns from parental leave. Thanks Loretta for filling in so many shoes over the past 12 months. We hope we’ll continue seeing you around filling in more shoes throughout the rest of the year.


Stay safe and well,

Sonia



Reminders...Week 9 and 10

Just a few reminders for next week…

  • Monday 14th June is a Public Holiday for the Queen’s Birthday.
  • All classroom teachers & specialists will be involved in a whole day of planning for Term 3. 
Therefore specialist classes will be held on the following days just for next week. Students should wear their sports uniform on the following days.

- Tuesday: Year 4/5L and all Year 5/6 classes

- Wednesday: Year 3/4

- Thursday: Prep

- Friday: Year 1/2

  • Reports will be available online on Thursday afternoon - 17th June .  Please look out for an email from no-reply@nforma.com.au If you do not receive this email, please check your spam folder before emailing Ronnie Tucker - vtucker@smaltona.catholic.edu.au

And for Week 10…

Parent/Student/Teacher conferences will take place on:

  • Monday 21st June: Classroom teachers  
  • Tuesday 22nd June: Classroom teachers, Physical Education, Performing Arts and Visual Art.
  • Wednesday 23rd June: Italian

PLEASE NOTE - School will finish at 1pm on Monday 21st June.

All conferences will now be online. 
If you have already booked, you should have received a 'Whereby' link regardless of whether you chose face to face or online. Use this link to log on for the conference.  Last week, we sent an Operoo note with instructions for logging on.

If you find that the teacher you are requesting is fully booked, please contact that teacher directly via email to arrange a meeting time.

Bookings are closed at the moment but will reopen by tomorrow morning...Saturday 12th June.  They will then close again on Thursday 17th June.


As mentioned in previous communications, Thursday 24th and Friday 25th June have been marked as School Closure days as we have organised a Professional Development Conference for all staff.

We are unsure as to whether this conference will go ahead due to COVID restrictions, however as soon as we know what is happening we will notify the community.



Bunnings BBQ: Altona North

On Sunday 13th June, Parents and Friends will be running the BBQ at Bunnings Altona North from 8.30 - 4.30pm.  

Thanks to everyone who has donated goods for the stall and/or their time to run the stall.  We know with your help it's going to be a great success.
In order to ensure it's success of course we need to sell loads of sausages and drinks....so get on down to Bunnings on Sunday (a socially distanced visit of course) and buy a sausage or two!

Remember to tell your friends about it too.

Buddy Day ~ Purple Day

Next Friday 18th June is Buddy Day!

We are asking everyone to wear a splash of Purple on the day to show that they care about being a good buddy to everyone.

All classes will have discussions about 'What it means to be a good buddy" and will make a poster to display outside the staff room.

We are hoping to run our Buddy Day photo booth at recess.

What will you do to make Buddy day special?
How can you show that your are a good buddy?

Introducing ~ Kathleen Smith Prep S

My name is Kathleen Smith.  

I am married to Allan Smith, I have a son and daughter both grown and two beautiful huskies. 

I was born in Altona and have always loved living here.     

 

I am a Deakin University graduate currently working as a Prep teacher at St Mary’s.  Prior to that, I enjoyed working as an LSO here at St Mary’s Altona. 


My hobbies include reading; movies, travel, music and I love to watch Melbourne Storm play every chance I get.  



National Men’s Health Week

Monday 14 June to Sunday 20 June, is National Men’s Health Week.  The week provides the opportunity to learn about men’s health issues and take action to help improve health outcomes for men.
It's a great time to encourage the men in your life to undertake regular health checks, to listen to their bodies, to seek psychological support
and to feel comfortable talking about health issues. 

Equally important is reminding men that seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness and is just a general part of maintaining good physical and mental health and wellbeing.

Here are a few websites and resources that mght be of benefit.
Mens Health Information and Resource centre
Head to Health
Better Health Channel
MensLine Australia - a free online counselling service and forum for men available by phone: 1300 78 99
78 or online chat. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Community News

Please click on the links to find out more about news from around our community including this week's Church Bulletin. Church Bulletin

Emmanuel College News: 11th June

Premiers Reading Challenge

Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge

How many books can you read before the 17th of September?

With just under 100 days to go, it's not too late to join the Premiers' Reading Challenge!

 


The students with the most books read in the Junior, Middle and Senior buildings will win a prize, and all students who meet the Challenge will receive a certificate. 

See or contact Milly on asiebring@smaltona.catholic.edu.au to register!