Dear families,

We have just about made it to the end of another difficult term.

I hope you are continuing to find the positives around you, even when they seem buried deep within our daily struggles.

I am often asked by parents if we are informed of Government restrictions before the general public. Unfortunately, we are not! Just like the rest of Victoria, we find ourselves glued to the screen during press conferences to find out what is going to be enforced next. 

To that end, we do not know what Term 4 will look like, though we are fairly certain, as you are, that we will begin the term with remote learning. 

There is currently a great deal of discussion occurring around ventilation in schools, but we have not received official word as to what that will look like yet. 

There will also be some directive given around what our reporting will look like next term given the amount of remote learning this semester. We will let you know about these decisions once we hear more.

Our School Advisory Council (formerly known as the Education Board) is currently finalising the new Terms of Reference that will guide our practices from next year. We are planning to hold our Annual General Meeting, or annual appointment round as it is now known, towards the end of Term 1 next year. This will encourage existing parents as well as those who are new to the school, to consider joining the SAC. Information about how to nominate your interest will be published next term once the Terms of Reference are finalised.

Next term we will welcome back Mrs Hicks and Mrs Talbot to Prep HT. I’d like to acknowledge the great work done by Mrs Cloud in their absence. 

Next Friday our term will end at 1:30pm. Particularly for those students attending onsite, please ensure you have made arrangements for your child to be picked up at this time.

I thank you for all you are doing to support your children’s learning at home. 

There is no doubt in my mind that everyone is looking forward to the upcoming break from remote learning.

Stay safe and well.

Sonia

This weeks Community News has our Annual Report, as well as our Church Bulletin, a joint message from The Holy See, news from our local secondary schools; Emmanuel College and Mount St. Josephs and Cricket Club registration information!

Annual Report

Church Bulletin

Emmanuel College News

The Holy See Joint Message

Mount St. Josephs' Latest Newsletter

Now We're Talking - On site tutoring available 

Social Skills Group Program

Altona Jnr. Cricket Club Registration info

Seabrook Cricket Club Registration info

Dear Families,

My name is Nicole Barnes and I am lucky enough to be a 3/4 teacher for the second year in a row at St. Mary’s. I graduated from The Australian Catholic University (ACU) in 2019.  

I have wanted to be a primary school teacher since the age of 4, I have always loved learning and want to instill a love of learning to students.

My family is the most important part of my life, this includes my fiance John, my mother Sue and my dog Peggy-Sue. I love nothing more than sharing my time with them particularly during special celebrations such as Christmas and birthdays. Some hobbies of mine include baking, eating out, reading, shopping and travelling. 

Being active has always been an important aspect of my life. I played netball for 8 years and I played and coached volleyball for 4 years. Now being active includes regular visits to the gym. I am also a big North Melbourne fan.

Teaching is my passion and my goal is to make the classroom a fun, safe place that students want to come to every day. 

Next week is National Child Protection Week and the important theme this year is ... Every child, in every community, needs a fair go.  To treat all of Australia’s children fairly, we need to make sure every family and community has what kids need to thrive and be healthy. 

The 2021 theme for National Child Protection Week is all about the importance of the ‘bigger picture’ in addressing child abuse and neglect.

Children can thrive and be healthy when they have what they need to develop well.

But not every family has these resources.

This is why we need to support every child, family and community according to their needs.

This will create a healthier, fairer Australia for all children.

A lot of great research is helping us understand more and more about what children need to thrive.

Child Protection Week 2021 will be an opportunity to translate this knowledge into action. All skillsets, all people, and all communities are assets in this important endeavour.

Let’s make sure our neighbourhoods have strong foundations for families and children – jobs, safe places, libraries, parks, playgrounds, schools, child care, affordable housing, health services, social activities, clubs, friendly neighbours, businesses and more.

Many of you are already playing your part every day – as individuals, as community members, as volunteers and as workers – to help create these great communities for children.

When we do this together we can give ‘every child, in every neighbourhood, a fair go’.


Here are some resources you might be interested in:
Tips for talking to children about personal safety
Listening to Children pamphlet
Webinar information
eSafety Parents Website

Just a reminder that hats must be worn through until the end of April 2024.

Hats should be school legionnaire style or broad brimmed in keeping with our sun smart policy.

 Please ensure that your children have the correct hat to wear.....NO HAT, NO PLAY.