Dear families,

This week I begin by acknowledging the heartache that is being experienced by neighbours close by in other states and further away in Ukraine. Regardless of where one stands politically, my prayers are with those who are going through incredibly difficult times at the moment.

 

Especially as we have begun the Season of Lent in our Catholic Calendar, may we all find the time to renew our commitment to our faith through prayer and giving. 

We have been fortunate as a staff to undertake professional learning around Lent, as you would have read in previous editions of this newsletter. One of the key take aways has been the importance of finding what we can give, not just give up. It’s one thing to choose to give up chocolate for Lent, but how is this repairing our relationship with God? How is it helping others? A simple tweak could be to do something meaningful with the money one would be saving by giving up chocolate. Or consciously choosing to reach out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while instead of reaching for the chocolate.  

Meeting with teachers

Our teachers are more than happy to meet with you to discuss your child’s progress or anything that you may wish to discuss with regard to your child’s time at school. I ask, however, that you consider making an appointment either in person, over the phone or an online meeting for things that require time, consideration and privacy. When the bell goes at 8:45, teachers are responsible for their class and must be in their classrooms with all students. 

You may be able to send your child’s teacher a message via email or Seesaw if this will suffice, or please reach out to ask for a time to meet outside class time if this is required. 

Staff attend meetings on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, but with notice, they will be able to schedule a time that is mutually convenient. Our staff are asked to schedule personal appointments outside of staff meeting time, so it is best not to assume that they are free on another day to meet after school unless a time is scheduled in advance. I know they are very accommodating and will opt to miss an appointment if a parent has asked to meet without notice. I feel it is important to ensure that both parties are prepared for their meeting so that it can be fruitful and productive. Therefore, I ask that you reach out to your child’s teacher and find a time that works for all parties.

Tuckshop

The tuckshop will once again open at recess and lunch for snacks from this Monday. Please remember that it is only open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

ECSI

Thank you to those who have already completed the survey. Our status report indicates that we still require 33 parents to complete it in order to receive a sample size that can be viewed as statistically representative of our parent population’s opinions.

If you need help accessing or completing the survey, please email me and I will send you instructions or talk you through the process.

Basketball backboard

We are looking at replacing the backboards but require a few parents who consider themselves handy with a tool or two who can help. If you are the right person for the job, please email Marg or contact the office. 

Fee statements

Fee statements have been distributed to the eldest in the family. Please check your child’s bag for yours.

We also sent out an Operoo message asking parents to fill in their preferred method of payment so we can issue you the correct documentation required.

If you have not yet done so, please do so here.

Under a new Concessional Fee Policy, parents with a current Health Care Card in their name, qualify for a reduction in fees. Please use the link above to let us know you qualify and I will be in touch to arrange the reduction and commence a payment plan.

Staffing changes

On Wednesday this week, we announced to the students in 5/6M and 1/2KT that there would be some changes to their teachers from next week due to the vacancy created in 5/6M.  

Mrs Corina Kapusta and Mrs Carol Hicks will be teaching 5/6M for the remainder of the year.

Mrs Ronnie Tucker will increase her class time with 1/2KT and Mrs Julie Russell will join her, taking up the other days.

The students in these classes voted on the changes to their class names and I can announce that 1/2KT will now be known as 1/2RT (Russell, Tucker) and 5/6M will now be known as 5/6 HK (Hicks, Kapusta).

It has been a challenging few weeks and I’d like to express my gratitude to the parents and students in 1/2RT and  5/6HK, for their patience, resilience and understanding. Once again, I feel blessed to be part of a community that is so trusting and open.  

Wishing you a blessed weekend,

Sonia

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This week we marked Shrove Tuesday with lots of fun and pancake making. We then marked Ash Wednesday with simple services in the classrooms. We would normally receive our ashes in the form of a cross upon our heads as a sign of our commitment to turning back to God and being faithful to the Gospels. This year, so as to remain COVID safe, we used the method used in Rome. In much of Italy, water is not added to the ashes. Rather, dry ashes are imposed by making a sign of the cross above the crown of the head as the ashes fall upon the hair. 

It was wonderful to see how engaged all of our school was preparing for Lent this week. Here are some examples below of the ways our Prep students prepared for Lent for the first time at St Mary's.

Yours in Faith
Matthew Taylor
Religious Education Leader

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Interested in joining the Parents and Friends Team? Please take some time to read about our two upcoming meetings for more information.

Please note that our next P and F meeting with be held on Wednesday the 25^th of May in the staff room at 7.30pm.

We also have a date for our annual AGM meeting. This will be held in the school staff room on Wednesday the 8^th of June at 7.30pm.

Please bring a friend, and if you know of any parents who are interested, lease let them know.

There will be a few people stepping down from their roles, as this is their final year, or due to life commitments.

I encourage you and others to support  and come to both evenings where possible.

Many thanks.

- The P & F Team

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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On Monday 14th Feb, students in Year 1/2 participated in a fun-filled incursion as part of our Integrated Studies unit “In the Zone”.  Supreme Incursions came out to visit us and we were challenged to complete a range of problem solving tasks designed to encourage communication and team building. 

Through the successes and challenges of the tasks, children were encouraged to identify the changes in their emotions and how these fit into each of the Zones of Regulation. Children demonstrated wonderful persistence with tasks and there was certainly a lot of laughter and fun too.

Click on the link below to see some of our students in action.

1/2 INCURSION TERM 1 2022

Your 1/2 team
Rhona Cloud, Veronica Tucker, Corina Kapusta, Nancy Leone & Alessandra Sottile

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The Action for Happiness group has a new website that's worth checking out.

  Their message is 'Let's be HAPPIER and KINDER, Together', which is a similar theme for the National Day of Action for Bullying and Violence (18th March) for 2022 which is 'KINDNESS CULTURE - It starts with you!'
 Andy and Judah our Wellbeing leaders will be speaking with the community in the lead up to the Day of Action, about ways that we can spread happiness and kindness in an effort to stamp out bullying. 

The Action for Happiness crew has created a Mindful March calendar which gives great suggestions about how you can look after yourself so that you have the time and energy to give to others.

And of course, it's Lent, a time when GIVING rather than 'giving up' is encouraged.

How will you and your family give to others?

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School Photos were taken on Tuesday 1st March.  All students were in their class photo and had an individual photo taken.

Many family groups also had photos taken, some regardless of whether they had been ordered or not as students had indicated that parents had requested they have one done. 

If you haven't ordered and paid for photos it's not too late, but you would need to do so by the end of the weekend.

Please read this document which explains the ordering process.

We will let you know when Student Leader photos are available for purchase.

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Our Tuck Shop menu has been updated once again so please go the PARENTS tab on the home page to find out more. Just a reminder that lunch orders are only provided on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Some prices have increased so be sure to check the Tuckshop Menu when you are adding money to your order bag.

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Each week we update the CLASSES tab on the home page.  Click on each class level tab to see what's happening around the school.
Prep 
Year 1/2
Year 3/4
Year 5/6

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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This weeks Community News has our weekly update from Emmanuel College, the Church Bulletin, an event by Leo's Kingdom Party & Play Centre, information on onsite music lessons, Williamstown Community News, Future Stars' Netball Program, and a Recycling Exhibition.
Emmanuel College News

Church Bulletin

Leos Kingdom Party and Play Centres 1 Year Anniversary

Netball Program

Music Lessons

Williamstown Community News


Recycling Exhibition

The Vietnamese Association in Hobsons Bay is hosting a Recycling Exhibition from March 12-24 as a result of our Zero to Hero program in 2020.

During the pandemic, despite the challenging situation, they have completed a set of five mascot artworks then proposing a set of five Children's books that promote recycle, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and refuse in action.

These creative mascot designs will leave an amazing impression to all and the five book titles that we have committed to produce will inspire kids to reduce, reuse, refuse, repurpose and recycle in their own home or at school.

Click Here for an invitation for their 5Rs Recycling exhibition and look forward to greeting you all at our community launch.

We would also like to thank Mancini Real Estate for their continuous support to St Mary's Altona


                                                                              

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Unfortunately, with the current restrictions still in place it means that our Book Fair will not be open before and after school. However, children will still have a walk-through tour with their class, where they can write a Wish List.
An additional Wish List will also be sent home or you can click here to view and print the Wish List.

To purchase books, please send your child's Wish List back to school with either cash or a printed receipt (if paid online). 

The Book Fair will be "open" for orders from Tuesday 8th March till Wednesday 16th March.   

Thanking you for your ongoing support,
Beryl (Book Club) and Milly (Library)

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