Dear families,
This week I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the Victorian Association of Catholic Primary School Principals’ Conference.
The theme for this year’s conference was Hope: For now and whatever lies ahead.
The keynote speakers I had the opportunity to listen to were remarkable and many had me in tears. And not just the quiet trickle, but those that can easily turn into big, uncontrollable, ugly tears!
One such story was that of Judy and Tim Sharp, a mother and her autistic son who shared their remarkable story of determination, advocacy and pure joy. You can learn more of their story here. If you do nothing else today but watch this story, it will be worth it.
I feel that the experience of the last few days highlighted for the the absolute privilege of the work I get to do each day and the community I get to share that with.
Values
I am excited to announce that St Mary's new school Values are:
I am looking forward to our upcoming work around the selection of significant people who epitomise these values.
We will be using these people’s names and stories as inspiration for our house names in the near future. Just as we did with our values nominations, parents and children will also have the opportunity to have their say on these selections.
Our senior students are also currently exploring the lives of influential people.
COVID Update
Parents and visitors to the school for meetings and events (indoors or outdoors) will need to show proof of double vaccination at the office. This does not include pick up and drop off or entering the front office.
It is expected that this requirement will remain in place next term when we commence face to face assemblies and other events.
ECSI
There are 2 weeks left to undertake the survey. If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to take up the offer.
I will be re-sharing instructions via Operoo soon.
I hope you have a restful weekend,
Sonia
Maybe you have heard of this acronym and wondered what it stands for.
NCCD stands for the National Consistent Collection of Data on School Children with a Disability.
Read the article linked below from the NCCD portal that further explains the purpose of the NCCD and how this information is used.Each August all schools in Australia are asked to complete a census on the number of students in their schools who may have some form of disability that prevents them from accessing education in a similar way to their peers.
Read the following article from the NCCD portal that further explains the purpose of the NCCD and how this information is used.
If you have any questions about this please feel free to contact me.
Cathy Sims
Learning Diversity Leader
csims@smaltona.catholic.edu.au
Each classroom will have an easter tub that your child can leave the items in. Easter donations can be accepted until Monday 4th April.
This year, the items will be combined to make a limited number of hampers as opposed to previous years.
Your child will be sent home with a raffle book of 10 tickets. Each ticket is $1 each. Additional books can be found at reception if needed.
Tickets will need to be returned no later than Monday 4th April
Thank you and good luck!
Regards The Parents & Friends Committee
Your generous support can help to change the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Join us this Lent to raise much-needed funds for people living in poverty.
Together, we can make a difference now, and For All Future Generations.
This year, Caritas is very aware of the war developing in the Ukraine and is determined to assist. Caritas Australia is working directly with Caritas Ukraine at the moment. They are one of the few NGOs in Australia with a direct partner on the ground in Ukraine, and therefore are doing all they can to contribute to the urgent needs of people in Ukraine.
As a school, we are directing half of all funds received during Lent to the regular Project Compassion projects and half directly to their Ukraine Crisis Appeal. You can contribute too as Caritas are accepting funds through their  Ukraine Crisis Appeal, to provide support and learn more, visit https://www.caritas.org.
Vacation Care Term One School Holiday Program for Quantin Binnah is NOW OPEN. Please visit their website https://www.qbcc.org.au/ to find out more about all of their services.
They run Vacation Care at the following Venues (click for activities guide):
Please see attached above the activity brochures for all of the vacation care programs.
Catholic Education