Dear families,
What a feeling of mixed, extreme emotions we’ve had this week. On one hand, we successfully celebrated our Feast Day with a lovely Mass and Olympics extravaganza, while on the other, our hearts broke over the devastating news out of Texas.
I’m sure we gave our children extra tight hugs that day. We pray for the families and community who grieve.
Uniform
Next week, we will be receiving uniform samples to share with students and parents for feedback.
Once they arrive we will let you know the days and times you can come in an see the samples. We will also share an online form with images for parents who are unable to come onsite.
RATs
RATs will once again be distributed early next week for the following fortnight. Please note that as per the revised guidelines, RATs are to be used if children are symptomatic and not twice weekly as surveillance testing.
P&F and SAC
Our P&F and School Advisory Council (SAC) have upcoming AGMs:
The P&F have a separate news article running this week. Check it out to learn more about the team and to have many of your questions answered.
Fee Payment
Thank you to the families who have arranged their payment options for 2022. If you have not yet organised Direct Debits, please contact Katrina at the office for the necessary paperwork.
Parents who hold Health Care Cards are eligible for a fee discount as well as the regular Camps and Excursions discount. If you have a current card but have not presented it to the office, please do so as the deadline for submission is approaching.
Wishing you a restful weekend,
Sonia
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".
Posters will be shared at our special assembly and displayed outside the staffroom.The P&F Committee supports St Mary's through a variety of activities. Some of these activities contribute towards fundraising for the school, while others provide opportunities for families to get to know each other and socialise outside of school hours.
There are often many myths that surround P&F meetings. Here are a few we’ve heard through the years.
We hope that in answering some of these questions, you may come to realise we aren’t so scary!
Myth 1: “I can’t attend every meeting so I can’t join”
Fact: You only need to attend the meetings that fit in with your family and other commitments. We’ve had members who attended one or two meetings throughout the year – they were still very involved in the P&F. The P&F does stay in contact with members via email and SMS as well as through the minutes of the meetings. We are also currently in the process of setting up a Facebook Group. Of course, attendance at meetings is great – the more people, the more ideas, the more possibilities, but if you’re keen to join when you can, attendance at all meetings is not required.
Myth 2: “All committees are cliques - I won’t fit in with them”
Fact: The P&F is not a clique and will never become a clique – there is no gossip or sniping at the P&F - we adhere to the same Catholic values as the school. In fact, some parents have found that joining the P&F is a great way to meet other parents and to support the motto of St Mary’s as being a caring, Catholic community. This can be especially true if you are new to the school.
Myth 2: “I don’t have any experience organising things”
Fact: Neither do most of us! But if you can organise your children to be at school, with their lunch and in uniform (remembering their homework is in another league altogether!), then you already have all the organisational skills we’re looking for. The P&F does not reinvent the wheel – any event that has been held will have notes, explanations and guidelines to help you along. We always have more than one person organising an event so you will not have to do anything without support.
Myth 4: “I work, I have children, I’m busy, I don’t have enough time”
Fact: We’re all stretched for time, more some days than others – everyone with children is busy - add on a job, looking after a relative or younger children, caring for pets, doing the washing – we are all busy, all the time. There are ways to be involved, even if you are very busy, ask us how you can join in.
Myth 5: “I’ll have to be involved in every event going and we’ve got enough things on already”
Fact: Some P&F members can choose one event to organise or help out with each year and that’s all. It’s not necessary or possible to commit to helping at every event. All we ask is that you help where you can – that’s all the current P&F members do. Some members can help with organisation or making calls but not help during work hours. That’s great!
Myth 6: “I pay my fees, why should I help with fundraising”
Fact: Yep, we all pay fees but unfortunately the fees don’t cover everything. Over the years the P&F fundraising has contributed to, amongst other things, the interactive whiteboards and the furniture in the TRI Centre. We are currently fundraising Without the work of the P&F these things would not be part of your child’s education.
Myth 7: “The meetings go for too long”
Fact: You may be surprised to learn that at their very longest, the meetings go for an hour and a half. While we are a very friendly and sociable group, we also know how precious time is – meetings are for P&F business and a quick catch up.
Myth 8: “I’m a man, these meetings are only for women”
Fact: We have had many dads join the P&F over the years. Dads play a vital role in our community and are especially useful when trying to arrange dads’ social nights, which have been a highlight for many in their time at St Mary’s. We had a new dad join us just this week. We’re sure he’d like to have a larger representation join him!
The P&F AGM is on Wednesday 8th June at 7.30pm.
Why not come along, enjoy some refreshments, meet some other parents and see what you think?
For more information feel free to contact us or some of our current position holders:
Stacey (President): 0403 692 589
Andrea (Secretary): 0427 709 133
Aggie (Treasurer): 0434 930 518
Are there any parents/grandparents who are avid gardeners and would like to be a part of a small gardening club at St Mary’s?
Cathy Sims together with some very keen students and Bunnings are looking to revamp our garden beds.
Please see Cathy or email her csims@smaltona.catholic.edu.au
If you think you could possibly space an hour a week to help.
Remember you must have WWCC and be triple vaccinated
FOSTER CARERS NEEDED
If you have thought about foster care, please get in touch and
ask the questions you have always wanted to.
Ring: Key Assets 1800 932 237 or 1800 WE CARE
Email: info@keyassets.com.au
Web: canifoster.com.au or keyassets.org.au
What will happen: Interested families would receive a brochure, information and no pressure!
We would also like to thank Mancini Real Estate for their continuous support to St Mary's Altona
I was at St Marys for twenty one wonderful years in both a full time and part time capacity, including a year’s maternity leave, covering mainly grades 5 and 6, specialist subjects and preparing children for the Sacraments.
In 2007, I moved schools and taught for thirteen years at Lumen Christi, Point Cook. In 2020, I semi-retired and now do casual relief teaching and my current role.
I have one son, Shannon and he and his wife Áine, had a beautiful baby boy six months ago and what a great joy it is being a nanna to Teddy (Theodore).
My interests include catching up with family and friends, traveling (when possible), day trips, walking, movies and lots of different types of sewing!
I am most grateful for my gift of faith with a special interest in Mary MacKillop.
Being back at St Marys is an amazing experience and one of the best things is that many of the students I taught here years ago, are now some of the parents!! I have counted about 20 so far! Some of my closest friends are those that I have met through St Marys.
I live locally in Altona Meadows and a bit of trivia is that I have a twin sister, Angela.