St. Mary's eNews

Week 7 Term 2


Reporting Progress

Teachers have been toiling over the marking of reports, particularly as it has been so long since we’ve been in a position to have collected as much evidence as we have this semester.

Given how difficult it has been over the last two years to establish an accurate account of children’s understandings over remote learning, teachers are increasingly finding particular gaps in student learning. These additional opportunities to sit with and work with children led to us being able to make more accurate judgements on where a child is sitting against age-based curriculum standards.

Therefore, some students may appear to have made no progress on paper in particular areas, when marked against their age-specific outcomes. We understand this may be confronting to some parents. Please trust that our teachers are doing all they can to identify and rectify gaps in student learning, so that they set students up for future success. I’ll use long jump as an analogy; sometimes, we need to take a few steps back before we can take a huge leap forward.

You will be able to address any concerns with your child’s teacher during Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences.

Regards
Sonia



Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences

Our Semester 1 Student/Parent/Teacher conferences will take place in Week 9 of Term 2.  Please note that students will be dismissed at 1pm on Monday 20th June and at the regular time of 3.20pm on Tuesday and Wednesday.

 

  • Monday 20th June from 1.30 – 8.00 pm with Classroom teachers
  • Tuesday 21st June from 3.45 – 5.00 pm with Classroom teachers
  • Tuesday 21st June from 3.45 – 5.00 pm with specialist teachers, Mrs Zimmerman, Mrs Hamilton and Mrs Richards
  • Wednesday 22nd June from 3.45 – 5.00 pm with PE Specialist, Ms Sottile

To book an appointment time you can either:

  • Click this link and you will be directed straight to the booking page where you can select appointment time/s OR
  • Go to our school website and click on the “INTERVIEWS” button, enter the code jz5ye and select your appointment time/s.

Bookings are open now and will close on Thursday 16th June.

After you have booked your time, you will receive an email which will include your appointment time/s.

If you have chosen an online meeting there will be instructions and a link to access the meeting.  Please ensure that you have Google Chrome on the device you will be using. 

If you require any other technical assistance please don't hesitate to get in touch with Matt Taylor (mtaylor@smaltona.catholic.edu.au) or Tony Freeman (tfreeman@smaltona.catholic.edu.au)

If you require assistance with the booking process please contact Marg Masseni - mmasseni@smaltona.catholic.edu.au


 

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



Altona Library: After School Explorers

During lunchtime on Thursday we had a visit from Lauren from the Altona Library. She presented a sample session using Ozobots for the 'After School Explorers' program that they are offering for free on Thursday afternoons.

 After School Explorers’ is a weekly session, designed to engage Primary School students with after school activities at Hobsons Bay libraries. Led by specialist children’s librarians, the sessions take place at Altona, Altona Meadows and Altona North Libraries each week throughout the term.

Activities differ from week to week, but each session aims to focus on exploring creativity and self-expression through arts, robotics, coding, story and much more. The program also aims to encourage social interaction for children who may have felt isolated over the last few years.   





Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



Aussie of the Month - May

Congratulations to our May Aussie of the Month students - Aurora, Charlotte and Charlie. Click here to find out why they are so wonderful and to see their smiling faces.

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



Baker Boy Performance

Our Year 5/6 students and staff were fortunate to experience an energetic, fun performance by rising star of the Australian hip-hop scene, Yolngu artist Baker Boy.   Singing, dancing and rapping his way through some of his most popular tracks, Baker Boy got staff and students tapping their feet.


Carefully curated with young music fans in mind, his performance was a rare opportunity for students to experience live music in a safe and supportive environment. The audience was warmed up by DJ MzRizk and support acts Halo Vocal Ensemble and L2R Dance. 

Check out some photos here

A little about the performer...Hailing from the Northern Territory, Danzal Baker, aka Baker Boy, raps in English and Yolngu Matha representing his Arnhem Land family. A former Young Australian of the Year, he hopes to inspire younger generations to embrace their culture and become leaders in their communities.



 

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



Community News

For this weeks Community News we have our Church Bulletin, news from Emmanuel College, Badminton, Rugby and Basketball for ages 8 - 15, a Winter Holiday Basketball Camp, Williamstown Community Events, and an Open Day for De La Salle College.

Church Bulletin

Emmanuel College News

All Abilities Badminton, Basketball & Rugby

Willamstown Community Newsletter

Basketball Winter Holiday Camp

Open Day for De La Salle College

Creative Music

Foster Caring






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


                                         




Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



Introducing ~ Sue Carabott

My name is Sue Carabott and I started my part time position at St Mary's Primary School as a Learning Support Officer at the beginning of Term Two this year. I have had the privilege of supporting Prep B every Thursday and Friday and I thoroughly enjoy watching the students as they learn and grow.


I began my journey as a LSO at the beginning of 2021 when I decided to complete an Education Support course after spending a year at home supporting my daughter, who was remotely completing Year 6 online. Part of my course required work placement hours in a primary school and fortunately I was able to complete my placement at St Mary’s Primary School. The St Mary’s school community has been incredibly welcoming, supportive and encouraging, I felt very much at home and it was a very valuable learning experience.

Before working in education support I worked in the Melbourne CBD at The Age newspaper in office administration across many different areas of the company over many, many years.

During this time I raised four children who are still at secondary school and university and along with my husband, I ran a small family business and a household. I am excited about embarking on this new career journey and although it has many challenges, the rewards are huge and I have been lucky to meet so many amazing people along the way.


 

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage