St. Mary's eNews

Term 3 Week 1


Principal's Message: 15 July 2022

Dear families,


I trust this message finds you all well and that your children had a rejuvenating break and have had a great start to the term.

 

While I have been at home this week resting my injured leg, Mrs Masseni has been keeping my updated with all that is going on at St Mary’s. I have missed being a part of the buzz that surrounds the beginning of term and I thank the parents and students who have inquired into my wellbeing and sent lovely messages. I hope to return next week.


This term promises to be jam-packed with Sacraments, finalising our new uniform and launching our Values and House Team names and Book Week celebrations. We also can look forward to the great learning experiences our teachers have planned for our students, particularly in the area of Science with our inquiry units and in establishing great new strategies around writing that we picked up during our closure day last term.


Uniform Update


I will be meeting with our representative from Noone’s next week to finalise our uniform choices. We have received an overwhelmingly positive response to our samples and there are clear favourites. We will work with Noone’s to ensure that the pieces selected can work well together. If there are any other decisions that need to be made, we may return to you for further feedback if required.


Our uniform shop will continue to sell current pieces at a heavily discounted price until sold out.


Values


After great discussion amongst staff, I can present to you the agreed-upon definitions for our school values. We wanted something that was succinct and easy to recall and understand. Classes will work through these statements, unpacking them and working on developing not only students’ understanding of them but also the applications of these values in our daily lives and learning. You may want to incorporate these into your own family’s discussions. I’m eager to hear what you think and what our students will be sharing with you this term and beyond.

Respect
Showing kindness and empathy through understanding and accepting each other’s differences.

Resilience
Working persistently through difficulties when they arise, knowing things can get better.

Responsibility
Taking ownership of our actions and decisions knowing that they impact ourselves, others and our learning. 

Courage
Finding the strength and bravery to do what we think or know is right even when it is challenging.

School Logo


Given that we are revamping our school uniform, I felt it was also time to review our school logo. I was keen to make a few amendments to it. Namely, the following:

  • Making the school name more prominent instead of where it currently is
  • Removing the “in education” from our motto “Caring Catholic Community in Education” as I think the “in Education” is implied!

I do not intend to alter the logo image itself in any way as I think it is a unique connection to our parish and the wider community.

I engaged the services of a firm to have a play and they have come back with some options. You can see them here and offer your input.

I’d love to hear what you think. Feel free to offer a mix and match suggestions (ie, font from Sample 3 with layout of Sample 8) as this is only the first round of options offered.


Fathers’ Day celebrations


After a suggestion from the School Advisory Council regarding Mothers’ Day celebrations, we’d like to ask families for feedback on the timing of our Fathers’ Day celebrations that will be held on Friday 2nd September this term. We understand that our dads and significant father figures in the lives of our children have different schedules and we’d like to be able to hold an event that suits most families.

Please fill in this form to nominate your preferred time to attend a Fathers’ Day celebration with us.


School Closure


MACS have allowed schools an additional closure day to make up for the extra hours teachers have missed in planning due to covering increased staff absences. We have selected Friday August 12th as our student-free day. Please make note of this day in your calendars.




I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Stay safe and well,


Sonia


Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



Grandparent's Day 2022

It is nearly here, can you believe it! We will be celebrating this event on Wednesday the 27th of July beginning with mass in the church at 9:15am. This will be followed by an opporunity to visit classrooms before we gather our special visitors for a delicious morning tea at 10:50am in the Hall. We would love to see as many of our super special seniors as possible at mass and in the classrooms and we would love to spoil you with yummy scones.

Yours in Faith
Matthew Taylor
Religious Education Leader


Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



SSV Hockey Team

Congratulations to Thomas Y who has been named in the SSV Hockey Squad to compete in the National Championships in August in Canberra.
Great job Thomas! We are all very proud of you! 




Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



Aussie of the Month ~ June

Congratulations to Estelle, Ariadne and Mark, our June Aussie of the Month stduents.  Click here to see their smiling faces and to find out why they are so wonderful.

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



Parents and Friends

We need YOU!
 Please respond to the Operoo note sent home earlier this week.


 


Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



The Australian Mathematics Competition

After a fantastic experience last year, this year we will again be entering as many of our students as possible students into the Australian Maths Competition (AMC). The competition aims to cater for students in years 3-12 and is based on problem solving. 


The AMC offers five papers: Middle Primary (Years 3–4), Upper Primary (Years 5–6), Junior (Years 7– 8), Intermediate (Years 9–10), and Senior (Years 11–12). It has 25 multiple-choice questions and five questions that need whole number answers. Students may attempt as many questions as they wish. The earlier problems may use more familiar mathematics while the later problems are more difficult and intended to challenge, needing more sophisticated problem-solving skills.

The competition this year will take place online from 3rd - 5th August. There is a small cost to enter the competition, which will happily be covered by the school.

Last year we had 69 students enter from years 3-6 and 40 of those students attained certificates of Proficiency, Credit or Distinction. We put a sign up form out on Operoo late last term and we are pumped to see 71 students have already signed up.

If you haven't responded yet, don't worry there is still time. Please read the Operoo note from the Australian Maths Trust about the competition and complete the consent there. All consents need to be completed by Friday 22nd July so we can register the students for the competition. You only need to respond digitally but if you have would like to submit a hard copy of the note and have trouble printing this form at home, please let us know and we can have one printed for you.

 

If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at

mtaylor@smaltona.catholic.edu.au

tfreeman@smaltona.catholic.edu.au

 

Kind Regards,

 

Matthew Taylor and Tony Freeman

 


 

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



Walk/Ride to School Day ~ Tues 19th July

Our next Walk/Ride to School Day is on Tuesday 19th July.  Come to school in an active way and earn house points for your team.  We will award the Most Active Class and the Most Improved class with a trophy for their efforts. 
We hope you join in the fun!

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



Community News

Welcome back for Term 3! For this weeks Community News we have our Church Bulletin, news from Emmanuel College & Mount St. Josephs, a free presentation on raising children in the digital age, a free workshop with local artists, and a Sports Education Program for ages 3 - 8.
Church Bulletin

Emmanuel College News

Mount St Josephs 2024 Enrolments

APPLY NOW
We are a nurturing faith and learning community where each individual is
encouraged to excel in their academic, co-curricular and personal goals whilst
bearing witness to the gospel values.
Students wishing to attend Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College for Year 7 in 2024
should apply in Grade 5 of their primary school education.
Applications for Year 7 in 2024 are now open. Apply online via the College
website. The closing date for applications is Friday 19 August 2022.
For application to Years 8-12, there is no application closing date, but vacancies
are limited and waiting lists may apply.
For all enquiries, please contact:
Sherri Collins: registrar@msj.vic.edu.au
133 Maidstone Street, Altona
(03)8398 2000
www.msj.vic.edu.au



Dr Kristy Goodwin Free Presentation

Mount St Joseph Girls' College is delighted to offer a free presentation with Dr Kristy Goodwin to St. Mary's parents and carers. The presentation, “Raising Screenagers” will help confused and concerned parents navigate the digital world together with their child. Dr Kristy will inform parents with research-based yet realistic advice to help parents feel confident about how they can best support their adolescent’s physical health, mental wellbeing and learning online. This event would be of most interest to parents/carers of students in Years 4-6, but parents/carers of all year levels are welcome to attend.

When: Monday 25 July at 7pm.

Where: Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College, 133 Maidstone Street Altona.

Book here: https://form.jotform.com/221638628097061

Read more about Dr Kristy:

https://drkristygoodwin.com/

https://www.facebook.com/drkristygoodwin/

https://www.instagram.com/drkristy/?hl=en



Creative Music

Foster Caring

Williamstown Community Newsletter

Sports Education Program 

Free Workshop

Children aged 5 to 12 years are invited to take a journey with local visual artist Frances Loriente, Wiradjuri Soprano Shauntai Batzke, Kokatha/Mirning musician Bart Willoughby, Yvonne Rigney Ngarrindjeri/Kokatha dancer and guest Taungwurrung, Yorta Yorta elder Maxine Briggs together with Indigenous elders explore what a totem represents through, colour, music, song and dance through these free workshops at Woods Street Arts Space in Laverton.

 

Dates:

Saturday 23 July 10am to 12.30pm

Saturday 30 July 10am to 12.30pm

Saturday 6 August 10am to 12.30pm

Sunday 14 August 11.30am to 1.30 pm

 

Exhibition and  performance:

Sunday 14 August, 2 to 3pm

 

Bookings essential:  www.trybooking.com/CAXBW     

 

Children 5 to 6 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or adult carer.   Children are asked to bring a healthy snack along and wear comfortable clothing.

For more information please visit: www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Community/Whats-On/The-Colour-and-Sound-of-my-Totem or The Colour And Sound of My Totem Facebook event









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


                                         




Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



Action for Happiness: Jump Back July

We can't change what happens, but we can choose our response. Happiness isn't about everything going well; it's about responding constructively, even in difficult times.  Recently RESILIENCE was chosen as one of our four school values.
Hooking into the Jump Back July calendar and the many actions it suggests would be a great way of jump starting conversations with the family about RESILIENCE and what it means; a great way to find ways of being a little more resilient when challenges come your way.

Check out the Action for Happiness Jump Back July here - Calendar.
It's full of actions to help us be more resilient.

You can also download the Action for Happiness app to receive daily nudges and be part of a supportive community putting these ideas into action.




Marg Masseni
Wellbeing Leader



Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



Art Team Project

The Special Art team who work with Mrs Zimmerman creating various artworks around the school, are working on a new project beginning in Term 3.

Last term we visited the Louis Joel centre in Altona to look at a mural that is in their car park. It is made out of plastic bottle tops. 

 

Seeing it gave us the idea to make small murals to represent each of the house teams. These will be made out of plastic bottle tops and will be displayed around the school. 

We thought this would be another good way to RECYCLE, REUSE, REPURPOSE something that would otherwise get thrown into the rubbish. 

But we need your help…

We are going to turn the collection of the plastic lids into a House Team competition!!

We have put together collection boxes so we can see which house team collects the most tops.

Tops can be any colour, shape and size.

We haven’t worked out how we will allocate points yet but will do that over

the next week and let you know next week.

In the meantime, we need you to start collecting! Just bring along the lids you save and drop them in.  You can bring a few at a time or save them at home and bring in lots together. 

Collection boxes will be in the foyer outside the staff room near the House Team boards.

By the way….Please make sure they are washed and clean before your drop them in. 

Thank you
The Special Art Team & the House Captains


 

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

 



Literacy: Book Week Dress Up Day

We have many exciting activites planned for Book Week coming up in Term 3 from August 22nd to August 26th. One activity will be a dress up day on Firday August 26th. Students are encouraged to come to school dressed as their favourite book character. Home made costumes are cheaper, more sustainable and encouraged! 
Take a look at some examples for inspiration.

 




Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



Introducing ~ Jane Kirkwood

I grew up in Werribee South going to St. Mary’s Primary School and then moving on to MacKillop College in Werribee. Subsequently, I ended up working at MacKillop College helping out and assisting on their Outdoor education camps. 

This is when I realised I wanted to be a teacher, so off to university I went and got my Bachelor of Education. 

I was lucky enough to have a fantastic part-time job while studying at university. I worked at the Queen Victoria Market where I grew a love for cooking. I also had an amazing boss that let me take home the leftover food! Any struggling university students dream! I still enjoy cooking when I get the time, but this is something I have lacked over the last couple of years with the birth of my beautiful daughter, Leonie. 

At the moment, Leonie and I are enjoying things like visiting her grandparents, going to the park, reading a few books at the local library and playing with her friends around the corner from our house. We are very much looking forward to our upcoming trip to Falls Creek to enjoy some family time in the snow!  

Jane Kirkwood

5/6 KF


Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage