Dear families,

It’s been a great first week back. The children we thrilled to see their friends, classmates and teachers. We were equally excited to see students and families back after what we hope was a restful break.

 

Term 4 is gearing up to be as full and fun as we had anticipated. Keep an eye out for upcoming events in our weekly newsletter and other forms of communication. 

Our P&F team have been busy making exciting plans for our children.

As we gear up for 2023, you have already been advised that we will  be increasing our number of classes from 12 to 13. The structure will be as follows:

As previously mentioned, through discussions with our Consultative Committee, we decided to keep classes smaller, enabling us to keep class sizes at or under 23 students instead of 28, as we would have had to, had we kept our existing structures. This also allows us room to grow.

To accommodate this extra class, we will be permanently relocating our Art Room to the existing OSHC building. Before and After School Care services will move to the Hall as it was years ago. By making this move permanent, we will be able to accommodate fluctuations in class numbers from year to year without having the extra hassle of moving rooms each year.

It’s great to see so many parents and children gathering before and after school for a catch-up. Please remember that if your child is using our Junior playground before school or either playground after school, the children must be actively supervised by parents/guardians. Both playgrounds become the responsibility of Camp Australia, our Out of Hours School Care provider after 3:35. Therefore, students are not permitted to use our equipment after this time. 

This week we congratulate Neave in 1/2RT on the safe arrival of her new baby brother, Harvey Liam. We know she will make a great big sister. Congratulation to Erin and her partner, Dan.  May Harvey bring your family great joy.

Have a great weekend. I have no doubt everyone will be a little bit more tired than usual.

Sonia

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Congratulations to our September Aussie of the Month students, Katy and Emily.  Click here to see their smiling faces and to find out why they are so wonderful.

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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With one week down, we hope that everyone had a relaxing and fun-filled holiday break and the effects haven't worn off yet! It will be another busy term, which has begun with Book Fair this week.  Before and after school sales will continue on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday this week.
We also look forward to the Arts Spectacular, Prep - Yr 2 Swimming, our School Sports and the Year 6 Graduation this term.  Check out our Quick View calendar widget at the bottom of our website home page or via the Parents Tab at the top of the home page. 

We hope you have a great term.

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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Experiencing positive emotions helps us be more resilient. By choosing to stay optimistic, we can cope better with difficulties and get more out of life.  The latest Action For Happiness calendar is packed with ideas to help you be a realistic optimist. 
  Please share it with others too.
You could start by writing down three things you have to look forward to this month.  Ask the kids too and do it together as a family.

You can also download the app to get daily inspiration and be part of a friendly community putting these ideas into action.

Have a great October!

Regards
Marg Masseni
Wellbeing Leader

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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For this weeks Community News we have the Church Bulletin, Emmanuel College Open Day infomation, Music Lessons here on campus, and an Art Exhibition.

Church Bulletin 

Creative Music

Seaholme Kinder Community Day

Emmanuel College Open Day (Notre Dame Campus)

Emmanuel College Open Day (St. Pauls Campus)

Music Lessons

Sacred Earth Art Exhibition

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


             

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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Just a reminder to all families of next year's Prep students.

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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This week, our mixed Hotshots and mixed volleyball teams have represented their school and the district at the Divisional finals. Hotshots travelled to Bayside College on Tuesday 4th October and the volleyballers headed out to Eagle Stadium in Werribee today, Friday 7th October. Our Hot Shots tennis players played 3 games against some strong opposition in a round robin involving four schools who were all district winners. Unfortunately our boys were not able to progress but represented themselves and their school with pride.

The volleyball team, again district champions, also played 3 games in a round robin format. The boys won their first game but the opposition proved to great in the next two and St Mary's finished equal 2nd on the day.

Congratulations to all the boys in both teams and a big thank you to Miss Sottile, Ms Kapusta and Mr Freeman for all of their organisation and the time they put into these teams.

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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We have come across some great resources that explore neurodiversity in people i.e. the unique way people’s brains work such as ASD, ADHD and Dyslexia.

 

We have different eye colours and body shapes. Some of us are great artists or athletes. Some people are amazing cooks or can create amazing things out of wood.

There can also be differences in the way we think, learn or see the world.

Sometimes trying to explain these differences in people can be very challenging for young people.

Thankfully we have come across some great resources that explore neurodiversity in people i.e. the unique way people’s brains work such as ASD, ADHD and Dyslexia.

The Brain Forest is a book that has been written by a local psychologist who has autism and ADHD. The book teaches kids about the different brain types (ASD, ADHD, Dyslexia, etc.) and celebrates neurodiversity in an affirming and informative way. The students have responded very positively to this book, particularly our older students. 

The Autistic Legends Alphabet Book and The Dyslexic Legends Alphabet Books are  both by Beck Feiner and Robin Feiner.

Both books name in alphabetical order some of the legends in our world who are neurodiverse.

These books would be an amazing resource for children who are learning about their diagnosis. 

          

Cathy Sims

Learning Diversity Leader

 

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

 

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