Dear families, 

What a big few weeks it’s been at St Mary’s. We will continue to keep busy as we head towards the last few weeks of Term 2.

 

Updat-ed App

You will have seen in last week’s newsletter the re-launch of our school app, Updat-ed. This app is the easiest way to do many school-related things. Some of the most useful are:

• Check school dates on the calendar (you can even add these events to your own calendar from this feature)
• Log absences
• Access newsletters

We also intend to use the alerts feature from time to time for urgent messages. Please download the app and sign up to St Mary’s.

Canteen

On Wednesday we launched our first online lunch ordering system with KingWill Catering. It seemed like a positive first day.

Please refer to our website or the Operoo note sent out earlier this week for instructions on how to order.

We are currently trialling Wednesdays for online lunches. If the trial is successful we will continue with Wednesdays and look at expanding to a further day or two.

Please note that we have opted not to offer cutlery with our orders. Please supply your child with cutlery if they are ordering something that requires it.

Please also remember that our usual Monday and Friday service will not run until  24 July, due to Amy needing to take time off for family reasons.

COVID safety

As you would know, there continue to be many cases of COVID in our school and wider communities.

Please note the following expectations/recommendations:

• Students who test positive must stay home for 5 days or more, until they no longer have symptoms 
• Siblings of students who test positive can come to school but must wear a mask
• Parents who have a positive case at home are asked to wear a mask if they need to be onsite
• If your child has symptoms, please keep them home and test them. While we are no longer required to inform the community, we still ask you to notify us.

Uniform

We will continue to sell second hand uniform into next term. There is limited stock, so please contact the office if you require any items.

Noone’s are in the process of organising the addition of a long sleeved navy polo. We will let you know when they are ready for sale.

Noone’s online store is now live. You can place online order here and select from pick up at the store or home delivery.

We’re getting a TRAM

This is not a typo!

In 2018, Mrs Anthea Zimmerman, on behalf of our school, applied for a retired tram. Five years later, we received a reply that there is one waiting just for us.

This W-class tram is in amazingly decent condition given is was built on 28 May 1942, but it will require some work to make it fit for purpose. It is our intention to have it used as a quiet space outdoors. Please look out for opportunities to help restore it by raising funds or offering various services that we may require.

What a truly wonderful opportunity to have such a iconic piece of Melbourne’s history, preserved for many more of St Mary’s current and future generations.

See below for photos of our actual tram and stay tuned for more details.

Photos/Videos of students

Please note that the taking of photos and videos during parish services is not permitted. These are masses that take place at 9:15 weekdays and whether it is one class or the whole school community who attends.

Parents and family members are allowed to take photos and videos of their child during assemblies and prayer assemblies, but we ask that you refrain from posting these on social media unless there are no other recognisable students visible. We take consent very seriously and ask that our community respects the wishes of other parents and guardians who may choose not to have their child’s image online.

Staff news

Mrs Jane Sammut, who has worked with St Mary’s for many years in the role of Learning Support will finish her time with us at the end of this term. Jane’s dedication to our students and her commitment to their success has been immeasurable and I know staff and students will all miss her greatly. Jane will commence a new role at MSJ from Term 3.

Mrs Kathleen Smith became a first time grandmother this week with the arrival of a precious grand daughter. Granny Smith could not be more excited! Welcome to the world, Wren James Smith.

Community News

We also welcome to our community, baby Cooper Jet Hudson, baby brother of Sienna in Prep B, who was a late mother’s day present arriving the day later.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend,

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

 

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Just a reminder that Tuesday 6th June is our next Walk/Ride to School Day.  Our House Captains will be waiting on the netball court, ready to take your names for house points if you come to school in an active way.  We are looking for the Most Active Classes too.

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As you may be aware, our school has a phone app called Updat-ed that  makes connecting with you very convenient. It is our intention to begin using the app on a more regular basis so we would love for everyone to get on board.

From the app you can fill in the absence form, check the school calendar for events, access our eNews and receive alerts (which is the part we will be using more often.) 

If possible we would love everyone to sign up...it's such an easy process. 

To download the app just visit the App Store for iPhones or Google Play for Android. Search for Updat-ed by sponsor-ed and from the menu select our school. We’ll receive your registration request and will need to approve you before your app is up and running.

Click the icons below to take you straight to our app.

So what will the app do?

The app’s great for sending out alerts and reminders with one of its best features being the ability to save events directly into your phone’s calendar.

We hope you enjoy being Updat-ed.

Regards
Marg Masseni
Deputy Principal

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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St Mary's Parents & Friends is once again partnering with the local owners of Melbourne Mobile Pizza to raise funds for the School, by putting on a Pizza Fundraiser!

All pizzas are 11 inch traditional woodfired pizzas and cost $14 each. 

All will be provided fresh in a cryovac pack and can be frozen.

 

There will be 3 delivery dates in June 2023:

Orders in by Monday 5th - pick-up Thursday 8th

Orders in by Monday 12th - pick-up Thursday 15rd

Orders in by Monday 19th - pick-up Thursday 22nd

 

Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/CIOQS

 

Pick-up is from the school office at the end of the school day (from 3pm).

 

7 amazing toppings available:

Margherita

Hawaiian

Cappriciosa

Mexicana

Meatlovers

Vegetarian

Garlic and Cheese

We hope you will support this wonderful fundraiser.

Regards
The Parents & Friends Committee

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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Please note that Term 2 is a 9 week term. 

In the final week of term, we will be holding our Student Led, Parent/Teacher conferences on 19th June. Students will finish school at 1pm to enable this. 

We will finish for the Term 2 holidays on Friday 23rd June at 1.30pm.

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Check out this weeks Community News!

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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It's the little things that make life big. Even on difficult days we can help create small moments of everyday joy.  The Action for Happiness, Joyful June calendar, is full of great ways to build positive emotions. Share it with others to give them a boost too.
And...here are a few other things to try

Joyful Moment
Try this Feeling Gratitude exercise to help you appreciate the good things.

Joyful playlist: get involved!
Music is a great source of happiness. Here's a special Joyful June playlist for you to enjoy and share. Please add your favourite tunes too!

Check out Vanessa's top tips for June. Vanessa is the head of pyschology for Action for Happiness.

I hope your June is a Joyful one.

Regards
Marg Masseni
Wellbeing Leader

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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