St. Mary's eNews

Week 2 Term 3


Principal's Message: 21 July 2023

Dear families,


It’s been a busy week as always.  I hope you haven’t felt the cold too much.

 

I have received feedback regarding recent event planning and the short notice given to families in preparation. I apologise for the angst this has caused and assure you we endeavour to do better.


Celebrations and upcoming events


This weekend we celebrate the first of two First Eucharist celebrations on Saturday morning. 

We offer our best wishes to all the First Eucharist candidates. May this special day be filled with joy, love, and a deeper connection with our Lord. May you always find strength and guidance in the precious gift of the Eucharist. 


We celebrate our Grandparents this coming Wednesday with Grandparents Day. We will begin with our Parish Mass at 9:15, followed by classroom visits and morning tea in the hall. 


We have many great events in the coming months.  Stay tuned for more details but in the meantime, please make a note in your calendars:


  • 26 July Eucharist family Faith night
  • 29 July: Bunnings BBQ and Cake Stall, Altona North Bunnings
  • 3 August Confirmation family Faith night
  • 18 August: Disco (Prep - Year 2: 5pm - 6:15pm; Years 3 - 6: 6:30pm - 8pm - Year 3s can choose which one to attend)
  • 1 September: Father’s Day Stall (morning, prepared by the P&F)
  • 2pm: Father’s Day Paraliturgy hosted by our Prep classes; 2:30pm: classroom visits; 3pm: afternoon tea
  • 27 October: Walkathon
  • 30 November: Movie Night at the Sun Theatre

Canteen update


Our Monday and Friday Canteen/lunch order service resumes this coming week. We continue to trial our new Wednesday online lunch orders. Please follow this link to access the menu options online if you are still having trouble accessing the platform from your Android device.


Sensory Garden/Tram update


At this week’s School Advisory Council meeting, we discussed the option of combining our newly acquired tram with our sensory garden to create a new concept for an indoor/outdoor sensory area for our students. We have already raised and pledged $20,000 towards the garden itself and these funds, along with others we will raise for the tram, could create something incredibly unique and spectacular. As this is a new concept, I’d be curious to hear your thoughts. I am still very interested in including our students in the creation of this space to ensure it is both built by them and for them. Please share your thoughts here.


Some difficult news


You may remember that a few years ago, one of our beloved students, Dario, who is currently in Year 5, was diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately, Dario once again, faces an immense challenge, as he continues to receive treatment. 

We humbly request everyone keep Dario and his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May our collective prayers serve as a beacon of hope and courage, filling their hearts with strength, resilience, and a deep sense of comfort.

Together in prayer, let’s send healing thoughts and positive intentions to Dario. May he and his family find the courage to face each day with determination, knowing they have a caring Catholic community supporting them on this challenging path.


Staffing


This term, we welcomed a new staff member to our community. Mr Tim Wellington joins our dedicated learning support staff and will work with our Junior students and teachers on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Welcome, Tim!



Wishing you all a restful weekend,





Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



Bunnings BBQ

Our next big fundraiser will be a Bunnings BBQ and bake sale. Come along and support our fundraising efforts.

With your help, we'll have our children playing on our vintage tram in no time!

You may also like to help out with donations or running our stall. To do so, please let us know how you can help here.

Grandparent's Day



Confirmation family Faith night



Save the date - Eucharist family night

We know that on the same night there is scheduled a CyberSafety presentation for parents, however you can register to receive a recording of that presentation to view at a later date if you wish.

Save the Date: CyberSafety Webinar

The next CyberSafety Project webinar will be held on Wednesday 26th July and is titled Gaming and your family.

Gaming today is social. It’s where young people go to play, connect and communicate with their friends.
 This webinar will uncover the appeal of gaming, expose the ways game developers encourage young people to regularly play and provide practical tips for helping to manage screen time and the development of self regulation skills in young gamers.

You can register for this and furture webinars via this link.


Future webinars will be held on: 
17th October: Digital balance and wellbeing  
 
We hope you can put these dates in your calendars and make the time to participate.  

Regards
Marg Masseni
Wellbeing Leader / Child Safety Officer


Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



Bunnings Stall Help Needed


Stall assistance & home made goods are still very much needed to make this a successful fundraiser for Saturday 29th July.

Can you help on the day?

Please email k.krol@live.com.au for further information re donating. Or also see the Bunnings BBQ article on the Homepage

School Tuck Shop Updates

The School Tuck shop has resumed on Mondays and Fridays.
During Term 3 we will continue to trial the QKR! app on Wednesdays

However, the onsite tuckshop is back on Mondays & Fridays.

Students can place their orders as done previously (writing the order on a paper bag with money included and giving to their classroom teacher on Monday and Friday mornings.)

Community News

Bayside Netball Club are still looking for some new 9 years and under players and we have information included about a new holiday program.  You can sign up for Creative Music lessons in Term 3 and also read our Parish Bulletin.

Mount St Josephs and Emmanuel College have Open Days and Information mornings coming up. 

Click the links below to find out more. 

Westgate July Vacation Care: Holiday Program
$10 per day with CCS Rebate

Church Bulletin

Bayside Netball Club

School Holiday Special Interest Groups

OSHC Newsletter

Emmanuel College News

MSJ Open Morning

Basketball Camp

Music Lessons
Creative Music will run lessons in Term 3 - sign up now.


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


             




Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



Literacy: Book Week Dress Up Day

We have many exciting activites planned for Book Week this term from August 17th to August 25th.

One activity will be a dress up day on Thursday August 24th. 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.

     

                        




Brenda Lycke
Literacy Leader
blycke@smaltona.catholic.edu.au

                     





Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage