Dear families,

Our athletics team has just returned from the District Carnival beaming with pride and triumphantly showing off their collection of ribbons. Well done, team. I’m looking forward to hearing all about the results.

We are currently exploring the possibility of engaging with a new photographer for school photos. If you are able to come onsite, we will display some examples for you to see. The display was set up at dismissal this afternoon but will also be on display on Monday morning on the netball court. Alternatively, you can see photographs of various samples in the voting form sent to families today via Operoo. You can also access the form here. 

We have a request from Christina, one of our amazing mums who volunteers her time tending to our gardens:

I share with you today, the news that Mr Tim Creak will be finishing up his time with St Mary’s at the end of this year.  You may not know this, but Tim has been commuting to and from Ocean Grove to get to St Mary’s every morning. What a commitment! 

Tim will have a far more manageable commute next year when he joins the community of St Catherine of Siena in Armstrong Creek. 

We thank Mr Creak for his dedication to the students in his care over these last few years. We will miss you, but I am certain you won't miss the travel!

I am able to confirm that after recent interviews for the Deputy Principal position, we have appointed someone to the role for 2024. We will make an announcement early next week.

Tomorrow, our Year 6 students will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. I ask for your prayers for the candidates and for God’s blessing on them and their families. May the Holy Spirit be reignited in them so they can continue to be people who are able to share their gifts and fruits with the world.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

Today we gather to spread the word that bullying is not okay. We want you to take care of others and treat each other with respect. This year's theme for national day against bullying is making connections so we can create less bullying.

We have some strategies that might help if you or someone else is being bullied... 

• Walk away
• Ignore them
• Ask them to stop
• And use the 3 R`S (Report, Recognize and Refuse!)  

If this doesn’t work, then make sure you tell a trusted adult,

Or a teacher that you feel comfortable with.

Each class signed our bullying pledge and wrote a message about making connections and bullying awareness.

We will display the messages on the board outside the staffroom and around the school with your Bullying Pledges for everyone to read later. 

Today we will say our school's Anti Bullying Promise altogether. 

Stop and think about your promise next time you are thinking of doing something hurtful to others. 

Please repeat after us…

*I promise / that I will do my best / to make our school “Bully Free”.

*I promise / that I will do something helpful / if I see anyone being bullied \or I am being bullied.

Thank you to everyone – students, parents and staff -  who joined in our activities this week by …

• wearing a splash of orange 
• coming to this assembly
• And joining in on making the posters

Our noticeboard outside the staffroom is a reminder for you to spread the word that bullying is not okay. Please make sure you take a look at it.   

Wise words from our student leaders.  We hope that you find time as a family to discuss this important day and come up with ideas of how your family can make connections.

Make every day a Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.

Regards

Marg Masseni
Wellbeing Leader

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

A significant and formal way in which we engage and gather data is through MACSSIS, the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys.

MACSSIS is a set of surveys that have been built specifically for Catholic schools in Melbourne by the Learning Services team at MACS, in partnership with researchers at Learning First and in wide consultation with principals in our schools.

In 2023, students, families and staff are invited to participate in MACSSIS via our secure and purpose-built online platform. The online platform is where our school leaders will access the summary reports that visualise the results of the student, family and staff surveys.

The MACSSIS survey platform is operated by an independent supplier, ORIMA Research Pty Ltd. The platform meets with the high security and privacy standards for handling student and school data. Participating schools are in the process of updating their privacy policy to ensure school communities are fully informed and protected. 

Students at our school will be provided with supervised sessions, where teachers are on hand to help and answer any questions. Families and staff can complete the survey anytime over the three-week window via an emailed link and password. Feedback has indicated that previous surveys were completed across a range of mobile devices and different web browsers. Schools will be providing more information about MACSSIS throughout Term 2 and 3, via newsletters and social media.

Our community’s opinions are critical to understanding how our school is performing – MACSSIS is a key data source for guiding the ongoing work to improve our school.

All participation is invited, welcomed and 100 per cent voluntary. The surveys are not a test; they are an inclusive way to support the work we are already doing to improve our school. Everyone has the right to refuse to participate, or withdraw from the survey at any point before, during or after completion of the survey. Please notify the school if your child does not wish to participate.

If you would like more information, please contact the school.

Regards

Sonia Riccardi
Principal

                  Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

On Thursday, the students attended a performance called WAY TOO COOL! based on books from the CBCA Shortlist for this year's Book Week, celebrating the theme: theme: READ, GROW, INSPIRE!

​

This highly interactive musical adventure explored situations every audience member, regardless of their age or background, will be able to relate to. At its heart WAY TOO COOL! is a celebration of the way books and the 2023 CBCA Shortlist can inspire every individual on their journey of personal growth and development.
The journey led students, with the characters, through the twists and turns of friendship and mapping out a way to solve their differences using empathy, kindness and a strong sense of humour.

What a great way to get ready for next week!


                    



          



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

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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


             

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage