Dear families,

What a fun time we had yesterday with our Book Week celebrations. It was so great to see a mix of bought and homemade costumes. We certainly have some talented kids (and parents!). 

Ms Lycke did a marvellous job coordinating the week and activities. Thank you for raising the profile of literature in our school, Brenda.

This week Marg and I met with a Tash from Package Landscapes to begin talks about planning our Sensory Garden. As we walked around the school, it became apparent that, despite our current thoughts, the tram area won’t work as a sensory garden. There is little space around it without infringing on the oval. Having the playground and oval so close to it would not have allowed for the space and peace a place like this should exude. We have earmarked the ‘empty mound’ surrounded by the paths to the oval, between the senior playground and bike shed. The space is already empty, we can utilise the trees already there and it provides enough space to be able to create distinct areas our students can use.

Before coming up with a design, we will be involving students in some of the planning stage, to ensure we get some input before an initial design is created. We will then be able to obtain some quotes in the lead-up to commencement.

Speaking of our tram, we can finally debut our video footage capturing its journey to our school last month, You can see it here before we upload it to our website. While he refused to add his credits to the video, I’d like to thank my son, Ryan, for putting it together for us.  His payment was getting the day off school to come and film it.

You will have read earlier this week, that we have hired John Hein as our next deputy principal from 2024. John is very excited to be joining our community and has already heard some great things about us.

Despite popular theory and much to our delight, Marg is not retiring (though I did enjoy watching her wince whenever someone asked if she was indeed retiring!). She will be working with us for 3 days per week in a role that is yet to be determined.

In other exciting staff news, Nicole Barnes and her husband, John Carland, welcomed baby Oliver Barnes Carland on 22 August weighing 3.5kg. 

We wish Nicole and John all the best in their next chapter as parents and ask God to bless little Ollie. What a cutie!

Our School Advisory Council AGM takes place next Wednesday 30 August at 7pm. With a few of our long-standing parents with children in Year 6 leaving at the end of this year, please let me know if you would like to join the council. You can find out more about our role on our website. 

Today is my last day before I commence long service leave. Mrs Masseni will step into the Acting Principal role in my absence.

All the best, until I see you all on the 9th October.

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

Father’s Day Events

Friday 1st September 2 - 3.30pm

Join us to celebrate the fathers and special men in our lives.

9 - 11am ~Father's Day Stall

2 pm ~ Father's Day Paraliturgy (Prep classes hosting)

Followed by Classroom Visits (2-2:30pm)

3:00 pm ~ Afternoon Tea in the Hall 

If you are able to join us, please RSVP here for catering purposes: https://forms.gle/oxYkB5F3yUaAiUck6

Well done to those who participated in the dress up day parade, we couldn't have asked for better weather.

We have also had other book related activities happening around the school:

•  Last week, we participated in a live performace from Perform Education titled 'Way Too Cool' to introduce us to some of the nominated books.
• Teachers completed special activities related to the shortlisted books from this year’s CBCA Book Week awards with students in their buildings.

• We had a lunchtime library reading of the shortlisted book Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall which included a craft session this afternoon. 

Check out the photo gallery attached


Thanks again for all of your support,

Brenda Lycke

Literacy Leader

blycke@smaltona.catholic.edu.au

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

Yours in Faith
Matthew Taylor
Leader of Religious Education
mtaylor@smaltona.catholic.edu.au

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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