Dear families,
As the 2023 school year comes to a close, I want to thank you for the way you have worked with us to ensure we are providing the best education for your children.
I am already looking forward to the new school year and all the exciting things planned. Before I list some of the things happening in the new year, I’d like to acknowledge the staff who are moving on in 2024.
Mr Taylor will be moving to St Matthew’s Fawkner, as their new Deputy Principal. I do not doubt that the school will flourish under his leadership and strong curriculum content knowledge. I thank Matt for his leadership and collegiality and know he is destined for great things.
Ms Cloud is looking forward to returning as a replacement teacher in the new year. The children will very much look forward to having her return.
Mrs Ibrahim has been a wonderful tutor for our students requiring extra support through the Government’s Tutor initiative. We hope we will see her again soon.
Taylah Brennan joined us late in the year as a learning support staff member. She has been a wonderful addition to our staff in the short time she has been with us and will definitely leave her mark. We wish her the best at St Augustine’s.
Mrs Pelar will also return as a replacement teacher in 2024. She did an amazing role substituting for Mrs Richards while she was on parental leave and has also provided great support and extension opportunities for our students.
We acknowledge the students and families who are leaving St Mary’s. As well our our Year 6s, we wish the Wrights, ALexanders, Robins and Bell families all the best for their moves to new schools, suburbs and even states.
For those who couldn’t make it to our end of year Mass, you may read my speech here.
As promised, next year holds some great things for our school. I’ve already highlighted a few projects that will take place around the school, but as well as some physical changes, we are looking forward to partnering with Real Schools for some great work around school culture and a new bent on restorative practices.
We will also be working closely with Royal Children’s Hospital CASEA team (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and Schools Early Action Program). You can read more about this incredible work in a separate article in this week’s eNews. More information will follow early in the new year.
Our school will be involved in exploring the Science of Learning through MACS. This program will see us implementing some great evidence-based practices across all classrooms. I look forward to sharing this great new learning with you.
Finally, I wish you all the best for a safe and happy Christmas. May the peace of the new-born Lord bless you and your family over the break and throughout the new year.
Our school has invited the CAMHS and Schools: Early Action Program (CASEA) to be part of the school community for 2024.
All Prep to Grade 3 parents will receive information and surveys from the Royal Children’s Hospital regarding the CASEA program at the beginning of Term 1, 2024.
This program will run at St Mary’s Primary School in Terms 1 and 2, 2024, and its aim is to promote: prosocial behaviour, positive self-esteem, social skills, problem-solving skills and assertiveness. During Term 2, teachers will conduct classroom activities that focus on teaching students interpersonal, problem-solving and conflict resolution skills. The CASEA Activities will be fun, practical, hands-on and child-focused. The children are taught in constructive and engaging ways to improve their capacity to regulate their behaviours and act appropriately, improve social relationships with others and develop their social problem-solving skills.
The CASEA Team will also conduct small parent and child groups on a Tuesday in Term 2 for students and families who would benefit from some extra assistance and social strategies.
This program will be run by Bec Sobell and Bo Nixon (Psychologists), along with a Provisional Psychologist, all from the Royal Children’s Hospital. Two staff members from St. Mary’s will co-facilitate these sessions.
We will send more information at the beginning of Term 1 in 2024.
Regards,
Sonia Riccardi (Principal)
The annual Run for the Kids is happening on Sunday the 17th of March 2024. The Run for the Kids supports the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal.
We know that the Good Friday Appeal unites many and holds a special place in the hearts of many people in our community. We are reaching out to any families who may wish to join some of the St Mary’s staff to participate in the event.
There are multiple events that you and your family can be a part of, ranging from walking to running two distances of 4.8km or 14.4km. There is even an option to volunteer! We have a number of staff joining in both of the courses.
If you are interested in joining us, you can sign up using this link to join our team. Please note that you can only join the St Mary’s team by using the link below:
https://www.registernow.com.au/secure/Register.aspx?E=50163&G=188974
You can also help us reach our fundraising goal by donating to the appeal via this link:
https://runforthekids.gofundraise.com.au/page/STMARYSALTONA
Money raised will continue to support projects in the following areas of the Royal Children’s Hospital:
If you have any questions or would like some more information, you can contact Miss Sottile asottile@smaltona.catholic.edu.au or visit the Run for the Kids website https://www.runforthekids.com.au/
As we enter into the final month of the school year, it’s time to think about avoiding the ‘Summer reading slide’.
Like many skills we acquire in our lives, if we don’t use them on a regular basis, we lose them. This holds true with reading, including important skills in decoding, comprehension, visualisation, thinking and language ability.
Over the summer, it’s important to keep up a reading routine with your children that is easy to manage and enjoyable. Here are some tips to instil the love of reading and literature into your family routines:
You can also make use of the following programs:
https://www.speldsa.org.au/SPELD-SA-Phonic-Readers-New-Series
Brenda Lycke
Literacy Leader
blycke@smaltona.catholic.edu.au