Dear families,

As we come to the end of a term filled with the usual bustle of first term events and unexpected and difficult events, we take time to remember the season of Easter in our Church.  The current Lenten period is one of reflection, repentance and preparation. 

As we head into Easter, I hope you can take some time to share in the joy and celebration that is this season for us.

Earlier this week, we had morning tea provided for us by Emmanuel College (St Paul’s) to recognise the difficult term we faced as a community. I thank their Principal, Dr Janine Biggin, for this kind gesture. It was a lovely way to share a meal and solidified for me the amazing community to which I am fortunate to belong.

Staffing update

This week, Mrs Marg Jones informed me that she will be resigning after her Long Service Leave in Term 2.  Marg has been an amazing support person to many of our students, particularly those in the Year 3/4 level. We will make sure we arrange a time for Marg to visit in the latter part of the year so the children can catch up with her one last time. 

Next term, as mentioned in a former newsletter, STEM lessons will replace Performing Arts lessons as Ms Bek Pelar takes on a specialist role while Mrs Hamilton continues to recover from surgery.

Professional Learning

On Tuesday April 16th, we will once again welcome our Real Schools facilitator, Daniel Vella on site. During the day, Daniel will model some of the strategies we’ve been introduced to in classrooms. Staff will take turns observing these lessons and Daniel will then follow up with a staff meeting where we will have the opportunity to debrief and learn more about the applications of the strategies we’ve been learning about. 

Later that evening, at 6pm, Daniel will run a brief parent session where he will outline the Real Schools approach. I am looking forward to having our parent community meet Daniel and learn more about the processes we will be implementing with his expertise.

On April 26th our teaching staff will attend a professional earning day with the staff of many other Catholic schools in the Western region. This will commence our work around the Science of Learning. We look forward to sharing our new learning with you in the future.

Project manager, anyone?

I tell people all the time, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help”. Today I’m following my own advice! 

We’re looking for anyone who would be interested in taking up a volunteer project management role for our sensory garden. I have a few leads/ideas but would love to be able to pass on the baton to see this work come to fruition.

If you, or someone you know, may be interested, I’d love to have a chat. 

Please feel free to contact me via email (sriccardi@smaltona.catholic.edu.au).  

Uniform

I’ve received a few queries in regards to the uniform. While we work on updating the existing uniform policy, please note the following (about the new uniform):

• While we have done away with strict winter/summer uniforms, some pieces are interchangeable, but some items remain strictly sports wear  
• If your child has transitioned to the full new uniform, all socks are to be navy (both for regular uniform and sports days)
• Skorts are to be worn on sports days only. If your child prefers to wear a skirt, these are now an option as part of our regular uniforms
• White long-sleeved polos are to be worn under the tunic only as not as a standalone item
• There are 2 types of shorts - 1 pair is for the regular uniform and the microfibre pair are for sports days

If you have any further queries about our uniform, please let us know.

I wish you and your family a blessed Easter and wish our students a wonderful break.

---

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

 

---

Our Mother's Day Mass will be held on Friday 10th May at 10am. It will be preceded by morning tea in the hall at 8:45am and classroom visits from 9:25am. Everyone is welcome. Once again we would love to put together a slide presentation for our Mother's Day mass - one that helps us to celebrate the many mothers, grandmothers, aunts and other significant women in the lives of our children.

We ask that you make a slide for your family in the linked presentation.

There is an instruction slide included. Our Year 3 - 6 students are quite good at working with Google Slides and I am sure that they would be able to help you. If that's not possible please don't hesitate to contact me via EMAIL - mmasseni@smaltona.catholic.edu.au and I will give you a hand.

I still have access to the slides from last year and can transfer slides over if you are not able to make a new one this year. Once again, send me an email and I will check to see if I have one for you.

---

We are very aware that we have put quite a few requests out recently, but if you can see your way clear to read below and see if you can help us out that would be wonderful.
This year we’re asking our Dads, Grandads, Special Men of St. Mary's to assist students shop our Mother’s Day stall. Volunteers wanted Friday the 10th of May in the School Hall.

Hours required are 9-11 am.
All volunteers need a valid WWC check.
If you can help out please email parentsfriends@smaltona.catholic.edu.au
A Working With Children Check is FREE. Apply here



We are also calling out for Mother’s Day gift creations and donations.
We're looking for donations of items to sell at our Mother's Day stall. This way 100% of proceeds can go towards our fundraising goal this year
of purchasing new and maintaining recreational and sports equipment.

Creations include our students getting crafty making multiple bracelets, bookmarks, keychains, sugar scrubs and earrings Mum would love.

Donation ideas; Chocolate, lollies, cookies, candles, hand cream, bath bombs, lip gloss and nail polish. New comfy slippers, socks, eye masks, photo frames, drink bottles.

---

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

---

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.

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


             

---

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

---

Hopefully you have read the Operoo note sent this week about our partnership with Real Schools and the information session they are running for families on 16th April.  It will run from 6 - 6.30pm and will be held upstairs in the TRI Centre. This session promises to offer valuable insights and strategies aimed at enhancing the educational journey of our students using a restorative behavior model.

The session is for adults only however we are able to offer child minding for school and 4 year old kinder aged children.  Please indicate via the Operoo note if you will be attending. We will send a google form shortly so you can advise us if you will require child minding.

In the meantime and so you can put a face to the presenter, click here to view a short video featuring Daniel Vella, our Real Schools expert facilitator.  In the video he explains the nature of our partnership and a little about the information session.

We hope you can join us.

Regards
Marg Masseni
Mental Health Leader

---

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

---

There have been a few items removed and a few price changes on our school tuck shop menu. Please see our updated menu here

---