Dear families,
There has been a quietly creeping sense of Spring entering the air this week. How exciting and unfathomable at the same time to think that September is looming closer.
Last weekend was a huge one for the St Mary’s community.
We had more First Eucharist celebrations on Saturday. We congratulate and pray for the following students and ask our Lord to bless them in this next stage of their faith journey: Katy, Sienna, Charli, Allegra, Adelaide, Milania, Joseph, Blake, Aisha and Elizabeth.
We also had our famous Bunnings BBQ and cake stall on Sunday. A massive thank you to all who helped with the stalls, donated goods and money or came along on the day to purchase a sausage or cookie or two. An extra big thank you to Vee and Katrina for coordinating their respective stalls and being there all day. I know there’s a bit of friendly rivalry between the stalls each year and 2024 was no exception! We raised over $5000 on the day. What a mammoth achievement. Stay tuned for how we will put these funds to use soon.
While we’re on the topic of funds, you will have read by now that we have finally succeeded in being selected for a grant to commence work on Stage 1A of our Master Plan. This stage includes the whole of the back senior building and the 2 adjoining junior classrooms. While demolition is quite a way away, we will soon commence working with project managers from MACS and share these plans with the wider community as they become finalised. This is an exciting and much-needed development in the infrastructure of our school.
Our 2023 Annual Report to the School Community has now been published on our school website. This annual report summarises the achievements of the school against the yearly goals we set. You can access it here.
Closure Day: 16th August
Next Friday our school will once again, alongside most of the Catholic schools in the western region, embark of Day 2 of our Flourishing Learners professional learning. This second day will focus on whole school instruction of Literacy. As you may know, our school has been providing a phonics-based approach to the teaching of reading for many years already. Engagement in this day will provide clearer methods to ensure continuity and fidelity to the processes we know work best for our students. We look forward to sharing more of the learning from the day soon.
Staff news
Earlier this week, Mrs Ronnie Tucker informed us of the passing of her father, Paul Collins. Paul’s funeral will be held at St Peter’s, Keilor this coming Wednesday at 10:30am. A group of staff will be in attendance. We send our condolences to the Tucker and Collins family and pray for the eternal repose of Paul’s soul.
Last week, we welcomed Jayden Sammut to our support staff. If the name sounds familiar, it is because he is the son of Jane Sammut, who worked with us for many years before taking up a support role at MSJ. Welcome to our community, Jayden.
We wish you a peaceful weekend and look forward to the warmer weather ahead,
Event Schedule:
We encourage all dads, grandfathers, and father figures to join us for this meaningful event with their children. It promises to be a day filled with joy, laughter, and cherished memories.
To further enhance our Father’s Day celebration we are putting together a powerpoint presentation for the liturgy. We encourage all families to add a slide which shows our students with their father figure/s. All of the instructions can be found on the first slide of the powerpoint.
We can’t wait to celebrate Father’s Day together!
John Hein
Deputy Principal
In 2024, we will use the MACSSIS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys) to collect this feedback. Developed specifically for Catholic schools in Melbourne, MACSSIS is managed through a secure online platform by ORIMA Research Pty Ltd.
Students in Years 4 - 6 will complete the surveys during supervised sessions, while families and staff can access theirs via a secure link and password over a three-week period beginning September 2nd- September 20th 2024.
Participation is voluntary however please remember that the feedback we receive will help guide our efforts to enhance our school.
Links and PINS fpr the survey will have been emailed out to families. If you did not receive yours, please email Sonia to have this re-sent. Please note that we have sent one survey per family.
If you have questions,please contact the school for more information.
Regards
Sonia
By now, every family should have receives a box of Cadbury freddos and Caramello Koalas to sell to their friends, family and community.
The details are as follows:
The eldest student will receive the box on behalf of their family.
There will be a 2-week period in which the money must be returned to the office in a clearly labelled envelope.
Chocolates sold at $1 per unit, totalling $60 for the box.
If families would like more chocolates to sell, please let the office know and this can be arranged.
Funds raised will go towards recreational & sports equipment.