St Mary's eNews

Week 4 Term 3


Principal's Message: 9th August 2024

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,





Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

 



School Closure

School Closure on Friday 16th August 2024. Staff will be attending Professional Development on this day.

If you need your child booked into Camp Australia for the day, please contact them to make a booking.

Community News

Take a look at this weeks Community News, that includes the Church Bulletin, Emmanuel College and Camp Australia.
We have also included Mount St.Joseph's Gala and reunion information.
Emmanuel College - Check out the latest news 

Church Bulletin - 

Mount St. Joseph Gala Dinner
Mount St. Joseph Girls' College has enjoyed a fantastic year celebrating our 60th anniversary. The culmination of this anniversary year is our Gala Dinner and Alumnae Reunion. 
Mount St. Jospeh Reunion

Camp Australia Newsletter 


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


             
 

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

 



QuizzaMe: Trivia Night

With over 114 tickets now sold we only have a few tickets available. We’re closing sales end of business Monday 9th September. 
 
To purchase tickets ?️ 
 
We’re super excited for next Friday 13th September parents trivia night finally arriving. Soon all those who purchased tickets will receive an email with a few details, recommendations and question's answered about the night. Please share with those you have purchased tickets for. 
 
Feel free to add accessories to your table colour and get into the spirit of the night. Prizes will be given out to good sports. We have a roving photographer at the start of our evening. 
 
Don’t be late! Doors open to waterfront room from 6.30pm. Trivia starts 7pm sharp. Allow for time to register at front desk at sports club. Remember you can book the courtesy bus!
 
More details outlined in email to follow. 
 
Yay to our community coming together! 

St Mary’s Parents and Friends Committee 

 


Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage






Father's Day: Gifts and Creations

Father’s Day is approaching.
We're calling out for our Father’s Day STALL donations & creations.
Keep an eye out for deals at the Supermarket, local stores or get
crafty with the kids. There will be a container at the front office to drop donations off.

All fundraising is going towards recreational & sports equipment.
Thank you for your generosity and support.

Regards
The Parents & Friends Committee


Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



Father's Day Celebration

We are thrilled to announce our upcoming Father’s Day event, taking place on 30th August! This special afternoon will be a wonderful opportunity for our school community to come together and celebrate the important role that fathers and father figures play in our children’s lives.


Event Schedule:

  • 2:00 PM - Liturgy: We will kick off the festivities with a liturgy in the church. This gathering will allow us to reflect on and express our gratitude for the love and support fathers provide. 
  • 2:30 PM - Classroom Visits: After the liturgy, we invite families to visit their children’s classrooms. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to witness the incredible work our students have been engaged in throughout the year. You will also be able to participate in a special Father’s Day activity.
  • 3:00 PM - Afternoon Tea: To wrap up our celebration, we will host an afternoon tea in the school hall. Join us for a bite to eat and the chance to mingle with other families and staff. 

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


Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

 



2024 Non Government School Census 2024

The Australian Government Department of Education (the department) would like to advise all staff,parents and guardians that it will collect certain information about your school, its staff and student body as part of the 2024 Non-government schools census collection (the census).

Please find more information regarding the data collection with the link below.

Census Information 2024


 


 

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



MACSSIS - School Improvement Surveys

Last chance to complete the MACSSIS Survey as it closes today.

Each year, St Mary's Primary School seeks feedback from our students, families, and staff to understand how our learning community is performing. This feedback is crucial for our progress and is supported by research and best practices.


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 


Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage



Cadbury Chocolate Fundraiser

Just a small reminder that the Cadbury Chocolate Fundraiser money is returned to the front office by Friday 13th September 2024!

 

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. 


Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage