Dear families,

What a miserably cold, wet and windy start we’ve had to Spring this week. Let’s hope we will soon have a reason to wear our hats outside.

I hope all the fathers and special men in our community had a lovely father’s day. It was great to see so many of you attend our celebration last Friday.

Please read our separate article this week inviting you to complete the yearly MACSSIS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools School Improvement Survey). This important survey provides us with valuable information across many aspects of your child’s schooling. The data provided helps drive some of our annual decision-making. We encourage you to complete the survey and have your opinions heard.

St Mary’s was proudly represented by a large group of students at last week’s District event. We offer our congratulations to the 27 students who made it through to the Athletics Finals next week. Good luck, team!

Continuing St Mary’s proud sporting history, we offer our congratulations to Chloe Agius who last month represented Victoria in the SSV National Hockey Championships in Cairns. Chloe and her team had an amazing tournament, winning all 6 of their games to finish undefeated with a gold medal. It’s the first time in 74 years, the Victorian girls’ team have won the competition.

Congratulations on a momentous win, Chloe.

Early next term, we will be surveying parents on homework. We will be reviewing our existing policy and ensuring it reflects both current research and community expectations. Homework has always been a hot-button issue and is one of those policies that will never meet the needs and expectations of every member of a community. We are hopeful that we will find a balance that works for our families and teachers.

Watch out for a survey early next term, once the MACSSIS survey window has closed.

Wishing you all a peaceful weekend.

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

To purchase tickets  

https://www.trybooking.com/CIOFU

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

We encourage you to send information to your families  to attend a match. All u/18’s can enter any AFLW game free, and adults are just $15. The best way to secure your tickets is via the following link - Book your tickets here

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

Please pack a yummy lunchbox for these days.

The tuckshop will be open again next term.

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

If your child would like to enter this competition please click on the below link or ask Mrs Murdoch for a printed form. 

https://www.respect.gov.au/respectcompetition



Stephanie Murdoch
Wellbeing Leader 
smurdoch@smaltona.catholic.edu.au

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

The focus is on arming families with the tools and knowledge to achieve a healthy relationship with gaming at home. You’ll discover it’s all about finding balance – If gaming, was all positive, we wouldn’t have parents and healthcare professional’s concerns. If gaming was all negative, we wouldn’t see the joy and sense of community and belonging that it can bring.

• Learn why children are gaming instead of doing other activities
• Understand the culture and psychology of gaming
• Discover where the line blurs between healthy and unhealthy gaming
• Learn how to help children build resilience and gain life perspective

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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

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. 
  
  

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

In prep, students delved into the world of farms and the animals that live on them. They explored various types of farms, learned about the different products farm animals produce, and understood how these products undergo changes. The focus on the life cycles of farm animals offered a comprehensive view of how animals grow and change.

In the junior building, the spotlight was on the five senses. Students identified and explained each sense and its role in everyday life, using familiar objects to design and create instruments that produce different sounds. This hands-on activity helped them grasp the practical applications of sound.

Middle school students tackled the science of states of matter. They investigated which materials serve as the best thermal conductors and insulators and demonstrated their understanding of heat energy and its transfer. By exploring how liquids and solids react to temperature changes, they gained valuable insights into the physical properties of different substances.

Senior school students engaged in some sizzling science experiments, focusing on the concept of energy. They examined the different forms energy can take, such as kinetic, potential, and thermal energy. Students learned how energy can be stored, transformed, and conserved, and investigated the essential elements needed for circuits to function. This comprehensive exploration of energy dynamics provided them with a deeper understanding of how energy operates in both everyday and scientific contexts.

Overall, this term has been a testament to the students’ hard work and curiosity across a wide range of topics. Their dedication and enthusiasm have been truly impressive, and we look forward to continuing this journey of discovery in the upcoming term.

Next week I will post about the fun and engaging inquiry topics which will be explored in term 4.

Mr Hein

Deputy Principal

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

We encourage students and their families to submit their creative designs for the Gaga pits. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase artistic flair and contribute to enhancing our school’s play areas.

Additionally, the Junior School Council is seeking naming suggestions for the Gaga Pits. If you have a fun and imaginative name that captures the spirit of these vibrant spaces, we’d love to hear it!

Please submit your design and naming ideas by September 18. The winning designs will be brought to life by our talented art team, and the chosen names will add a unique touch to our newly decorated Gaga pits.

We look forward to your creative contributions and are excited to see how our school community can come together to make this project a success!

John Hein

Deputy Principal

Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage