Last Friday we were visited by Yolanda from Knowledge Society who observed staff and demonstrated lessons and observed staff in our implementation of the Daily Review. Here’s an excerpt from a former eNews article on Daily Reviews:

Yolanda taught us a lot during her demonstrations, but what was most promising is the glowing praise she had for our staff and how far we’ve come in such a short time. While we are not so much interested in comparison, Yolanda, did share that she feels we are leaps ahead of many other schools who implemented Daily Reviews at the same time. She offered high praise for staff buy-in and the enthusiasm in which the 6 staff who ‘volunteered’ prepared for and accepted feedback. Yes, I needed to approach staff to volunteer, but all of those I approached accepted easily, from graduate to experienced teachers. Yolanda informed me that some schools were unable to provide the number of staff requested.

On this World Teachers’ Day and everyday, I have the utmost respect for all our teachers and in particular, what they have implemented in such a short amount of time. There is buy-in, enthusiasm, challenge and excitement about where we are and where we are going. As one staff member expressed in our last staff meeting, “I’m in the pit, but I’m really enjoying the challenge and the learning”.

As I know how hard this career path is, it is disheartening to hear that there is currently some derogatory commentary amongst our community about staff.  I have always availed myself to parents and welcome meetings to discuss your concerns. Gossip and negativity never result in positive outcomes. I always suggest you see your child’s teacher as a first contact, but sometimes, some conversations need to take place with me directly. I encourage you to find the most appropriate ways to have your voices heard so that I can hear about your current experiences firsthand.

We had our tram’s official opening yesterday afternoon, attended by the various people representing groups who offered grants towards its refurbishment, members of the SAC, P&F and their children, representing our students adn our school captains. The ceremony began with Fr Michael blessing the tram and ended with guests and students exploring the space.

Our students have a few more days of excruciating wait before the tram is open during recess and lunch. We will share the rules and timetable for its use at Assembly on Monday with a view to opening it up on Tuesday.

Our Sensory Garden has also received a few extra large additions this week with both cubbies being installed. As you will have read, one was purchased with our fundraising money, the other was built and donated by the VCE VM students of Emmanuel College, St Paul’s campus. 

Our students are immensely enjoying this space.

We are currently looking for a new School Advisory Council member. To learn more about the role of the SAC, head to our website or contact me for a chat. We’d love to hear from you.

Our School Fun Run is gaining momentum, but we are yet to have a full class create all their profile pages. As you will recall, the first milestone we are hoping to achieve is to have a whole class create their profile pages. The class that does will receive icy poles. 
Our next big milestone, which we are actually very close to achieving, is our $5000 halfway goal. The class who is leading the fundraising when we hit this mark gets to choose which teacher will get slimed!
At next week's assembly, I will announce which classes are closest to achieving their milestones.

Have a great weekend,

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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Camp Quality's Cancer Education program has been booked to visit St Marys Primary School on Tuesday 29th October. Camp Quality’s staff has been teaching kids about cancer with a fun and interactive puppet performance, for over 33 years. The program focuses on telling the broader cancer story, including how to support someone who is facing their own cancer diagnosis or that of a loved one.

In light of how Cancer has touched many hearts in our community recently, we thought it timely that we invite the Camp Quality Team to support students and teachers. 

Please see the video from Camp Quality explaining about how they support kids with cancer below. 



If you have any questions about the program please don't hesitate to contact me.

Regards
Steph Murdoch
Wellbeing Leader

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

 

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All we need you to do this week is create an online profile at funrun.com.au. The class with the most profiles will all get an icy pole!

 

This is an inclusive fundraiser we would love you to be apart of! If you would like to come down and watch your kids run, we would love to see you there!

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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Little Kickers Sports Flyer -Little Kickers provides fun and stimulating structured lessons where we promote physical, social, emotional and cognitive development through our engaging soccer based activities for children 18months - 8 years 

Emmanual College News 

Church Bulletin

Camp Australia 

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


             

 

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

 

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Friday 1st November is the celebration of All Saints Day.
We celebrate the Holy day of obligation for Saints and Martyrs of our Church, and those who have passed into heaven. 
The Parish 9:15am mass will be led by the students of 3/4HS.

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To help celebrate National Recycling Week, children from PREP TO YEAR 6
are encouraged to design, draw or paint a poster that demonstrates
HOW TO BECOME BETTER AT RECYCLING AND MANAGING OUR RUBBISH. National Recycling Competition - For more information please click on the link

GREAT PRIZES ON OFFER FOR STUDENTS AND THEIR SCHOOL $100 GIFT VOUCHER.
For the winner of each category (Prep to Year 6) $500 SCHOOL PRIZE
Every student poster submission is entered into a draw to go
towards a sustainability initiative.

 

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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Come and join us for a private screening of Moana 2 on Thursday 28th of Nov.

Have you got your tickets yet?  

Arrival at 6.30 pm

Venue Sun Theatre. 8 Ballarat St, Yarraville.

We have the Davis Room booked.

The movie starts at 6.45 sharp.
Tickets $20 Per Person. Tickets are limited.

Children's tickets include a mini combo - drink & popcorn.
Parents must have their own tickets and stay with their child/children
during the movie.

No allocating seating.

This event is coordinated by the P&F Committee.
No School Staff will be attending this event.

Book tickets before they all are sold out.
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1259576

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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The Crochet club are making crochet poppies for Remembrance Day this November, not only for our school but for our local RSL. We welcome all to get involved in making poppies. Below is a simple poppy crochet pattern to have a go with. A box will be placed in the office
area for any poppies you want to pass on for our wreath. Enjoy 

Poppy Making for Remembrance Day - Attached is the Crocheted Poppy Pattern

 

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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Christmas Raffle Tickets are in books for 10. They are $10.00 each of 10 for $90.00

Return ticket stubs, money and unsold tickets in an envelope to the school office by Wednesday 4th December. The following prizes will be in the raffle.

1st Prize  - Free School Fees for 1 year 
2nd Prize -55" UltraHD LED LCD Tv
3rd Prize - $200 Altona sports Club Voucher


Raffle will be drawn on Thursday 5th December at School Carols Evening.

 

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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