Dear Parents

This Sunday we commence a new Liturgical Year as we start with the First Sunday of Advent. In this new liturgical year, the Church not only wishes to indicate the beginning of a period, but the beginning of a renewed commitment to the faith by all those who follow Christ, the Lord.

The season of Advent is a season of waiting, that prepares us to welcome the mystery of the Word Incarnate, who will give the ‘Light’ to the womb of the Virgin Mary. At school over the last few weeks five of our children have also been waiting and preparing. Waiting and preparing for the sacrament of Reconciliation. Last night culminated in four children receiving the sacrament and one a special blessing at our Church. Well done to the families and teachers who have been working and ‘preparing’ the students this term.

Our final working POD (Grade 2, 3 and 4) is nearly complete after furnishings arrived yesterday. The building program internally is very close to completion and outside some footpaths and ramps are all that remains. I am hoping parents will be able to see our finished refurbishment before the end of the year.

The school will keep monitoring COVID regulations as we hope to celebrate our Grade Six students graduating from primary school. The teachers have some different options they are working towards and are hopeful a ceremony and day out celebrating together will be allowed in the current climate.

Prepare seems to be the word of the week. The school is preparing for the 2021 school year. Next year in 2021 we will have all of our flexible spaces (PODS) in working order. In POD 1 we have Foundation and Grade 1. The classroom teachers in this space will be Virginia Hellings, Kerry Barton and Serrin Stobie. In POD 2 we will have Grade 5 and Grade 6. The teachers in this space will be Di Austin, Samantha Zabaneh and Michael Todd. We welcome Sammi from St Mary’s Bairnsdale and she is looking forward to joining our staff. In POD 3 we will have Grade 2, Grade 3 and Grade 4. The teachers in this space will be Kathy MacLean, Bec Halley and Tara Battista. We are also fortunate to have some extra funding because of lost learning opportunities due to COVID. We will be using this funding to employ some mentor teachers to help some of our students in a variety of ways to support learning.

In the next newsletter I will share the full staff list to include the leadership positions, Learning Support Officers and administration positions. We will also have the opportunity to thank Kate Donald who will be working at Catholic College Sale full-time next year and Tina Verstedan who has resigned from her teaching position. We thank both of these ladies for the contributions they have made to St Mary’s.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend.

Jason

Congratulations to Hannah Bagguley, Jack Murphy, Geogia Rawson and Ella Rees who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Wednesday night.  Also, congratulations to Bella Smyth, who received a Special Blessing.

The children were joined by their parents as they received this special sacrament.                         Fr Siju congratulated all of the children on their preparation and participation.

Well done to you all.

Book School Interviews Online

School Photos are still online and available to order for 2020

On photo day all students received a flyer which includes a code unique to them.

You will require this 2020 code to register online and view your photos.

If you registered earlier this year, you will be able to log back into your account to view your images.

If you have not yet registered, please go to order.arphotos.com.au and enter your unique code to complete your order.

If you have misplaced your registration code or are unsure if you have registered, please contact the Arthur Reed Photos customer service team directly on 5243 4390 or customerservice@arphotos.com.au

Please note that you will need to register online with your 2020 photo code to gain access to this year’s images.

All photo packages are currently being sent home in, so please ensure that you enter the correct details and nominated shipping address upon checkout.

If you require any assistance ordering your photos, please contact Arthur Reed Photos directly on 5243 4390 or email customerservice@arphotos.com.au

Icy poles will be available to buy every Friday until the end of this term for 50c.

Please remember St Mary's has a 'No Hat - No Play' policy.  All children must wear hats in term 1 and 4.  If they do not have a hat they will have to spend recess or lunchtime under the shade of the gazebo.

St Mary's School takes pride in its official uniform.  It has been established over many years and is recognised as an economical and practical code of dress.  Parents are required that the full uniform is worn at all times. 

The school uniform identifies students as members of the St. Mary's School Community.  The children are encouraged to wear their uniform with pride and behave in a manner, which reflects creditably on themselves, their families and their school.

Stobies Land and Surf, Maffra, will be stocking St Mary's uniform.  They have asked for you to visit them as soon as you are able so they can ensure your order will arrive before the 2021 school year.  

Wednedsday 16th December, 2020 is the last day of term 4 for students.

TERM 1 - Thursday  28th January - Thursday 1st April

(students return Monday 1st February)

TERM 2 - Monday 19th April - Friday 25th June

TERM 3 - Monday 12th July - Friday 17th September

TERM 4 - Monday 4th October - Friday 17th December

WEEKEND MASSES

Heyfield:

Saturday    6:00pm

Maffra:

Sunday    9:00am 

Cowwarr:

1st and 3rd Sunday   11:00am

Newry:

2nd and 4th Sunday  11:00am

Dargo:

5th Sunday   12:00pm

WEEKDAY MASSES

Heyfield:

Tuesday      9:30am

Maffra:

Wednesday   9:30am

Thursday      9:30am

Friday          9:30am