Dear Parents,

I welcome you all to the start of the 2021 year. The children have settled in extremely well. It has been a busy week with the years 1-6 attending swimming lessons. It was great to see all the Foundation students and new children in other levels enjoying themselves and settling into their new education environment. We hope your time at St Mary’s Maffra is fulfilling and enjoyable. To all of the parents, please remember that we are here for you, please contact Jason, myself or your child’s teacher. 

Already we have been impacted with new state-wide Coronavirus restrictions that came into effect yesterday. St Mary’s also follows guidelines provided by the Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited. These guidelines are reviewed regularly and updated inline with state-wide restrictions. All school staff have completed the eLearn module, School and early childhood infection prevention and control during coronavirus (COVID-19). 

We will continue to keep you informed of school procedures via email and stmmaffra@schoolzineplus.com

We welcome back Jason on Tuesday. Jason has been on leave following the death of his mother. On behalf of the school community we send our condolences to Jason and his family at this sad time. We look forward to his return.

I hope you all have an enjoyable weekend. 

Liz

Welcome to Our 2021 Foundation Students:

Piper, Riley B, Estelle, Ollie, Luella, Keely, Lexi, Violet, Freddie, Levi, Summer, George, Mackenzie, Milla, Alby, Jack, Lucy, Frankie, Riley G, Zoe, Bam, Louis and Jimmy.

Welcome to Our New Families:

We welcome Indyana (3/4)

Olivia (2/3) and Cooper (3/4)

School Begins: 9am

Recess:  11am-11:30am

Lunch Playtime:  1pm-1:50pm

Dismissal:  3:20pm

Although children arriving on the early bus will be supervised from 8:20am, we ask that all other children not arrive before 8:30am.  A teacher will be on duty in the mornings.  Classrooms will be open from 8:45am each morning.

Children are not to enter or leave the school via the front office entrance unless accompanied by an adult.  The front office can be a very busy time before and after school, so we would appreciate you encouraging your children to follow this rule.

Children are asked to assemble at designated stations before leaving the school grounds.  Children leaving with parents by car or walking are to wait at the gate in Laura Street.  Town Bus children, Before and After school care and bike riders are asked to use Duke Street gate.

Children are not to leave the school grounds unless dismissed by a teacher.  All children being picked up are asked to be accompanied across the road by an adult.  Country Bus children are to use the back gate located on Laura Street.  Again, children are not to leave the grounds unless dismissed by their teacher.

To ensure the safety and accountability for each child we have a "Register of Late Arrivals/Early Departures Book".  Children arriving late are to be signed in and parents wanting to take their child/children from school during the day e.g. for an appointment, must also sign the out at the office.  If they are returning to school, they must sign them back in.  The book is located outside the office.  If someone other than yourself is to pick up your child from school, or if bus or car arrangements have changed for the day, please notify the school or your child's classroom teacher.

We ask that all visitors entering the school building after 9am i.e. after the start of the school day use the front entry.

In accordance with Victorian Government requirements, all visitors at St Mary's Primary School Maffra, including parents, guardians and carers, who are on-site for more than 15 minutes are required to sign in via the QR code or sign the "Visitors Register" and complete a School Entry Declaration at school office.  Visitor lanyards must be worn.

These books are very important in accounting for all children and visitors as part of our School / Emegency Procedures.

If your child is absent from school please email, ring or use the school app to let us know by 9:30am each morning.  We have very strict procedures to account for all children each day.

• Call the school on 5147 1334
• Use the Absent Form on the school app
• Email principal@stmmaffra.catholic.edu.au

If you have not contacted the office by 9:30am, our administration staff will contact parents.  Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Any prescription medication that a child must take during school hours must be signed in at the school office.  NOTE:  All medication must be prescribed by a Medical Practicioner and have the child's name and dosage on the bottle/package.

If you applied for the CSEF at your child's school in 2020, you do not need to complete an application form in 2021 unless there has been a change in your family circumstances.

You only need to complete an application form if any of the following changes have occurred

new student enrolements; your child has started or changed schools in 2021 or you did not apply in 2020

changed family circumstances; such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing at the school in 2021

If you do need to complete an application, these can be obtained from the school office.

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.  Students are required to wear the full uniform 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.  Their friendly staff will be happy to assist you with sizing and any questions.

We understand that during the holiday season and at weekends children enjoy wearing decorative jewellery, nail polish and make up occasionally.  However, we do ask parents to assist the school by ensuring that these decorative items are not worn during school hours.  Plain sleepers or studs are acceptable (no colours).

School Hats

Until 30th April, it is compulsory for children to wear an approved school hat for all outdoor activities as stated in our school's Safety and Health Policy.  We ask that parents support us in our efforts to ensure our policy is adhered to.  Please note that the hat must be an approved St Mary's school hat.

Please remember St Mary's has a 'No Hat - No Play' policy.  All children must wear hats until 30th April.  If they do not have a hat they will have to spend recess or lunchtime under the shade of the gazebo.  

All workers and volunteers at any Catholic School in our Diocese are required to have this check as a minimum safety measure.  We strongly encourage all parents to obtain the WWCC card.  To apply, please log on to the link below.  Volunteer cards are free.  Please include St Mary's in your details when applying.  We keep a record of your WWCC at school and notify classroom teachers so that they are aware of who has their check and can participate in the classroom program.

To celebrate student's achievements, we will be presenting children with Star Of The Week awards.  This is a self nominated award of something a student is proud of.  It could be something academic, sports related, or a personal achievement. Have you learnt to ride a bike?  Won 1st place in a dance competition?  Read a book by yourself?  Anything that makes you proud!

Forms for nominations were sent home with students yesterday.  Spare forms can be collected from the office.

The P&F is dedicated to work-life balance and believes that many hands make light work!  We are careful to break our jobs into smaller pieces so that no single person is left doing all the work.  This also makes it easier for people who want to be involved a little but don't have time to be overburdened.  We have a number of smaller roles that we are hoping to delegate.  We give advance warning, so there is plenty of time to factor it into your schedule.  You can even nominate for a single job with a friend to make it more fun!

We are also committed to enjoying ourselves and not taking things too seriously.  We are just a group of parents and teachers doing a little bit where we can, and we'd love you to come and do your little bit too.  

A form was sent home yeseterday with your child with a list of possible jobs you can help with.  However, forms can be collected from the office.

We have children within our School Community with specific allergies that may require the use of an epi-pen.  We ask you to speak to your children about not sharing their food due to traces of specific ingredients that may be harmful to others.

At the moment we recommend children only bring fresh fruit, dried fruit and no nuts for their Fruit Stop and that we are wary of the food items we are placing in lunch boxes.  It is very difficult to monitor trace elements of nuts and eggs which are the main triggers for our children, however, if we make an effort to monitor our food items, we reduce the possibility of a severe reaction in those children who come in contact with these foods and oils.  Children who may have items containing nuts or eggs are to wash their hands thouroughly, with any used containers or wrappers placed carefully in the bins.

Some parents have asked about the sharing of food, including cakes, to celebrate birthdays.  As some of the ingredients may have traces of nuts we are currently reviewing bringing in food, including cakes, when celebrating birthdays.

Children in Year 3 who have been baptised in the Catholic Church are able to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  The dates for the Sacramental Program for this sacrament are as follows;

Sacrament of Reconciliation - Grade 3 for St Mary's Maffra

Children from other year levels who have not made this sacrament are also invited to participate.  If your child is non-Catholic and they wish to be part of the celebrations, you are welcome to attend the meetings and sacramental celebration and in doing so, a Special Blessing Certificate will be presented to your child.

A letter was sent home today for all Year 3 families.  If you would like for your child to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, pleasereturn the tear-off slip at the bottom of the letter,  send me an email (daustin@stmmaffra.catholic.edu.au) or leave a message with your name and number at the front office.  I ask that this be done by Friday, 12th February.  Thank you.

Dianne Austin  (REL)

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

A reminder that children are asked not to bring mobile devices to school or any school events, (devices include iPads, mini iPads, iPods, laptops, e-books, phones, DS's or any other electronic equipment) unless they are specifically part of your child's education plan (Individual Learning Plan).  Even if this is the case, they should only be using them in the classrooms.  If you have any queries with regard to this, please don't hesitate to speak with Mr Slattery, Mrs Coleman or class teacher personally.

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

Welcome back Primary Schools to 2021. 

Can you please distribute this link via school Apps or mention in your newsletters.

Sale United FC 

Soccer ️

Junior Come and Try afternoon,  sausage sizzle to follow.

Friday 12th February 

4.30pm-6pm

Children 7-17yrs 

need to register.

Bring: boots/sneakers, Water 

Shin guards if you have them. 

On arrival sign in with QR code 

Inquiries contact

Laurel Irvine 

0409144757