Dear Parents

Thanks for your support this week as we once again headed into remote learning. We had a small number of students to support at school and now that we are very familiar with procedures this was completed successfully. I am sure you all agree that we are hopeful of not having to do this again. Our staff at St Mary’s have been a wonderful support to the students both at home and at school during this week.

Today I had a meeting with our School Captains and House Captains. We worked together to identify some areas to support one another, to fundraise and to be involved in sporting events and general assemblies and celebrations. Our captains this year are:

School Captains- Sam Nowak and Ashlyn Harrington

Red House- Charlotte Sage and Jed Forsyth

Green House- Milla Hunt, Billy Donahoe and Gus Weatherley

Gold House- Lily Missen and Sam Phillips

It must be said that the way all of the students conducted themselves was outstanding. They were a credit to themselves and their families.

It is fantastic to see all of the students settle back into school life. Our building with our three PODS is working very smoothly and the children are engaged in all of the activities on offer. It must be said that a calmness and strong work ethic is being observed. All of our teachers and LSO’s are working collaboratively to ensure that a strong rate of progress and support is evident.

On Wednesday we celebrated Ash Wednesday. Unfortunately due to restrictions this was not observed at school. Ash Wednesday is one of the most important holy days in the liturgical calendar. Ash Wednesday opens Lent, a season of fasting and prayer. It takes place 46 days before Easter Sunday, and is observed by millions of Catholics and Christians. The practice of Ash Wednesday includes the wearing of ashes on the head. As the ashes are placed on the forehead the Priest will say ‘Repent and believe in the Gospel’

The Easter story is an excellent example of how scripture can be recontextualised so our students can be engaged and understand the messages in the modern world.

We congratulate all of the students who participated in our Swimming Carnival last week. Next Wednesday, 24th February we will have 14 children represent the school at the Heyfield and District Swimming Sports. Thank you to Michael Todd who organised the administration of the day.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend.

Jason

Congratulations to our 2021 School Leaders!

School Captains- Sam Nowak and Ashlyn Harrington

 

Red House (Curran) - Charlotte Sage and Jed Forsyth

Green House  (Corbett) - Milla Hunt, Billy Donahoe and Gus Weatherley

Gold House  (Mackillop) - Lily Missen and Sam Phillips

We want to celebrate all of our student's achievements, both in school and out.

It could be something academic, sports related, or a personal achievement that the student is so proud of having achieved.  

Have you learnt to ride a bike?  Won 1st place in a dance comp?  Read a book by yourself?  Anything that makes you proud!

The chosen Star of the Week will be presented with a medal at school assembly, and further celebrated in the school newsletter and on our P&F Facebook page (with permission).

This is a self nominated award.  Nominations are to go into the gold box located in the office.  Spare nomination forms can be found at the office.

Congratulations to Jasmine Daly who offered to make cookies to sell our Swimming Carnival as a fundraiser for the Social Justice group.  She made the cookies on her own and decorated them in team colours.  Jasmine used her initiative and own motivation to raise $110 for One Planet Classroom.

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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. 

Hats can be purchased from Stobie's Land & Surf for $19.

Congratulations to all the children for their behaviour and individual performances at our School Swimming Carnival.  It was wonderful to see the children enjoy themselves so much! Also, to our Sports Captains, who did a great job in leading their teams with true school spirit.  Well done everyone!!

The final results were as follows:

1st Place:  Mackillop

2nd Place:  Curran

3rd Place:  Corbett

Carnival 1st Place, Mackillop Captains - Sam Phillips & Lily Missen

Vaughan Trophy Winners 2021

Vaughan Winners - Mitch House & Lily Missen

Swimming Carnival Dates:

HDSSA Swimming Sports

Wednesday 24th February 2021 @ Sale Pool

Wellington Zone Swimming Sports

Tuesday 2nd March 2021 @ Sale Pool

Gippsland Regional Swimming Sports

Thursday 11th March 2021 @ Warragul Pool

Children are not to enter or leave the school via the front office entrance. 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.

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

CAMPS, SPORTS & EXCURSIONS FUND (CSEF)

CSEF is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the costs of school trips, camps and sporting activities.

If you hold a valid means-tested concession card or are a temporary foster parent, you may be eligible for CSEF.  The allowance is paid to the school to use towards expenses relating to camps, excursions or sporting activities for the benefit of your child.

If you applied for the CSEF at this school in 2020, you do not need to complete and Application Form in 2021.  If any changes have occurred during 2020, and you and unsure of your eligibility, please contact kjbennett@stmmaffra.catholic.edu.au

Application forms are available from the Office.

Concession is available for CSEF recipients.

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

Sale United Football Club Are Hosting

A MELBOURNE VICTORY FUN DAY!

All The School Children Across The Wellington Shire Are Invited To Come Along And Have Some Fun At The Inflatables And Small-Sided Games. There Will Be Giveaways From MVFC & A Free Sausage Sizzle.

Sunday 28^th February

10am – 1pm

313-321 Raglan Street, Sale 3850

Could All Participants Please Register For Attendance & Catering Purposes Here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeYr1zIRHIOmJjli4AwaN1aQ2m1Gnt7fqvMxvy6PwB8BVnyqw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

Dear Maffra families,

I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you for all of your support over the last 3 years. It is exciting to see the Maffra OSHC service grow, especially the ASC service. We are finally seeing the numbers that were first indicated to us .before we opened.  With this we are very excited to announce that our Tuesday and Thursday ASC bookings are now at capacity, with the potential for 2 casual bookings on a Tuesday.  J  For all of our casual families please keep emailing the Gumnuts main office with your required dates as there may be a place on the Tuesday or Thursday if someone is away or has pulled out. The circumstances for the OSHC service changes rapidly and often, so please keep in touch. We do still have a few vacancies for Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Now that we have days where we are fully booked, we would REALLY appreciate it if you would email the office and let us know when your children are NOT going to attend on their booked day. By doing this you will open up a place for a family who may be in need of a place. This action would be very much appreciated not only by us but by the family requiring the care.
Our BSC service still has plenty of vacancies if required. Again, we really appreciate your support.

If you have any questions, concerns or comments please forward them to the Gumnuts main office office and we will try and answer them as best we can.

Thank you :)

Kind Regards Nadine and Kristy

Phone: 5144 6952

Email: gumnutselc@netspace.net.au