Dear Parents

As we move through restrictions during COVID-19 we can be thankful being in regional Victoria to be able to at least complete some activities outside of the classroom to help engage our students. An example of this was the senior athletics carnival last week and the celebration this week with our Foundation and Grade 1 students for completing 100 Days at school. In the coming weeks during Term Three we hope to have our junior athletics carnival, First Communion, Book Week, School Photos, senior School Camp, Division Athletics and an AFL Final Parade. Fingers crossed that the majority of these events will be able to go ahead.

On Wednesday I spent some time with all of the children as teachers conducted parent and teacher interviews. We spoke about what it means to be safe at school. We have a number of posters around the building that inform everyone about what it means to be safe. Our children have excellent knowledge and regularly discuss this in class. All of our staff are obligated to complete training in regards to Child Safety. This includes completing  the Department of Education and Training’s (DET’s) eLearning module, Protecting Children: Mandatory Reporting and other Legal Obligations each year to ensure compliance with their legislative responsibilities under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic.) and Ministerial Order 870- Child Safe Standards- Managing the Risk of Child Abuse in Schools.

If any parent or carer would like to be provided with any information on what our school is maintaining to keep our children safe please contact the office.

Well done to the children who continue to prepare for the Sacrament of Eucharist. Next week the second Parent and Child Workshop will be held on Thursday, 26th August. We continue to pray for these children who will soon make this important sacrament. 

Thanks to those parents who have come forward wanting to know more about the School Advisory Board. This committee gives an opportunity to contribute to future planning at St Mary’s and to be a voice for our parents. If any parents are interested but have yet to be in contact with myself please feel free to ring the office. I will be in contact with these families early next week.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend.

Jason

If you would like to be our next Star of the Week, please fill in the nomination form which can be found at the office.  A new student will be selected for each assembly.  

This is a self nominated award.  Nominations are to go into the gold box located in the office.  

13th August Recipient ~ Patrick Butcher

Congratulations to Patrick who is extremely proud of his efforts when he drew a dragon from 'Wings of Fire'.  Patrick used his artistic skills to recreate a character from the book series.  He also encouraged other students to use their creative flair and draw similar mystical dragons.  Who knows, we might see a Patrick Butcher master piece hanging in a gallery in the future.  Well done.

20th August Recipient ~ Tyler Schoenmaekers

Congratulations to Tyler who showed tremendous leadership qualities during this years School House Athletics Carnival.  He showed his commitment to the day and his House by entering every event and never giving up.  He was on the sidelines positively encouraging other students during their events too.  Tyler showed us how important it is to be kind and dedicated to such wonderful school activities.  I'm sure Tyler had a significant impact on his peers with his poitive attitude.  Well done.

What a great day for the grades 3-6 on Wednesday 11th August when they had their house athletics carnival.  Congratulations to all children for their efforts!! The results were extremely close with Mackillop coming away in first place.

1st - Mackillop

2nd - Curran

3rd - Corbett

Mackillop House Captains ~ Lily Missen & Sam Phillips

On Wednesday we had our school athletics.  This year we had athletics at school because of COVID-19.  The events we did were long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot put, discus, 800m, 200m and 100m sprint.  All of the students tried their hardest  and encouraged each other all day.  It was a competitive day.  All of the teams put up a good fight but in the end Mackillop won, not far in front of Curran and Corbet.

Written by Sam Phillips and Lily Missen

What a celebration was had by the Foundation and Grade 1 students on Thursday 19th August!!  Due to several lockdowns students were finally able to celebrate 100 days at school.  They made the most of their day enjoying hot chips, cakes, lollies and primas.  Their day was spent making colourful crowns, drawing what they'd look like in 100 years, what they'd do with $100, who they'd give 100 flowers to and creating monsters with 100 different body parts.  

There were lots of laughs and smiles throughout the day.  By the end of the day I'm sure there were lots of tired people too!!  Thank you to Mrs Hellings, Mrs Stobie and Linda who helped make this day possible.

Foundation-Grade 2

At this stage we hope to hold our Foundation-2 grades school house athletics on Tuesday 7th September on our St Mary's school ground.

Parent and carer involvement will be confirmed closer to the date.  Thank you for your understanding during this COVID time.

School Photos 2023 – St Mary’s Primary School

Annual school photos will be taken at St Mary’s Primary School on Monday April 3rd, 2023.

More details will be shared closer to the date.  Thank you.

.

Father's Day Helpers Needed

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

Stretton Park:

2nd Friday  10:00am