Dear Parents

Welcome to the start of the 2022 school year. It is very pleasing to see how settled all of the children have been after a long break. To all of our beautiful children in Foundation, we welcome you to our school. Good luck to : Thomas, Amber, Marnie, Marlowe, Jude, Harper, Henry, Skylar, Whynter, Coco, Elise, John, Gorjie, Madeleine, Bay, Max, Willow, Luke, Charlie, Marley, Lenni, Jack and Ellie. It is great having you with us at St Mary’s. We also welcome Jessica, Tex, Rusty, Poppy and Isla to our other grades. To our new teachers, Kylie, Lyn, Brendan and Bree, thank you for coming to our school and we look forward to working with you this year.

For all of our families please know that all of the teachers want to work with you and have open, clear communication. If you have any questions please feel free to email or call the school and in the first instance, make contact with the teacher. Please note that staff have after school meetings each Tuesday and Wednesday. Much of the information may in fact be on the school website. It is here that the majority of policies and safety procedures are available to make things a bit easier to understand.

Unfortunately, we still have a number of restrictions because of COVID-19 regulations. This includes parents not being able to enter the school if they are not fully vaccinated and many of our sporting programs, camps and excursions are approved but with different dates. We are hoping this will change as the term proceeds. In regards to swimming at district and region carnivals,  the school will have swimming trials for those interested in the coming weeks as these carnivals may be before our own carnival. Confirmed swimming lesson dates are:

Monday, 28th February, Wednesday, 2nd March, Thursday, 3rd March, Friday, 4th March and Monday, 7th March. The swimming carnival will be confirmed with a date next week. All district carnivals will go ahead with full participation under COVID safe procedures.

Grade 5/6 camp is now also confirmed between March, 16th-18th. Information regarding camp, including a parent meeting will be sent out shortly. Grade 4 will have camp in the first week of Term 2 (April 28-29).

One thing that is critical to our school is ensuring that each student is safe and feels safe at all times. Our policies and procedures in regards to Child Safety are detailed and understood by all staff. We also have a child friendly Child Safety Policy that was written by some senior children with some staff one year ago. This policy is displayed throughout the school. Please be in contact with the school if you require any further information.

Once again welcome you to the year- I am here to help so please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.

Have a great weekend.

Jason

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 can be found on the link below.

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, is stocking our 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, Maffra.

TERM 1 - Thursday  28th January - Friday 8th April

TERM 2 - Tuesday 26th April - Friday 24th June

TERM 3 - Monday 11th July - Friday 16th September

TERM 4 - Monday 3rd October - Tuesday 20th December

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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.

To ensure the safety and accountability for each child we have an ipad located on the counter at the office.  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 out at the office.  If they are returning to school, they must sign them back in. 

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.

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.

If your child is absent from school please call 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
• Via PAM (Parent Access Module)

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

If there is a change to your child's attendance please advise the office and Gumnuts so there is no confusion.

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.  Any other medication or creams are not permitted at school.

Rapid Antigen Test kits have been sent home with students today.

Please note, in situations where students have tested positive to COVID-19 within the last 30 days, their participation in twice-weekly Rapid Antigen Test Surveillance will not be required, as positive COVID-19 results may be returned.

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

If you applied for the CSEF at your child's school in 2021, you do not need to complete an application form in 2022 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 2022 or you did not apply in 2021

changed family circumstances; such as a change of custody, change of name, concession card number, or new siblings commencing at the school in 2022

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

We also have to be aware in these COVID times to not share food as well as drinks/drink bottles.

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.