Dear Parents

Well, we have come to our final two weeks of term. It has been fantastic to see the students so engaged in a variety of activities throughout the school. Having spent quite a bit of time in each class this term I can report the learning is ongoing, challenging and fun. 

The students in Grade 5/6 definitely had fun at the recent camp at Coonawarra Resort. A mixture of activities and challenges enabled them to have new experiences and show a mixture of resilience and maturity. While camp is fun, it can be challenging in that for some being from home is uncommon. Congratulations to the children on their behaviour and participation. Thank you to Bec, Brendan, Tara and Gerard for leading and helping the students during the week.

On our final day of Term One (Friday, 8th April), students are invited to make an Easter Bonnet for our parade at the commencement of the day. Casual clothes can be worn and we will draw our Easter Raffle. This will be held on the basketball courts. Parents are welcome to attend and may enter the school grounds through the office after showing compliant vaccination status at the front desk.

In Term Two we move into wearing the winter school uniform. We have been working closely with the students recently going over our school uniform expectations. Currently, in the main the majority of children are wearing the uniform correctly. Our main areas to focus on are wearing the correct shoes and socks. Please look over the uniform list in today’s newsletter. 

Next term I will be taking some leave at two different stages. With a new leadership team at St Mary’s this year the Diocese of Sale, through their aspiring principal program, has asked an experienced deputy to work in the role of principal in my absence. I would like to welcome Miss Lia Di Corleto to St Mary’s as she takes up the position of Acting Principal for six weeks in Term 2. Lia will start her role here for the first four weeks on Term Two. She is currently the Deputy Principal at St Michael’s in Traralgon. We hope you have a rewarding time here Lia!

Next term we will have our sacramental dates made available to families. If you have a child who is wanting to take part in our sacramental program for 2022 please be in contact with Virginia Hellings.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend.

Jason

Congratuations to Myah Henry who won our School Christmas Card competition last year!!

Grade 4 camp will be held at Forest Lodge during the first week back of term 2.  They will stay overnight, leaving on Thursday 28th April and return on Fiday 29th April.

The last day of Term 1 is Friday 8th April.  We will finish at 2:20pm.  Buses will pick children up at this time.  

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

INCREASE IN GASTROENTERITIS OUTBREAKS WITHIN
OUR SCHOOL

Parents and carers are urged to keep young children at home if
they are sick amid a rapid rise in outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis
in Victoria.
Viral gastroenteritis is highly infectious. Symptoms include
nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain, headache
and muscle aches, with more severe outcomes in the elderly and
very young. Symptoms can take up to three days to develop and
usually last between one or two days, sometimes longer.
Washing hands with soap and water is one of the most effective
ways of preventing the spread of infection. Alcohol-based hand
sanitisers are not effective against many common viruses that
cause gastroenteritis.
Infants or children in childcare or school, as well as staff, who
develop vomiting or diarrhoea should stay at home until at
least 48 hours after their symptoms have stopped, since they will
still be infectious. If symptoms are severe or they persist, or you
are concerned, see a GP for advice and possible testing.

Please find below information found on the Victorian Government Health Department site.

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 to ensure 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, stock St Mary's uniform.  Their friendly staff are on hand to assist with your uniform needs.

SPORTS UNIFORM - BOYS AND GIRLS:

School Polo Shirt – navy and pale blue with school emblem                               

Shorts - navy blue mid thigh length                  

Tracksuit - navy blue pants or navy with blue stripe pants to match sports jacket

              - windcheater top or jacket with school emblem                                     

White ankle length socks                                                      

• New uniforms are now available from “Stobie’s land and Surf”, a local business in Johnson Street Maffra
• Second- hand uniforms are available through the Second-hand Uniform Shop run through the P&F.
• Thongs are only to be worn to and from the swimming pool
• Sneakers only to be worn on sports days
• For health reasons long hair must be tied back and hair colouring in natural colours
• Nail polish and jewellery (other than watch) must not be worn. If ears are pierced, only one set of studs or sleepers must be worn
• The girls’ winter uniform is the navy and grey tartan tunic. Navy gabardine slacks are an optional extra for warmth and do not replace the tunic as the official uniform

• If for any reason children cannot wear the correct uniform parents are asked to send their child to school with a note. Uniform must be worn for all official school functions e.g. excursions, concerts, school photos, sporting events. Failure to comply may result in exclusion from the event

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   11:00am

WEEKDAY MASSES

Heyfield:

Tuesday      9:30am

Maffra:

Wednesday   9:30am

Thursday      9:30am

Friday          9:30am

Saturday      9:30am