St Mary's Primary School Maffra eNewsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians.

It has been so lovely being back at St Mary's and seeing all of the children again. I can't get over how much they have grown in the short time I have been away. It's also lovely to meet all of the new students who have joined the school community this year and get to know them as well. I have spent some time in the classrooms this week, mainly in Year 1/2, and have been very impressed with the work that the children are producing and how confidently they have shared their learning with me. Keep up the great work everyone!

At this week's staff meeting, the teachers have been working on Writing moderation tasks and ensuring that there is a consistency in how teachers assess each student's work. The aim is that there is a consistency in judgement across the school, irrespective of the year level a student may be in. There was rich discussion regarding the samples that the teachers looked at and where they would be placed according to the curriculum. This is important and ongoing work for the teachers and will continue to be a focus throughout the year.

Tomorrow, we have 14 students who will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Mary's Church. Bishop Gregory will be officiating the Mass with Fr Edwin. Confirmation is the final of the 3 Sacraments of Initiation and links closely with Baptism. In Confirmation the candidates further celebrate their initiation into the Christian community through the renewal of Baptismal promises and anointing with chrism. It is where they stand up to profess their faith to the church community and move towards being adult members of the church. We wish each of the students and their families a special celebration as they receive this sacrament.

As you are aware, I will be at St Mary's until Friday, 17th June, with Ms Dicorleto returning for the final week of term. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns over the coming weeks.

Thank you everyone and have a lovely weekend.

Kind regards

Di Austin

May

31st Georgia Foat 3/4A

June

1st Marlowe Elston F

2nd Whynter Lindrea F

2nd Ellie Wilkinson F

4th Bay Oldham F

NO COUNTRY BUSES WILL BE RUNNiNG

Maffra Secondary College and Maffra Primary School are having a pupil free day on Friday 10th June 2022.

Children travelling on ALL country buses will have to make their own arrangements regarding travel to and from school on that day.

Awards:

Congratulations to the following children who have received awards.

	Class Award
Foundation	Jack Trewhella Willow Parer Maddie Nicolaci Charlie Rawson
Grade 1/2A	Estelle Chilton Lucy Foat
Grade 1/2B	Piper Bates Riley Gallatly
Grade 3/4A	Georgia Foat Sophie McQuillen Max Roberts
Grade 3/4B	Willow Matthews Caitlyn Dingwall
Grade 5/6A	Jack Murphy Millie Daly
Grade 5/6B	Maggie Kelly Lewis Phillips

TERM 2 - Tuesday 26th April - Thursday 23rd June (normal finish time 3:20pm)

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

TERM 4 - Monday 3rd October - Tuesday 20th 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 12:00noon

WEEKDAY MASSES

Heyfield:

Tuesday 9:30am

Maffra:

Wednesday 9:30am

Thursday 9:30am

Friday 9:30am

Saturday 9:30am

SSV Wellington Division Cross Country

Congratulations to Larni Burns, Anastasia Dwyer, Georgia Rawson, Ella Higgins, Alexa Potter, Ben Murphy and Mitch House who competed at the Yarram Golf Course on Monday 23rd May in the SSV Wellington Division Cross Country. A great effort for all children to progress to this stage!!

SSV Regional Cross Country

Children competed at Lardner Park in the Regioanl Cross Country yesterday, Thursday 2nd June. Well done to Ben Murphy, Larni Burns, Georgia Rawson, Ella Higgins and Alexa Potter on an amazing effort at a tough course! Congratulations to Ella Higgins who will compete in the State Cross Country Final, well done!

STUDENT RECOUNT

~ Written by Ben Murphy

On Thursday I went to Lardner Park to run in the cross country.

The sun was shining and I ran as fast as I could go. I came across the finish line in 42nd place.

The hills were really, really big. There was heaps of people there and it was nice to see Ella, Georgia, Larni and Alexa.

~ Written by Georgia Rawson

On Thursday I went to the Regional Cross Country to represent our school along with 4 others Ben, Larni, Alexa and Ella.

At the starting line everyone was trying to push their way to the front. It made starting a bit hard but as soon as the horn sounded I forgot all about that and all that was on my mind was the race. We ran up hills, past a dam and along wet, muddy ground. By the end I was exhausted but I had fun.

Overall I enjoyed cross country. I'm glad I got to go.

Doughnut_Day_2022.pdf

Doughnut_Day_2022 _pdf 4.20 MB

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.

STAR_OF_THE_WEEK_nomination_form_2022.pdf

STAR_OF_THE_WEEK_nomination_form_2022 _pdf 3.16 MB

Today saw the return of the grade 5/6 winter sport program. St Mary's students competed in football, netball and t-ball in Heyfield. There were lots of smiles and an abundance of competitive spirit. Our footballers and will progress and compete in Maffra at the Morison oval next Wednesday. Team A netballers will also compete next Wednesday but will play in Sale. Our Team B netballers also won today but unfortunately aren't able to progress. Congratulations to all our sports stars!

CAMPS SPORTS EXCURSION FUNDING (CSEF)

Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF) is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the cost of camps and sporting activities. If you hold a valid means-tested concession card, you may be eligible for CSEF.

The closing date for Camps Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) applications is 24 June 2022.

Please pick up an application from the school office if you believe you are eligible.

No need to complete a new application if you previously held an eligible concession card.

Our school photos will be on Monday 6th June. Please be aware students are required to wear full winter uniform.

To help Victorians stay well this winter, the Victorian Government is providing free flu vaccinations for everyone aged six months and over.

Free flu shots will be offered between 1 June and 30 June to boost vaccination coverage as much as possible and help avoid more hospitalisations throughout winter.

Cases of flu in Victoria increased by more than 30 per cent at the end of May.

With case numbers rising so quickly it’s more important than ever that Victorians protect themselves, their loved ones and the health care system.  

More than 3,000 GP clinics and pharmacies across the state have been invited to offer the free flu vaccinations.

The flu vaccination is always free for eligible groups including children under five years, people over 65 years, pregnant women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with increased risk of medical condition.

Along with getting a flu shot, keeping up to date with COVID vaccinations will help you to stay well this winter.

You can have your flu vaccination and COVID vaccination at the same time. If you are currently sick with the flu or COVID, wait until you feel better to have your flu vaccination. 

Anyone with cold and flu symptoms should get tested for COVID and remain at home until their symptoms have resolved. To protect others, you should stay at home if you are unwell even if you do not have COVID.

Find out more about how to stay well this winter in Better Health Channel.

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/stay-well-this-winter

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.