Dear families,

As a school we navigate the complexities of supporting our students' growth, development  and behaviour on a daily basis. I wanted to discuss how we support students' behaviour and the process we follow when correcting behaviour. 

Research tells us the importance of teaching appropriate behaviour rather than solely relying on punishment or punitive measures. Punishment is not the most effective way to correct children's behaviour in school. While negative behaviour needs to be addressed and consequences put into action it is most important to work out the underlying reason for the behaviour and make sure the correct behaviour is taught and support is in place to help the children show the correct behaviour.  For example, if a child is misbehaving in the yard at lunch and we bring them inside as a consequence and if they return to the yard without any teaching or support in place it is more than likely that they may show the same behaviour again. 

Research shows that positive reinforcement, clear communication and modelling desired behaviours are key elements in fostering a positive, safe and supportive learning environment for our children. By focusing on teaching and reinforcing positive behaviours, maintaining each child’s dignity, we not only cultivate a sense of responsibility and self-regulation in our students but also promote a culture of respect and empathy within our school community.

Our number one priority at our school is to keep every child safe whilst empowering our students with the skills they need to thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.

 

Kind regards,

Julian

Congratulations and well done to all students who were nominated this fortnight for their wonderful choices in the classroom or on the playground.  This is a weekly award and all nominted children should be very proud of themselves.  

Congratulations to the following students who were drawn out of a box of nominees for this fortnights Positive Behaviour Awards.  St Mary's have introduced this reward system to acknowledge the wonderful behaviour of students who regonise our school values of Respect, Act and Learn.

17/5/2024

Rosie Sloan

Thomas Parer

Violet Moody

17th May ~ Evie Killeen

Congratulations to Evie who has learnt to ride her horse by herself off the lead.  She can also now trot her horse by herself.  Evie wanted to be able to go and ride her horse with her friends without being led so she has been practicing so she can do exactly that.  

Evie also trotted over a jump and had a little canter by herself.  Being so independent will allow her to enjoy many hours of fun with her friends or by herself.

Well done Evie!!

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.

Congratulations to our 2024 candidates who received the Sacrament of Confirmation last weekend, celebrated by Bishop Greg Bennet and concelebrated with Fr Peter Bickley.

What a wonderful celebration with our Parish in Partnership families from St Michael's Heyfield. We are very proud of all the children who received this Sacrament, working hard to prepare as they confirmed their faith in a very public way.

May the grace of God’s world, the guidance of His hand and the loving wisdom of His words fill you heart and light your way today and every day.

We warmly congratulate these students on their recent baptims.

Mack and Darby, Hudson and his little sisters, Zahra and Havanna, and Lockie and Riley have all been preparing for months to recieve the Sacrament of Baptism and we are so proud of them.

We warmly welcome you and your families to our St Mary's parish and to our community of faith. We look forward to continuing to support you on this journey through the Sacraments and a life of faith.

May your lives be filled with the joy, love and endless blessings that come from God.

This week’s presentation from The Resilience Project focuses on Gratitude.

Gratitude is paying attention to the things that we have right now, and not worrying about what we don’t have. We practise this by noticing the positives that exist around us.

Research shows that practicing gratitude rewires our brains to overcome the negativity bias (which can lead to anxiety and depression) and see the world for what we are thankful for. It is also shown to broaden thinking, and increase physical health through improved sleep and attitude to exercise.

View Part 2 of the series here:

Part 2 - Gratitude: https://theresilienceproject.com.au/2023-parent-carer-hub-inspire-hugh/

There are many ways in which you can practise gratitude, including starting a gratitude journal. You can simply use a notebook to list three things that went well for you each day or use a more comprehensive Wellbeing Journal, like those created by The Resilience Project.

Source: Psychology Today

For mental health resources and support information, visit The Resilience Project’s Support Page.

Assemblies will be held every second Friday, which fall on the odd weeks this term, at 2:45pm in the hall, unless otherwise advertised.
The dates are:

Friday 31st May
Friday 14th June
Friday 28th June (last day of term)

MAY

JUNE

**  Please go to our school website for the full year of calendar dates.

TERM 2

16th April - 28th June

TERM 3

16th July - 20th September

TERM 4

7th October - 18th 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

Interchange Gippsland are trying to expand our community networks with schools. We are a disability support organisation, registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). We service areas across Gippsland, ranging from East Gippsland, Latrobe Valley, Bass Coast and South Gippsland. We offer a range of services for all ages, along with family events.

At Interchange Gippsland, we have some school holiday related programs running, along with a carer retreat.