Newsletter, W7, T2, 2024
Principal's Report
Dear Parents & Carers,
Welcome to this week’s newsletter.
A few weeks ago now we celebrated Mothers Day and while I was unable to be at school on the day, by all accounts, it was another wonderful celebration of our school community but especially of all the mothers and other special women in our student’s lives. Thank you to everyone who came to the celebration and to the organising committee; Mikayla McGowan-Rickard, Sindy Nel, Cenza Brigante and Jess Baldock for putting together such a delightful event.
Since our last newsletter our students have been out and about and enjoying some valuable learning experiences. These included Year 3-6 travelling to Mildura to participate in the Emergency Services Expo and Year 7-8 attending the Field Days at the Mildura Racecourse.
Recently we have also held two very successful Camps. Year 3/4 students spent three days at the Swan Hill Pioneer Settlement learning about our local history and how the early settlers of our district lived. The Year 7/8 students travelled to the Grampians where they took part in a four day adventure camp at Silverband Lodge. While there the group got to experience many exciting activities that they may not have had the opportunity to try before. These included activities like rock climbing, abseiling and canoeing. Everyone on both camps reported that it was an enormous amount of fun and that they will treasure the memories that they made for a long time to come. A huge thank you to the many staff who spend countless hours and put in an enormous effort organising and attending our school camps so our students can have these wonderful experiences.
Today we celebrated the Feast Day of our school’s namesake and Patron Saint, Mary Help of Christians, with a very special Liturgy and, of course, the traditional morning tea of cupcakes. Well done to Jess Baldock, the Student Leadership Team and to our wonderful choir who led our liturgy, enabling us to take the time to reflect on and give thanks for our school and for the gentle and kind influence of Mary the Mother of Jesus in our lives. Thank you to all the parents and other family members who generously donated delicious cupcakes for us to enjoy. Your support and cooking is much appreciated!
Last week we farewelled Bethany Moloney as she and her fiance moved away from Robinvale. I’m very pleased to be able to tell you that Emma Smith has accepted the position of Yr 5/6 Learning Support Officer, which was left vacant by Beth. Emma will be known to many of you as she is a parent at our school and I’m sure you will all join me in welcoming her into our staff. In further staffing news, I’d like to inform you that Simone Mitchell won’t be returning to St Mary’s this year. Simone has been unwell and although she is recovering nicely she is not quite ready to return to work yet. Fortunately, Annette Kennedy and Des Lowry, who have been teaching Simone’s class, are both happy to continue in their roles until the end of the year so there won’t be any disruption to the students. We’d like to thank Annette and Des for their willingness to continue teaching the class and, of course, wish Simone the very best as we look forward to her rejoining us next year.
Kind regards,
Andrea Welsh
Parish
A reminder to parents who have a child ready to register for Confirmation (Year 3 and above). Registration is to be completed before the end of June. A Parent Information Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 26th June @ 7pm.
SWPBS
The SWPBS focus for this week is to share the space and play faily.
Primary
Foundation
Foundation is well into the swing of their play based learning; we cannot wait to see where this takes them in their learning. We described some of the skills to the students of what they will be learning while they are having SO MUCH FUN! Some of these are, appropriate social skills such as interactions, turn-taking, sharing, building friendships, showing kindness and problem solving, for example, being able to stand up for themselves when someone ‘snatches’ by telling their peers they can have a turn after them. Foundation students will also learn how to use a range of different materials and use their imagination and creativity for using it in a different setting and with other peer input. Students will learn how to work together as a team to create or achieve something.
Foundation students have now learnt letters “m, s, t, a, p, i, f, r, o, e, n, g, l” and the red, light blue, orange and the start of the green tricky words. Foundation students are practicing their stimulus writing skills which means they write a caption or sentence by looking at a picture. For example, “The cat sat on the mat”, or “The man has a hat”.
Year 1/2
We are excited to share some wonderful news and updates from our classroom
Over the past few weeks, our young authors have been diving into narrative writing. They have been creating fantastic stories, full of imagination and creativity. From brainstorming ideas to writing and illustrating their tales, every student has shown tremendous effort and improvement. We are proud of their dedication to learning the art of storytelling. Keep up the great work, everyone!
We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the families for continuing to support reading at home. The time spent reading together is invaluable and plays a crucial role in developing strong literacy skills. We appreciate your dedication and enthusiasm in making reading a daily habit. Your support is making a significant difference!
If you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are here to support our students and families.
Thank you again for all your hard work and support. Let's continue to make this school year a fantastic learning journey!
Year 3/4
Last Wednesday, the Year 3/4 students enthusiastically boarded their bus and travelled to Swan Hill for their camp. While there may have been a few mixed emotions on Wednesday morning, everyone had a great time exploring the Pioneer Settlement over the three days. It was a fantastic opportunity to learn about our local history and early settlement life in Australia, as well as enjoy each others company. Thank you to everyone who made it such a fantastic and enjoyable camp!
Year 5/6
Our Year 6 students recently participated in a valuable CPR training session, gaining essential life-saving skills. Under the guidance of Angelina Izard, they learned how to confidently respond to emergencies.
Currently, students are organising and presenting their research on migration. This project allows them to develop their academic skills while offering a unique opportunity for everyone to learn about family histories, and hear the experiences of new students adjusting to life in Australia.
We appreciate the students who have completed and returned their homework by Friday. At the end of the week, classes discuss and mark homework. Teachers have observed that many students need to read more regularly at home or have their Reading Diaries signed. We kindly ask for your support in encouraging your child to read regularly. Thank you!
Secondary
Last week, the Year 7/8 students embarked on an exciting school camp to Halls Gap, the students engaged in a range of adventurous activities and explored the rich Indigenous history of the area.
The camp was designed to challenge students physically and mentally while fostering teamwork and resilience. Highlights of the trip included canoeing on serene waters, scaling heights in rock climbing, and the thrilling descent of abseiling. The students also took on the high ropes course, culminating in the daring "leap of faith," where they demonstrated courage and support for one another.
One of the most memorable experiences was the hike to the peak of a mountain, where students were rewarded with breathtaking views and a sense of accomplishment. This strenuous trek taught them the value of perseverance and the joy of reaching new heights, both literally and figuratively.
In addition to the physical challenges, the students visited Bunjil's Shelter, an important Indigenous cultural site. Here, they learned about the rich history and traditions of the Indigenous people, gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation for the land's original custodians. The visit to Bunjil’s Shelter was an eye opening experience that connected the students with the ancient stories and significant heritage of the region.
Students returned from the camp with a newfound sense of confidence and numerous stories to share. The Halls Gap school camp was a resounding success, leaving lasting memories and valuable lessons in adventure, history, and camaraderie for the Year 7 and 8 students.
The Year 7 and 8 students had an unforgettable experience at the Mildura Field Day on Friday 17th May. The event, known for showcasing agricultural innovations, sustainability practices, and community engagement, provided the students with a hands on learning opportunity outside the classroom.
Accompanied by their enthusiastic teachers, the students arrived at the field early in the morning, eager to explore the myriad of stalls and exhibits. The Field Day, held annually, attracts farmers, educators, and families from across the region, making it a perfect educational outing for the young learners.
Food Technology
This week in Food Technology students made the classic Mars Bar Slice
