Newsletter W9, T2, 2025
Principal's Report
Dear Parents & Carers,
Welcome to our week 9 newsletter, the final bulletin for term 2. It’s almost impossible to believe we are already half way through the year!
Please be aware that any family that wishes to claim the school fee rebate available through the Family Fee Assistance Scheme must present their current Health Care Card, Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card or Veteran Affairs Pensioner Card to the office by the end of this term. If you have any questions about the rebate or your eligibility please call the office staff who will be happy to explain the process to you.
Winter has certainly arrived and with it a change in school uniform. We have noticed that a number of students are not adhering to our uniform policy. To assist parents in understanding what students are permitted to wear to school we’ve included an outline of our uniform in this newsletter. We realise that there are times when students are out of uniform for good reason (in which case please send a note to school with your child explaining this) but for the vast majority of the time the proper uniform should be worn. If you are having difficulty meeting the school’s uniform requirements for any reason please speak to your child’s teacher or our admin staff who will be able to assist you. A reminder that our onsite Uniform Shop is open on Wednesday 3.15pm-4.45pm and order forms are available from the office or on SIMON Everywhere (PAM) at any time.
As we move into Semester Two there will be some minor changes in our staffing arrangements. From the start of term 3 Jill Appleton will leave her classroom to become our full time Curriculum Leader, offering additional support in the Prep area. Sandy Natale and Cenza Brigante will teach Year 3/4 Rm 9. As Sandy has spent considerable time teaching in this classroom already we anticipate a seamless transition and we are very pleased to welcome Cenza back to St Mary’s after a period of leave. I’m also happy to announce that Mikayla Simpson has accepted the position as our Religious Education Leader. Kirsten Neyland will teach Mikayla’s class on Monday enabling her to fulfil this important role in our school.
At the beginning of this term two documents were sent home for compulsory parent signatures. These were the DOBCEL Parent/Guardian/Carer Code of Conduct and the DOBCEL Enrolment Agreement. Thank you to the vast majority of families who have returned these notes, however, we are still waiting on a few to be signed and brought back to school. If you have these notes at home, please return them as soon as possible. If you have misplaced the forms please feel free to contact the office for a replacement.
Teachers are currently working on preparing Semester One reports. Significant time and effort goes into reports to individualise them and to ensure they provide parents with up to date and accurate information on how their children are progressing at school. Reports will be sent home in the mail to each family on the final day of term 2, Friday 4th July. If your mailing address has changed please contact the office asap to update these details prior to this date. We hope you enjoy reading reports and take the time to celebrate your child’s successes. Should you have any questions or concerns about your child’s learning please feel free to make an appointment to meet with their teacher or contact them when school resumes next term.
As I close this report please keep in your thoughts and prayers our students who are currently preparing to receive the sacrament of First Eucharist at our parish Masses on 21st June & 28th June. Congratulations to these students and their families as they take this very special step forward in their faith journey. We wish them all the best and keep them in our thoughts and prayers at this very special time.
Kind regards,
Andrea Welsh
Parish News
Wishing all students celebrating their First Eucharist a joyful and sacred occasion. May this special step in your faith journey bring you closer to Jesus and fill your heart with peace, love, and hope. We are proud of you and keep you in our thought and prayers during this meanful time.
School TV
Hopefully many of you have found your way to SchoolTV which is available through our website www.smrobinvale.catholic.edu.au. Just look for this link towards the bottom of our homepage:
SchoolTV is a wellbeing resource that can support you in the challenges relating to modern-day parenting. This award-winning resource helps build relationships, foster connections, enable understanding and break down barriers to navigate a pathway towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. It can assist in starting conversations on topics that are sometimes awkward or difficult to tackle. More information about this highly valuable parenting tool is included below and I strongly encourage you all to make use of this free resource.
Help us support student wellbeing – complete our quick and anonymous survey today!
Wellbeing Barometer Survey - 2025
The Wellbeing Barometer survey is an invaluable tool for schools, providing critical insights into the mental health and wellbeing of young people.
Participation in this survey is strongly encouraged, as it offers a comprehensive view of students' experiences, challenges, and achievements. By capturing a detailed understanding of young people's experiences, the survey supports a tailored approach to enhancing their mental, emotional, and social wellbeing. It helps to identify strengths and areas for improvement, as well as pinpoint opportunities for early intervention.
Responses remain anonymous and should be based on your observations over the last 12 months.
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to your special report:
https://smrobinvale.catholic.
A reminder that next week is the final week to bring in grocery item donations for our Term 2 Mission initiative. All donated items will be presented to a representative from the St Vincent de Paul Society during our final assembly of the term on Friday, 27th June.
Thank you all for your generous contributions so far – your support is making a real difference in the lives of those in need.
Wellbeing
The SWPBS focus for this week 9 is: to participate in all activities respectfully.
The SWPBS focus for next week 10 is: to listen and follow staff instructions.
SWPBS Awards
Primary News
Foundation
Our Prep students have been busy across all areas of the curriculum. In English, the letter sounds they have learnt are: e, n, g, l. The Tricky Word list is growing. These are pasted into your child’s diary when a new set is taught. Please read over these regularly, as these words help when reading and writing.
Please remember to initial your child’s reader diary when you listen to them read. All readers are swapped each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
In Maths, we have been busy learning how to share equally between two or more groups, measuring length and starting to explore capacity.
Our Religious Education lessons continue to focus on caring for the Earth. In the next week, we will start growing sprouts to reflect on the beauty and wonder of creation. We will also attend our unit Mass in week 10.
Thank you to the parents who watched Prep LC’s assembly. We hope you were proud and found this enjoyable. Next week, keep an eye out for Prep JP’s foyer display.
Just a friendly reminder to please make sure all jackets and jumpers are labelled.
Year 1/2
The 1/2 students have all been working away each day learning new sounds and spelling patterns in their InitialLit classes. Grade 2’s have also been working hard to improve their fluency and end expression as they read while the Grade 1’s have been learning about different suffixes to add to words to change the meaning slightly.
In Maths, students have been learning to use a calendar and read an analogue clock and doing an excellent job of it!
As always, students are expected to be reading daily. This can be through reading a book or practicing their sounds and tricky words.
The 1/2 team wishes everyone a safe and happy last two weeks of term and school holidays.
Year 3/4
Over the past few weeks, our class has been diving into inferencing during our reading lessons, learning to read between the lines and think more deeply about what we read. In writing, we’ve been focusing on using strong verbs and turning simple sentences into more interesting ones with added detail and expression.
In Maths, we've been working hard on learning our times tables and telling the time, and we’re excited to be moving on to explore shapes soon.
We’re especially looking forward to our upcoming NAIDOC Week celebrations, where we will have the chance to learn more about and honour the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
As we approach the school holiday break, we’d like to remind everyone to keep reading each night and practise your times tables—but most importantly, have a happy, relaxing and safe holiday!
Year 5/6
It’s been a busy couple of weeks in the 5/6 classrooms and the students have been working hard on all aspects of their learning. We have finished our information report writing by creating posters on a natural disaster and now our attention in English turns towards poetry as we near the end of the term. In Maths, we have begun looking at division and the different strategies we can use to solve these problems.
The 5/6 unit also has a number of things to look forward to over the next couple of months. First up, the students have the opportunity to take part in the Lightning Premierships sports day in Red Cliffs by playing soccer, netball or football, happening early in Term 3. To prepare for this, we will be holding training sessions on Fridays for the reminder of the term, so we ask that PE uniforms be worn on these days. We are also looking for volunteer coaches to help out with each sport - if this is something you may be interested in please get in touch with your child’s classroom teacher.
Next on the horizon is our Melbourne Camp, happening in Week 2 of Term 3. Preparations are underway and some information was sent home with students last week. Thank you to everyone who has returned the relevant notes, it is much appreciated. Please ensure that the Parental Consent and Medical forms are returned to school as soon as possible. The students are getting very excited and already counting down the days! Please keep an eye out for any further information that may be sent home prior to the holidays.
Thank you for all your help and support over a busy Term 2. We hope everyone has a safe and relaxing holiday and we look forward to seeing everyone back on deck for an exciting Term 3!
Secondary News
Year 7/8 Homeroom
It’s hard to believe we are already in Week 9 and the end of Term 2 is just around the corner! As the winter chill sets in, we remind families that if your child requires additional winter uniform items, please contact Mrs Millen. While the new navy blue pants for Secondary students are not compulsory until 2026, we do have them in stock. Until next year, students may also continue wearing the navy trackpants as part of their winter uniform.
Meanwhile, our My Kitchen Rules Challenge is heating up! There's some serious competition developing among the groups, and it's great to see students collaborating and refining their culinary skills.
Our Science Fair is well underway, with students fully immersed in their projects. This event will take place on Wednesday 6th August, 2025, and we’re looking forward to seeing their creativity and scientific thinking on display.
Next Tuesday is Toastie Tuesday for our Year 7 & 8 students. Students can purchase, toasted cheese or ham and cheese sandwich. All for $3.00 with proceeds going directly to the St Vincent de Paul Society. Thank you in advance for your support of this great cause.
Maths
Year 8 - This week, the class has finished their unit of work on Measurement, including area, volume, conversion, and perimetre. Their next unit in the final weeks of the term will be on Statistical Probabilities.
Year 7- This week, Year 7 students have been introduced to the foundational concepts of Algebra, including understanding and using variables, simplifying expressions, and solving simple equations. Our focus has been on developing students' confidence in working with algebraic expressions and helping them see patterns and relationships in mathematics.
English
Year 7 - Poetry: Students have been working on understanding and identifying key elements of poetry such as rhyme, rhythmic meter, stanzas and themes. They have been interpreting and explaining how famous Australian Poets use language and structure to create meaning and mood.
Year 8 - The focus for Year 8 has been on Gothic Literature. We have been identifying features of Gothic Literature, understanding the key features and conventions of Gothic literature. We have been analysing how authors use language, structure, and setting to create mood, tension, and suspense. While exploring and and responding to themes and characters within Gothic texts.
Science
This Week In Science, Year 7 & 8 students have been exploring the topic of States of Matter. They have investigated the properties and behaviours of solids, liquids, and gases, and how particles behave in each state. Through hands-on experiments and interactive discussions, students learned about key processes such as melting, freezing, condensation, evaporation, and sublimation. Emphasis was placed on using the particle model to explain changes of state and the effects of temperature on particle movement.
Religion
Year 7 - Students have been exploring the theme of human flourishing. They have engaged with a variety of parables and recently completed an assessment task where they reflected on the deeper meanings within these stories and how they connect to our own lives and relationships.
Year 8 - Students have been learning about the concept of reconciliation. As part of their studies, they investigated the significance of National Forgiveness Day and reflected on the powerful story of the Abdullah family.
PE
Year 7 - Students have participated in Invasion Games and worked on developing the AFL skills of Handball, Kicking and Catching. They have been developing fundamental movement skills in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Year 8 - Students have been participating in Modified Sports. They have been working cooperatively with others in small teams and demonstrating fair play. They have been working towards understanding the rules, skills, and strategies of a variety of modified sports.
Health
Year 7 - Students have been learning about the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. They have been using reflective tools like thought diaries. They’ve developed a deeper understanding of emotional awareness and how to manage responses in everyday situations.
Year 8 - Students have been focusing on resilience and how to positively cope with disappointment. They have explored real-life examples and discussed strategies for bouncing back after challenges.
Humanities
Year 7 - Students are finalising their business plans, demonstrating their understanding of products, pricing, and consumer needs. Next, they will explore leadership and good business practice, learning what makes a business ethical, effective, and successful.
Year 8 - Students are currently designing a digital or visual advertisement to promote their own business idea, applying what they've learned about marketing, branding, and persuasive techniques.
Food Tech
Year 7 & 8 students are preparing for 'My Kitchen Rule's, writing recipes, their cooking method and costing spreadsheets.
Languages
Year 7 & 8 students have been finishing their unit of work on describing parts of the face and body, including describing hair and eye colour.
This week, students enjoyed an exciting STEM incursion presented by AROSE – a government initiative aimed at promoting STEM education in schools. The session was hands-on, engaging, and offered students a deeper understanding of future-focused careers in science and technology.
Rotary Award
We are thrilled to congratulate Giaan Romeo on receiving the Rotary Award for Term 1. Giaan is a delightful student who consistently demonstrates care and compassion towards her friends and peers.
She often steps into roles of responsibility with a quiet maturity, completing tasks thoughtfully and reliably. Giaan’s sneaky sense of humour brings joy to the classroom, and she is frequently seen sharing a laugh with her friends.
A natural leader, Giaan has warmly welcomed new students to our class, helping them feel comfortable and supported as they settle into their new environment.
Giaan is a highly valued member of our classroom community, and we are incredibly proud of her commitment to learning and the positive impact she has on those around her.
Well done, Giaan!
Uniform
It is the expectation of the school that all students wear the correct school uniform. Decisions in regards to our uniform have been made to ensure it is serviceable, practical and affordable. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that their children come to school wearing the correct uniform. If, for some reason, particular items are not worn on a given day, a note explaining this should be sent to school with the student. We have a Summer Uniform and a Winter Uniform, and we leave it up to parents to decide when their child transitions from one to the other.
Additional information regarding the School Uniform:
School colours are navy blue, light blue and white
Only St Mary’s beanie or hat to be worn at school
School colours scarves and gloves may be worn in winter, no logos or coloured patterns
Coats in school colours may be worn in wet/cold weather
Full summer, winter or PE uniform to be worn, combinations of each are not acceptable. The exception to this is that shorts may be worn in place of tracksuit pants or pants in winter if preferred
White socks to be above the ankle, no logos
Shoes must be all black, no coloured soles or logos
Only school colours hair ties/headbands to be worn
PE uniform to be worn on PE days only
No nail polish or makeup allowed
No jewellery with the exception of a watch (excluding those with a camera, internet or cellular network capacity), one pair of studs or sleepers & religious medallions worn on the inside of clothing
School bags with the school emblem printed on them are available at the uniform shop for purchase but are not compulsory.
Student of the Week Awards
