Dear St Mary Families,

I hope you have all managed to stay warm, as we seem to have entered winter very quickly. I heard this morning that it is the coldest snap since 1982! One of my favourite activities is visiting classes regularly and joining in with a learning session. Yesterday it was fascinating seeing so many differentiated ways of teaching. Some classes were in a whole class introductory session, other students were working in small guided learning groups, whilst others were working independently on the task at hand. Teaching is an ever evolving profession and on the back of Remote Learning, personalising all our sessions for each student, is more important than ever and the students are gaining confidence as independent learners, which is to be celebrated.

We look forward to sharing your children's learning with you, next Friday when the Semester One Reports go home. I am currently reading each child's report and am delighted to see the growth that has occurred. I thank the staff for their professionalism and individualisation of each report. In the last week of term, we will be having our Parent Teacher Interviews where the reports can be discussed and future goals or areas of focus can be designed. Working together in partnership is very important for our St Mary's community and this is but one example of this. At the end of this term we will be sending a survey out to seek feedback about our reports and other aspects of school life, another example of our close partnership.

A fortnight ago, Lenny Jude joined the Heta family and we congratulate Mrs Anna Heta, her husband Dean and big brother Archie for their new addition. We can't wait to meet him and have a cuddle. I am told Archie is being a wonderful and caring big brother!

As you all know I love celebrating the children's learning. Nothing gives me greater delight that visitors proudly sharing the end results of their learning. Pearl, Orison and Kayla each read to me their reflection on their experience of crossing the road safely. I learnt the importance of looking, listening and watching amongst other safety points. Miss Jacquie together with Michael and Jo, shared with the children the importance of how to cross the road safely and who is needed to help them do this. I would like to publicly thank Michael, Otmar and Jo on behalf of our community for supporting our students, their families and often their furry friends cross Westbury Street and the lights at Dandenong Road safely. These wonderful people are there each morning and afternoon regardless of the weather, to ensure our safety for which we are most appreciative.

Two of our staff members had their Hollywood moment when asked about teaching at St Mary's Primary School. Aoife and Ian are teachers early into their teaching career and we thank them for all that they bring to our St Mary's family. Their insights were shared in our Principal Primary and Secondary Comms last week.

Mr Scott: https://www.macs.vic.edu.au/News-Events/2022/May/Meet-the-teacher-prepare-for-the-unknown.aspx

Miss Guinness: https://www.macs.vic.edu.au/News-Events/2022/May/Meet-the-teacher-bringing-new-ideas.aspx

Around the School

It has been fantastic seeing our Running Club, and pardon the pun, off and running! Thanks to all those parents/carers who helped and a big congratulations to Mrs Borghese, Mrs Mason and Mr Scott for organising this. The rest of the staff have kindly offered their supervising services to support this great initiative.

We congratulate Leo and Wally for their excellent runs in the District Cross Country at Bald Hill last week. Wally came 16th and Leo came 24th out of 50 athletes, a great achievement. Congratulations boys we are very proud of you both!

Last Monday, Clare Curtis (3C) and l attended Anglsea Recreation Camp in preparation for our Yr 3 & 4 camp next term. We thank Clare, our camp co-ordinator, Kieran, Aoife, Melissa, Kate and Catherine for their work as we prepare for camp. The activities look great and l am very much looking forward to it.

Our Lightning Premiership Netball day yesterday had to be postponed due to wet weather. We are thrilled to announce that it will be held next Thursday on 16th June at the same venue, Thomas Street Netball Courts, Hampton.

Our AFL football players had a great time today. By the look of them on their return, each one played to the best of their abilities. Those washing machines will be doing a laundry workout!

Steve, our Maintenance Officer has reinstalled our bike racks and updated the fence between the apartments behind us. He has also put in new netball rings and nets.

Glow in the Dark Disco Party Thursday 16th June 5:00-6:30pm.

Next Thursday promises to be very exciting with the P & F supported by the Leadership Team supervising our first disco in two years. Please see the Parent & Friends news for information about drop offs and pick ups and supervision. This is not a fundraiser but an opportunity for the children to dress up, dance and have fun.

St Mary's Morning Stay Chat and Play

We are sending out an invitation via Operoo to the community for anyone with under 5s for a St Mary's Morning Stay, Chat and Play. We are hoping to run this out of the P & F room next term. Our hope is to offer this on a Wednesday and Thursday morning from 9:00-10:00am. Thank you to Louisa, Joyce, Amy, Mrs Borgese and Mr Speranza for supporting this initiative.

Clubs

Thank you to Hywell in Year 1 for offering a crochet club next term. Janelle Adams will also be working with students from Years 3 to 6, as we reinstate our St Mary's School Choir next term. Before the end of term, the students will find out how to sign up for this. If you have a hidden talent and would like to lead a lunch time activity in Term 3 please email myself or Anthony Speranza.

Next Friday 17th June at assembly, Sofia and her team from FX Fitness will do a short Taekwondo demonstration. Then they will visit each class for a 15 minute working practice. Taekwondo is a great outlet for students in regards to their self regulation and learning. The repetition, discipline, athletic outlet as well as new skill development provides an ongoing course of development that is different from a class setting. In this way they teach martial art utilising visual, auditory and kinesthetic learning. There will be more information available after the display.

Feast of the Sacred Heart

The last Friday of term is the Feast of the Sacred Heart. Our Year 6 Social Justice Leaders are inviting us to wear casual clothes with a gold coin donation. The money raised will go to our St Vincent de Pal conference, to support those in need. Please join us at assembly as our Year 6 Social Justice Leaders celebrate this feast day.

Stay warm and enjoy the long weekend. Fingers crossed the Dees can turn things around...

Take care and peace and God’s blessing to each of you,

Cathy

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