Dear Families,

There has been much to celebrate this week at St Mary's! Our Year 3-6 students had a terrific day today at Athletics Trials at Sandringham Running Track. As well as witnessing some terrific achievements, what was a stand out was the positive "have a go" attitude of the students. Thank you to Nicole Jones and Thomasine Cook for organising a terrific day, and thank you to all the staff and parent volunteers who helped make it a success and run so smoothly.

Congratulations to our Future Stars champions Hoop Time team who won the Grand Final at the Dendy District Hooptime Carnival last Friday afternoon. Well done to all of our Year 3-6 participants in the Hoop Time Carnivals. You'll find student reflections on the carnival in our P.E. News section.

Congratulations also to Zale, Andrew and Mason (Year 5) who have been nominated as finalists through the STEM Mad Showcase for the Technology Integration Award. You can read more about their experience at the showcase further in this newsletter. Thank you to our Curriculum Leader Evelyn Whatmore and ICT Coordinator Thomasine Cook who provided the opportunity for students to participate in the STEM Mad Showcase and to have the opportunity to now participate at the next level. Along with our STEM Lunch time Club, Evelyn and Thomasine have been doing an amazing job promoting STEM and helping the students to develop their STEM skills.

The excitement is only going to ramp up over the next few weeks, with us marking national Science Week next week with a range of STEM activities across the school, and of course Australian Book Week being celebrated the following week. Students and teachers, get your costumes ready!

A big thank you to parents who continue to spread the work about our special school community. So many of the school tours, that have come through this term continue to share how it is through hearing about St Mary's from a parent at the school that inspired them to book a tour and come and see the school for themselves. It goes to show that word of mouth really does have an impact so thank you and please continue to spread the word about our wonderful community!

New Shade Sails

Our outdoor spaces continue to see improvements, with work commencing on our new shade sail, made possible by the Victorian Government Shade Sail Program. This new shade sail will provide a much needed undercover outdoor learning space, as well as a splendid picnic and quiet play area on hot and sunny days. Our shad sail next to the tennis court is also being replaced with a new sail. Further improvements to our playground are to come, so watch this space! The Junior School students thought the boards that were laid down to transport equipment across the playground made a terrific athletics track.. perhaps they were practicing for when they get to participate in the Year 3-6 athletics trials in a few years time!

Uniform Reminder

While it is terrific to see the majority of student wearing their full winter uniform correctly, I do ask that families please note that the tracksuit jacket is only to be worn with the sports uniform, not the winter school uniform. The full winter uniform includes a jumper and a fleece lined jacket. A reminder too that black school shoes must be worn with the school uniform, with navy socks. Runners and white socks are only permitted when wearing the sports uniform. I thank parents for your cooperation in this matter, to ensure that all students are wearing the correct uniform.

Second Hand Uniforms

We are hoping to have another second hand uniform sale before the end of term to allow people to purchase summer uniform before Term 4 starts. We don’t currently have enough items to hold a sale, so if any families have any good quality second hand uniform items that you are willing to donate back to the school it would be greatly appreciated. All money raised during the second hand uniform sales goes back to the school to help fund extra-curricular activities.

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD)

Each year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on school students with Disability (NCCD). Criteria is used to identify students that receive reasonable educational adjustments or assistance because of a disability as determined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for education 2005. the NCCD has been progressively implemented since 2015 and is linked to funding for schools.

The NCCD provides stare and federal governments with information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability. The school provides data to the Australian Government so the privacy and confidentiality of all students are ensured. You can read more about the NCCD in the fact sheet attached below.

School Closure Day

MACS has approved an additional school closure day to Catholic Primary Schools. Monday 28th November has been scheduled for this closure day at St. Mary's. This is a change from the 2nd December date listed previously, due to a clash with Year 3 Camp. There are no Closure Days scheduled for Term 3. Please see the Diary Dates page for key dates for the rest of the school year.

Matthew Sweeney

Principal

principal@smhampton.catholic.edu.au

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