Principal's Announcements
Alison Castles Retiring
This week we farewell a stalwart of St Mary's. Alison Castles is retiring from teaching after 16 years at St Mary’s and over 40 years in education. After a number of teaching jobs across Victoria, Alison moved to the Goulburn Valley to Goulburn Murray School Supplies for 7 years. She later took up a position at at Mooroopna Primary School which led to Alison joining the staff at St Mary’s.
After many years as a classroom teacher, Alison moved into a specialist role as a Literacy Support teacher. Alison has helped many St Mary’s students over the years with their reading and spelling. In recent times Alison could be found teaching students with the help of our favourite four legged student Mo!
Alison is a valued member of the St Mary’s team and she will be missed by all. Her plans after retirement include travelling and spending time with her family. Thank you Alison for all of your hard work and commitment to St Mary’s and our students and we wish you all the best in this next chapter of your life.
Holiday Reading
Anyone lucky enough to walk past or through a classroom this term would have noticed an increased focus on reading and guided reading groups in particular. All staff have been working hard to use their valuable teaching time to work on the specific reading strategies that individual students need to be the best reader they can be. Reading groups have become such a priority that teachers have been seen to excuse themselves from meetings with the cry of "I have to go! Reading groups are about to begin!"
To ensure that our students maintain their current reading standard I encourage families to keep up with their daily home reading. Our local libraries in Mooroopna and Shepparton are valuable resources and often offer fun holiday activities. Reading books aloud with your students is also a wonderful way for families to help their children to succeed as well as develop a love of reading. Australian author Mem Fox has some words of wisdom on this subject including 10 ‘read aloud’ commandments. And remember reading aloud is not just for our younger students. Our 3/4 students are lucky enough to be seeing the stage show Roald Dahl's "The Twitts" tomorrow. Naturally, their teachers read them the book aloud first!
9 things Mem Fox wants you to know about reading aloud to your little ones
Mass of Compassion
Well done to Mrs Lee for organising another fantastic Mass of Compassion. Well done to the student leaders from the Social Justice Team for assisting Mrs Lee and for catering and serving at a morning tea for the representatives from Vinnies.
Thank you to all families for the donations given. Our visitors from Vinnies were very appreciative!
Pupil Free Day
Please see the list of dates for Term 3 on the Upcoming Dates and Events page. Important events including Grandparent's Day on the 26th July and a pupil free day on the 23rd August.
Principal's Award
Winner Week 9 - Tayla Pearce
Tayla is a great leader, she is a kind and caring friend to all. She shows initiative and is always really proactive in her learning. She always displays the four PBIS rules of being responsible, respectful, resilient and safe. She is an all round, wonderful student to have at St Marys. Well done Tayla!
Term 2 Thank You
Mr Butts will be returning from his term long study leave after the holidays. I'm sure he will return well rested and keen to see everyone! Thank you to everyone who has supported me in my role as Acting Principal this term. Thank you to the Leadership Team for all the help they have provided and a very special thank you to my two Deputy Principals Felicity Bryant and Geenah Loughran. Your assistance has been invaluable. Well done to our wonderful teachers and teacher aides for all of your hard work and for everything you do for our students both in and out of the classroom. Thank you also to Amber and Naomi who we all know are the heart of St Mary's and keep things running smoothly!
I encourage students, familes and staff to have a safe and restful holiday.
Ann-Margaret Carroll
Acting Principal