From the Deputy Principal 

Dear families,

“Meet The Teacher” Interviews on Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st 

Bookings are now open for our “Meet The Teacher” interviews:

Tuesday 20th February from 1:30pm to 6:00pm (all interviews face-to-face in your child’s classroom)

Wednesday 21st February from 3:40pm to 5:00pm (all interviews online via videolink)

Please note that on Tuesday 20th February, all students will be finishing at 1:00pm. TheirCare is available should supervision be required.

The interviews are an opportunity to meet your child’s classroom teacher and discuss how they have settled into the year, as well as share information with your teacher about the needs of your child. An effective partnership between the home and school is key to the education of your child, and we appreciate your time to make this conversation happen.

We are pleased to offer the convenience of face-to-face and video conferences, however please note the day when selecting your preference as all interviews on Tuesday are in the classroom and all interviews on Wednesday are online.

For video conferencing, upon making your booking you will receive a video conferencing link. At your allocated time, please click the join link and wait for your class teacher to admit entry into the virtual room.

Interviews are strictly 10 minutes only. The smooth running of our parent-teacher interviews relies on all parents keeping to the timetable. Please consider other parents and end on time. If you need more time with a particular teacher, arrange a separate meeting or phone call.

Students are not required to attend the interview.

To make a booking, please follow the link below or scan the QR code:

https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/xz83v

Bookings close on Monday 19th February at 8:00pm.

1 to 1 Laptop Program Years 3 to 6

Over the last few weeks our students in Years 3 to Year 6 have been completing a series of induction tasks to familiarise themselves with our technology systems and processes. Below is a copy of the 1 to 1 Laptop Program Handbook which sets out everything you need to know.

Here is a short video which highlights some of the essentials: https://youtu.be/CvM3HvOJu28

Raising Kids In A Digital World 2024 Webinar

Delivery: Community Webinar

Presenter: Martin McGauran & Carley McGauran

Date: Thursday 22 February 2024

Time: 7.30pm (90 mins) online

Register here: bit.ly/22feb2024

Registrations are open at the link above. The webinar is simply a must for all parents to be informed about the impact of the digital world on their children. Marty and Carley presented to our community last year, and their session was very well received. Topics include:

Social Media

Impacts of screen time

Online gaming

Managing devices in the home

Child & Tween online trends

Strengthening family communication

Cyber Bullying

Explicit/Adult content

Healthy Tracks project - stay tuned!

We are excited to let you know that we are partnering with City of Port Philip to conduct the “Healthy Tracks” program this year.

The Healthy Tracks program partners with local schools to identify barriers to safe walking, bike riding and scooting to and from school. Council will work with a consultant to deliver the program where students, parents and teachers develop several tracks within a 1.5km radius of the school. Council will then undertake a safety audit of each track to identify possible safety upgrades to create a safer journey to and from school. Additionally, Council will work with consultants and the school community to develop a school action plan to promote walking and riding to school.

There will be a community survey issued in the next few weeks. This preliminary data will assist the council and the consultants understand current active travel habits and the barriers towards increased engagement.

We will also have council present at our Ride2School Day event on 22nd March, and we believe the Smoothie Bike will be returning! 

Student Representative Council (SRC) Leaders Semester 1

Congratulations to our Semester 1 SRC Representatives who were presented with their badges last week at our School Mass.

So that all students at St Mary’s are equipped with necessary leadership skills, students are selected so that all students have had the opportunity to represent on the council by the time they reach Year 6.

Members of the Student Representative Council meet regularly with me and in conjunction with our Year 6 leaders to discuss ways and initiatives to improve the school, and give an authentic student voice to decision making processes. 

Home Learning Policy

We are pleased to let you know that our classroom teachers have been updating the school's Home Learning or ‘homework’ policy. 

The aim of our Home Learning policy is to:

• Assist the child in developing responsibility and establish home routines
• Revise, practise and consolidate learning
• Develop the child’s independent study habits
• Foster an enjoyment of learning and connection to school
• Allow parents to be involved with what the children are doing at school

The complete policy can be viewed below. Families can expect Home Learning to be issued in the next few weeks.

Student of the Week Awards / Term 1 Week 2 / Be Respectful

Congratulations to the following students who were presented with their awards at the Term 1 Week 2 assembly:

Alba Year 1R For always listening respectfully to her teacher and her peers during learning times and being kind to others

Camyra Year 2J For the respectful way she listens to others and the patience and kindness she shows when working with others. 

Olivia Year 3M For showing courtesy, manners and listening to the teachers instructions. Well done on a fantastic first week Olivia.

Vihaana Year 4M For making a very positive start to Year Four. You have shown kindness and consideration towards others. Keep it up!

Nesmah Year 5/6D For the respectful manner in which she speaks to her classmates offering her opinion, thinking and assistance graciously.

Amy Year 5/6M For respectfully asking questions and interacting with her new classmates in her first week at St Marys. Well done Amy!