Dear Parents and Carers,

We are rounding the halfway point of the term (yes it is an 11 week term this time) and our students and teachers have been thoroughly immersed in the solid stream of learning that the halfway point of the year brings. It’s a great time as a teacher as you have sowed the seeds of routine and expectation early in term 1 and by the halfway point of term 2, you are seeing the growth and sprouting of new learning and development in your students. As an educator, there is nothing better than that 'Aha' moment a student has when the learning finally clicks. It’s one of the things we live for as teachers and looking through our end of semester data collection with teachers, I can see there are terrific stories of growth underpinned by many 'Aha' moments in classrooms at St Mary’s this year.

Build Progress

Our Roseberry St refurbishment continues to make great progress, with paint and plaster on walls, entrance and doors installed and cabinetry all coming into place. I am very pleased with the outcome we are achieving for the school. We remain on track to have the build completed, including the final cabinetry installation in the four refurbished classrooms by the end of term. So you can look forward to a fresh and inviting entry when you enter the school in term 3.

We have also been able to undertake the repair and restoring of the lighting in the hall which is currently underway and will be finished in the next couple of working days. This will ensure we have good lighting in the hall for any events throughout winter or into the evenings.

New Educators at St Mary’s for Term 3

We have appointed Swaye Draper as classroom teacher for 4B for the 2025 year. Many of you would know Swaye as the TheirCare and now MACSEYE OSHC coordinator. Swaye will be a great addition to our team of educators as she brings with her a passion for teaching, knowledge of our students and community and great organisational and planning skills. MACSEYE are in the process of hiring a replacement for Swaye and will be able to update you in the near future as the staff member is appointed.

We are currently interviewing for James Mitchell’s replacement and have been enthused by the quality of applicants we have had for the positions. We will update everyone on the successful candidate in the next newsletter.

District Cross Country

Due to a number of staff shortages I had the great pleasure of accompanying our District Cross Country representatives to their competition day. The students put forth a mighty effort and competed very well against some fierce and skilled runners from across Moonee Valley.

I am very proud of their efforts, their ability to conquer their nerves and represent St Mary’s with pride and endeavour.

District Cross Country Runners:

Emily Campbell
Maddie Szewczuk
Matilda Sandri
Sam Giansiracusa
Patrick Rainey
Harry Torres
Arlo Coppola
Bella Barden
Xavier LLoyd

Special mention to Sam Giansiracusa who qualified for the next round of competition.

SMFASS fundraising purchases

A big thank you to SMFASS who are in the process of purchasing materials and constructing a GaGa pit for our playground. GaGa is an extremely popular game on all of the YMCA camps we attend and the equipment will be a great addition to our playground spaces. They have also purchased some mobile soccer goals for our yard which will be a welcome replacement to the recycling bins that are currently in use! We are also looking at different resources for the STEAM room to be purchased with funds raised by SMFASS and hope to have them up and running for term 3.

These resources will be a great addition to our school and we are very grateful for the support.

Uniform and Mobile Phones/Smart Watches

A reminder that we have a uniform and Mobile Phone/Smart Watch Policy. Mobile phones and Smart Watches (those that can make calls or messages) are to be handed and signed in at the front office at the beginning of the day and signed out at the end of the day. Guidelines for uniforms are included in our policy.

Be The Light

My example of Be the Light this week comes fittingly from the St Mary’s staff. This past week we have been hit with many illnesses, absences and activities that left us increasingly short staffed. Even Olivia was home sick. When the darkness of illness and absence threatened to creep in, our staff stepped in and shone their light by taking on extra duties, being flexible during the numerous reshuffling and rescheduling so we could make things work and helping out with the organisation and operations of the school.

One Leadership Team member in particular was an amazing support to me and the school as for numerous days, we were the only leaders on site. She stepped up, took on many extra responsibilities and organisational roles and let her light shine for the rest of the staff, giving them confidence and capacity to continue business as usual (as much as possible) for our students. The days ran smoothly despite the numerous challenges we faced and I am very grateful for her light this week.

Stay safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected,

Denis Johnstone

Principal

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