From the Deputy 

Ride2School Day

Last Friday we celebrated National Ride2School Day. Families were encouraged to have their children walk, ride and scoot to school. In a survey from the previous week, 65% of students travelled mainly by car to school with the remainder via active modes or public transport. On Ride2School Day, only 15% came by car as their main mode of transport!

This data shows that we can make conscious decisions about our morning routine, which might lead to small habitual changes. Actively travelling to school has tremendous benefits not only for the environment, but for ourselves physically and mentally.

Congratulations to all students for being involved!

Once our building works have been completed, we will be providing bike rack spaces to children to encourage students to ride or scoot to school each day. We will also be working with the City of Port Phillip council on other initiatives to promote active travel to school.

School Sports Carnival

Today we had our annual School Sports Carnival. It was delightful to see the children thoroughly enjoying themselves at Alma Park, with plenty of parents spectating. As well as the obvious benefits of physical activity, the sports carnival also allows the children to exercise persistence and determination, give maximum efforts, engage in team work and coordination, and demonstrate spirit within competitive sport. Well done to all children!

Congratulations on the Red house for taking out the trophy and the Yellow for the spirit award. The final standings were:

1st, Red House, 253pts

2nd, Green House, 245pts

3rd, Yellow House, 238pts

4th, Blue House, 230pts

The winners of the 100m championship race were:

Girls

1st, Ivy A

2nd, Annabel N

3rd, Amelia M

Boys

1st, Solomon K

2nd, Wally M

3rd, Kaylen G

The winners of the 400m championship race were:

Girls

1st, Ivy A

2nd, Amelia M

3rd, Annabel N

Boys

1st, Wally M

2nd, Solomon K

3rd, Blake S

Thank you to Mrs Christine Kidman for her co-ordination of the day, Mr Simon Addicoat for assisting, and all of the staff for helping to provide these opportunities.

Student Leadership at St Mary’s in 2022

A great deal of time and effort has been spent with the Year 6 students for their leadership program. Thank you to Mrs Paula Incretolli for developing these skills and the opportunities that lay ahead for these students. Further information about the process so far and the student leadership program this year can be found in the attached section of this newsletter.

Year 6 leaders and P to 5 SRC leaders will be announced on Friday 8th April, after the Stations Of The Cross Liturgy commencing at 10:00am.

Rugby jumpers 

Our Year 6 rugby jumpers have arrived! A big thank you to Mrs Janelle Adams for organising. These will be presented to the Year 6 students by their buddies at tomorrow’s assembly.

House Cross Country (Years 3 to Year 6) at Alma Park, Thursday 7th April 12:00pm

On the back of the sporting carnival we are looking forward to next week’s House Cross Country event for Year 3 to Year 6 students at Alma Park on Thursday. Students may wear their house colour on this day.

We are looking for additional parent volunteers to assist on this day. If you are available to help out, please let your P&F rep know.

Winter Uniform - Term 2

From Tuesday 26th April - Friday 6th May the students continue to wear their full summer uniform. From Monday 9th May to Friday 20th May either summer or winter uniform can be worn. By Monday 23rd May, full winter uniform is to be worn.

For your convenience the second hand uniform store will be open on Wednesday 6th April at 3:00pm on the main campus basketball courts, as well as the first week of Term 2 on Wednesday 27th April.

School Photos - Thursday 28th April

Full Summer uniform to be worn on this day, including black school shoes. Hair length that sits on the collar must be tied back neatly and a school ribbon or scrunchie worn where appropriate.  

Official Opening of Refurbished Building - Thursday 5th May

We are thrilled to announce that we are having the opening of our refurbished building on 5th May at 2:30pm. Please put this in your calendar as it promises to be a great afternoon of celebration. Fr Jerome will bless the building and Mrs Heta has organised a Welcome to Country and a Smoking Ceremony for the occasion. We will be inviting a few dignitaries as well as some special friends.