Dear Families

A warm welcome back to Term 4. All the children seemed to have grown taller over the break and everyone looks relaxed, rested and ready to go for an action packed last term of the year!

This term we welcome Doyeon and her family to Year 2J. She already looks at home in class and in the playground. We thank our Year 2 students and Miss Romios for looking after her. Miss Jacquie returned from her trip to South Africa today and we look forward to her photos and hearing her stories. Some of the pictures she has sent through looked amazing. The wild life could be from a movie, but she has seen them in person. Miss Romios supports many of our Long Service Leave teaching blocks. It is always a pleasure to work with Anastasia and we thank her for her professionalism and care for each student. We are fortunate to have our team of casual relief teachers who know each of our students across the school and understand our community.

Mr Speranza and I did a great deal of work around the school and liaising with different companies to complete upgrades of our basketball court over the holidays. We look forward to many games being played on the court of both basketball and netball. This upgrade was quite involved and will be the focus of our fundraising at our upcoming Met Gala evening.

The landscape gardening project in the Zen Zone is nearly complete with Steve just needing to place some timber sleepers at the stair end and it is finished!

The planter boxes on wheels are now planted and the Sustainability Leaders Nicole and Nesmah are helping with the watering of our new plants. Our Prep students are also helping with the hydration of these plants. When you drop off or pick up your children please have a seated quiet moment and enjoy the Zen Zone space. Steve has installed a water system which allows us to water the main garden bed with automated sprinklers.

Everyone has played a role in this project and it will always be our 2022-2024 gift to future generations at St Mary’s Primary School. Please keep Friday 13th December 3:00pm free for the blessing of our project and a celebratory sausage and icy pole!

Prep 2025

Next Thursday evening we welcome our Prep 2025 families, as they begin their orientation to commence school next year. Thank you to Louisa, Holly and the Prep reps for supporting this evening. Our new families can experience our amazing St Mary’s family first hand. When I pop in and out of Prep, our students look very grown up and to see their independence with their learning and as they move about the school is wonderful.

Prep 2026

Today we commence our School Open Days for families looking to join our community in 2026 and 2027. Mr Speranza and myself together with the Year 6 leaders love showing our beautiful school to new families and sharing all the opportunities available at our school. This evening I am presenting to families at Papilio Kindergarten and Child Care Centre not far from school. Our Year 4 students visit Papilio during the year and it is great to build these connections within our community. Many of our current students joined us from Papilio and we look forward to continuing this close partnership.

Celebrating Prep Home Reading

Of course I love sharing learning moments with all our students and loved being called in to celebrate the amazing reading that has been done by Carter, Michael-Angelo and Robbie, in Prep. Reading for a minimum of fifteen minutes every night is setting your child up for lifelong success as a learner. The research and evidence in regards to this is overwhelming.

Year 6 Leaders Preparing for Assembly

I couldn't resist sharing this moment with you. Mr Speranza, Ava and Ava had the best location to enjoy a hot chocolate and work on the assembly for this Friday!

HOLT Athletics

We congratulate all our athletes for representing our school on Monday. Whilst the conditions were not ideal our students persevered. In particular we congratulate the following students for making it through to the Beachside Athletics Carnival Division. We wish them all the best for next Tuesday.

* Jay - Triple Jump

* Jemima - Shot Put

* Mia - Triple Jump

We thank Ruth, Claudette and Lousia for running the Boys Discus everting our athletes. To Mrs Mason, our hard working Sports Co-ordinator and co-organiser of the whole carnival we thank you for the many hours that you put into this role. Please read more about this day in Around the School.

Mrs Mason as an ardent supporter of the Lions has been proudly wearing her Lions gear and decorating Year 5/6M with Brisbane colours. We congratulate our Lions supporters and commiserations to our red and white fans. I had the good fortune to attend the Grand Final and loved every part of the day. Sadly I think it will be a while until the Dees are back!

Swimming

It is great to have our senior students swimming this fortnight. In speaking with them, they have enjoyed these sessions and learning about the importance of water safety.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Our prayers are with our Year 3 students as they learn about and begin their preparation for this sacrament. We look forward to working in partnership with our families next Wednesday evening at the Family Faith Night. We acknowledge and thank Father Jerome and Mrs Mensen for their Faith leadership within our community.

Swooping Birds Alert

I have had an email from Port Phillip council and Alma Park was also mentioned in the papers on the weekend. Please be mindful when walking through or around the park.

I’m writing to you in response to a recent report of birds that have been swooping outside St Mary’s Primary School, causing concern to parents of the young children in the area. Swooping birds can be extremely frightening, and we know they can cause serious injury if a person is not properly protected.

Swooping season in Melbourne occurs from late August to mid-October. Native birds such as magpies may swoop in urban areas such as parks and gardens, along bike tracks and in school yards, anywhere the birds may be nesting.

Magpies and other native birds are protected species under the Wildlife Act; destruction or removal of the birds is not permitted, nor will it eliminate swooping bird issue’s as a new family is likely to take their place.

Take care and wishing God's blessings and peace upon each of you.

Mrs Cathy Ferrari

TheirCare Program