Principal's News

Dear Parents and Families,

It was lovely to have an extra day attached to the weekend, and reflect on the extraordinary impact of Neale Daniher as I watched the Big Freeze footy. With such an outpouring of love, it seems certain the Fight to cure MND will continue to be supported by Victorians.

Whilst there is sometimes a hint of sun during the day, the cold mornings and rainy days are arriving. As the end of term nears, and the students are tired, please be aware of the many viruses which are also becoming more prevalent. Please keep an eye on your child for symptoms and do not send them if there is the chance it may impact others due to the fever, runny nose or cough. It's also a reminder to keep some COVID tests at home and test your child if they have some of the symptoms we associate with COVID. Children present quite differently to adults, but we are usually far more symptomatic and sicker than children. It is a requirement that students and staff do not attend school for at least five days if COVID is diagnosed, whether the symptoms have passed or not. 

As in the past, we appreciate being informed of significant illnesses such as COVID or Influenza, as some students and staff in the school may have low immunity and need to be informed of any form of illness. Thank you for your understanding.

CONGRATULATIONS MARITA!

You would have read of the news last week of Marita's appointment to an Acting Principal position from the start of Term Three. Obviously, her time at St Martin's has prepared her well for this role. It is a secondment, so the position changes this brings within our school are temporary too. I will inform you of the role changes here once finalised.

In the meantime, we wish Marita every success in this new role at Our Lady's in Surrey Hills from the start of Term Three. 

JUNIOR TOILETS PROJECT - IT'S EXCITING!

In the Term Two holidays, the Junior toilets, which are located in the Specialist Building, will begin a process of demolition and will then be updated. This is going to be a fabulous change for our students, to have bright, modern new toilets. This project will take approximately six weeks and so there will be a change in routine for the entry to the Specialist Building and when it can be used.  There are toilets on the second floor of the building and in the Middle Area, so both will be used by the P-2 students for this short amount of time. Obviously, a number of trades people will be on site, and are WWCC cleared to do so. The area will be fenced off and deliveries will be done when the students are not on site (morning and afternoon) or when they are in class.

This project is being funded by the school and is a significant improvement to these facilities, used mainly by the P-2 students. I will share further information in the last Newsletter this term and as we are returning to school. 

We look forward to the new, brighter toilets being completed part way through next term!

EUCHARIST PREPARATION MASSES

Thank you to the families who attended the Eucharist Parent and Child Workshop last week. Next weekend, 20/21 June, the first Preparation Mass will take place, so families are asked to attend either the Saturday 5.30pm Mass or the Sunday 10am Mass. The second Preparation Mass is held on the Retreat Day, during school hours. 

The Retreat Day is to be held on Friday 24 July. 

If you have any queries regarding First Eucharist, please speak with your child's teacher/s, Marita or myself.

FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART MASS

TOMORROW, Friday 12 June, the school will gather at 9.15am for the Feast of the Sacred Heart Mass. This is the time when we remember those who may need assistance with food or other goods (blankets and coats). We have started our Winter Appeal for Vinnies and ask that you continue to support the collection of food and coats until the end of Term Two.  There will be a few special drive days to really boost the collection such as Make a Difference on Mondays and Think of Others on Thursdays.

HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVE

As you are aware, St Vincent de Paul assists many individuals and families within our community who are experiencing hardship. With winter now upon us, we are seeing an increasing number of vulnerable people sleeping rough and living without adequate shelter. Banyule Council has started a valuable initiative aimed at supporting people experiencing homelessness. The program is not restricted by municipal boundaries and is designed to help connect vulnerable individuals with support services.

Attached is an information card that can be used by any member of the community. If someone encounters a person who appears to be homeless and in need of assistance, they can scan the QR code on the card and complete a short form. This information is then directed to MOSS (Merri Outreach Support Services) social workers, who can follow up and provide assistance at the reported location.

Thank you for your support in helping reach and assist some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

REPORTS

The Semester One Reports will be released to parents on Friday 19 June. Please keep an eye out for the Compass alert and note you may experience delays in downloading your child/rens report. 

EMERGENCY DRILL

In the coming week, we will have an Emergency Drill as a practice for any emergencies which might occur. We are informing you of this so you can have a conversation about the need for this with your children at home. It is a normal part of our safety routines and compliance requirements.

CROSS COUNTRY

We wish our three students - James S, Lily S and Ellie B - all the best for the Regional Cross Country event next week at Kilmore Racetrack. 

EXCURSION AND SOCCER

In the next fortnight, the Year Three students are going to Scienceworks, and selected students from Year 6 will participate in the District Soccer tournament. 

CHANGE OF STAFF 

At the end of the term, Lauren Scarfo (currently in 5VS) will conclude at St Martin's after three years here.  We thank Lauren for her experience and flexibility here, and wish her all the very best for the future! Who knows, we may see her back as a CRT at some stage. 

We have employed a new teacher for the 5VS class, which will be announced in the final Newsletter of the term. She will meet her class next week during Induction preparation.

AUSTRALIA'S BEST TEACHERS

This initiative was supported by MACS last year and Catholic school teachers were well represented in the mix of teachers across Australia. Each state looks for its own 'Best Teachers', so if you or your child would like to nominate one of our staff, please feel welcome to ask who they have enjoyed being taught by and why, and complete the form through the QR code.  

Have a wonderful weekend!

IMPORTANT UPDATES 

ENROLMENT FOR 2027

Weekly Tours continue this term, with our Year Six students doing a magnificent job taking visiting parents around our school. 

We would like to thank Lewis Real Estate for sponsoring the advertsing boards that families will see around Macleod and Rosanna.

Upcoming Tour Dates for this term are as follows:

Tuesday 16 June, Thursday 25 June.

I have started meeting with current families and new families will meet with Fr Michael and myself in the coming weeks. 

FINAL ASSEMBLY THIS TERM 

Our last Assembly for Term Two will be held on Monday 15 June (Wk 9). Please join us on Top Yard at 8.50am. 

PFA FUNDRAISING

The focus of the PFA fundraising this year is the replacement of the Senior Adventure Playground. As you can imagine, this is a costly enterprise, so we are gearing all our fundraisers to this. The students will have input into the components to be included, so we want to be able to get as much for them as we can. 

                                 We are aiming for a $100,000 AMAZING play space! 

Please help us to get there across the year by sharing our fundraising activities at work, with friends and with your extended family. Some of them may also make lovely gifts! 

PLAYGROUP INTEREST - We have TWO parents to coordinate this!

We are going to start a Playgroup for those of you who have younger children to get to know each other better and to enable the children to play together. This could be held in the OSHC Room or the Community Centre once a week from 9-10.30am during the school terms. It would also be open to families who live in the Rosanna area, which could be another way to build enrolments at the school. A small cost for tea and coffee would be charged, with snacks provided by the child's parent due to allergies. 

Playgroup provides an opportunity for the children to play freely with minimal structure.  It is also an opportunity for the parents (and sometimes grandparents) to meet with other adults for a cuppa and a chat in a very friendly and casual atmosphere. Everyone is most welcome – children 0-5 years of age. If you have an interest in leading this, please call me on 8458 7500. 

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL 

We are still looking for two new parent reps. Here are the current SAC members.

The SAC is the body which advises on matters concerning the school. It can assist with school promotion, provide information to the school community and skills and perspectives on matters of interest to our parents. You may have a particular skill set which will help on the SAC, or be interested in learning more about our programs and initiatives. Everyone is welcome to apply for a two year term, which will be decided by Fr Michael and myself if we have more applicants than positions. The SAC meets twice a term for approximately 1.5 hours. Please read the Expression of Interest information. 

CLASS MASSES

Please check the list below for your child's Class Mass. Your child's teacher/s will be in touch prior to the Mass, but please also note this date. There can, at times, be changes to these dates, if Fr Michael has a funeral to preside over.