Newsletter ~ Term 1, Week 10, 2025

Principal's Message:

Dear Parents, Carers, Families and Friends of St Mel’s Primary School,

The end of Term One has arrived after another eventful, busy and productive term of learning and teaching at our lovely school. Our Staff Team and young learners are well into the first implementation phase of Magnify Sandhurst, whilst incorporating areas of our new approach to learning and teaching yet to be added to this diocesan-wide initiative. Our Staff Team are to be (and have been regularly) commended on their positive, proactive approach to implementing the learning and teaching reforms that have rolled out this year. Our students continue to experience new ways of engaging in the Magnify curriculum in support of their learning, development and growth. It is certainly time for a well-earned rest from school routines after this wonderful start to 2025!

I wish all our children, families, parents, carers and Staff Team all the very best for the school holidays and a happy, safe and holy Easter! Looking forward to seeing everyone back at school in three weeks time on Monday 28 April.

Sacramental Preparation:

Please keep the children and their families preparing for the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist in your thoughts and prayers as they prepare to gather in groups to learn more about their faith and these sacraments in coming weeks. This week our Sacramental groups gathered here at St Mel's PS for a combined large group session.

Magnify Sandhurst'

Every Student - Every Teacher - Every School - Every Day!

Neuroscience of Learning - First Week of Term 2 (Student Free Days):

Our staff team will join the staff teams of schools across the Sandhurst Diocese for three consecutive days of professional learning in the first week of Term Two focussed on the Neuroscience of Learning as part of Magnify Sandhurst. With Easter Monday at the beginning of Week One and the Anzac Day public holiday at the end of Week One the next holiday break for children will be three weeks long.

Our children will commence attending school on the second week of Term Two from Monday 28 April 2025.

Staffing Announcements:

Last Saturday Alexa Mori (Year 3/4 teacher) celebrated her marriage to fiance Justin.

We congratulate the newly married couple and with them every happiness for their future together. Last Friday our Year 3/4 Learning Groups celebrated with Alexa prior to her wedding day, with staff holding a special Morning Tea at school this week.

With Karen Myers commencing her period of Long Service Leave we welcome back Jen Amadei, to the Administration Office Team. Jen formally worked in the role and has been generous to come out of retirement and support us during Karen's leave. Lovely to have Jen back in the Admin.

Kim Bristow indicated at the end of term her intention to not continue in our 0.4 FTE Physical Education role. Kim has supported our specialist Physical Education program since joining us in 2024, including proactively and successfully applying to the Sporting Schools Program to access funding to provide our students with internal and external sport experiences to supplement our program. I am grateful for Kim's support of our students, staff team and school since joining us in the role last year and for her continuing in the role into next term as we seek to fill the position.

Over the holiday break we will advertise for a number of staffing positions at St Mel's PS to commence in Term Two including: Administration Officer (0.6 FTE), Teacher: Physical Education (0.4 FTE Tuesdays & Wednesdays) and a number of Learning Support Officer positions. These positions will be advertised locally and futher afield online (and in the Shepparton News). Please spread the word amongst your friends, family and connections as we seek new staff to join our Staff Team during Term Two.

Student Medical Information:

Parents and carers have been reminded to update their child / children's Student Medical Information online using the SIMONEverywhere (PAM) app. This information is important for staff to access in the event of a medical issue or emergency at school, on excursion, during sports days (off site) and camps. A reminder to parents to contact your child's Learning Group teacher or the School Administration Office to let us know when major changes are made to the online information.

Student Arrival at School:

We encourage our students to commence arriving at school from 8:30am each morning.

This provides an opportunity for children to catch up, play with one another and be here well before our first bell at 8:55am. Preferably ALL children will be onside from 8:45am so that once the first bell goes they are ready to enter Learning Suites and ready to engage in their morning learning routine.

Excursions:

Our Foundation and Year One students have enjoyed their excursions to Jets Gym as part of their Physical Education specialist program over the past few weeks. Year 3/4 students enjoyed an enjoyable, education and interesting excursion to the Ballet yesterday as part of their Arts program.

2025 & 2026 Enrolment:

Catholic Education Week:

We celebrate Catholic Education Week from Monday 5th to Friday 9th May.

Supporting Work Placement:

We are pleased to be continuing to support secondary students completing their week long and/or regular one day per week work experience in our school this year. Very encouraging to have met with three of our most recent students who are all still considering a career in education as teachers. We certainly need wonderful teachers in our schools!

St Mel's PS Uniform:

Wearing our correct school uniform shows pride in our school and pride in ourselves.

We Do Our Best when we wear our correct school uniform.

Uniform Labels:

Parents and carers please check your child/ren's uniform items are clearly named/labelled and that your child is bringing home (& wearing) their uniform. We have recently had a run of children wearing hats and jumpers not belonging to them.

Time Capsule Contents 1973 to 2000 to 2025:

The contents of the 1973 and 2000 Time Capsules will be displayed in the St Mel's parish church from this Sunday for the school holidays. Plans are underway to rebury the contents along with items from this year to be opened in 2050.

We Need You! And... you and you and you and you! (CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!) [Repeat]

Our St Mel's Parent & Carer's Social Committee is in need of MORE parents and carers to indicate their support for our various school events, fun-raising and fund-raising activities.

Recently a letter was sent home detailing ways in which parents and carers can support activities such as: Mothers' Day Stall

Ladies' E

Pie Drive

Fathers' Day Stall

Fathers' Day Breakfast

School Disco

Without support from our parents and carers we may need to change and possibly abandon activities going forward. Please find following a copy of the Volunteer Sign Up form.

Please return the form next week.

Volunteer in Support of our School Community

- St Mel's Parent & Carers Social Committee: [REPEAT]

The St Mel's PS Parents & Carers Social Committee consists of volunteer parents, carers and other members of our community (e.g. grandparents, former parents, staff members, aunties, etc.) whose aims are as follows:

To cater for the general wellbeing of the school community.
To liaise and co-operate with the School Advisory Council and the St Mel's parish community as a whole.
To raise funds to assist with purchase of equipment and resources for the school. This amount helps keep school fees down.
To foster and develop a spirit of community among parents and friends.

In other words... FUNraising, FUNDraising and Social Connection.

All parents, carers and friends are welcome to attend meetings. Details of time and venue of meetings will be available in the school newsletter.

In 2024 our Parents & Carers Social Committee organised our Annual Student Disco, Mother's Day High Tea and Gift Staff, our Father's Day Breakfast & Gift Stall and very popular Colour Fun Run. Funds raised contributed to: new headphones for our students to use with their iPads, new readers for our students and our new Ga Ga Pit (outdoor play equipment) to be installed in our grounds this year.

For more information about the St Mel's PS Parents and Carers Social Committee or to join please contact our Deputy Principal Danae Napier or Social Committee member Leah Hawker on socialclub@smshepparton.catholic.edu..

Student Attendance is UP! [Repeat]

Thank you children, parents and carers. Our overall school attendance percentage has increased, with a number of children improving their regular attendance from previous years.

The importance of high levels of school attendance is important in supporting each child's learning journey. I am pleased our ongoing efforts to encourage more regular attendance and discourage non-attendance is reflected in these positive attendance figures.

Remember: We should be aiming for 95% attendance as "Everyday Counts"!

Missing mornings, afternoons and days of school means children are missing valuable low variance curriculum delivery.

Acceptable absences from school include: illness, accidents, attending or observing religious event or obligation, bereavement or sorry business and/or cultural observarence.

Other than these reasons children should attend school to fully engage with the curriculum.

School Dates:

Please check the Upcoming Dates & Events section of the newsletter regularly.

A reminder of approaching Student Free Days:

Term Two - Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24 April 'The NeuroScience of Learning'

Term Three - Wednesday 13 August 'Diocesan Staff Spirituality Day'

Best wishes for the school holidays and a happy, safe and Holy Easter period.

Thank you for your ongoing support of your child/ren and our Staff Team.

Stephen 'Steve' Hicks

Principal

Did you know? ~

2024 Newsletter Sponsors & Calendar Advertisers

Our 2024 St. Mel's Calendar is coming out this week ~ please check your child's bags.

Thank you to SPC who sponsors & provides items for our St. Mel's Breakfast Club!