Principal's Update
Dear Parents and Carers,
It’s hard to believe we are already in the month of August! Mick continues to enjoy his Long Service Leave, having returned from time in Vietnam and Port Douglas. From his photos, his time away looked beautiful. He still has a week left of his leave, and we hope he enjoys the break and rejuvenation time.
On Saturday, 8th August the Catholic church celebrates the feast of Mary MacKillop.
Saint Mary MacKillop (also known as Mary of the Cross) was a Catholic nun and the first Australian canonized by the Catholic Church. The church declared her a saint in October 2010. Mary was committed to helping the poor and would help those in need whenever she could. She was very active throughout Australia in establishing schools and welfare institutions through the founding of the Josephite order of nuns, who were known as the Sister of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.
Mary is famously known for her saying ‘never see a need without doing something about it’. We encourage our children at St. Mary’s to follow this motto and do good within all their communities because it is the right thing to do and to treat everyone and everything with the respect and dignity they deserve.
God of all blessings, you revealed in Mary MacKillop a sensitivity to the rights and dignity of every person,
regardless of race, creed or age.
May we learn from her to overcome fear and prejudice.
Help us to value the goodness of each person and all the blessings of unity in diversity.
We ask this through the depth and unity of you,
our bountiful God who holds all things in being.
Amen
Victorian Catholic Education Authority Letter
Yesterday all families should have received a letter via school email from the VCEA Chief Executive Officer, Professor Elizabeth Labone. This letter has gone out to all families in Catholic schools throughout Victoria and is asking parents and carers to consider the importance of funding for our schools when considering the upcoming election.
Bravehearts
Yesterday our Prep to Year 2 students were visited by ‘Ditto’ and his friend from Bravehearts. Each year the Bravehearts team visit our school to teach our children about personal safety in a fun and interactive way. This presentation is always followed up by the classroom teachers to emphasise the importance of the messages Ditto shares with the children. Please have a chat to your child about what they learned during the visit.
Student Voice and Agency Team
Our team of 6 senior students continue to work on ways of improving student voice and agency within our school. Before the holidays, they presented to the whole school about the work they are undertaking and then surveyed all students and staff to learn more about areas they think we can improve upon.
The two themes that came out on top that need some attention are kindness and student engagement. The Student Agency team is now planning on investigating these themes further to ascertain exactly what it is that the students want to improve and then work on ways we can achieve this.
100 Days Brighter in Prep
It was lovely to see all our little Prep children in their bright clothes yesterday to celebrate their 100th day at school. It is incredible to see how well they have settled into the routine of school life and how much they have grown over the 100 days. Thank to our fabulous Prep team for caring for the children as they do, and also a big thank you to our Prep families for your ongoing support of your little one and our school.
Write A Book In A Day
Next Monday, 10th August, a group of 10 Year 6 students will spend the whole day planning, writing, illustrating and publishing a book. This is a nationwide competition which raises funds for The Kids’ Cancer Project. Miriam, Jess and Maegen will spend the day creating the book with the students. We are all eagerly waiting to read what they produce!
Have a fabulous week,
Paula Parish, Jodie Hassett and Judy Carr
(Acting Principals)