Dear School Community Members,

Mano is a great place to be!

“This is probably my favourite day of the year!” said a Grade 1 student referring to our Colour Run. Our Colour Run was an incredible event and we thank the entire community for your support and enthusiasm. While the purpose of the Colour Run is multi-faceted, a key aim is to provide our students with an opportunity to participate in an event with their peers and community. We also aim to raise funds towards our new Playground – we raised an incredible $21,051.00. To our fabulous Parents and Friends Committee, the 12 Clonard students who volunteered and the many parent volunteers supporting last Thursday, THANK YOU! Mano is a great place to be!

R U OK Day: Today is R U OK? Day - a wonderful opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of checking in with the people around us and starting a conversation when someone may be struggling.

At Mano, we encourage our students to look out for one another, listen with kindness and understand that a simple question like “Are you OK?” can make a real difference.

The R U OK? website has a wealth of helpful information and resources for families, including:

raising awareness of the support available to people who may be struggling
providing strategies for reaching out and offering support
helping children and young people start conversations with someone who may not be OK.

We encourage families to talk with their children about the simple R U OK? conversation:

1. Ask - “Are you OK?”Check in and ask how someone is feeling.

2. ListenGive them your full attention and listen without interrupting or judging.

3. Encourage actionAsk, “Is there something I can help you with?” and encourage them to seek support if needed.

4. Check inFollow up with the person and let them know you are there for them.

Sometimes, a simple conversation can be the beginning of something really important. Let’s continue to look out for each other and make kindness, connection and checking in part of everyday life at Mano.

Term 3 Social Service Activity: Our Term 3 Social Service activity has been finalised by our Junior School Council.

Date: Friday, 18th September (last day of term)

Purpose: Raising funds for grounds at Mano

Donation: Gold coin

Dress: Sports Colours

Students and staff are invited to come to school dressed in their Sports Colours of choice (footy colours, soccer colours, basketball colours, netball colours etc). Further information regarding the day is included in this edition of the newsletter. Once again, congratulations to our Junior School Council for their leadership across our school.

Pupil Free Days – Term 4: Please note the Pupil Free day and Public Holiday for Term 4:

Wednesday, 21st October: Geelong Cup Public Holiday (no school)
Monday, 23rd November: Curriculum Day: focus on Assessment and Reporting (pupil free day)

TheirCare will provide care options for the pupil free day and should be contacted directly for bookings.

End of Term Arrangements: Next Friday is the last day of Term 3. Please note, students will be dismissed from school at 2:30pm next Friday. After School Care will begin at 2:30pm. Term 4 will commence on Monday, 5th October.

Thank you for supporting our school and have a great week.

Christian Smith

Prime Ministers Spelling Bee