From Our Principal
St Mel's is a proud Catholic Education Community, striving, learning
and achieving together through Christ our light.
Newsletter ~ Term 2, Week 11, 2024
Principal's Message:
Dear Parents, Carers, Families and Friends of St Mel’s Primary School,
I hope this edition of the newsletter finds you well and preparing to enjoy a break from school routines for the next two weeks of school holidays. After an eleven week term our young learners, staff team and (I am sure) parents and carers are looking forward to a change of pace and a well earned break from school.
In many ways its hard to believe that we are now half way through the academic year, with so many wonderful learning opportunities, school events and experiences behind us. Along with the release of Semester One school reports this week, at one end of the school - our Year 5/6 Learning Community celebrated their inquiry with a Learning Expo, well attended by parents, carers, grandparents, learners from across years Prep to 4 and staff. At the other end of the school - our Foundation students travelled to the Kyabram Fauna Park (Zoo) to see a range of mammals, reptiles and other animals up close. We were so very impressed by the Foundation children's engagement in the excursion and their questions to the Zoo Keeper following a very informative session focussed on the Shingleback Lizard!
Please take some time early in the holidays, if you haven't already, to sit with your child, read through their school report and portfolio, discussing the first semester of learning. Celebrate their achievement and growth, talk about any challenges and discuss goals for continued improvement and engagement for Term Three onwards. As we know, learning is a life-long endeavour and we can continue to grow, develop and improve every day. Being back in my former primary school I am continually reminded of the differences between schooling 'back in the day' and schooling today! Evidence-based practice continues to shape the educational landscape and the realities for children, families, parents, carers and school staff around school life. We all need to work together to provide the children in our care with the best educational opportunities they can experience. Thank you for your ongoing support of your young learners and our school.
Child Safe Standards / Emergency Management & School Access:
Thank you for the support with our change to school access between 9:00am and 3:00pm daily. Our coordinated introduction of this change this week with the St Mel's Kindergarden has gone smoothly, with students, parents, carers and staff adjusting to the change in the interests of child safety and in support of our emergency management procedures.
Enrolment Reminder:
In Term Three we commence Enrolment Interviews and offering places for the 2025 academic year. I look forward to meeting prospective students and their families next term.
Currently enrolled families with Foundation (Prep) children for next year are reminded to contact our School Administration Office to ensure we have your child in our enrolment numbers. If you are aware of family, friends or community connections yet to express an interest in enrolment for next year encourage them to contact our School Administration Office early in the new term.
St Mel's Primary School Uniform Information - Clarity:
An opportunity presented this term to seek, and provide, clarity around what is the approved St. Mel’s Primary School Uniform. This information is to provide direction for our school community, which in turn will be updated in handbooks, our website and enrolment packs.
Please see Catholic Identity section of the newsletter for further information.
Parent Teacher Interviews - Term Three / Week Two:
Our second round of interviews for 2024 will be conducted on Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 July. Bookings will be taken via our SIMON Everywhere (PAM) app. Details will follow.
We encourage all parents / carers to make a time to meet with your child/ren's Pastoral Group teacher to discuss their progress to date and goals for the second semester.
Photographing Children at School:
A reminder to parents to be mindful when photographing our students at school and / or school events e.g., Learning Expos, assembly, sports. Photos should be restricted to capturingimages of your own children and are not to be posted on Social Media where other children can be identified. The school has photo permission from parents / carers to use for newsletters, promotions, newspaper stories, etc... We have a number of children who are not to be photographed. Please be mindful of this when capturing vision of your child.
Safe, Responsible Student Use of Technology (all ages):
Our school curriculum includes age-appropriate education for our children across all year levels on safe, responsible use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). In addition to safe guarding blocks on our school internet access, we routinely revisit online safety themes with our learners. Our children from Foundation to Year 6 use iPads for a range of learning foci, with restricted access to the internet. We are aware many of our children are currently accessing a range of online gaming platforms, social media platforms and online communication platforms (which will increase as the children grow older and approach adulthood). Monitoring their online access and use is extremely important, along with providing the education to be safe, responsible users of the technology. Parents / carers with concerns regarding their child/ren's use of technology are encouraged to speak with their child's Pastoral Group Teacher. Parents/carers can also visit the e-safety Commissioner's website for more information, support and advice in this area:
NAIDOC Week - 7 July to 14 July:
NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week falls in the school holiday break (second week). National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.
There will be a range of local events and activities held.
Make Wooden Animal Magnets at the Shepparton Library (10 - 26 July)
Attend the NAIDOC WEEK Art Exhibition at Kaiela Arts(9 - 20 July)
St Mel's Primary School Production:
Our learners are being well prepared for the three-yearly school production to be held on Wednesday 14 August. Tickets are very strictly limited and are bound to be secured quickly.
Robyn Banfield, Performing & Visual Arts Specialist and the children have been practising their singing and some stylish dance moves for our production which this year moves to the Westside Performing Arts Centre, Mooroopna for ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Rehearsals and preparations will 'ramp up' in early Term Three as the date approaches.
Sandhurst Arts on Show:
Our Year 5/6 students are also preparing their participation in this diocesan event to be held in the St Mel's Primary School Hall in the last week of Term Three. Instructors from the Australian School of Performing Arts will return on the Monday of Week Two to workshop and rehearse with the children.
Term Three Commences:
A reminder that Term Three commences Monday 15 July from 8:30am.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the school and your child/ren.
Best wishes for a safe and enjoyable school holiday period.
Kind regards,
Stephen 'Steve' Hicks
Principal