Dear Families,

Today we welcomed our Grandparents to our Primary Assembly. Our Foundation to Year students gather every second Friday at 2.30pm in the PLC to celebrate all the achievements of our primary cohort, announce our PBL award winners and often be entertained with the musical talents of the children.

This assembly was very special as we celebrated our grandparents and the enormous contribution they make to our lives. We know not all grandparents could be with us today so we are thinking also of grandparents who live a distance from their grandchildren, grandparents no longer with us and those who act as grandparents - thank you for all that you do.

Our next Assembly is Friday 23rd August.

We hope to see you there - everyone is welcome!

➡️ Courage to Care Incursion

On Wednesday 31st July, our Year 5 and 6 students took part in the "Courage to Care" incursion. They participated in activities, asked thoughtful questions, and listened to inspiring stories from Holocaust Survivor Speakers. The program focuses on the importance of standing up against prejudice, discrimination, and bullying, turning bystanders into upstanders.

We are proud of our students for their active participation and commitment to making a positive difference. The presenters were very impressed with how respectful and engaged our students were, stating that they were "divine" and how they wanted to "package" our students up! They were also incredibly impressed with all of the children's thoughtful questions and the respect shown to the speakers.

Just a few days ago we received an email from the facilitator leader of the group who are all volunteers. This was a part of the email sent to Mrs Grant- once again, we couldn't be prouder of our students.

“The Courage to Care office staff were thrilled to receive the

thank you cards so beautifully created by your students.

It was a joy to read the heartfelt messages and see how much

thought and effort they had put into thanking our wonderful team.

I have told the volunteers who delivered workshops to your students

that they should come and have a look at the fantastic cards. Our Volunteer Manager

will feature photos of some of the cards in the volunteer newsletter, under the title

“This is why we do it”. Then we will give the cards to the individuals to

whom they are addressed.

We are so glad that your students found the experience of

participating in Upstander workshops positive and memorable. It was a delight to

read that they are grateful for learning how to be Upstanders.

PS. The students were as generous with their words as they were with their glitter.

That package of cards contained the most glitter we’ve ever seen"!

➡️ Foundation 100 Days Brighter

The Foundation students had a great day last Friday celebrating 100 days at school. Their Year 6 buddies worked with them during the day and Year 4 children made cards for them.

It certainly was a fabulously bright day!!

➡️ Year 5

Year 5A was honoured to welcome Aunty Leonie, grandmother to Vader and Fox, to our school. Aunty Leonie shared her rich cultural heritage, teaching us about ceremonial smoking and the significance of Taungurong country. Her stories about her experiences and traditions deeply moved and inspired our students.

Year 5 have also been writing about kindness and came to share their stories with Year 4 this week. It was great to hear such thoughtful and reflective writing.

Alba Bruce (5A) came and showed Year 4 how she created a dodecahedron from the Olympic facts they had been learning about - what a great way to combine maths and literacy !

➡️ Olympic Torch Visit

Tamara Heron, mother of Amelia and Ava Morgan, visited 4A last week to share her story of carrying the Olympic torch through Seymour for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. It was great to hear Tamara speak of such a wonderful and memorable occasion.

Thank you for sharing with us Tamara.

➡️ Swimming Program

Years 3 and 4 are almost at the end of their swimming program. Every week, the children are ready and organised for swimming. They continue to demonstrate their good manners and listen very well to the instructors. Keep up the great work Yr 3 and 4!

➡️ Indonesian Independence Day

This week we celebrate Indonesian Independence Day (17th August). The children in Years 3-6 are doing such a fabulous job with their Indonesian learning. Classes are able to invite Ms Molinaro ( Indonesian Language co-ordinator ) to our classrooms every couple of weeks and she is always very impressed by the participation and language skills of the children. Well done to all students.

➡️ Book Week

Our official Book Week celebrations will kick off with our dress up parade on Friday 16th August. This year's theme is ‘Reading is Magic’. Students will be invited to come to school dressed as their favourite book character or as a magical character.

Families are very welcome to join us for the parade at 9.00am in the MPH.

The following week's festivities will include a colouring competition, classroom ‘decorate the door’ competition and online author talks. It has been great to hear the students starting to talk about their costumes- we hear the teachers are planning some very special outfits !!

➡️ Science Week - 10th-17th August

The school theme for National Science Week in 2024 is Species Survival - More than just sustainability. The theme aims to highlight the importance of science and innovation in ensuring the survival and thriving of different species in an ever-changing world. To learn more about this topic, the children will be creating Clay Bird Feeders as a design/STEM activity with Mrs Holt.

➡️ Sushi Day

Shelley Hamilton from Inari Sushi Seymour has kindly offered to do another sushi day for the school. F-2 started off today and it will be the turn of Years 3-6 on Friday 23rd August. The children can purchase the following sushi rolls: Crispy Chicken, Chicken Teriyaki or Tempura Vegetable. They are $3.50 per serve. Order forms will be sent home next week. A huge thank you to Shelley and team for this wonderful initiative.

➡️ Year 3 Playing Get Out of My House to practice their times tables...

Please see the dates below to mark in your dairy:-

▪️ Week 5: Science Week

▪️ Week 6: Book Week Parade (Friday 16th August: 9.00am)

▪️ Week 7: Father’s /Special Person’s Day Breakfast (Friday 30th August)

▪️ Week 9: Feast Day celebrations (Friday 13th September)

▪️ Week 10: Footy Colours Day (Friday 20th September)

Thank you for your support and participation in your child’s learning.

Have a great week.

Catherine Evans

catherine.evans@smseymour.catholic.edu.au

The Marian

Through service we receive

Newsletter No. 12 · 09 Aug 2024

In this issue