PREP

What an amazing start we have had in Prep!

We know our year is going to be a special one and we can’t for all the fun to continue.

We are so proud of the way our 47 Preps have settled in and have taken everything in their stride.

The highlight has been our Buddies. We have loved them walking us to the playground, helping us at lunch time and eating with us after we have played. This relationship is such an important one and we look forward to fostering this throughout the year. Our special beginning of the year Mass which is also known as our ‘Buddy Blessing’, will be held in St Mary’s Church on Friday the 28th of Feb at 10am. All are welcome and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible.

In Prep, we have been learning key word instructions, how to walk in a line, how to hold our pencil and we have even had a go at writing some sounds/letters. We were so eager to get into some learning that we started ‘Heggerty’, which helps us learn all about sounds in words. It’s pretty tricky but the Preps were super stars.

With ‘Meet the Teacher’ afternoons just around the corner, we ask that you please go onto PAM and book in a time to see us. Each chat will only go for 10 minutes and it’s an opportunity for you to tell us about your child. We look forward to seeing you on those afternoons.

Gemma Blake gblake@smcolac.catholic.edu.au

Elissa Rodger erodger@smcolac.catholic.edu.au

GRADE 1

We have had a wonderful time welcoming back our students the past week. We have been very impressed seeing how quickly they are stepping back into routine and making new friendships in their classrooms and in the yard.

A few of our students have commented on what they have enjoyed:

Luna - I have enjoyed writing recounts

Thea - I have enjoyed spending time with my new teachers and doing our self portraits

Tate - Playing with my friend Clancy

Rosie - Playing in the playground and doing writing

Fletcher: I have really enjoyed Science

Tadhg - Our clinic with the Geelong Cats and writing and drawing about it.

We have enjoyed getting to know you and it has been lovely to get to know your little people. If you have any worries or communications, please do not hesitate to contact us via Dojo.

Leah Martin lmartin@smcolac.catholic.edu.au

Rebecca Murray rmurray@smcolac.catholic.edu.au

Judy Carr jcarr@smcolac.catholic.edu.au

Paula Parish pparish@smcolac.catholic.edu.au

GRADE 2

Welcome to a fantastic new year at St Mary’s! We are thrilled to be continuing this journey with your wonderful children and can’t wait to see them learn, grow, and enjoy every moment in Year 2.

Meet the Team

We’re keeping our dedicated teaching team from 2024 to ensure continuity and success for our students:

• Matt O’Dowd – Full-time classroom teacher (Monday – Friday)

• Emma Roberts – Monday to Wednesday

• Mandy Delorenzo – Thursday & Friday

Supporting our students throughout the week, we also have an incredible team of Learning Support Officers (LSOs): Beth, Laura, Hannah, Janelle, and Susie.

Weekly Schedule Highlights

Mondays:

• Library Visit – Students can borrow new books and update homework folders.

• Reading Folder – Please ensure your child brings their blue reader folder to school.

• Specialist Classes – Auslan and P.E. (Students must wear their P.E. uniform.)

Wednesdays:

• Specialist Classes

• Terms 1 & 3 – Art and DDT

• Terms 2 & 4 – Science and Music

Important Reminders

Blue reading folders are required at school every Monday morning. These will replace traditional library bags.

The Fridge

In each classroom we will have “The Fridge”. This will be a display on our wall which will give students the opportunity to proudly share their achievements, special occasions or meaningful objects with their classmates. Please send a picture of a physical object through to Dojo to ensure we don’t have special objects lost or broken at school.

Check ClassDojo for information on submitting family celebrations or special events to share with the class.

Medications

All medications, including asthma inhalers, must be accompanied by a medical form. Forms can be completed at the school office.

Uniform

• Hats are required in Terms 1 & 4. Please apply sunscreen before school.

• If your child requires a specific sunscreen brand, please send it in a labeled container.

Fruit Snack & Water Bottles

• A fruit snack is required daily at 10:00 AM. Please pack it separately from lunch.

• Students should bring a water bottle to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Communication & Contact

• For non-urgent matters, please message your child’s teacher via ClassDojo.

• For urgent concerns, contact the school office directly.

We are looking forward to an exciting year filled with learning, fun, and new experiences. Please reach out if you have any questions – we are here to support you and your child every step of the way!

Emma Roberts eroberts@smcolac.catholic.edu.au

Matt O'Dowd modowd@smcolac.catholic.edu.au

Amanda Delorenzo mdelorenzo@smcolac.catholic.edu.au

GRADE 3

We’ve had a fabulous start to Year 3.

Here’s what we have to say about our first week:

Axel Oakley- “I really like being back at school. The classroom looks very different to my Grade 2 one.”

Billie Ogle- “It was an amazing first week back, playing with my friends. My teacher is nice.”

Ella Wilson and Thea Downard- “We are excited to be back at school because we are doing lots of exciting things. We are excited to see our friends and teachers. We like having our own Chromebooks.”

Jade LoRicco jloricco@smcolac.catholic.edu.au

Deb Holland dholland@smcolac.catholic.edu.au

GRADE 4

Welcome back to the new school year! It has been so wonderful to see all of the smiling faces back around the school and hearing all the wonderful stories and adventures from the school holidays.

Our first 2 weeks back at school have been spent ‘Learning to learn’, where we have been able to get to know our teachers and peers! We have done lots of fun with team building activities and have also been reminded of our school expectations.

As we are starting back it is really important that we have all of the things we need back at school. Please make sure that your child has brought their hat back to school as the weather has been warm and the UV index high, students will have to remain in the shade if they do not have their hats. Students are also required to bring in an art smock and these are going to be left at school until the end of the year. Lynne has also asked that your child bring in a stick that they are going to be decorating as a ‘message stick’ next week in Art. If these could be brought in as soon as possible that would be amazing!

This year we are offering an opportunity for parents to meet with their child’s new classroom teacher. This is a chance for parents and guardians to share important information with their child’s new teacher. These meetings will run for 10 minutes each, with no need for children to attend, and will be held on the 10th, 11th and 17th of February in the library. Please make bookings through PAM. We look forward to meeting with you on these days.

Here are some things that Grade 4s have had to say about our start to the year;

Franc Anog - “I have loved getting new seat mates and having fruit break.”

Elise Bishop - “I have been excited to see Clem again after she has been away!”

Harrison Ackerley - “I have enjoyed seeing all my friends again and starting our daily reviews and spelling!”

Claire Alexander - “I have loved seeing my friends again!”

Important dates

February 10th, 11th & 17th - Meet and Greet Afternoons

February 13th - Aths trials for years 4-6

March 10th - Labour Day Public Holiday

March 11th - Student free day

March 14th - School sports

March 27th & 28th - Year 4 Camp to Warrnambool

April 1st - School Photos

April 4th - End of Term 1

Matt Absalom mabsalom@smcolac.catholic.edu.au

Meg Knight mknight@smcolac.catholic.edu.au

GRADE 5

In Grade 5 we have started the year off strongly and enthusiastically! All students have really impressed us with their engagement and positivity which is making us very excited for a great year ahead!

We have been going over our school wide expectations, doing teamwork and getting-to-know-you sessions, learning routines and learning behaviours and so far the children have handled all this very well. We have been learning about our 5/6 GROW core values (G = Growth Mindset, Generosity, Gratitude, R = Respect, Resilience, Resourcefulness, O = Organisation, Openness, Originality and W = Willingness, Wonder, Welcoming) and will continue to explore these after Learning To Learn with an Inquiry and R.E. focus. These values will form the way we would like everyone to approach their 2025 year in order to be the best students and learners we can be.

We have also started some normal classroom routines including explicit teaching and learning for Literacy and Maths. In Literacy, we have started our new class novel 'War Horse' and we have been doing Place Value and Data in our Maths learning.

Next week, we will organise students with their homework and diary expectations. This year, we are challenging students to bring their diaries backwards and forwards from school each day to help form this habit for Grade 6 and secondary school. We will also begin our 'Monopoly Money' class rewards system which involves rewards and fines for various things each day which is designed to help engage the children with their learning, work ethic and organisation.

We are looking forward to Meet and Greet meetings starting next week; please book an appointment time on PAM if you haven't already. We are looking forward to beginning the collaborative teacher/parent relationship to ensure our Grade 5s can do their best learning and be their best selves. We value ongoing communication between home and school so please reach out via Dojo or email if required.

You should be really proud of your children in Grade 5; they have set the bar very high already for a fun-filled, fantastic year!

Kendra: I've been happy to see my friends, learning new things, doing some work and using the library.

Lincoln: It's good to be back at school, learning new stuff and everything gets a bit harder each year. I am happy here because all the teachers here are really helpful and support people.

Austin: I have been happy coming back to school to see my friends and playing brain break games.

Nevaeh: I have enjoyed seeing my friends everyday and being a leader in the school.

Rachel Downard rdownard@smcolac.catholic.edu.au

Rachael Cahill rcahill@smcolac.catholic.edu.au

GRADE 6

Wishing everyone a very warm welcome back to school. It's been fantastic getting to know our Grade 6’s with plenty of fun had in the first week! They have been absolutely wonderful with their Prep buddies, showing great leadership and have welcomed them into the school beautifully. Some of our students are currently busy preparing their SRC speeches, which will be presented in the next week. A friendly reminder that all students need to bring in labelled headphones as soon as possible. We also have Athletics Trials coming up on Thursday, 13th February at Central Reserve. We’re looking forward to a great term ahead!

Jess Downard jdownard@smcolac.catholic.edu.au

Jodie Hassett jhassett@smcolac.catholic.edu.au

Katie Monaghan kmonaghan@smcolac.catholic.edu.au

Student Achievements