From Our Principal

St Mel's is a proud Catholic Education Community, striving, learning 

 

and achieving together through Christ our light.

Newsletter  ~ Term 4, Week 10, 2024

Principal's Message:

Dear Parents, Carers, Families and Friends of St Mel’s Primary School,

 

'Magnify Sandhurst' 

Every Student - Every Teacher - Every School - Every Day!

Our Staff Team continue to prepare for implementation of currently rolled out elements of Magnify from the start of 2025.

 

Our first Religious Education Unit from the revised low variance 'Source of Life' Religious Education curriculum is expected to be ready for Term One, 2025. 

 

Students from Foundation to Year 2 will receive instruction via the InitiaLit literacy approach and Years 3 to 6 will be supported via the OCHRE English and Maths resources.

 

We have received confirmation our school will be included in the first roll out of the Knowledge Society Behaviour Curriculum in the first half of the year. This will support our ongoing work in encouraging expected behaviour and strategically discouraging and addressing student behaviour of concern.

 

'Magnify Sandhurst' [Repeat]

Please find attached a letter from Kate Fogarty, Executive Director, CES Ltd Sandhurst in relation to 'Magnify Sandhurst'.

 

2025 Prep Information Night:

Thank you to the families able to be represented at our annual Foundation Information Night in preparation for the new school year last week. Staff from our school provided an overview of what can be expected in the new year as our youngest and newest students commence their primary school journey within our community.

 

End of Year Mass, Year 6 Graduation & Picnic Tea:

Truly a wonderful celebration of our year of learning together and the learning journey of our Year 6 Leaders! It was heartening to see so many parents, carers, family members, parishioners and staff along to celebrate together in our parish church yesterday afternoon. We have much to give praise and gratitude for as a school and parish community focussed on the learning, achievement and growth of our learners. I commend the Year Leaders on their preparation for this special Mass over recent days and for the reverent manner in which they fulfilled their respective roles within the celebration. Congratulations to all our learners for a year of striving, learning and achieving together through Christ our light!

 

Please find attached my End of Year Principal's Address delivered after our Mass yesterday afternoon.             

 

Gratitude:

There was an opportunity last night to express our gratitude on behalf of the St Mel's PS community to the following individuals for their contribution to our school...

  • Staff members leaving: Joe Worrall, Cath Basile and Ros Heathman
  • St Mel's PS Social Committee members stepping down: Tammy Mills
  • School Advisory Council members completing their terms:

          Broni Payne and Mark Jones

  • Fr Rene Ramirez (Parish Priest) - leaving our parish soon to take up his new Ministry as one of four Auxiliary Bishops for the Melbourne Arch Diocese. Fr Rene will be installed as Auxilary Bishop (Northern Suburbs) early next year.
  • Our school families leaving St Mel's PS at the end of the year.

     

    Thank you for the many and varied contributions to our school community during your time within our community. We wish all those leaving our community all the very best for this next part of your journey. May God bless. 

 

Student Progress Reports:

A reminder Student Progress Reports have been released online via SIMON Everywhere (PAM) earlier this week. Parents and carers are encouraged to sit with your child/ren and read over the report focussing on learning, achievement and growth. A good opportunity to set goals for further learning after school resumes early next year.  Student Progress Reports can be downloaded and printed from the online app.

 

Final Assembly (Monday 16th. December) @ 9:15am:

We look forward to gathering for our final school assembly at the earlier time of 9:15am Monday morning due to the expected heat. Parents, carers and families welcome to attend.

 

Aquamoves Fun Day (Tuesday 17th December):

We look forward to our annual end of year Fun Day at Aquamoves next Tuesday.

Children will be bussed to Aquamoves in the morning and return during the afternoon.

Please refer to SIMON Everywhere (PAM) for further details.

 

Last Breakfast Club for 2024 (Wednesday 18th. December)

Our last Breakfast Club will be held this coming Wednesday morning. Many thanks to Cindy Lombardozzi, Lis Rodriguez and other members of the Staff Team for support with Breakfast Club across the year. We are also very grateful for the outstanding support of Food Share, SPC Ardmona, Baker's Delight, South Shepparton Community Centre and families who have donated fresh produce.

 

Foundation Nativity Prayer Reflection (Wednesday 18th. December) @ 9:15am:

We gather in the school hall for this special prayer reflection led by our Foundation Pastoral Groups on Wednesday. Parents, carers and families welcome to attend.

 

Last Day for Students (Wednesday 18th December):

Our students will attend school for their last day of 2025 next Wednesday 18 December.

School dismissal time will be 3:20pm as usual.

 

Personal Digital Devices:

Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd has released a new policy in regard these devices more prevalent in our secondary school settings than in our primary schools. Earlier this year I shared information in regard to our school expectations in relation to mobile phones and wearable Personal Digital Devices (e.g., Smart watches).

Please find attached a letter from Kate Fogarty, Executive Director, CES Ltd Sandhurst in relation to Personal Digital Devices and the 2025 school year.

 

 

Staff First Aid Training:

Our Staff Team will update their First Aid, Anaphylaxis and Asthma training on Thursday of the last week of term. This will support our teaching, Learning Support, Wellbeing and Administration staff renew their knowledge and skills in support of our students for 2025.

 

Student Free Days 2024 [REPEAT]:

Please find following a list of our remaining allowable Student Free Days for 2024 to support your planning for child minding:

 

Term Four: [REPEAT]

             Thursday 19 December   -    First Aid Professional Learning for 2025 

             Friday 20 December         -    Last Day for Staff Team

 

 

Thank you for ongoing support of our learners and Staff Team.

I wish all our children, families, parents, carers and staff a Holy Christmas, Happy New Year and safe, enjoyable and eventful holiday period.

 

 

 

Stephen 'Steve' Hicks

Principal

 

 

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