Principals Message

REMEMBRANCE DAY

This Remembrance Day we join the world in honouring the veterans who have died while serving in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. 

This year our students will attend the Rushworth RSL service at the War Memorial in High St.  We will lay a wreath in memory of all who have served and in memory of those families affected by conflict.  Remembrance Day services around the country are held at 11.00am on the 11th day of the 11th month which marks the moment the guns fell silent on the Western Front after the bloodshed of World War 1. 

Poppies are a wonderful way to support the veterans and their families. 

In Flanders Fields. By John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mask our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.  

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:                                                  POPPIES IN FLANDERS FIELD

To you from falling hands we throw                                       

The torch; be yours to hold it high.                                              

If ye break faith with us who die                                                       

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

HALLOWEEN DISCO

By all accounts the Halloween disco was very successful and our student cohort thoroughly enjoyed the event.  Many thanks to the Parents and Friends who worked tirelessly to set up and supervise. 

ST MARY’S FETE

Our Parents and Friends have been working hard to bring the school fete together. 

Given that we haven’t had a fete for 2 years we are hoping that 2022 will be a successful evening.  Families have been rostered on to help at various stalls and the P&F have asked that you advise if you are going to be away and unable to assist.  

This is our major fundraiser for the school year and if successful the funds support your children’s educational endeavours in the way of resources.

ZOO EXCURSION

Our Melbourne Botanical Zoo Excursion will be held next Monday November 14th.

There is a new permission form on PAM which you are required to complete please.  Students are asked to be at school by 6.45am as the bus will be leaving at 7.00am sharp.  The bus is expected to arrive back to school at approximately 5.30pm.

CLASSSES FOR 2023

Mrs Helen Donoghue and Ms Lou Walsh will be leaving St Mary’s at the end of 2022. 

Lou has taught Art at St Marys for 6 years and next year she will be working fulltime at St Mary’s in Echuca.

Helen has taught grades 3/4 and 2/3 for 3 years and she will be returning to the Department of Education and Training Victoria and teaching in Mooroopna. 

We thank Lou and Helen for their valuable input to our school and we wish them both well in their roles for 2023.

Over the past few years St Mary’s has been over staffed with small grades of 12 – 15 students. Unfortunately, we cannot maintain those small classes so in 2023 our grade structure will be: F/1/2, 3/4 and 5/6. All classes will be less than the recommended 25 students.

In 2023 our classes and teachers will be:

F/1/2: Mrs Thea Parry and Mrs Kerry Morse working as a plus 1 teacher.

3/4: Miss Bianca Simmons (2023 -Mrs Bianca Brook)

5/6: Mrs Angela Brockett

AUSLAN: Ms Chris Marshall 

SCIENCE: Mrs Katherine Jamieson

ART: Mrs Katherine Jamieson

RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS: Mrs Prue Barlow

INTERVENTION: Mrs Katherine Jamieson, Ms Chris Marshall and Mrs Kerry Morse

ESOs: Jennie Hayes, Kate Stewart & Laura Martin

ADMIN OFFICERS: Georgia Francis and Peta Williams

SCHOOL SERVICES OFFICER: Simon Fraser

LEADERSHIP:

Principal: Catherine Fraser

Lead teacher and Leader of Learning and Teaching: Thea Parry

Leader of Catholic Identity and Religious Education: Angela Brockett

Leader of Learning Diversity: Katherine Jamieson

The state-wide transition day is on Tuesday December 13th this year when our grade 3/4 students and teachers will be on camp.  St Mary’s students will change grades, classrooms  and meet their teacher on Thursday December 8th from 2.20pm – 3.10pm. 

CONGRATULATIONS MAC DICKINSON

Mac Dickinson progressed to the State Primary School Athletics and 

after the event was postponed due to rain and floods he finally 

competed and was placed 5th in the State for 11 year old boys

shotput.  Mac threw three personal bests with his best throw 

being 10.33 metres.

Mac also competed in the Discus and he was placed 11th in the 

State, throwing 20.38 meters, which unfortunately was not a 

personal best.

Mac has also been selected for the Junior Development Squad which within the athletics community.   He attends five 4 hour sessions in Melbourne at different locations for the next six months, being coached by top throwing athletes who are either is for children in Victoria who are 12 and above who meet a certain bench mark still competing or have previously completed in high level competitions across the nation. 

Mac is being coached in Javelin and shot put and is really enjoying the new level of experience and very honoured to be able to have this type of training.  

Mac’s family and the school are super proud of his achievements. 

Mac is pictured wearing his State championship hoodie.

GRADE 3/4 CAMP TO NILLAHCOOTIE

We excited that our 3/4 camp to Nillahcootie has been rescheduled to Monday December 12th until Wednesday December 14th.   Mrs Angela Brockett, Mrs Kerry Morse and Laura Martin will attend the camp.

These dates clash with the State wide transition day however we will advise the students of their 2023 class, teacher and room before camp.

A new permission form has been uploaded to PAM for parents to consent to attendance.

A packing checklist and medication form has been sent home today.

TRANSITION for 2023 YEAR 7 

Transition days for some of our Grade 6’s attending to Rushworth P-12 in 2023 are:

Tuesday November 15th 8.30am – 3.30pm

Tuesday December 13th 8.30am – 3.30pm (State-wide transition)

TRANSITION DATES FOR OUR 2023 FOUNDATON STUDENTS

Our 2023 foundation students have enjoyed their transition days at St Mary’s.  They have 4 sessions left including the statewide transition day. 

During these morning sessions the children will be a get to know the school routine, meet their 2023 buddy and participate in lots of art, literacy, numeracy and oral language activities.

Friday November 11 - 8:50 – 11.30am

Friday November 18 - 8:50 – 11.30am

Friday November 25 - 8:50 – 11.30am

Tuesday December 13 – State-wide Transition -8.50 – 1.35pm

Mrs Fraser, Mrs Parry or Mrs Jamieson will take these sessions.

SCHOOL FEES

As it is nearing the end of the school year, I would encourage those who pay in instalments to ensure that you are still making regular payments in order to clear your 2022 School fees by November/early December.  Thank you for your attention to this matter. 

ST VINCENT DE PAUL FLOOD APPEAL

St Vincent de Paul Society has now established a Victorian Flood Appeal.  Schools are encouraged to make contributions by:

• Calling 13 18 12
• Visit https://donate.vinnies.org.au/appeals-vic/vinnies-vic-flood-appeal-2022
• Make a monetary donation through anyone of our Vinnies Shops at point of purchase
• Via you local IGA where the purchase of a token supports the recovery of Victorians devastated by these recent floods

KEY DATES

Friday November 11th: 

Remembrance Day 

Foundation 2023 transition morning 

Just Leadership day 

School Fete

Monday November 14th: 

Melbourne Botanical Zoo trip

Tuesday November 15th: 

Rushworth P-12 Year 7 2023 transition day 

St Augustine’s College Kyabram Year 7 2023 transition day

Friday November 18th: 

Foundation 2023 transition morning

PRAYERS

We pray for all those who are impacted by the floods in our region.  Many people in our neighbouring towns have been displaced and are in need of support. 

We also continue to pray for the lonely, sick and suffering. 

Have a good fortnight

Catherine Fraser