Other News

Captains Corner

Hi, this is Matisse and Paddy and we are the School Captains of 2020. Every month we will write an article called Captains’ Corner and this will inform you about things that are happening at our school, such as reminders and events. Please let us know if you have an update you want us to share. We are already in Week 5 and we’re glad to see the preps settling in to our school. The year sixes are enjoying being buddies to the preps.

Congratulations to everyone who went in the swimming carnival. We hope that everyone had a really fun time, and we are very proud of everyone for putting in lots and lots of effort. Especially, we thank Mr Luckman for organising and running the swimming carniva, and for helping us all to swim our bestl

Thank you for being helpful to us as captains in our first few weeks. If you ever have any trouble or need to talk about anything, you can always come to us for help.

Enjoy your extra long weekend off.

From your School Captains.

P&F Minutes

ST MARY’S PARENTS AND FRIENDS COMMITTEE 2020 Minutes Monday 10 February
Attendance: Sonia, Michelle, Emily, Jess, Sophie, Robyn, Amanda Gill, Mary, Kathy, Kat, Dino, Peta, Beatrice, Fiona, Hannah, Melissa, Charmaine, Christie, Dean, Daniel, Clare, Roma, Fran, Nataly, Adriana, Therese, Delia, Nadia, Emily, Angela,
	Apologies: Belinda Anderson, Angela Madaferi	Meeting recorder: MOD
	Business Arising
	Welcome - Dino Warm welcome to everyone for coming. P&F is at all schools, regardless of type of school (except in a Nordic country). The Government funds schools based on head count, and then allocates money accordingly and indiscriminately. Therefore, schools rarely have enough money to function, which is where the P&F comes in to make up the gap. Money raised always goes back to students. Last year, and across all Dino’s years at St Mary’s, the P&F have been very strong – In 2019 $53 000 was raised. All existing families here have contributed in some way, which is amazing – not only in terms of fundraising, but in the fact that children of parents who are involved in their school do better overall. Thank you to everyone for being here tonight. You are not necessarily here to put your hand up, but to listen, contribute and hear how what we can do to better the school.
	Overview of fundraising in 2019 – Michelle, Megan and Beatrice See attachment for further details.
	Important dates and the calendar for 2020 See calendar attachment for dates, coordinators and list of fundraising options. Suggestions for fundraisers in 2020: Jess – colour run Schools have raised between 25 – 90 000 depending on numbers. Online portal per student to raise funds, online avatar can be created for each student Savvy with privacy Can be online on social media or shared privately Different companies available Non-toxic safe product Kids wear white and parents/staff throw rainbow coloured powder on them as they run past A fun family day, from toddlers to teenagers, so possibly for a weekend with sausage sizzle/icy poles Incentives for students in terms of monies raised, prizes for reaching targets (educational incentives) Would have to get council approval to use a park space (needs to be flat). 28/03 for cut off Majority of those present were interested and thought it was a good idea.
	2020/21 P&F Committee The current committee have come to the end of their time in terms of overseeing the P&F. Megan and Michelle presented what is involved in being part of that team. It was suggested that at the first meeting of each year, the above spiel is revisited to that new parents are aware of how the P&F works. The role involves: Oversee the running of fundraising and events in the calendar year – this involves guiding people running events in terms of flyers, protocol, money collection, etc. Liase between the P&F and school leaders Be a point of call for all enquiries that come through in regards to P&F events – in person, via email or phone Organise and run P&F meetings (approximately 1/term) Meet with the Treasurer throughout the year to discuss finances Manage the online payment system – QKR! Manage the P&F Google Drive folder Distribute flyers/event details via the app – we try to be paper-free with communications, however sometimes forms need to be sent home. You will need to distribute these in class tubs Transition period – 2020 will be a transition year where we can work together to hand over the role. It may not take the whole year, but we are happy to work with you for however long it takes for you to be confident to take over the role/ Nomination forms – please take a nomination form if you are interested in being part of the team. Please ensure all completed forms are returned to the office by Friday 14 February Dino mentioned this is about being part of a team and not individuals
	Class reps for 2020 Position includes organising social events for your class outside of school time; being a port of call for those on the list to act as a representative for your class, organising a class gift for the teacher/aides in your class at the end of the year. A form is sent home with each child asking parents/guardians if they would like to be on the social list for their child’s class. You are then given the list of parents/guardians who have signed up for your class. These are the ONLY parents you can contact during the year – any other communication needs to be face-to-face or via the classroom teacher Class reps for 2020: Prep H – Jess and Daniel Prep J – Robyn and Dean 1/2B – Belinda 1/2C – Megan 1/2LT – Clare 1/2J – Sonia and Angela 3/4C – Melissa 3/4H – Fran 4/5NS – Nataly 5/6A – Beatrice 5/6L – Kathy Forms to go home to all families ASAP
	New Business:
	N/A
	Reminders: Parents and friends email address: stmarypandf@gmail.com Next meeting - TBC

Library News

It has been a fabulous start to the school year in the St Mary’s Library!

The students have been so enthusiastic about borrowing and we’ve had some wonderful discussions about favourite holiday books and authors.

Just a reminder about Library lesson days and expectations -

All students in Prep - 2 are required to bring their labelled blue library bag with them for borrowing and returning on the morning of their lesson. Grades 3-6 may bring a Library bag for borrowing but this is not necessary. Classroom teachers work with us to collect the bags with books to be returned, prior to the lesson that day.

Tuesday Lessons:

3/4's, Preps, 4/5NS

Wednesday Lessons:

5/6’s, 1/2’s

All students in Prep - 6 will be encouraged to borrow books during lesson time so we ask for your support with the timely return of your child’s Library books.

Many thanks.

Happy reading!

Miss Clare

Italian Update

This week the P-2 students learnt all about an important and special Italian celebration known as CARNEVALE. We read a book and retold facts about Carnevale as well as design and make our very own mask to take home!

Please ask your child to tell you something the learnt about CARNEVALE!

Signora Delia

Classroom Helpers Session

Would you love to be involved in your child’s life at school? Do you feel that you could be a helper?

We are inviting all parents or guardians who would like to become a classroom helper to attend a short session designed to assist you in this role. If you have attended a session in the past you do not need to attend again. There are two sessions to choose from on Tuesday 3rd March at 9:15am and 2:45pm. There are sign up sheets outside the Prep rooms or you can email jgrapsas@smthornbury.catholic.edu.au if you wish to attend.

You are required to have a “Working with Children” check if you are volunteering in the school. These forms are available online at https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/ Once you receive your card, it needs to be presented to the school office. If you do wish to become a helper please be aware that toddlers and babies are not allowed in the classrooms during this time.

Thanking you in appreciation, Jane Grapsas and Renee Loprevite (Literacy and Numeracy Leaders)