Principals Message

TIME: We all need Wellbeing time

The following decalogue of wisdom did not come from the Biblical Moses; the commandments he set down were for the benefits of the people of his time. Our modern day “Moses” whose real name is unknown to me, has something very positive to say to us, the people of “now”, with his presentation of the “TEN-SION-LESS Commandments”.

Thou shalt not be perfect, nor even try to be.
Thou shalt not try to be all things to all people.
Thou shalt leave things undone that ought to be done.
Thou shalt not spread thyself too thin.
Thou shalt learn to say ‘no’.
Thou shalt schedule time for thyself and thy supportive network.
Thou shalt switch off, and do nothing, regularly.
Thou shalt be boring, untidy, inelegant and unattractive at times.
Thou shalt not even feel guilty.
Especially, thou shalt not be thine own worst enemy, but be thy own friend.

Like the “original ten” we are not always able to adhere to them and some are more important to us at various times of our life. The impending winter chills, the niggling sore throat, the tired feeling at the end of our busy days might prompt us to look at the “modern ten” and feel tempted to try some. I suggest that everyone tries one or two!

Caring for oneself is not selfish; managing oneself is not self-ego-driven. One must be in good health and in good spirit before they can fulfill their duties in life. Managing oneself well, will give a person more time, more energy, and more opportunities to do work and help others.

One of the strange and worrying characteristics of most people is that mindfulness comes too late for it to prevent some troubles. Often, we have filled up our lives with so much activity and distraction that we speed along incapable of reading the signposts that are alerting us to the need to care for self.

As we head into a busy term 2 and the chilly weather, we express our thanks to our parents and carers for your generous and varied support of your children. Your encouragement is greatly valued and very much needed.

“Slow me down Lord. Hold me still in Your arms.

Empty me of all that is not of You and fill me with Your love.

Amen”

Adapted from Leon Bourke writings

PLAYGROUND MARKINGS

Brighter Lines of Ballarat, Gary Sinclair and his team gave our old games a face lift and marked out some new games such as chess and snakes and ladders. We will start chess soon. Any parent who is a chess whizz is invited and very welcome to come to school to teach our students how to play. My 6 year old granddaughter Hazel, plays competition chess in Geelong…I wish I had her skill.

SACRAMENTS

The Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist will be celebrated in our Parish on August 6th. Preparation will commence on with a parent information evening on Monday May 22nd at St Mary’s School beginning at 5.00pm. Vince Empinado from St Mary’s will be participating in the Parish Sacramental program.

CROSS COUNTRY

Some of our students have progressed to the Goulburn Murray Division Cross Country event which will be held on Friday May 12 at Princess Park, Shepparton. Congratulations to the following students: Aliesha Barlow, Heath Ogden, Pippa Lockwood and Mieke Wright. As Friday is a pupil free day, we are asking parents to take their child to the event if possible.

INCURSION

Let’s Chat Habitat

Next Monday May 15 our students there will be an incursion by School Performance Tours at school. The children will learn about animal habitat and their own habitat. The cost of this incursion has been included in your school fees.

HELP NEEDED

NEW TABLES for STUDENTS

Our junior students are loving their new tables.

The senior students will be able to use their tables once we move the old blue tables. These heavy blue tables need to be moved to the hall. We need some dads to help with this task. If you are able to give sometime please contact the school on 58561347 so that we can organise a day that suits.

A trailer will be needed to transport the tables to the front of the hall. Our senior students are waiting patiently for their new tables.

PUPIL FREE DAY

A reminder that St Mary’s School has a pupil free day on Friday May 12. Our staff will be attending an Auslan Conference in Bendigo to enhance our signing skills.

OPEN DAY

St Mary’s Open Day will be held on Friday May 19th. We will have guided tours by our senior students and open classrooms from 11.35am until 1.35pm. There will be a sausage sizzle at 1.35pm. Mrs Fraser will be available to answer any questions from new and existing families. We encourage you to come to school to see your child/ren at work.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Tuesday May 16- Sandhurst Numeracy Network – Mrs Parry

Wednesday May 17 – Pastoral “Wellbeing – Mrs Fraser

Thursday and Friday May 25 and 26 Accreditation – Mrs Brook

Friday May 26 Regional Mathematics Conference – Mrs Parry

Have a good week.

Catherine Fraser