Newsletter

Principal Report

As I look back on the past fortnight, what a time of celebration, faith and community! It feels like school is back and in a space of learning and growth. Our staff and learners are settled and the school routine is refreshed. We thank our families for their ongoing commitment to Rapid Antigen Testing twice weekly and thank you for sharing any cases with our staff. I would also like to acknowledge our parents' patience and understanding with some of our students missing their teachers for a week at a time. We are striving to provide consistency and our students continue to act with resilience and a can do attitude. 

This week we officially begin the faith journey in readiness for Easter. The time of Lent in the Catholic traditions allows us to reflect, refresh and re-engage in our own faith commitments. Yesterday Deacon Jackson so cleverly connected with our children and challenged our students to, “walk the talk.” We all had the time to think and ponder on how we can all walk the talk in the areas key to the lenten journey - Pray, Fast and Almsgiving. It was deeply touching to see our students connect to these key learnings and interact positively in our Ash Wednesday liturgy. I know as a community we can walk the journey together. 

This week I finished meeting with every staff member one on one. This time has provided me with deep insight into the school and the opportunity to learn each individual's story. It has allowed me to learn what staff are passionate about and what keeps them engaged and highly professional in front of students. Similarly, this enquiry was conducted with the School Advisory Council. One thing that resonates with all groups is the deep admiration for community, belonging and being proudly associated with St Mary’s. 

This week I am inviting our families to share with me your understanding of how our school communicates and what predominantly reaches our family community. I am trying to ascertain what communication platforms our families value and what works well, and what can be improved upon. I am attaching a survey which will be open for a fortnight after which I will share our findings and actions moving forward. Please access this survey on the link: SURVEY LINK 

Over the past fortnight we have seen some easing of Covid restrictions for our school. A few current guidelines for your reference;

  • Recommended Rapid Antigen testing to continue for the remains of Term 1 - Test kits supplied by the Victorian Government 
  • No testing is required with a person who has tested positive for a 30 day period 
  • All staff employed by CES Ltd, St Mary’s Echuca must be tripled vaccinated by 25th March 2022
  • QR Check in’s are not required on entry to the school 
  • Parents & Visitors who are double vaccinated are allowed on site - Vaccination status must be shown on entry
  • Masks are required in all indoor spaces at school for staff, visitors and Year 3 - 6 students 
  • All continued hygiene and cleaning methods to remain 

 

There is much to celebrate and look forward to now that we are able to have parents, volunteers and visitors back onsite. I will communicate with you all soon around how we would welcome your learning support in our spaces. 

Last week we successfully held our school photo day! All students, staff and siblings were able to capture the school year. We did request that MSP return to take photos for those who were missed due to isolation and illness but unfortunately they are unable to guarantee this. St Mary’s is working behind the scenes in thinking creatively of how we can make up these memorable shots of those absent. We hope to have a plan for the community soon. 

Thank you to the majority of the Parent community who watched our Parent Information Night 2022. It was released last week via email on a YouTube link and informed parents of some expectations and key information for the year ahead. The link has been included here for those still wanting to view the information. SME - Parent Information Evening 2022

Recently, Leadership met with the P&F President and post pandemic we are looking for achievable ways to re-energise and relaunch the committee. We recognise that all families lead extremely busy lives however may still like to support the school and the children when, and where they can. This year we hope to simply have a ‘Community of Parents and Friends’ that get together to use their gifts and talents to connect, enhance our community ties and hopefully raise some funds for the school. This involvement will look different to regular meetings and commitment to all events. If this is of interest to you and you would like to hear more, please join us at the Mill on Wednesday 9th March between 6pm - 8pm to find out how you can be involved. We would particularly love to see parents from our Prep to Year 2 levels join us! 

 

St Mary’s is starting to establish our Student Leadership norms with our students stepping up in the community, having a voice and positively representing St Mary’s in and around the community. Our Year 6 Leaders so proudly wear their leadership shirts, model the St Mary’s way and look out for their peers. This year all Year 6’s have committed to an area of Leadership. A new addition to the role is our Bus Captains. St Mary’s recognises that we have a multitude of buses that travel to and from school and we still need trusted people watching out for us. Our bus captains remind us how to be respectful and safe and also collaborate with Mrs Larkin on how we positively behave while traveling. Any concerns we have around bus travel can be shared with our captains or Mrs Larkin at any time. I thank our Year 6’s for taking on this commitment. 

Well we can all see that there are many great things happening in and around our school! It is a great place to be! 

 

Stay well and stay healthy.

 

God Bless, 

 

Jasmine Ryan 

Principal