Newsletter Address ~ Term 1, Week 7

Principal's Message

Dear parents and guardians

We had a wonderful day last Thursday at the Lake participating in many activities organized by Fisheries Victoria. A highlight of the day was when Indianna Emanuelli and Ava Hamilton caught a huge European Carp just as Shepp News were there taking photos. It seemed staged, but it certainly wasn’t, just good timing and unlucky for the fish who was in the wrong part of the lake at the wrong time!! Thankfully, we also beat the storm that hit just as the kids got on the busses to go home. Phew.

Students learnt a lot from the experience and these memories will be a highlight of the year I’m sure. Fishing is a wonderful past time. Personally, I have great memories of my dad teaching me and brothers how to fish growing up in Echuca. I have handed down the joy of camping, fishing and being in the outdoors to my own children. Lifelong memories are built this way.

On behalf of the children and staff who attended last Thursday, I like to thank Daniel Gleeson (Dad to Kayden Gr 3 and Charli Gr 1) for running the day and for teaching the kids how to cast, identify fish species and learn sustainable practices. We had many other volunteers who ran activities including:

River Connect (Greater Shepparton Council)

Allison Trethowan

Alison White

Burnanga Indigenous fishing club

Darna and Anthony Walker

Arcadia Fish Hatchery (VFA)

Ryan A Burniston

Wytasie D Walker

Fisheries Officers (VFA)

Gary C Hodges

Daniel Gleeson

Naplan

Congratulations to our grade 3 and grade 5 students who completed Naplan online in the past fortnight. Great skills of resilience and application of knowledge were displayed by all those who sat Naplan and did their best.

Harmony Day / Week

Last week we celebrated Harmony week. Students enjoyed dressing up on Friday in traditional costume or colours and had a shared lunch with parents and friends. Harmony week is a great opportunity to celebrate diversity of culture and to be respectful of others. St Mel’s is one the most diverse schools in Shepparton and within the diocese of Sandhurst. We are proud to include all nationalities to our school community.

Mrs Amadei’s retirement

It is with sadness we farewell Jen Amadei from our school community at the end of the term. Jen has been a respected, incredibly hardworking, admired, and much-loved friend and colleague to many in our community. We are going to miss her laughter, quick wit, infectious Scottish accent, and the ‘joy’ she brings to our school every day. We have been blessed to have had Jen on staff for the past 5 years.

An administration officer is the ‘face’ of the school. They are often the first in and last to leave. They handle the busyness of a school community that comes and goes daily, parents, staff, and students. We are going to miss you, Jen.

We wish you and Albert every happiness for the next chapter of your lives in your well-deserved retirement.

Working Bee ~ Thursday 30th March

This Thursday we are having a working bee for a few hours after school 4.30-6.30pm. If you can lend a hand for an hour or so to help do a quick tidy up and re-fresh of our gardens that would be appreciated.

**Important Message. End of Term.

** School finishes 2:30pm on Thursday 6th March

School Resumes Term 2: Monday 24th April

(please note this is an amendment to what is on the school calendar)

Anzac Day ~ Tuesday 25th April is a Public Holiday ~ No School.

Do your best. Respect our school. Help others succeed.

Best Wishes for the coming fortnight, our last newsletter will go out on Thursday 6th April.

URGENT REMINDER!!! Medical Update ~ Asthma Plans & Anaphylaxis Plans

If your child suffers from Asthma or Anaphylaxis, please remember to send in an updated Asthma Plan or Anaphylaxis Plan. These MUST BE arranged through your family GP. Without an updated plan your children will not be able to participate in school functions

Volunteering at St Mel’s

A school volunteer is anyone who helps at school supervise, assist student learning or attends camps / excursions. As part of our commitment to keeping all students safe, all volunteers MUST have a current Working with Children’s Check (WWC), have signed a parent code of conduct and volunteer’s application form. These documents can be downloaded from our school website or collected from the school office ~ as attached to this week’s newsletter.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at St Mel’s please take the time to read our Volunteer’s Policy and complete the required documentation.

To apply for an online WWC please visit:

www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au

Before School Drop Off ~ Students are not to be dropped off no earlier than 8:20am in the morning. Supervision starts at 8:20am.

STARS of the Week

TERM 1

STAR FOCUS TERM 1 - Respect Our School

Our new PBIS Thermometer