Dear Parents,

Welcome to 2017. I start the year by quoting Albert Einstein. He once said ‘Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned at school.’ If you take a moment to think about that quote and digest it, you will soon realise that life’s lessons are usually learnt outside of the school. However, a good school is one that recognises this and prepares its children for all the challenges of life in an ever changing world. It is my hope, prayer and wish that we in partnership with you, provide our children an education that leads them to question, to think, to motivate and inspire so that they may make a valuable contribution to tomorrow’s world.

A special welcome to our Prep children who commence a 13 year journey of schooling:

Cooper Ackland, Vivienne Beatty, Mia Blefari, Joshua Britten, Elijah Byrne, Lucinda Caruso, Zoe Chau, Chloe Davey, Eric D'Alessandro, Jade Demaria, Patrick De Sousa, Eve Gambino, Flynn Goulding, Leonidas Grouzis, Ava Harabalja, Olivia Hadchitti, Orlando Hunkin, Lucas Harpas, Olivia Kairouz, James Kantzavelos, Akshaj Kooli, Jalal Khaddour, Philip Kyriakakis, Morrison Mercuri, Catherine Monagle, Alessio Miletti, Gabriel Nitsou, Holly Ralston, Patrick Rennie, Adrian Romanella, Angelina Salata, John Salagiannis, Marcello Salerno, Jamie Shaheen, Marcello Stuto, Harmony Ukam, Lexi Weir, Kor Zakarich, Summer Zigouris.

We also welcome new children throughout the school: Manuele and Gabriel Giancipoli, Kyra and Dion Ellinidis, Michael Hiar and Alexandra Ware.

I wish to acknowledge our Year 6 children. This will be their final year of primary schooling and we hope and pray that they have a very enjoyable year. May they leave St. Mary’s as independent, strong and courageous children so that they embrace with confidence, all that life holds before them.

Also, we welcome Emilie Owen (Prep), Katherine McKerrow (Year 1/2) and Martina Segat (Admin Assistant) to the staff. I am sure you will join with me in making them feel very welcome as they begin at St. Mary’s. On Monday 13 February, I extend an invitation to parents to come and have an informal chat about your child with teachers. This is not a parent/teacher interview, but more of a getting to know you and your child. More information will follow regarding online bookings.

Our school year officially commences with the Beginning of Year School Mass on Sunday 12 February, at 10.30am, this is also our Parish Feast Day. This day is a celebration of who we are and what we stand for. We will also celebrate the Commissioning of Staff and Student Leaders and pray for each of them as they take on their new responsibilities. After Mass we encourage you to stay back and enjoy a sausage sizzle and a cuppa and socialise with new and old friends.

We have a School App up and running and I encourage you to use it. All you need to do is to download it from the App store (Apple) or from Google Play (android phones) and search for ‘St Mary’s Primary School Thornbury.’ Remember to allow push notifications for alerts. The app will replace paper newsletters. Newsletters can also be received via email and the app. Please contact the office with your email address if you not have already done so. There will be no printed newsletters. When downloading the newsletter via the app, you will need a user name (parents) and a password (parents).

Advanced notice is given regarding School Closure Days for this Term. School will be closed on Thursday 23 and Friday 24 February to allow staff to work on developing new curriculum initiatives. Camp Australia will run a program on both days providing there are sufficient numbers.

This year we will continue with ‘DANCE FEVER’ in third term as part of our Building Resilience program for Prep to Year 6. This programs aim to develop confidence and resilience in children in a fun way. Parents are most welcome to participate. There will be further information as the year progresses.

One important date to put in your diary, is our House Sports on Friday 24 March, 5pm at Collingwood Athletics Track. This is always a highlight of the year for children and we hope that this year the rain stays away. Go Lourdes!

The first Parents and Friends meeting for 2016 will be held on Monday 20 February at 7.15pm in the staffroom. I urge you to attend and contribute to the fundraising and life of our school for the benefit of your children.

Many of you know that I hold parent partnership as the single most important factor in children’s education. A successful school is one which has parents, students and children engaged in learning and prepared to take risks to achieve their best. Make contact with your child’s class teacher and see how you can be involved. Give it a go, I promise you that it is worth it!

As of Monday our SUNSMART Policy commences which means that anytime children are out in the yard they must wear a hat. REMEMBER NO HAT, NO PLAY.

Tomorrow at 9.00am, we will have our first assembly for the year. We will present our Prep, new children and our Year 6 children to the community. Our School Captains Angelina and Julia will be leading there very first assembly, so please feel free to come along.

Just a brief note for new parents. Gates open at 8.40am and we ask that Prep children line up on the basketball court. Parents are more than welcome to come up to the classroom at anytime. Also, please do not use the office entrance for drop off and pick up. This entrance is to be used only if parents whish to see myself or office staff.

For safety reasons, can I remind you that the adventure playground is not to be used before and after school. Children have loved the NEW ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND and this weekend the new surface will be laid. This was only possible through your generosity with the wonderful fete in 2016.

This week’s newsletter is very brief and the regular newsletter will commence next week. However, I encourage you to cut out the Dates to Remember and use them as a reference for planning your year ahead.

Until next week, keep safe

Dino

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