Principal Announcements

Newsletter Address ~ Term 2, Week  1

Principal's Message 

Dear Parents and Friends of St Mel’s,

Reflections for Anzac Day

Last Tuesday, all around Australia at various shrines of remembrance and War Memorials, people of all ages gathered to honour those men and women who had gone to war and fought for peace and for Australia’s freedom. It was the dawn of another Anzac Day.  Anzac Day is a day of remembrance for those who died and suffered through war, the bravery of fighting women and men and the ever-present hope for the people of the world to live together in harmony and ever lasting peace.  This couldn’t be truer and more relevant for what is happening in  the Ukraine. 

On Anzac Day we remember those people who live with the reality of war every day.  For the many men, women and children of the Ukraine, Afghanistan, Timor Leste, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Burundi and many other countries around the world who are experiencing the devastation of conflict. Let us remember all those who are striving to bring peace to these war-torn environments. May we all pray for a peace – filled world and let us work together to promote harmony.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them."

On Tuesday Ava Hamilton, Sunny Walker, Connor Young, Beatrix Young, Luka and Jami Garner-Griffiths laid a wreath on behalf of our school community at the 11am service at the Shepparton cenotaph.    It was lovely to have our senior leaders participate in such a significant event.  Thank you, Jami, Luka, Beatrix, Connor and Ava, for representing our school so beautifully.

We held our own Anzac Day service at school on Wednesday.  It too was a lovely event.

Welcome back to term two and happy Easter! 

I hope everyone had a fun filled and restful Easter break.  Easter is a wonderful time to spend with family and loved ones and if you’re lucky enough, to get away.  It was good to hear many families ‘cashed in’ on some magnificent Autumnal weather (2nd week at least,) with camping being a very popular undertaking. Autumn is by far my favourite time of the year.  The footy starts, the nights get cooler, you can get a nice fire going and usually the fish are biting. 

As mentioned in our prayer reflection, on Tuesday we commemorated Anzac Day. It’s important we continue to keep the spirit of the Anzacs alive and to remember all those who have fought and continue to fight for the freedoms we cherish and love.  We had a beautiful Anzac Day commemoration at school on Wednesday. 

We celebrated Jen Amadei’s farewell Mass yesterday.    It was a beautiful celebration in recognition of over 20 years of service to Catholic Education Sandhurst and five years at St Mel’s as our much-loved and respected Administration Officer.   We are going to miss Jen terribly.  I’ve attached a summary of a few words shared at her farewell mass.

In this week’s newsletter, under Parent’s Corner, I’ve included an article about the importance of children getting a good night’s sleep and tips for parents.   Thankfully the change over from daylight savings happened before the start of the school holidays and most of our body clocks have adjusted, however, like many of you, I know how hard it is to get our kids out of ‘holiday mode’ and back into good routines for ‘school mode’ to kick back in.   Please take the time to read the attached article.

Term 2 is shaping up to be as busy and productive as ever.  It’s a shorter term (9 weeks) and there is much on the horizon educationally, socially and spiritually for students, teachers and parents to look forward to.   Events like our Swimming Program (May 22nd – 26th), Mother’s High Tea (12th May), School Open day (Wed 24th May), Catholic Education Week (1st-7th May), National Reconciliation Week (May 27th-3rd June), School closure day 9th June and reports going home at the end of the term means there’s plenty to get our teeth stuck into.  School finishes Friday 23rd June at 2:30 pm.   

*See Social Club News for Thank you's from our Colour Fun Run yesterday.

Have a wonderful fortnight and a prosperous term ahead everyone.

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

~ Jen Amadei’s Farewell ~ Reflections ~ 

It is with sadness we farewell Jen today but it’s with gladness we have had the privilege of knowing and working with her.

Jen has been a well-respected, incredibly hardworking, admired, and much-loved friend and colleague to us all.  I have known Jen professionally and personally for the past 20 years and have countless stories and memories I will treasure forever.  In fact, all of us will have memories and stories to share and these are what we will cherish the most.   

Of course, we are going to miss her laughter, her quick wit, belly laughs, her infectious Scottish accent, and the ‘joy’ she brings to our school community every day.   

We have been blessed to have had Jen as part of St Mel’s staff for the past 5 years.  They say an administration officer is the ‘face’ of the school.  With Jen she has been the ‘face’, the ‘accent’ and the ‘heart and soul’ of our community.     

We are all going to miss you, Jen.  Your legacy in Catholic Education will be long lasting and you have touched the lives of many across the Sandhurst Diocese.  We wish you and Albert every happiness for the next chapter of your lives and in your well-deserved retirement.   

On behalf of the St Mel’s Community, thank you for everything you have given in gracious service and love.

Job well done!

School Uniform

As we transition from Summer Uniform to Winter Uniform children can wear a hybrid of both for the next few weeks.  We expect to transition into our full winter uniform by week 3.  A set date for this is yet to be determined ~ weather dependant ☺

Correct uniform including footwear, hair ties, no jewellery, hair colour etc continue to be of importance and students will be warned and parents notified if this is not attended to. 

St Mel’s School Open Day ~ Wednesday, May 24th

Tour Times: 12:30pm and 4:30pm

Community Group Expressions of Interest to Join

Each year it is expected our school will commit to raising additional funds. All Catholic Schools have an obligation to raise additional funds to meet the capacity to contribute factor.

These funds will be put towards improving the educational needs of our students through hardware or programs and / or improving school grounds or facilities. 

Please Note: Our Parents and Friends group are on the recruitment drive.  If you know of anyone especially new parents who might want to be involved please encourage them to do so by contacting the school.  

As a school, we are extremely grateful for the hard work and time our community members put into making our school the best it can be.  We are especially grateful for contributions and donations made when we hold school fundraisers or campaigns to help maintain and beautify St Mel’s.

Committee Recruitment

St Mel's relies on the support of our parents to make sure we can offer the best learning opportunities for our children.  We are grateful for the commitment of those who are already on our Parish School Education Council and Social Committee and ask anyone who would like to be involved to please contact the school.   All new or existing parents are welcome!!

School Fees

Thank you to families who have nominated their fee payment option with the office and have commenced paying your 2023 school fees.  If you have not yet taken the option to pay with direct debit or your own payment plan can you please contact the office and notify them as to which method you will use to pay the fees.

If for any reason you are finding it difficult to pay school fees on time or your financial circumstances have changed please contact the school.   Catholic Schools rely on school fees to help fund the educational needs of our students.  A quality education can only be realized when the right resourcing and programs are in place and these come at a cost.   Please consider your child’s education as an opportunity for a life of happiness and contentment.   

Signing out students ~ Class Interruptions 

We have been noticing there have been more and more parents picking up students early from school.  Each time a message is put over the PA system it interrupts classes. Please only pick up your child/ren early if they have an appointment. Please also use the sign out register which is now automated through an iPad in the office.     Thank you for your attention to this.

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