St. Mary's Hampton Newsletter

Principals News

Dear Families,

 

Welcome back for Term Four! We are in full swing with our final rehearsals for The Little Mermaid Jnr, with rehearsals during Performing Arts classes as well as on Mondays and Fridays for different groups of students. I want to commend all students for the way they have returned from holidays and engaged wholeheartedly in a focused and positive way with the rehearsals this week.

 

The incredible amount of preparation that has been underway, led by Veronica Del Castillo, Daliah McLoughney and a dedicated and hard working team of staff and parents, has been astounding.

 

All students will have an opportunity to watch final rehearsals in the days leading up to production in the hall, and we will be having a final rehearsal at St Bede’s Auditorium on the day of Opening Night. Veronica Del Castillo provides some detailed information about Production further in this newsletter, so please familiarise yourself with this information. 

 

Final round tickets (Round Three) for any families who wish to purchase additional tickets to the allocated ‘four-per-family’ will have the opportunity to do so from next week. A communication with a link will be sent to all families from the school office informing the release of these tickets. I would like to thank families for your patience in  following the three stage process that had been outlined. I would like to commend our office staff and Production Committee who have worked so hard to put in place a clear and as-fair-as-possible process to enable all families to have equal opportunity to purchase tickets prior to the final release. We require everyone’s cooperation in enabling all families to be able to see their child/children perform.

 

Production Nights are Wednesday 26th of October and Thursday 27th of October

 

School will operate as normal on Friday 28th October, however parents may choose to let their child have a sleep in or rest day. Staff will be operating classes as normal on the Friday, with an adapted program.

 

I would like to commend our school staff for the way they have consciously mapped out the coming weeks in classrooms in order to balance production rehearsals and classroom learning as well as ensuring that students have the opportunity to practice mindfulness and exercise self care in this busy time. I continue to be extremely proud of our incredible staff for the high level of commitment and care they hold for our students.

Parents and Friends Committee Meeting 

There will be a PnF Meeting at 9am next Friday 14th October to review the 2022 calendar of events and to commence planning for PnF roles, structures and fundraising/social events for the 2023. All parents are most welcome to attend to have input into the review and planning. Our PnF Committee has done an incredible job this year amidst the uncertainty and interruptions of COVID-19. 2023 will be an exciting opportunity to further reconnect as a community through a new calendar of events. Please contact Malina Curry at pnf@smhampton.catholic.edu.au if you are able to attend and participate in the meeting.

Year Five Leadership Course and Presentation Night

Students in Year Five will be engaged in a Youth Leadership Presentation Skills course, developing public speaking skills. Over eight sessions, the students be coached by Sandra de Geest from Advanced Presentation Skills to develop:

  • Communication and public speaking skills
  • Quick thinking skills
  • Self confidence and positive self-image
  • Techniques to overcome nervousness
  • Leadership skills

The course includes topics designed to improve skills such as:

  • Introductions
  • Evaluation 
  • Use of Visual Aids   
  • Gestures   
  • Eye Contact
  • Vocal Variety    

The course will culminate in a Presentation Night for which students will have the opportunity to be commended for their efforts and to present their skills through either presenting a prepared speech, presenting an “off the cuff” speech or presenting feedback to others on their speech presentation. The course commences on the 18th October and continues for a further seven sessions throughout November.

Diversity Dash Colour Run

Due to our Walk-a-thon being postponed earlier in the year, we will be holding a Diversity Dash Colour Run at Castlefield oval between 12pm-2pm on Thursday 17th November. Diversity Dash encourages students to get out and get active as part of a fun, social, colourful and inclusive event.

 

Students will be able to run, skip, dance, or walk their way through a course that will have staffed checkpoints. Schools can incorporate fun activities like treasure hunts, obstacle courses, or activities along the course.  The event will be organised by the Year Six Leaders and will involve all students from Prep-6, with the students fundraising in the lead up to the event. 

Year Three and Four Camps

Students in Year Four will be undertaking their two-night camp at Campaspe Downs on Wednesday 23rd November - Friday 25th November. Year Three will be undertaking their overnight camp at Sovereign Hill on Thursday 1st December - Friday 2nd December. Teachers will be providing further information and permission forms to Year 3 and 4 parents in the coming weeks.

Prep 2023 Orientation Sessions

We will be welcoming our new Prep students for 2023 for their Orientation Sessions on four consecutive Wednesdays, commencing on Wednesday 9th November. The children will have an opportunity to mix in different groupings over the sessions before being grouped into their final class groupings for our two Prep classes for next year. Parents of new Prep students will also be welcomed at a morning tea in the hall during the first orientation morning. There will also be an Information Night for Prep 2023 parents in the hall on the evening of Tuesday 29th November at 7pm.

School Closure Days

Term Four school closure days are as follows:

  • Monday 30th October(day before Melbourne Cup Day) - Report Writing Day
  • Monday 28th November - 2023 Planning and Data Analysis

Year Six Graduation

Year Six students will graduate on the evening of Thursday 15th of December, with a Graduation Liturgy at 6pm, followed by the Graduation Celebration. 

End of Term Four

Term Four will conclude on Friday 16th December at 1pm for students in Prep-Year 5. 

Thursday 15th of December will also be the last day of term for Year Six students.

 

Matthew Sweeney

Principal

principal@smhampton.catholic.edu.au