Newsletter Term 3, Week 3 2022
Monday 22nd August - School Closure
Dear Parents,
As decreed by Pope Francis in 2021, the 24th July celebrates the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly. The observance is celebrated each year on the fourth Sunday of July, coinciding with the feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary's parents and Jesus' grandparents, Sts. Anne and Joachim on 26th July.
Pope Francis “remind us that old age is a gift and that grandparents are the link between the different generations, to pass on to the young the experience of life.” Last Tuesday we celebrated with Mass and visits to the classroom the Feast of Sts. Anne and Joachim as a whole school community.
It was lovely to see so many grandparents and special friends join us once again. We give thanks to God for our grandparents and for their love and wisdom and for being part of our lives. As a grandparent, I can honestly say it is one of the most special relationships in my life.
Yesterday the Preps celebrated 100 days of attending school. To celebrate this momentous occasion the children got dressed up like people would have been dressed 100 years ago and had a party to celebrate.
Congratulations to the Prep children on this milestone and to Mrs. Crawford and Mrs. O’Dea on the wonderful work they have been doing in Prep.
Over the last couple of weeks, I have noticed that there has been a decline in the standard of uniform worn by the children.
Children are wearing runners with their formal Winter uniform (dresses and pants) and have been wearing leggings instead of tracksuit pants. We have a lovely uniform and when worn properly, it shows pride in our school.
Please make sure your child attends school in the proper school uniform. Also if your child has lost a piece of their uniform, please check with the office so we can check lost property.
This term as part of our School Improvement Plan, the staff are working developing their knowledge and understanding about ‘Positive Behaviours for Learning (PBL)’.
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) is an evidence-based framework that brings together the whole-school community to contribute to developing a positive, safe and supportive learning culture.
The framework assists schools to improve social, emotional, behavioural and academic outcomes for children and young people.
When PBL is implemented well, teachers and students have more time to focus on relationships and classroom instruction. Students and staff benefit from:
reduced inappropriate behaviour
increased time focused on instruction
improved social-emotional wellbeing
positive and respectful relationships among students and staff
support for teachers to teach, model and respond effectively to student need
a predictable learning environment where staff and students know what is expected to deliver effective practices that can be sustained over time
Over the remainder of this year, I will be sharing more information with parents about PBL and how we can work together to support our children in their learning and wellbeing.
Regards,
Andrea Richards
Principal
Follow our socials for the latest learning posts from the classroom
St Margaret Mary’s students are independent life-long learners inspired by Gospel values and empowered with a sense of purpose and responsibility. They confidently engage with others and are equipped with skills to adapt to an ever changing world.
Each week, students who embody our values, apply the school mindsets to learning, work hard to improve or persevere to deliver on learning objectives are awarded a class award. The students who earned an award in the past weeks are:
Term 2, Week 9
Term 3, Week 1
Around the School
100 Days of Prep!
Grandparents Day
District Athletics Day
Middles Zoo Excursion
Prep Wild Action Incursion
Seniors Natural Disasters Incursion
Last week on Friday both senior classes did an incursion on natural disasters. There were many experiments that left students amazed! We learned about weather and how natural disasters are caused. One of the experiments was mixing red hot water with a blue ice cube. The results were that hot water floats on top while cold water sinks to the bottom.
Many students enjoyed it (even Ms. Steele)! Scarlett (the person running the incursion) made it easier for everyone and answered all of our questions. This was definitely the highlight of our Friday. I rate the incursion a 10/10. It was so exciting and amazing, I’d definitely do it again. By Jess M.
Last week we had an incursion about science, for SA and SB. We did MANY experiments that were all very cool and we learned a lot of things about how the weather changes\ works. We did an experiment where you emptied out a tea bag and lit it on fire and it flew away, proving that hot air rises!
This incursion went over a lot of things and not just Natural disasters. The lady, Scarlet, went over all of our questions and always helped us (thank you!) even Miss Steele had a laugh! All of us really enjoyed it and I'm sure we would LOVE to do it again! This made our Friday even better! I would rate this incursion a 9.9 out of 10! There is always room for improvement but overall I LOVED it. (Thank you so much for coming to teach us!) By Charlotte.
Last week a company called “ MAD ABOUT SCIENCE” came to SA & SB classroom to teach us about natural disasters and let me tell you, we learned a lot! The lady, Scarlet, showed us a lot of things. We even made snow and it was really fun! My favorite things were the Seismometers. It’s basically a pencil and a Machine stuck together and the machine moves the pencil slowly and if it moves really fast that means an earthquake is happening! We made snow with this Chemical that is like water. When we drop water in the snow the snow grows big!
I want to say a big thank you to the company and Scarlet for teaching us about natural disasters and how it works! The lesson was so fun I even volunteered on how earthquakes work and it was really fun! I give the lesson a 9.7/10 our class and Ms. Steele has lots of fun! Once again thank you for this fun experience! By Clare.
Footy Tipping
Well, we had a great round of footy last weekend, except if you’re a Richmond, Melbourne or Essendon fan. This tipper scored 9 but it might be too little too late to make the cut.
Farrer and MPANTAZ have a clear lead and unless we get some upsets in the remaining rounds, they will be difficult to beat.
This round sees 4 or 5 games that could go either way so it could be a good time to make your play.
Don’t forget there is a lot at stake- 1st prize is $200 Bunnings voucher, 2nd is the $100 Bunnings Voucher, and 3rd prize will be a bottle of scotch that has been aging nicely in the teachers’ store cupboard (unopened of course😉 )
Only 4 weeks to go Tipsters. Best of luck to you all.
Call for new members!
Can you spare some time to help out with the FSG? We are currently looking for new members. Contact Stacey to express your interest and find out more about how you can help out.
Last week saw our Year 10 students involved in the very important Drivers’ Ed program. This is designed to support students with additional knowledge and skills as they begin to embark on their life as a driver. We are enjoying to continue to build connections with our primary schools and have recently had the students from Grade 4 at St Mary of the Cross visit both campuses and participate in Art, Science and PE sessions. They had a terrific time seeing what Emmanuel has to offer.
Our next event for people to come along to in order to see the College is our annual Information Morning. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear from the College Principal, students and parents and also enjoy a tour of the school’s facilities. Registrations are essential for this event and can be made online via the Tours and Events tab on the right-hand side of the homepage of the College website, www.ecmelb.catholic.edu.au
Information Morning;
St Paul’s Campus
Date: Saturday 6 August, 2022 - Commencing at 10.30 a, closing at 12 noon
Also, the closing date for applications for enrolment for Year 7, 2024 is rapidly approaching. The closing date is Friday 19 August, 2022. A Prospectus Pack containing an application form can be requested under the Enrolment Information tab on the right hand side of the homepage of the College website, www.ecmelb.catholic.edu.au, by emailing enrolments@ecmelb.catholic.edu.au, calling the College Registrar on 8325 5119, or by visiting the friendly staff at reception of either campus.
If you have a child currently in Grade 5, please note that it is a requirement to submit an application if you wish to be considered for a place in Year 7, 2022, even if you already have an older child who attends the College.
Camp Australia - before and after school care
Over the past couple of weeks there have been some confusion regarding children being booked into particularly after school care. Camp Australia base their staffing on the numbers booked for the day and have had to refuse care due to the staffing cap when bookings have come in late. Please make sure you book in advance or early to make sure your child secures a place.
School Fees
School Fees
School fee payments are to be finalised by the end of term 3 unless otherwise discussed with the school. Thankyou to all the families who have made payments towards their family school fees and levy accounts. Without this support from you, our school would not be able to run.
If you have not started to make payments towards your account can we suggest you set up via your bank account, weekly, fortnightly or monthly direct debit payments. They are a great way to work towards settlement of your account.
We accept EFTPOS over the phone, or in person at the school office and you can make direct payments into our account. Please use your family name as the reference so we are able to allocate the payment correctly.
Our bank details are:
Account Name: St Margaret Mary’s School
BSB: 083-347
ACCOUNT: 463870010
Please speak to Andrea Richards or the Office ladies if you are experiencing financial hardship.
Trying to find an important date? Check out our updated Term Dates page.
Remembering Sr Jeanne Dwyer rsj Founder of Joseph’s Corner
Joseph’s Corner in conjunction with Mount St Joseph’s Girls College Altona are holding a Reflection and Celebration of the life of Sr Jeanne Dwyer who entered eternal life in June.
The Reflection and Celebration of the life of Sr Jeanne Dwyer will be held at MSJ on Sunday 31 July 2022 commencing at 2.00pm and will include a paraliturgy. Light refreshments will be provided.
You are invited to celebrate with us Jeanne’s life and how she touched the lives of many people. An R.S.V.P would be appreciated. Please R.S.V.P by Tuesday 26 July to contact@josephscorner.org.au or 93152680.
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