St Mary s Primary School Week 3 Term 2: Issue 10 Friday 4th May 2018 4-12 Duke Street, Maffra, Vic 3860 Phone: (03) 5147 1334 Fax: (03) 5147 2642 principal@stmmaffra.catholic.edu.au Our Mission: At St. Mary s School Maffra, we are a Catholic School that strives to be authentic to the teachings of Jesus and the teachings of the Church. We aim to be an inclusive and nurturing community that respects, values and empowers each person to fulfil their dreams and potential. We envisage a School that provides challenging, relevant and child-centred learning experiences. We believe that the social, emotional, moral, spiritual and physical wellbeing of our students is pivotal to student health, safety, learning and success. Dates 2018 Term 3 Week 4 Tuesday 8th May - School Cross Country @1pm Thursday 10th May - Mother s Day Mass @9.30am - Mother s Day Stall Sunday 13th May - Family Mass @ 9am Week 5 Tuesday 15th May - NAPLAN testing for Grades 3 and 5 Wednesday 16th May - NAPLAN testing for Grades 3 and 5 Thursday 17th May - NAPLAN testing for Grades 3 and 5 - Parent/Child Workshop For Confirmation 6pm in School Library Sunday 20th May - Sacrament of Confirmation Mass @2pm Dear Families, As we end the celebrations of Catholic Education Week I would like to thank all the families who supported our open day on Wednesday by either attending the day, inviting grandparents and friends or assisting their children to get into the swing of the historical theme by dressing up. Again the Grade 6 leaders showed our community their commitment to the school with their school tours. I have appreciated all the encouraging and useful feedback received for our day. During the week it has come to my attention that out of school hours many children have access to online social platforms. The interaction reported to me is not always good manners or helpful to social relationships, many children are struggling with the effects of the discussions on-line and the resulting discord comes to school. I encourage all parents to read through the following age limits that involve setting up social media accounts and to be vigilant in monitoring your children while they are on the internet. My suggestion is to always have children on the internet in the family room and to carefully consider how much time they spend on electronic devices especially just before sleep. Studies show the blue light associated with portable devices hampers natural sleeping patterns. Leading Australian researcher Professor Shantha Rajaratnam has made these key points as a result of her research. Body clock is affected by artificial light. Short wavelength blue light is the most disruptive. Body does not produce as much melatonin, a hormone that helps sleep. Lack of sleep can affect alertness, concentration and memory. Risk is most significant for adolescents. Age Guide to Social Media in Australia 2018 Social Media EA (Electronic Arts) Facebook and Facebook Messenger 13+ Instagram 13+ Keek and Kik Minecraft Pinterest 13+ Skype Snapchat 13+ Terms of Use Minimum Age Requirements 18+ (with parental permission up to 17 yrs) 13+ (with parental permission up to 17 yrs) All ages (parental permission required to create a mojang account if user is under 13 yrs) 18+ (With parental permission up to 17 yrs) Steam 13+ Vimeo 13+ (With parental permission up to 17 yrs) Vine 13+ WhatsApp 16+ YouTube 13+
The children participated in Mass at St. Mary s today. Father Siju spoke with the students about how well they behaved at the Peace Mass last Friday. He spoke about the theme for Catholic Education Week Come and See Jn 1:39 and reiterated that when you find something really good you invite others to Come and See it. Next week as Mother s Day is Sunday 13th we will celebrate Mass for our Mothers on Thursday 10th May. The junior school is leading our celebration and again we warmly invite our community to Come and See. Particularly the Mums and or special other lady in their life. All mothers and or special ladies are invited to Mass which is at 9:30 am and morning tea will follow. Invitations from the children will come home today. Our P&F will be running a very special Mothers Day stall on this day. Each class will be given the opportunity to visit the stall throughout the day to purchase a gift for $5.00. We hope that this little shopping experience creates a wonderful surprise for our Mothers on Mother s Day. We look forward to the Cross Country day next Tuesday and I admire the commitment the children have put into training over the last weeks. Next week we welcome back Jason Slattery as he returns from long service leave. Yours in Partnership, Anne-Marie Robb Uniforms: This term we change over to Winter Uniform. We ask that parents support us in ensuring their children are wearing the correct school uniform. This means boys are also expected to wear trousers. We also encourage you to impress upon your children the importance of caring for their clothing, particularly as winter approaches. St Mary s winter uniform is as follows: Girls: Navy & grey tartan tunic Navy gabardine slacks as an optional extra Navy woollen jumper with school emblem Pale blue skivvy or blue shirt Grey socks or tights Black leather shoes Boys: Grey school trousers (not jeans) Pale blue skivvy or blue shirt Grey socks Navy woollen jumper with school emblem Black leather shoes Optional Uniform Extras: If your children wish to wear a scarf, gloves or jacket on the colder days they must be Navy Blue. Cross Country: St. Mary s cross country is to be held on Tuesday 8th May at the Maffra Apex Park starting at 1:00pm. Approximate times for each age group are as follows: 12 year boys and girls 1:10 11year boys and girls 1:25 10 year boys and girls 1:40 9 year boys and girls 1:55 Year 2 boys and girls 2:05 Year 1 boys and girls 2:15 Prep boys and girls 2:25 Presentation of trophies and ribbons 2:30 Please note these are approximate times only. We ask you to support your child in this event and encourage them to do their best. Students are allowed to wear a t-shirt in their house colour for the cross country event.
Updated Policies: Complaints and Grievances Management Policy The Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited (DOSCEL) Complaints and Grievances Management Policy, and Resolving Parent/Guardian Issues and Concerns Parent Guidelines have been updated. The Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) requires evidence in the form of the school's policies and procedures with respect to managing complaints or grievances. The Policy includes: how schools communicate the Policy and Procedures how parents can raise a concern or make a complaint with the School and DOSCEL. The updated policy will be shortly be available on our website. School Attendance Policy The Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Limited (DOSCEL) School Attendance Policy has been updated to reflect the School Attendance Guidelines - 2018 issued by The Hon. James Merlino MP, State Minister for Education. Schools must advise parents/guardians of unexplained absences, on the same day, as soon as practicable. Full implementation of the new School Attendance Guidelines will be required by the end of Term 2. The policy requirements include: daily attendance of each student enrolled at the school is recorded at least twice a day in primary schools and for every class in secondary schools absences of a student from school, including classes, are identified and reasons for each student s absence are recorded in writing unexplained absences are followed up by contacting the parent/guardian of the student as soon as practicable on the same day parents/guardians are informed of their responsibilities around school attendance and initiatives aimed at promoting parental awareness of the importance of children attending school every day are implemented DOSCEL is advised where a referral to a School Attendance Officer is required due to student absence from school on at least five full days in the previous 12 months without reasonable excuse for absences the Deputy Director Catholic Identity, Leadership, Learning and Teaching (CILLT), in conjunction with the school Principal, may authorise exemptions. Awards: Congratulations to the following children who received awards at assembly: Happy birthday to the Following children who have celebrated birthdays so far this year! April 30th Marcus Proud 3/4D May 01st Tara Dunsmuir 5/6G Zoe Dunsmuir 5/6F 02nd Jackson Boyle 5/6F Class Award Prep Ada Phillips 1/2B Ryder Henry 1/2C Mackayla Hickling 3/4D Ashlyn Harrington 3/4E Jy Higgins 5/6F Zoe Dunsmuir 5/6G Breanna Phelan Art Prep, Grade 1 & Grade 2 Classes
During the Open Day the Prep, Grade One and Grade Two students all worked together on a large mural inspired by a French artist, Herve Tullet. Their ability to work altogether was inspiring and is to be commended! As is the artwork they created a "Field of Flowers' painted in bright, bold colours! This will be displayed outside the Prep room. Well done.
Parish News: WEEKEND MASSES: MAFFRA: Sunday 9.00am HEYFIELD: Saturday 6.00pm WEEKDAY MASSES: Maffra: ** MONDAYS: availability will be announced at Masses the Sunday prior. ** 9 th May: Wed 5.00pm followed by ½ hour Adoration & Reconciliation 10 th May: Thur. 9.30am Whole School Mass 11 th May: Fri. 10.00am at Stretton Park 12 th May: Sat. 9.30am Heyfield: 8 th May: Tues. 9.30am COWWARR: 1 st & 3 rd Sunday 11.00am NEWRY: 2 nd & 4 th Sunday 11.00am DARGO: 5 th 29th April RECONCILIATION: Maffra: Saturday For Half Hour after 9.30am Mass (And any other time by request). Heyfield: 5.20pm-5.45pm prior to Saturday evening Mass ST. MARY S MAFFRA PARISH AND SCHOOL WALKING GROUP: Would you like to get fit and meet others? Come and join us for a walk on Thursdays during school term. Meet at presbytery drive way 8.50 and walk around the Maffra wetlands. Children most welcome, pram pushing available. Enquiries to Christa Dwyer 51451415 christadwyer@aussebb.com.au or parish office 51471921 CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK Each year, schools across the Diocese of Sale celebrate Catholic Education Week. It offers all forty-four schools in the Diocese the opportunity to celebrate their Catholic identity and educative mission in their local communities and across the Diocese. This year, the theme for Catholic Education Week is inspired by the words of Jesus as proclaimed in John s Gospel, Come and See (John 1:39). Pope Francis reminds us that Jesus looks to us and invites us to journey with him. He asks us to be open to the voice of Jesus in our lives and to be prepared to undertake a journey with him to discern God s plan for us all. It was wonderful to see so many parents, grandparents and special visitors come in to visit us on Wednesday to Come and See our beautiful school and participate in the many historical activities happening in our specialist classes. Today we concluded our Catholic Education Week celebrations with a Whole School Mass with Fr Siju. Well done to all of the children for their participation in the many activities held over the week and helping us to celebrate what it means to be a part of a Catholic school. God Bless Dianne Austin REL Family Mass Sunday, 13th May at 9am Join us for this special celebration.
Community News: Is now providing Before School Care & After School Care From the Maffra Primary School For bookings and more information phone 5144 6952 or email gumnutselc@netspace.net.au Maffra Auskick Centre Wednesday Nights 5pm to 6pm April 18th to June 27th