St Mary's School Donald Newsletter

Term 1 Week 4 2025

St Mary's School Donald

Principal: Mrs Melissa Drum

VISION STATEMENT

St. Mary's community, with Jesus as our inspiration, aims to educate and nurture the development of the whole child.

MISSION STATEMENTS: 

Catholic Culture

As part of St. Mary's Parish, and inspired by our Catholic faith, we care for all people and creation.

Community Engagement

Work in close partnership with families, parish and the Donald community to enhance faith, student learning and well-being.

Learning and Teaching

Provide opportunities for each student to achieve their academic potential in an engaging, contemporary educational environment.

Well-Being

Ensure a child-safe, respectful and inclusive environment that celebrates achievement, promotes dignity and resiliency.

Leadership and Stewardship

Be educators, with a clear sense of purpose and direction, who work collaboratively to deliver quality outcomes for all students.

Prayer

Invitation to Prayer

Christ Jesus, on whom the Spirit rests, 

Guide us on our journey as pilgrims of hope. 

Christ Jesus, bringer of Good News, 

Guide us on our journey as pilgrims of hope. 

Christ Jesus, liberator of captives and all who are oppressed, 

Guide us on our journey as pilgrims of hope. 

Christ Jesus, restorer of sight, 

Guide us on our journey as pilgrims of hope. 

Christ Jesus, proclaimer of the year of the Lord’s favour, 

Guide us on our journey as pilgrims of hope. 

Christ Jesus, in whom the Scripture was fulfilled, 

Guide us on our journey as pilgrims of hope. 

Lead us all to be signs of your hope in our world. 

Amen.  

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Hello everyone!

This week we commenced swimming. Although the days are cooler, our times for swimming are at the warmer part of the day. It was great to see the swimmers learning new skills and following directions. On Friday February 28th at 11:30am-1:30pm, The St Mary's Swimming Carnival will take place followed by a BBQ back at school. This is a great opportunity for staff and parents to meet and greet and have a chat about their child/children.

Thank you

I would like to thank those who have passed on their condolences to both Damian and I on the sudden loss of Damian's sister Angela. Ange was a beautiful person, wonderful educator, creative in everything she did, remarkable conversationalist and an interested follower of our horses! We have lost a remarkable lady with the most genuine laugh and we are feeling quite lost as we work our way through this time in our lives. My photo this week is from a loving student of Ange's preschool days..

ECSI

The Catholic University in Leuven was commissioned by the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Ltd (CECV) to design a process and tools, based on sound research, to accomplish the goal of understanding our current Catholic identity and where the school community might like to see itself in the future.

The ECSI Survey is a key element of this process and I write to request your participation. The online survey gathers responses from students in Years 5 and 6, all staff and a representative sample of parents. The ECSI survey is open for St Mary's from 03/02/2025 to 25/04/2025.

Fruit Break

The 10am “fruit break” is provided for those children who need a snack.  This is a non-intrusive break and children will continue working while eating. Staff do not have the time to prepare or cut up fruit or vegetables for students. Please provide a piece of fresh fruit or vegetable, already cut up if your child prefers it that way. Not acceptable - messy fruits, passionfruit, tinned/pre-packaged fruit/jellies, oranges should be cut into portions.

Parent Code of Conduct

St Mary’s School, Donald is committed to ensuring a respectful learning environment that is safe, positive, and supportive for all students, staff, and visitors of the school.

It is the intention of St Mary’s School to provide clear guidelines to all parents/guardians/carers regarding the conduct expected of them while in all school environments, engaging in school-related activities or representing the school. Parents/guardians/carers are expected to uphold the school’s core values at all times.

To this end, DOBCEL and the school have a “Parents/Guardians/Carers Code of Conduct” which applies to all parents, step-parents, guardians, carers, grandparents and extended family members attending the school and school related places. These documents will be sent home with your children in the near future (for existing students - parents of new students were provided with this document with enrolment documentation). Please read, sign and return the form to school as soon as possible.

The code of conduct can be read on our website, with other documents related to student enrolment - https://smdonald.catholic.edu.au/enrolment.

Digital Technology Agreements

All users of digital technology (students and staff) are required to sign the Digital Technology Acceptable Use & Cybersafety Agreement annually. Classroom teachers have discussed this with their classes and notes have been sent home for parents to read and sign. Please return these to school as soon as possible.

Fees

Thank you to those who have returned the paperwork and commenced payment of school fees. Please contact the office if you have any questions regarding the forms, or to arrange replacements if yours have been misplaced.

Please contact me to discuss payment arrangements if payment of fees is an issue for your family.

Reminders from the office

All parents/guardians/carers are reminded to complete the actions/notifications:

  • Medical Profile update
  • Connect Fields* - photography permission, local excursions consent, PG movie consent

Our student free dates are: 

28 January – first day of term one

13 February – nominated student-free day (structured literacy)

22 April – nominated student-free day

23 April – collaboration day with OLHC Murtoa, St Patrick's Nhill re: SIMON Teaching & Learning Maths 2.0

24th April – collaboration day with OLHC Murtoa, St Patrick's Nhill re: Catholic School Culture RE with Bernadette Luckman

27th May Pasi, Tom Sexton and Dave Northern Zone schools- DOBCEL Strategy 2035

19 September – nominated student-free day (structured literacy)

3 November – nominated student-free day

19 December – last day of term four

Jubilee Year

This year is a jubilee year. Pope Francis has set the theme of the 2025 Jubilee Year as Pilgrims of Hope. In ancient times, a jubilee year occurred every 50 years and involved the cancelling of debts, a period of rest for people and the earth, and land being restored to the landless. Now, in The Catholic Tradition, ordinary Jubilees Years are celebrated every twenty five years.

Jubilee years invite Christians to set out on a journey and to cross boundaries. When people travel, they do not only change places physically, but also possibly change within themselves. 

From:

https://www.vatican.va/jubilee_2000/magazine/documents/ju_mag_01051997_p-78_en.html

https://cafod.org.uk/news/uk-news/why-is-2025-a-jubilee-year-in-the-catholic-church

In his explanation of the the theme Pilgrims of Hope, Pope Francis reflects:

Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring. Even so, uncertainty about the future may at times give rise to conflicting feelings, ranging from confident trust to apprehensiveness, from serenity to anxiety, from firm conviction to hesitation and doubt. Often we come across people who are discouraged, pessimistic and cynical about the future, as if nothing could possibly bring them happiness.

For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope. 

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/bulls/documents/20240509_spes-non-confundit_bolla-giubileo2025.pdf

From https://cafod.org.uk/fundraise/parishes/jubilee-2025-resources-for-your-parish

DOBCEL Strategy 2035

Please find below a letter from Catholic Education Ballarat Executive Director, Tom Sexton and DOBCEL Board Chair Terry Harney regarding the DOBCEL  Strategy 2035.

This letter introduces the new strategy that all DOBCEL schools will be working through over the next ten years. Please find the letter below.

Illnesses

If your child is unwell, please remember the best place is to rest at home. If an illness persists for your child, please seek medical advice.

Fee Relief 

Students won’t be excluded from St Mary's because of their parent’s inability to pay fees. Parents experiencing financial hardship can contact Alicia at the office to make an appointment with the Principal to discuss fee concessions. Families that have a valid means-tested concession card usually qualify for the Camps, Sports & Excursion Fund (CSEF) and Family Fee Assistance (FFA) Scheme, which allows considerable discounts on school fees. 

Opening Doors Foundation

The Opening the Doors Foundation provides grants to families to assist with the extra costs incurred in the schooling of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary or secondary school students. The 2025 Grant Round is now open, with a closing date of 14 March 2025. For students to commence the 2025 school year with the necessary items, the ideal time to apply is now or before the start of Term 1.

The criteria and guidelines are outlined on both the Opening the Doors Foundation website and the Opening the Doors Foundation Application. 

Please contact the Foundation (details listed below), Helen Christensen (0467 415 768) or Jeanette Morris (0408 360 098) for further information.

Pertinent information:

Website links: Opening the Doors Foundation; 

Foundation Application Criteria and Guidelines

Application Form link: Opening the Doors Foundation Application

Phone: 0401 487 414 or 1300 236 356

Email: applications@openingthedoors.org.au

Closing date: 14 March 2025 (applications will not be accepted after this date)

Office hours

Just a reminder that Mrs Alicia Greenaway is in the office on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday each week. 

BUSHFIRE READINESS

Bushfire Classification:

Department of Education (DE) has recently advised the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria (CECV) of the revised Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR).

As was the case last year and because of this review, St Mary's Primary School, Donald will stay listed on the 2023-2024 BARR. This will require our school to close on Catastrophic Fire Danger Rated days in our fire district. In the event of such a day, notification will be sent out through the Audiri app.

May you !

Melissa Drum

Safer Internet Day

Tuesday 11 February was "Safer Internet Day".

Together, we can create a safer internet

The internet is a space for learning, connection and playing – but for many, it can also be a space where harm occurs.

This Safer Internet Day we invite you to pause and reflect: what role can you play in making the internet safer and more positive? Even small actions from each of us can make a big difference.

Visit the Safer Internet Day hub (link below) from the office of the eSafety Commissioner for some handy resources, and watch the video for some tips for a safer, more positive internet.

  • Be kind - practice respect, empathy and kindness online
  • Be mindful - balance your time online and consume and share factual, respectful content
  • Speak up - report online abuse and harmful content to the platform and eSafety
  • Start the conversation - talk about online safety with your networks and communities, family, friends and colleagues
  • Share resources - promote online safety tools and tips with your community.
  • Child Safety

    • In compliance with Ministerial Order 1359, we also revisited the staff code of conduct as part of our Child Safety program, ensuring that we adhere to all legal requirements. Families who work with us in volunteer capacities such as the School Advisory Committee, Parents and Friends group and those who attend to help in classrooms will also have to sign a new code of conduct form for the new school year. These forms are in the front office.

    Important Dates

    • Term 1  2025  Tuesday 28th January (for staff) – Friday 4 April
    • Swimming Monday 17th -28th February
    • Swimming Carnival Friday 28th February 11:30-1:30 with a BBQ afterwards at school - Meet & Greet staff/parents in the afternoon
    • Shrove Tuesday 4th March (pancakes supplied at recess)
    • Ash Wednesday Wednesday 5th March Mass at 12:15pm at the Church
    • Students return: Wednesday 29th January 2025 *Easter 18 April – 21 April

    STUDENTS OF THE WEEK

    JUNIOR ROOM - Obie
    MIDDLE ROOM - James
    SENIOR ROOM - Larou

    ARTIST AWARD - Evan for his 'Self Portrait' art piece.

    Principal Awards

    WILLOW - Respectful
    AIDEN - Kindness

    Our Diocesan Community

    Please find below the link for the November 2024 edition of “Our Diocesan Community”. This Magazine is a way to share the good news stories of our schools, parishes and agencies across the diocese.

    https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ODC-October-2024-web.pdf.

    School Savings Bonus

    School Saving Bonus

    The Victorian Premier announced the School Saving Bonus fund in August.

    In summary,

    • Non-government school students who are receiving the means-tested Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) are eligible for the School Saving Bonus.
    • Eligible parents/guardians/carers do not need to apply, the bonus will be paid directly to the school from late November 2024.
    • The SSB is in addition to CSEF.

    Funds received by the school will be allocated to corresponding accounts as a fee credit.

    https://www.vic.gov.au/school-saving-bonus#non-government-school-information

    School Savings Bonus Letter


    Download

    DOBCEL Strategy 2035 Update letter


    Download

    TERM DATES 2025

    2025

    Term 1 28 January (Staff), 29 January (Students) to 4 April

    Term 2 22 April (Staff), 28 April (Students) to 4 July

    Term 3 21 July to 19 September

    Term 4 6 October to 19 December

    Safety online

    Social media age restrictions

    eSafety welcomes the introduction of the Australian Government’s Social Media Minimum Age Bill setting a minimum age of 16 for access to certain age-restricted social media platforms. eSafety looks forward to working closely with government, industry and the Australian community to ensure the implementation of legislation is effective, enforceable and fair.  

    Even with minimum age restrictions in place, it is crucial that we continue supporting parents to play an active role in their children’s online lives. Nothing can replace those vital conversations that help parents stay informed, set boundaries and help when something goes wrong. By modelling good digital practices, parents can lay the foundations for safer and more positive online experiences. 

    Bushfire Readiness

    Please read the communication below. As a Bushfire at Risk school, on days there is a Catastrophic fire danger forcasted in our district the Mallee, the school will close. Other educational providers in our area will also close, and there will be no school buses running. We need to receive notification from the Department of Education and also DOBCEL in order to close. The school will always endeavour to notify families as soon as practical. 

    School Preparations for the Bushfire Season

    Each year, the Department of Education runs an annual fire risk assessment of schools and early childhood services. They are allocated a category of risk (categories 0 to 4) and are published on the Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR).

    All schools and early childhood services listed on the BARR list will also close when a Catastrophic fire danger rating day is forecast in their fire weather district.  

    When the Bureau of Meteorology provides public fire danger rating forecasts or fire weather warnings, they use fire weather district areas. In Victoria, there are 9 fire weather districts, which are based on Local Government Area boundaries. Our school is in the Mallee fire weather district.

    As part of preparing our school for the fire season, we have updated and completed our Emergency Management Plan and have conducted other relevant preparedness actions, such as reprioritised any maintenance works that may assist in preparing for the threat of fire and cleared our facility’s grounds and gutters.

    What does this mean for our school?

    Our school has been identified as being at risk of bushfire or grassfire and is listed on the Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR).

    DOBCEL, in accordance with the department’s Bushfire and Grassfire Preparedness Policy, requires our schools on the BARR list to close when a Catastrophic fire danger rating day is forecast in their fire weather district. All school bus routes which travel in or through a district with Catastrophic fire danger must also be cancelled.

    Our school will close on any day forecasted as Catastrophic fire danger rating in Mallee fire district.

    Closure of the school due to a forecast Catastrophic day will be confirmed on the day prior and we will provide you with advice before the end of the school day when possible. Any information regarding potential or confirmed Catastrophic fire danger days will be communicated to you by the Audiri app & SMS.

    Once confirmed, the decision to close will not change, even if the weather forecast changes.  This is to avoid confusion and help your family plan alternative care arrangements for your child/ren.  It is also important to be aware that:

    • No one will be on site on days where the school is closed due to a forecast Catastrophic day.
    • All bus routes that travel through the Catastrophic area will be cancelled.
    • School camps will be cancelled if a Catastrophic fire danger rating day is forecast for fire weather district in which the camp is located, or if the travel involves passing through areas that have Catastrophic fire danger.

    In addition, families are encouraged to action their Bushfire Survival Plan on Catastrophic fire danger rating days.  On such days, children should never be left at home alone or in the care of older children.

    For those of us living in a bushfire prone area, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) advises that when Catastrophic days are forecast, the safest option is to leave the night before or early on the morning of the Catastrophic day.

    What can families and the school community do to help us prepare?

    • Ensure we have your current contact details, including your mobile phone numbers. 
    • Keep in touch with us by reading our newsletters, checking the Audiri app, and by talking to your child’s teacher or any other member of the teaching staff about our emergency management plan.
    • Make sure your family’s bushfire survival plan is up-to-date and includes alternative care arrangements in the event that our school is learning from home due to elevated fire danger or closed due to a Catastrophic fire danger. Further information can be found on the CFA’s website.
    • Action your family’s bushfire survival plan if your own triggers are met. Our school community may be spread out across many areas and some families may be at higher risk than others. Your family’s safety is critical, so please let us know if you are actioning your bushfire survival plan and if your children will be absent on these days.
    • If your child is old enough, talk to them about bushfires and your family’s bushfire survival plan. There is a link below with some activities to assist with this discussion.

    You can find more information on emergencies, warnings and preparedness actions here:

    • VicEmergency app – that can be downloaded on your android and iOS mobile devices
    • VicEmergency Hotline (1800 226 226)
    • Website https://emergency.vic.gov.au

    ABC local radio, Sky News and other emergency broadcasters

    Please ensure you have downloaded the AUDIRI app to receive the first notification of a sudden school closure, as this is the official school emergency notification platform.

    Then emails will be sent to families, followed by SMS updates. 

    BARR Indicator

    CFA Kids Activities link

    https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/schools/primary-schools/activities

    EWHS

    Concussion

    Concussion - important information

    If your child has experienced concussion, it is important that you follow recommended medical advice. Returning to school can be a gradual approach with the aim of increasing tolerance to a full day, the same situation could occur with sport. It is always important to check with your doctor and seek medical treatment after a child sustains a concussion.

    It is important to inform the school if your child has sustained a concussion outside of the school setting so we can monitor for ongoing symptoms and adapt activities if required.

    This factsheet link below from the Royal Children’s Hospital is valuable to read and understand.

    There is also a great evidence-based app from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute that walks you through what to do in the event of a concussion.

    RCH Concussion

    https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Head_injury_return_to_school_and_sport/

    Headcheck

    https://www.headcheck.com.au/

    Breakfast Club

    Breakfast Club 

    Breakfast clubs for students at school offer numerous benefits that contribute to their overall wellbeing and academic success:

    • Improved Academic Performance: Eating a nutritious breakfast improves concentration, memory, and problem-solving skills, leading to better academic outcomes.
    • Nutritional Benefits: Breakfast clubs ensure children receive essential nutrients that might otherwise be missed, promoting healthier growth and development.
    • Social Interaction: It provides a relaxed setting for children to socialise with peers and staff, fostering positive relationships and a sense of belonging.
    • Establishing Routine: Regular attendance at breakfast clubs helps establish healthy eating habits and a consistent morning routine, which can improve overall behaviour and attendance at school.
    • Reduced Hunger: Children who eat breakfast are less likely to experience hunger during the morning, allowing them to focus on learning rather than their empty stomachs.
    • Support for Families: Breakfast clubs can ease morning stress for families by providing a convenient, affordable option for ensuring their children have a nutritious start to the day.

    Overall, breakfast clubs contribute significantly to the physical, emotional, and academic wellbeing of children, making them a valuable resource for schools and families alike.

    Breakfast club will continue to run in term 4 every morning between 8:30-8:50am. 

    The conversations and interactions that take place throughout Breakfast club are simply amazing to see and hear. 

    Student late arrival, early departure, temporary absence procedures




    All student late arrivals, early departures or temporary absences must be recorded in the Passtab iPad located in the foyer.  Please ask office staff for assistance.

    Change of Emails/Addresses/Phone Numbers

    Could families please inform the school if they have changed their mobile number, address or email. It is vital that the school has the most up to day information, to enable us to contact you when needed.

    ASSEMBLY

    Assembly will be on each Thursday at 3:10pm.


    Australian Catholics Magazine

    https://www.australiancatholics.com.au/current/aust-catholic-magazine

    'Our Diocesan Community'- latest edition now available

    https://www.ballarat.catholic.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ODC-July-2024-web.pd


    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!


    February

    14th - JACK

    28th - ABE


    FACEBOOK

    Remember to follow us on Facebook

    Those who are on Facebook are encouraged to follow our page at Donald St Marys School. 'Like' our page, enjoy our posts, and share them with your friends.  Stay connected through our Social Media page.

    CHILD SAFETY

    All students enrolled at St Mary’s Primary School have the right to feel safe and be safe. The safety and wellbeing of children in the school’s care will always be our first priority and the school will not tolerate child abuse. 

    The school’s Child Safety Officer is the Principal, Mrs Melissa Drum.

    All parents and volunteers that are onsite when students are onsite, or attend school events, are required to hold a Working with Children Check (WWCC) and sign the school’s Child Safety Code of Conduct. If we do not have a current copy of your WWCC, please present your card to the office for photocopying. We will endeavour to get all families to sign the code of conduct in the very near future.

    We are committed to continuous improvement in our approach to child safety and well-being and welcome feedback from families and members of our school community on ways we can further strengthen our child safety policies, procedures, and practices. If you have any suggestions, comments, or questions, please contact the Principal either by phone or email principal@smdonald.catholic.edu.au

    Child Safety Plain Language

    STUDENT ABSENCE NOTIFICATION

    Under Department of Education Regulations, typically the only acceptable reasons for absence from school are illness and medical or dental appointments that cannot be arranged outside of school hours. It is a legal requirement that parents contact the school regarding any student absences or lateness.

    In the event of any absence, a brief note, phone call, or SMS text explaining the reason is required. This must be done before 9:30am. 

    Any absences not advised by 9.30am, will be followed up via SMS or phone call.

    The number to use for text messages regarding your child’s absences is 0418 701650. Absences may also be advised via the form on the Skoolbag App., via telephoning the school, or by email.

    VICTORIAN EDUCATION ATTENDANCE GUIDELINES:

    During 2017 the Minister for Education reviewed the Attendance Guidelines. An updated Attendance Guideline document has been completed. A copy of the full document will be placed on the School App and Website.  

    ·         Schools must advise parents/guardians of unexplained absences on the same day, as soon as practicable.

    ·         In accordance with the Education and Training Reform Act 2006, schooling is compulsory for children and young people aged from 6-17 years.

    ·         Families are reminded that they can use the School App to record absences, ring the school from 8.30am on 54971116 or 0418 701650 or email  principal@smdonald.catholic.edu.au

    Please note that if you have not contacted the school by 9.30am to advise of your child/children’s absence, the school will make contact with you, either by a telephone call or a text message.

    ACKNOWLEGEMENT OF COUNTRY

    We acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung  people as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land.  We pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We thank them for sharing their cultures, spiritualities and ways of living with the land in this place we all now call home.