St Mary's School Donald Newsletter

Term 2 Week 2 2024

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.

REFLECTION

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.

Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Byn John McCrae

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Welcome everyone,

Please note, no school buses on May 7th. DHS and DPS have closure days so parents will need to make alternative arrangements to have their child attend St Mary's on that day.

Keep checking our dates in the newsletter, it is another busy term!

Go well and be well,

Melissa Drum

Cross Country today

Our whole school Cross Country is on today at the Donald Football Oval. Look in next week's newsletter for some action shots!

Catholic Education Week

On Wednesday 1st May, St Mary's along with St Patrick's St. Arnaud and St Joseph's Charlton, will join together to celebrate Catholic Education Week Mass and activities in Charlton. We are grateful to St Joseph's for hosting this year and look forward to celebrating 150 years in Catholic Education.

Students will travel by bus. Students will have a sausage in bread and a drink for lunch. (For students who don't eat sausages they can bring their own packed lunch).

ANZAC day

Yesterday, our school leaders and those who could attend, represented St Mary's at the ANZAC Procession. Our school leaders, Ellie, Marnie, River and Karleisha laid a wreath that was made at school using natives and cuttings from our own grown rosemary and pine tree. Thank you to those families who came along and to Miss Clancey for assisting the students.

School Photos

School phots are Monday 29th April. Please make sure your forms are returned Monday morning. Students are to wear full winter school uniform. Grade 6 students to wear Grade 6 hoodies.

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.

School Closure Days 2024

At St Mary's Primary School we are committed to Professional Development of our team.

Students are not required at school on the following days in 2024;

  • Monday 20th May - RE: Prayer, Liturgy & Sacrament
  • Friday 20th September  - Tony Dalton, Learning Walks & Community Engagement
  • Monday 7th October  - Mental Health & Wellbeing
  • Monday 4th November - Assessment & Reporting

Public Holidays are 

  • Thursday 25th April ANZAC Day 
  • Monday 10th June - King's Birthday
  • Tuesday 5th November - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday.

Days of Religious Celebration 

  • Sunday 12th May - The Ascension 
  • Sunday 19th May - Pentecost Sunday
  • Sunday 26th May - The Holy Trinity

TERM 2 IMPORTANT DATES

Monday  April 29th -  School Photos

Wednesday  May 1st - Catholic Education Week in Charlton

Thursday May 2nd - Black Ranges Cross Country in St Arnaud

Monday May 6th - SACS meeting 6:00pm St Mary's staffroom

Friday 10th May - Mother's Day High Tea 2:30pm

Friday 10th May - Winter Sports (Grade 5 & 6 combining with St Patrick's) in Birchip 

Friday 17th, 24th & 31st May & 7th June - AFL Clinic supported by Sporting Schools

Thursday 23rd May - Black Ranges Winter Sports in Stawell

Friday 28th June - Whole School Excursion Grug Performance Horsham

Friday 28th June - Last  day of Term 2 2.30PM FINISH

Monday 15th July - First Day of Term 3 


TERM DATES 2024

Term Dates 2024

Term 1 29 Jan (Staff) 31 Jan (Students) to 28 Mar

Term 2 15 Apr to 28 Jun

Term 3 15 Jul to 20 Sep

Term 4 7 Oct to 20 Dec

150 YEARS

The logo for the 150th Anniversary of the Diocese of Ballarat incorporates the diocesan logo and the bough of a tree drawn by Sr Anne McMillan rsm in 1985. The words Anne had used with this drawing were, “If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come”. It is an old Chinese proverb, which could be interpreted as a reminder to keep hope alive and a call to open our hearts to all. The bough of a tree symbolises growth, interconnectedness and life. The leaves could symbolise the communities, the parishes, the people of the diocese.

The text Communities: Remember, Revitalise, Hope reflects various aspects of the anniversary.

The word “Community” highlights the fact that a diocese is essentially a community drawn together by Christ, a large community made up of many local communities. The word “Remember” refers us to the history of the diocese. In this remembering, we acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of that history, celebrating the achievements and recognising the failures to live our Christian faith to the full. The word “Revitalise” calls us to invest ourselves in bringing new life to the community today. The word “Hope” encourages us to look forward to the future with confidence in God.

The Scripture verse chosen for our 150th anniversary year reflects various elements of our vocation as a Christian community. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12). The words are drawn from a passage in St Paul’s letter to the Romans in which the apostle lists qualities appropriate for a community inspired by Christ. As the years go by, the community experiences times of trial as well as times of gladness. Through it all, their trust in Christ makes them joyful in hope and patient in affliction. They recognise that they need God’s help in all they do and so they are faithful in prayer, seeking God’s help day by day.

SACRAMENTS

Miss Clancey, as the Religious Education Leader at St Mary's, is seeking expressions of interest from families who has a child/children wanting to complete the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and Eucharist this year. Please contact Miss Clancey at the school.


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 is held each THURSDAY afternoon from 3.10pm.

At assembly we will have a liturgy, do our weekly presentations and celebrate all that is good about St. Mary's School.

Families and friends are most welcome to attend each assembly.

ARTIST OF THE WEEK - Lara for her 'Field of Poppies' artwork.

ANZAC Biscuits.

SCIENCE WITH MRS DRUM - School Leaders making the ANZAC wreath.

Australian Catholics Magazine

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

HIGH FIVE AWARD 2024

This year Mr. D we continue a 'High 5' Award.

Each week, students that have attended everyday will receive a certificate to acknowledge they have been at school for the whole week. 

After a quick photo the certificates will be placed in a box where they will stay until the end of the year, when one lucky student will have their name drawn out and will win themselves a new bicycle.

Every full week equals another ticket in the draw. Every ticket in the draw is another chance to win the prize.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Congratulations to these students who celebrate their birthday in the month of April: 

Darcy

Jaxon

Obie

Renner



East Wimmera Health Services newsletter

https://ewhs.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EWHS-Community-Newsletter-2-Issue-2-March-2024.pdf

NCCD

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.