Dear families,

What a wonderful beginning to the year we have had. Welcome to all of our new students and their families. It has been great seeing all the smiling faces throughout the school each day and getting to know the new members of our community. I would like to congratulate our staff for creating such a welcoming and calm environment for our students, allowing for a smooth transition into 2024. 

Beginning the year with swimming lessons for grades 1-6 has definitely made organisation of the school challenging but the staff and students have been outstanding in setting up and following routines that have allowed for quality learning to continue throughout these two weeks. Our new PE and Sports Coordinator, Mrs Chloe Orchard, has done an amazing job planning and organising swimming lessons and also with our swimming carnival. Well done Chloe.

Lastly, communication between school and home is integral to children's education. As a staff, our overall job at St Mary’s is for the safety, well-being and learning of all students in our school. A partnership and open communication between home and school goes a long way to helping keep children happy, safe and learning. If there is ever any concerns that you have about your child regarding their safety, well-being or learning, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or myself.

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

Kind regards,

Julian

Welcome to our 2024 Foundation Students:

Foundation Hellings

Bowie, Connor, Maddie, Leo, Goldie, Willow H, Evie, Winnie, Macie, Evan, Lila M, Klea, Hunter, Harlow and Nate W.

Foundation Stobie

Nate A, Zara, Hugh, Arlo, Arki, Avery, Lyla K, Noah, Cleo, Xavier, Willow P, Asha, Ava, Rosie and Jimmy.

Welcome to Our New Families:

Oaklee (1/2 Morris) & Nixie (1/2 Halley)

Spencer (1/2 Howard), Edith (3/4 Burgiel) & Percy (5/6 Stobie)

Jack B (1/2 Halley) & Lola (5/6 Sandeman)

Harley (3/4 Burgiel)

Madalyn (3/4 Fixter)

Jack F (3/4 Fixter)

Emmanuel (5/6 Sandeman)

SCHOOL CAPTAINS

Emilyn Knight & Sam Gately

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MACKILLOP (GOLD) HOUSE CAPTAINS

Ada Phillips & Johnni Bramich

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CURRAN (RED) HOUSE CAPTAINS

Evie Stobie & Jack Bates & Sophie McQuillen

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CORBETT (GREEN) HOUSE CAPTAINS

Isla Caffrey & Rusty Morgan

To celebrate student's achievements, we will be presenting children with Star Of The Week awards.  This is a self nominated award of something a student is proud of.  It could be something academic, sports related, or a personal achievement. Have you learnt to ride a bike?  Won 1st place in a dance competition?  Read a book by yourself?  Anything that makes you proud!

Forms can be found on the link below.

School begins:  9am 

Recess: 11am - 11:20am

Lunch Playtime:  1:40pm - 2:20pm

Dismissal:  3:20pm

Children are not to enter or leave the school via the front office entrance unless accompanied by an adult.  The front office can be a very busy time before and after school, so we would appreciate you encouraging your children to follow this rule.

Children are asked to assemble at designated stations before leaving the school grounds.  Children leaving with parents by car or walking are to wait at the gate in Laura Street.  Town Bus children, Before and After school care and bike riders are asked to use Duke Street gate.

Children are not to leave the school grounds unless dismissed by a teacher.  All children being picked up are asked to be accompanied across the road by an adult.  Country Bus children are to use the back gate located on Laura Street.  Again, children are not to leave the grounds unless dismissed by their teacher.

To ensure the safety and accountability of each child we have an ipad located on the counter at the office.  Children arriving late are to be signed in and parents wanting to take their child/children from school during the day e.g. for an appointment, must also sign out at the office.  If they are returning to school, they must sign them back in. 

If someone other than yourself is to pick up your child from school, or if bus or car arrangements have changed for the day, please notify the school.

If your child is absent from school please call or use the school app to let us know by 9:30am each morning.  We have very strict procedures to account for all children each day.

• Call the school on 5147 1334
• Use the Absent Form on the school app
• Via PAM (Parent Access Module)

If you have not contacted the office by 9:30am, our administration staff will contact parents.  Your assistance in this matter is greatly appreciated.

If there is a change to your child's attendance please advise the office and Gumnuts so there is no confusion.

St Mary's School takes pride in its official uniform.  It has been established over many years and is recognised as an economical and practical code of dress.  Parents are required to ensure that the full uniform is worn at all times. 

The school uniform identifies students as members of the St. Mary's School Community.  The children are encouraged to wear their uniform with pride and behave in a manner, which reflects creditably on themselves, their families and their school.

Stobies Land and Surf, Maffra, stock St Mary's uniform.  Their friendly staff are on hand to assist with your uniform needs.  Please note some items such as the girls winter tunic takes some time to stock so to avoid disappointment go in store where your needs will be met.

SPORTS UNIFORM - BOYS AND GIRLS:

School Polo Shirt – navy and pale blue with school emblem                               

Shorts - navy blue mid thigh length                  

Tracksuit - navy blue pants or navy with blue stripe pants to match sports jacket

              - windcheater top or jacket with school emblem or soft shell jacket          

White ankle length socks                                                      

• New uniforms are now available from “Stobie’s land and Surf”, a local business in Johnson Street Maffra
• Second- hand uniforms are available through the Second-hand Uniform Shop run through the P&F.
• Thongs are only to be worn to and from the swimming pool
• Sneakers only to be worn on sports days
• For health reasons long hair must be tied back and hair colouring in natural colours
• Nail polish and jewellery (other than watch) must not be worn. If ears are pierced, only one set of studs or sleepers must be worn
• The girls’ winter uniform is the navy and grey tartan tunic. Navy gabardine slacks are an optional extra for warmth and do not replace the tunic as the official uniform

• If for any reason children cannot wear the correct uniform parents are asked to send their child to school with a note. Uniform must be worn for all official school functions e.g. excursions, concerts, school photos, sporting events. Failure to comply may result in exclusion from the event

Please remember St Mary's has a 'No Hat - No Play' policy.  All children must wear hats until 30th April.  If they do not have a hat they will have to spend recess or lunchtime under the shade of the gazebo.  

Hats can be purchased from Stobie's Land & Surf, Maffra.

Any prescription medication that a child must take during school hours must be signed in at the school office.  NOTE:  All medication must be prescribed by a Medical Practicioner and have the child's name and dosage on the bottle/package.  Any other medication or creams are not permitted at school.

CAMPS SPORTS EXCURSION FUNDING (CSEF)

Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF) is provided by the Victorian Government to assist eligible families to cover the cost of camps and sporting activities.  If you hold a valid means-tested concession card, you may be eligible for CSEF.

The closing date for Camps Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) applications is 15th April 2024.

Please pick up an application from the school office if you believe you are eligible.

No need to complete a new application if you previously held an eligible concession card.  

TERM 1

FEBRUARY

MARCH

**  Please go to our school website for the full year of calendar dates.

TERM 1

1st February - 28th March

TERM 2

16th April - 28th June

TERM 3

16th July - 20th September

TERM 4

7th October - 18th December 

Please note 2024 school fees have been issued via email this week.  Please check your spam.

Thank you.

The exciting Wellington Tracks & Trails project aims to encourage people to explore the many beautiful outdoor tracks and trails in The Middle of Everywhere and engage with nature.

We ask people to walk a track or trail in the months of February and March, scan the QR code and complete a survey for a chance to win prizes – great prizes!

Participating locations include Lake Guthridge & Guyatt Parklands, Sale River Heritage & Wetlands Trail, Flooding Creek Linear Park, and many others.

We hope that this initiative helps people rekindle their love of the outdoors and to try a new trail.

WEEKEND MASSES

Heyfield:

Saturday    6:00pm

Maffra:

Sunday    9:00am 

Cowwarr:

1st and 3rd Sunday   11:00am

Newry:

2nd and 4th Sunday  11:00am

Dargo:

5th Sunday   12:00noon

WEEKDAY MASSES

Heyfield:

Tuesday      9:30am

Maffra:

Wednesday   9:30am

Thursday      9:30am

Friday          9:30am

Saturday      9:30am

1st Friday of the month Healing Mass 11:00am