St Mary's Bulletin

Welcome Back to Term Three – the year is certainly flying past!  It was lovely to seeing all the children back on Tuesday looking refreshed, recharged and ready to learn!  I enjoyed hearing everyone’s holiday stories too!

I would like to welcome back Mrs Riethmuller from her short-term appointment at St Joseph’s Southern Cross.  And give a warm welcome to Miss Dotsyak in Year One and Miss Sissoev in Year Two. 

We also welcome the McGellin family Quinn (Year One) and Jacob (Kindy) and Lylah Paterson, Alistair Crook and Aisha Leake who join the St Mary’s community in Three Year Old Kindy.

On Monday all staff participated in professional development facilitated by Ms Andrea Musulin who is the Director of Safeguarding Program.  During the day, staff revised the Protective Behaviours curriculum, which is the safe-keeping program used at St Mary’s School from Kindy to Year Six.  This program is child-focused and informed by a fundamental belief that children have the right to physical and psychological safety at all times. It teaches them a range of skills and strategies to help prevent and reduce child abuse and violence in our communities. 

Children who have been taught Protective Behaviours are more able to discern threats to their safety and are more likely to suggest using personal safety strategies than comparison children (Johnson, 1985). 

The program is based around two broad themes:  Theme One “God gave all children the right to feel safe at all times” and Theme Two “Nothing is so awful that we can’t talk to someone about it” Topics covered include Feelings and Emotional Intelligence, Early Warning Signs and the Safety Continuum, My Helping Hand, My Private Parts, Social Distance, It’s OK to say NO and Secrets.

It is important that we empower children so as they are able to apply preventative strategies as everyday life skills. The Program teaches children all these preventative strategies in a non-threatening and non-sexual way. 

All students in Kindy to Year Six will be undertaking Protective Behaviours as part of the Health Program in Term Three.

Mrs Riethmuller and I will be attending the Leaders Forum on Monday and I then will be attending the CPPA Conference.  Mrs Riethmuller will be joining me for this on the Tuesday.  Therefore, on Monday and Tuesday Mrs Herbert will be responsible for the school and Mrs Riethmuller for the remainder of the week.

At St Mary’s School, fees are sent out to families at the beginning of the school year and statements of outstanding balances are sent each term.  Parents have the option of paying their fees in full or in installments throughout the year.  School fees are compulsory and form a necessary part of what makes our school function as it does. It gives us the opportunity to provide the exceptional teachers, resources and learning experiences we have at St Mary’s School.  Any difficulties in meeting school fees can be discussed confidentially with me so that alternative arrangements can be made.  School Fee Statements for Term Three (for those families with outstanding fees) were sent home on Tuesday with the eldest child.  

With the colder weather upon us there has been an influx of jumpers being left around the school.  Please check the lost property box outside the Library to see if these belong to your child.  A reminder to parents to please label your child's uniform. 

There was a bit of work done around the school over the holidays.  The ECE Team (ably assisted by Mr Fred Piazzola) upgraded the Kindy/Pre-primary play space to ensure that the children have the opportunity to engage in natural, exploratory play which is so important for the development of the children.  Thank you to CBH for their contribution to this.  Also, thank you to Darryn Grant Fibrous Plastering for lowering and sealing the ceiling in the Year Four classroom – it looks like a brand-new space!

God Bless and have a lovely weekend with your families. 

Ms Adriana Coniglio

Principal

Thank you to those parents/caregivers that have volunteered their time to enable our Tuckshop to run. 

If you are unable to attend your shift, please organise to swap with someone else on the roster.

Please note that non parents (grandparents and other caregivers) are more than welcome in our tuckshop however will be required to provide a current Working With Children Check.  If you have not done so already can you please provide a copy to the office when you sign in for your shift.