Term 1 Week 5 - Friday 1st March 2024

TERM 1 WEEK 5

Dear families, 

The Grattan Institute Report on Reading Instruction in Australia has received a great deal of media attention over the past couple of weeks. This report is the most substantial of its kind in about twenty years. While the findings are shocking, it is clear that St Mary’s is well and truly on the right track by providing students with evidence-based high quality Literacy instruction.

The Grattan Institute report found that: 

• one in three Australian students are poor readers  
• reading underperformance is persistent with half of regional and remote students not reading proficiently 

At St Mary’s we are already embedding the recommendations of that report. We ensure that: 

• all students are taught reading according to the best evidence
• students are are taught to read using a structured approach to literacy 
• students at risk of falling behind receive targeted intervention
• teachers receive high quality professional development
• we have a whole school approach to literacy instruction
• students are provided with regular speech support if they need it
• we have a multi-tiered system of support available for all students 

The evidence is clear: there should be a strong focus on phonics-based decoding skills in the early years. Students also need a knowledge-rich curriculum to build the vocabulary and background knowledge that are critical for successful reading comprehension all through school. And schools need to track student progress, so they can intervene early to help struggling students to catch-up.       ––Grattan, Feb 2024

We will continue a steadfast approach to quality literacy learning and teaching! 

Lent is a time, we often hear, of transformation, of change, a time of getting ready for Easter. What does this look like? The following reflection by Joyce Rupp invites the reader and particularly those journeying to Easter during this Lenten Season to a new way of being.

This reflection is a beautiful invitation. Imagine if we replaced the I and me in this poem with we, us and our. Maybe this is a way of entering Lent more deeply.

PEOPLE PUSHED TO THE EDGE

Companion of People Pushed to the Edge,

Let me stand with the least and the lost.

I will reach out my hand and welcome them.

Let me become one with these sisters and brothers.

I will approach each person as my teacher.

Let me accept their empty, outstretched arms.

I will receive the bounty of their inherent goodness.

Let me come vulnerably close to their distress.

I will try to comprehend the reality of their rejection..

Let me know the breadth of their daily poverty.

I will work for justice that tends to their human needs.

Let me enter their loneliness and desolation.

I will activate my empathy with compassionate presence.

Let me acknowledge that my privileged position

Is part of the reason they live on the margins.

I will do my part so all may live in one large circle.

Companion of People Pushed to the Edge,

You walk among the ones easily forgotten,

Those who are rejected, dismissed and violated.

Your heart aches for how they are treated

And goes to stand with them on their far borders.

Your love knows no boundaries.

Your love does not judge or tally.

Your love accepts.

Your love gathers.

Your love embraces.

Pg. 44 & 45 Rupp, J (2018) Prayers of Boundless Compassion Sorin Books, Notre Dame, Indiana

Every blessing for the week ahead.

Roxanne

WSP is held each Friday at 2.45pm in the Multi Purpose Room. All welcome!

Friday 8th March - MLC
Friday 15th March - JLC2
Friday 22nd March - JLC1

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the following student for this week:

Angus P

ARARAT BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION

REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE
WINTER 2024 SEASON

The Winter 2024 Season will run over Terms 2 & 3, and is planned to commence the week of APRIL 15th, 2024 for our Junior & Senior Basketball and Futsal Competitions.

REGISTRATIONS CLOSE MARCH 22, 2024

REGISTRATION PROCESS
To Register: visit our website: https://araratbasketballfutsal.com/
Click on the "Register here" for
• BASKETBALL: Little Redbacks, Junior and Senior Basketball including Girls Competition
• FUTSAL: Little Redbacks, Junior and Senior Futsal

ALL ABA FEES ARE UNCHANGED FOR THE UPCOMING WINTER 2024 SEASON

BASKETBALL
Junior Mixed & Junior Girls Comp Basketball
• Season fee = $125 per player
• Insurance = $29 per year (365 days) payable to Basketball Victoria upon registering.
Senior Mixed Basketball
• Team Captain to register the team only
• Players will be guided by their Team Captain how to register.
• Player Registration - $43.00 individual Insurance fee
Little Redbacks Basketball
• Great starting point to Basketball from Ages 4+
• Cost: $50 per term + $5 per term Insurance
• Please note: Joining Little Redbacks can occur at any time throughout the season, registrations do not close.

NEW BASKETBALL FEE when registering: Every registered player, as of January 1, 2024, will incur a $5.50 charge, denoted “Game Development Levy”. This has been implemented by Basketball Australia (not ABA).
For more information visit: https://resources.basketball-australia.pulselive.com/...

FUTSAL
Junior Mixed Futsal
• Fees = $150 (includes $25 Insurance per season)
Senior Mixed Futsal
For anyone that is interested in playing Senior Futsal, please contact our Futsal Coordinator Rod Jerram on 0438 521192 and he will advise on the process.
Little Redbacks Futsal
• Great starting point to Futsal for ages 4+
• Click on Futsal Register Here and follow Register for Little Redbacks. Please note: Joining Little Redbacks can occur at any time throughout the season, registrations do not close.
• Cost: $55 per term (inclusive of Insurance)
• ALL players MUST wear shin pads with long socks.

PAYMENT PLAN
If you require assistance with payment for any programs, please contact us prior to registration by emailing: ararat.redbacks@gmail.com.

ABA BANK DETAILS
Any payments are to be by direct payment to Ararat Basketball Association and referenced accordingly:
BSB: 633-000 Account No: 156724593

AGE GROUPS
Age grouping* for Winter 2024 is the same as it was for Summer 23/24 Season:-
Basketball
Little Redbacks = Age 4+ (Wednesday)
U10 = Born 2015-2016 (Wednesday)
U12 = Born 2013-2014 (Wednesday)
U14 = Born 2011-2012 (Monday)
U16 = Born 2009-2010 (Monday)
U18 = Born 2007-2008 (Monday)
U20 = Born 2005-2006 (Monday)
Girls = Born 2005-2012 (Wednesday)
Seniors = Aged 14+ (Wednesday)

*Age groups can change based on registered numbers
**Days and Times for games can change based on numbers registered/teams
***Please refer to our program rules and regulations for further information, available on the ABA Website.

TOPS
Please return all tops to the ABA on your last playing game. Reminder: Unreturned tops incur a $30 fee. If a returning player – you will not be able to receive your next seasons top(s) until your previous one(s) is returned.

UNIFORMS
• Junior players are supplied with a Team top on a TOP COLLECTION day (date yet to be confirmed).
• ALL JUNIOR PLAYERS - Basketball and Futsal - MUST WEAR BLACK SHORTS WITH NO POCKETS.
• Futsal: ALL players MUST wear shin pads with long socks.

REFEREES
We are always looking for Referees for both Basketball and Futsal at Junior and Senior levels. If you are keen, please let us know via email or talk to someone within the ABA. We can provide training at any level, no prior experience is necessary. This is a fantastic way to assist your child, assist the sport and give a little bit back to the Association. All referees are paid accordingly - it's a great way for some pocket money for a child, teenager or extra funds for an adult. Let us know your interest. Without Referees our competitions are unable to run.

REMEMBER:
REGISTRATIONS CLOSE MARCH 22, 2024
No Late Registrations will be Accepted.

The ABA will continue to keep you updated via Email, social media and Notice Boards. Should you have any further inquiries please email ararat.redbacks@gmail.com