Newsletter Term 4 Week 1 - Friday 11th October 2024

Dear families, 

What a fabulous turnout we had for the Bush Dance. It was absolutely joyful to share in dancing and laughing with so many people carving it up on the dance floor! The incredible bush themed aesthetic was simply amazing. Thanks to everyone who contributed to that. The smiling faces, amidst the beautiful back-drop, combined with over 270 people was just delightful. 

Successful school community events can only happen with the support of our families who help out in all manner of ways! A shout out to - Celina Day, Jo Jackson, Sarah Moran, Emma Preston, Luke Preston, Meg Harrington, Angie Waihape, Megan Blandford,, Helen Kirkpatrick, Jess Humpries, Mel Roberts, Rowan May, Faith Martin, Felicity Burn, Aiden Preston, Nathan Pitts, Holly Pitts, Schwabbie, Suzie Christie, Ben Eltham, Fleur Hillman, Amanda Brady and Chammo!  (I hope that I haven’t left anyone off this list).  Also to the Ararat City Council, Marian College, Rayner’s Fruit and Veg, Montara Wines, 3 Blooms, Baker’s Delight and Woolworths Ararat who all contributed to supporting our event. 

A shout out to our sponsors who generously supported our raffle! 

ISJ Building, Australia Post, Ararat Fitness Centre, Sicilians, Grampians Insurance Brokers (GIB), Blue Duck, Blooms Chemist, Reece Plumbing, Bikes on Latrobe, David Jones - Mitre 10, Quinn and Co Eyecare, Bunnings, Bulger family, Preston family, Faith Martin, Leigh Jeffery, Castro family, Pitts family, Harrison family, Day family, Metcalfe family and Machin family  

It was a fabulous night and we also managed to generate almost $4500. What a fabulous effort.    

The Billy Tea Bush Band also supported our Showcase of Learning. Our learning focus in Performing Arts this term has been ‘Dance’. During the Term students explored line dance, contemporary dance and folk dance. Each year level has worked on one folk dance to perform. The Junior Learning Community demonstrated two circle dances. The Middle Learning Community showcased a very famous progressive dance. The Senior Learning Community performed a set dance that involved some complicated actions during The Waves of Tory. Thanks to Elissa for her skills and enthusiasm while so capably supporting our students in Performing Arts. 

We would be keen to receive some feedback or ideas on how we can improve. Maybe also some suggestions around other events that people would be keen to support. I’d love to hear from you. 

Every blessing 
Roxanne 

SCHOOL TV SPECIAL REPORT:
Moving to a New School

In publishing this special report, we’d like to acknowledge our year six students as they finish primary school, along with the many new students we have welcomed to St Mary’s throughout the year. Moving to a new school is a big deal! Your child is going to meet lots of new people and be thrown into new situations. That’s bound to make them feel lots of different emotions. They may feel worried and anxious, but also excited and happy – all at the same time!

It is considered to be one of the most important transition periods of a student’s life and can present some significant psychological challenges for both students and parents.

Making new friends, learning new routines, discovering new environments, accepting new cultures and adjusting to new learning practices is all part of the process. Some children will sail through this period of change, whilst others may need a bit more guidance. It is important to give your child the chance to feel comfortable in their new space. This may take a few months, but ensure you keep the lines of communication open and check in regularly with your child to see how they are settling in.

In this Special Report, parents and caregivers will be presented with a number of strategies that can be deployed to help ensure a smooth transition.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact your child’s teacher, or seek support from your GP. 

Here is the link to your special report:
https://smararat.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/moving-new-school

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
to the following students for this week:

Eva B & Lachlan B

TERM 4 2024

WEEK 2
Monday 14th October
Student Free Day
Tuesday 15th October
Yr 7 2025 Marian College Info Night @ 6.30pm 
Thursday 17th October
Black Ranges Basketball @ Ararat
Year 2 Sleepover
Friday 18th October
Year 2 Sleepover
WSP hosted by SLC2

WEEK 3
Friday 25th October
WSP hosted by JLC2

WEEK 4
Thursday 31st October
MLC Camp - Halls Gap
Black Ranges Cricket
Friday 1st November
MLC Camp - Halls Gap
WSP hosted by SLC1
NO LUNCH ORDERS (due to VCE exams)

WEEK 5
Monday 4th November
Student Free Day
Tuesday 5th November
Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
Thursday 7th November
Foundation 2025 Information Evening
Friday 8th November
WSP hosted by MLC (Remembrance Day)

WEEK 6
Friday 15th November
JLC "The Gruffalo" Excursion
No WSP
NO LUNCH ORDERS (due to VCE exams)


WEEK 7
Thursday 21st November
Foundation 2025 Transition Session 1
Friday 22nd November
No WSP

WEEK 8
Thursday 28th November
Foundation 2025 Transition Session 2
Friday 29th November
No WSP


WEEK 9
Tuesday 3rd December
Year 7 2025 students @ Marian College - Transition Day
Wednesday 4th December
Science Discovery Dome Incursion
Thursday 5th December
Foundation 2025 Transition Session 3
Friday 6th December
WSP hosted by JLC1
LAST LUNCH ORDER DAY
Carols by Candlelight Performance

WEEK 10
Tuesday 10th December
Whole School Transition Day
Wednesday 11th December
SLC Excursion - details to follow
Friday 13th December
End of Year Mass

WEEK 11
Monday 16th December
Year 6 Graduation
Tuesday 17th December
Students Last Day
Year 6 Big Day Out
Normal finish at 3.15pm
Wednesday 18th December
Staff Planning Day
Thursday 19th December
Staff Last Day

TERM 4 WSP SCHEDULE

Friday 18th October - hosted by SLC2
Friday 25th October - hosted by JLC2
Friday 1st November - hosted by SLC1
Friday 8th November - hosted by MLC Remembrance Day
Friday 15th November - no WSP
Friday 22nd November - no WSP
Friiday 29th November  - no WSP
Friday 6th December - hosted by JLC1
Friday 13th December - whole school end of year mass