St Mary's Parish Primary School Ararat eNewsletter

From our Principal

Dear families,

As the weather changes, and with Spring as the backdrop, we settle into Term 4. We look forward to all that it has in store for us as a school, and the many events that are scheduled, particularly in the context of celebration and transition. To that end, we are in the process of finalising our student numbers for 2023. We currently have 140 enrolments and are looking to maintain similar numbers for next year.

Congratulations to our year 3/4 team on a wonderful camp experience. The rain certainly didn’t dampen any spirits (pardon the pun) as they donned harnesses and navigated the high ropes course. It was so great to hear all of the encouraging words and praise for each other during the challenging obstacles. The sun came out on Friday and the students were able to enjoy a bush walk, an ice cream and a Zoo tour. The students represented our school fantastically as they took in all the sights, sounds and smells of the Halls Gap Zoo.

School Wide Positive Behaviour

Congratulations to the following students who have been acknowledged and recognised for being ‘Safe’, ‘Respectful’ and ‘Responsible’ as part of our School Wide Positive Behaviour approach to social and emotional learning.

From Foundation
Charlotte, Olive, Finley, Mabel and Arabelle

From the 1/2s
Oscar, Jake, Angus, Joel, Remy, Eliza, Rafferty, Amelia and Inez

From the 3/4s
Zebina, Jethro, James, Hunter, Sam, Indi, Ari, and Joshua

From the 5/6s
Charlotte S, Charlotte N, Shiloh, Jasper, Jasmine, Mabelle and Maddison

Wild Weather

The rain certainly made for an interesting end to the week! I wish to thank all of those connected with our community who acted quickly to follow the recommendation made by Victoria Police to collect their children from school. Our staff team did an amazing job communicating with families to try and accommodate the varying circumstances that were in play - particularly for students who were on buses and covering staff who had to get home. For those in flood affected areas, you have been in my thoughts and prayers. Please contact the school should you need any support.

Changes to COVID-19 isolation requirements

The Victorian Government has announced the end of the pandemic declaration and associated pandemic orders. New settings came into effect yesterday. As always, the health, safety and wellbeing of students and staff is paramount. We cannot have people onsite who are sick or pose a risk of making anyone else sick.

It is strongly recommended that students:

Who test positive for COVID-19 stay home and isolate for five days
Should not attend school after five days if still symptomatic
Who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school.

Where students become symptomatic at school, they should:

Be collected by their parents/carers
Undergo testing for COVID-19.

It is strongly recommended that staff:

Who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for five days
Should not attend school after five days if still symptomatic
Who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school.

If you have any questions about this please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks in advance for your support,

Roxanne

Middle Learning Community News

CAMP AT NORVAL LODGE, HALLS GAP & THE HALLS GAP ZOO!

SHOELACE TYING WORKSHOP

On Wednesday, the Junior Learning Community was joined by Chris from Ascent Footwear who joined us for shoelace tying lessons. Using special pencil case shoes with colour coded shoelaces, Chris showed students nine easy steps to tie laces successfully.

Ava and Milla have listed the steps to help us continue to practice at home:

Pick up the laces
Cross them over
Take the one on the left and tuck it under both laces
Pull them tight
Make a tree with the right shoelace
Wrap the left lace over your hand and the tree trunk
Push the left lace under the hole that you have just created
Grab the loops and pull tight
Done!

Senior Learning Community news

BLACK RANGES BASKETBALL - ARARAT STADIUM

The Boys team faced some tough competition and through their efforts won 1 game, drew 1 and lost 2 games. The Girls team played to their strengths and won all 4 of their games. They will progress through to the zone finals to be held at Colac on the 26^th October. The day was very well run by School Sport Victoria representative Gary Davidson. Our girls team will now be putting in lots of training ahead of their zone finals appearance.

Simon Edge

Halloween Disco Information

PRICE LIST

Entry: Gold Coin Donation
Trick or Treat Lollies: 50c -$2
Packet of chips: 50c
Popcorn: $1
Juice Box: $2
Water: $2
Glow Sticks: 50c each or 3 for $1
Face paint: $1-$2

Looking For Volunteers/ Helpers for our Halloween Disco

Do you have any Halloween decorations you could lend the school for the day?

Are you available to help set up & pack up?

Do you have a creative flair with Face Painting? We can provide the equipment. Looking at offering a few simple designs for the kids to pick from.

Can you help man the trick or treat shop? Offering a few simple treats, no cooking involved.

Are you handy with a knife? …. Could you carve a pumpkin to hold a tea light?

From the look of the costumes from book week, we have some very creative parents out there. Anyone who has some ideas you would like to share, we would love them!

Please let the office know if you are able to help out in any way. Thank you!

SONG REQUESTS

Song requests are available at the office. The last date to get song requests in is next Thursday 20th October.

St Vinnie's Food Drive

St Mary's Christmas Cards For Sale!

Upcoming Dates

TERM 4 DATES

Friday 21st October
Whole School Prayer lead by JLC2
SLC Cricket Blast Cup - North Park, Stawell

Thursday 27th October
Halloween School Disco from 5pm - 6.30pm
Gold coin entry, trick or treat food shop, glowsticks & song requests

Friday 28th October
Whole School Prayer lead by SLC1
NO LUNCH ORDERS - YEAR 12 EXAMS @ MARIAN COLLEGE

Tuesday 1st November
Melbourne Cup Public Holiday

Friday 4th November
Whole School Prayer lead by Foundation
NO LUNCH ORDERS - YEAR 12 EXAMS @ MARIAN COLLEGE

Tuesday 8th November
SAC Meeting

Friday 11th November
Whole School Prayer lead by MLC1
Remembrance Day

Friday 18th November
Whole School Prayer lead by JLC1 & 2

Monday 28th November
Student Free Day

Tuesday 29th November
Grade 6 Transition Day @ Marian College
2023 Foundation Visit 2.05pm - 3.05pm

Friday 2nd December
Whole School Prayer lead by SLC2

Tuesday 6th December
2023 Foundation Visit 2.05pm - 3.05pm

Friday 9th December
Whole School Prayer lead by Foundation

Tuesday 13th December
Whole School Transition Day

Friday 16th December
Whole School Mass @ 9.15am
Grade 6 Big Day Out
Students Last Day

Tuesday 20th December
Staff Last Day

Happy Birthday!

To the following students celebrating their birthdays this week:

Finley C, Marcus H & Eliza L

Parish Bulletin

Follow us on social media

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date with events and celebrations around the school!

Facebook:
www.facebook.com/stmarysararat

Instagram:
@stmarysararat

Term 4 Week 2 - Friday 14th October 2022