Principal's News

Who Said Science Can't Be Fun?

Thu, 24 May 2012 05:16:00 GMT

Who Said Science Can't Be Fun?

Children are born scientists. They are naturally curious; they look at the world around them and develop their own ideas based on what they see and hear every day.

Wanting to know about where things come from, why things happen, how things are made are a part of your child’s everyday experiences. Your child’s natural curiosity generates lots of questions. No doubt you’ve already fielded questions about why the sun shines, how volcanoes erupt, how plants grow, where stars come from and how the weather works.

The more your child learns about the world around them, the more amazing everything seems. Keeping that sense of amazement, curiosity and discovery is what we want every child – and every adult – to experience throughout their life.

Italian Day

Thu, 24 May 2012 00:48:00 GMT

Italian Day- Friday 25^th May

This Friday 25^th May is Italian Day at St. Mary’s. Hopefully all the children know what they are going to dress up as or have some clothes in the Italian flag colours to wear. Just a reminder that the children will need to wear safe and suitable footwear on the day, to be able to participate fully in all the activities. Footy boots, thongs and high heels are not suitable.

If your child intends to order their lunch, lunch orders need to be back by this Wednesday or alternatively can be ordered on Flexischools.

There will be no other lunch orders on Italian Day.

You are welcome to come to the parade at 9.00am or join in the activities at any other time throughout the day.

St Marys School Advisory Council AGM

Tue, 15 May 2012 01:43:00 GMT

Last Tuesday evening St. Mary’s held its School Advisory Council Annual General Meeting. I would like to pass on a big thank you to our retiring council members of 2012. To Kaine Hazlett, Joel Davies and Mandy Hinton I pass on my gratitude for the significant contributions that they have made to the success of the School Advisory Council over their tenure.

We welcome to our School Advisory Council three new members; Noel Meney, David Girdwood and Jason Perry. We look forward to working with them over the next two years and thank them for making the commitment to support our school.

Congratulations to Catherine Howison who has accepted the position of Chairperson, Carolyn Zambelli Vice Chairperson and Joe Dorigo as Secretary.

ENewsletter

Tue, 15 May 2012 01:41:00 GMT

The new email version of our St. Mary's School Newsletter is still in the development phase. We hope that the electronic format will allow for better communication between home and school with the ability to regularly add photos and other relevant content. We welcome your feedback and thoughts on this new format. Please email comments to principal@smswanhill.catholic.edu.au

Mother's Day Mass

Tue, 08 May 2012 05:13:00 GMT

Our Prep children and their families will be leading the Mass at church on Sunday 13th for Mother’s Day. It would be great to see as many people there as possible as we celebrate and give thanks for our terrific mums.

Enrolments 2013

Tue, 01 May 2012 00:10:00 GMT

Enrolments are now open for children who start Prep in 2013. Interviews for new families will take place in Term 2 and existing families in Term 3. Parents of existing families who have a child to start in 2013 please complete the slip on the newsletter today and return it to the office so an enrolment form can be forwarded to you.

Active After School Communities for Term 2

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:41:00 GMT

A reminder that the Active After School Program for Term Two begins this week. Football (AFL) is conducted on Mondays from 3:30pm – 4:30pm and Netball is conducted on Wednesdays from 3:30pm – 4:30pm. Both activities will take place here at St. Mary’s. Could all parents of children who are taking part in the program, please ensure that they have returned the consent form to Mr Kennedy as soon as possible. A reminder that children are allowed to wear their full sports uniform to school on this day

School Open Day Friday 11th May

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:27:00 GMT

On Friday 11^th May we will be holding an Open Day from 9:30am for families with children enrolling in Prep in 2013. Open Day is a chance for prospective parents to have a look around our beautiful school, particularly our vibrant prep classrooms and to gather information about St. Mary's.

St. Mary’s School Board AGM

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 23:26:00 GMT

The School Board is the governing body of the school made up of Parish Priest, Principal and representatives from the staff and parent community. It assists the Parish Priest and the Principal in policy making and in the management of the school.

The Board’s role is in leadership and in future directions for the school. This year there are two vacancies. If you have any interest in this area of school life please pick up a Board package from the office and consider nominating for a position.

You may wish to approach a member of the school community and offer to nominate them. Nominations must be handed into the school office by Friday 27^th April. The St. Mary’s School Board AGM will take place on Tuesday 8^th May at 7:00pm.

School Uniform

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:33:00 GMT

As of next Monday 7^th May 2012 we will move into full winter uniform mode. Can parents please be mindful of all students wearing correct uniform to school, especially tracksuit pants, which at the moment, particularly in the senior school, seems to have become a low priority.

We still have numerous items of winter clothing available in our Uniform Shop. Please contact the office for further information.

Easter Mass Times

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 23:54:00 GMT

Lent offers us all a very special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to deepen our commitment to a way of life, rooted in our baptism. In our busy world, Lent provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon our patterns, to pray more deeply, experience sorrow for what we've done and failed to do, and to be generous to those in need. Easter brings to conclusion our Lenten Journey and the Mass times are as follows:

Palm Sunday - Sunday 1st April
Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper - Thursday 5th April at 7:30pm

We ask families of our Year 3 Students preparing for their Sacraments this year to attend this Mass. At Mass Fr. Marcello will wash the feet of the Year 3 students preparing for First Eucharist and Confirmation

Good Friday Ceremony - Friday 6th April at 3:00pm
Easter Sunday - Sunday 8th April

St. Mary's School Board Meeting

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 23:49:00 GMT

This year there are two vacancies. If you have any interest in this area of school life please pick up a Board package from the office and consider nominating for a position. You may wish to approach a member of the school community and offer to nominate them. Nominations must be handed into the school office by Friday 27^th April. The St. Mary’s School Board AGM will take place on Tuesday 8^th May at 7:00pm.

St Mary's Footy Tipping

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:02:00 GMT

St. Mary’s Footy Tipping is here!

Our Parent’s and Friends Association are running a St. Mary’s P F Footy Tipping Competition again this year and it costs only $2.00 to enter. The competition is open to all families; parents and children alike!

There will be prizes for the winner at each Year Level and Parents’ Prizes as also.

To enter go to http://www.footytips.com.au and register. Once you have registered join St. Mary’s P & F or go to http://www.footytips.com.au/comps/St-_Mary-s_P_-_F

St Mary's Flying Start

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 01:35:00 GMT

St. Mary’s Flying Start - A school familiarization program for PRE- SCHOOL CHILDREN

Come and experience life at St. Mary’s enjoying our “Get Reading Right” Phonics, Music, Italian and Digital Literacy Programs for children.

This FREE program will be run in Term 2 and 3 on Friday mornings from 9:30 to 11:00 for all interested families.

Please contact the school office for an enrolment form or for further enquiries phone Mr. Paul Bissinella on 03 50332541 Email principal@smswanhill.catholic.edu.au or visit http://www.smswanhill.catholic.edu.au

Parent's Car Park

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 02:48:00 GMT

Parent's Car Park

Just a reminder to everyone that we continue to use the Murlong Street car park as our parent car park. For the safety of all the children, please make sure you are using the car parking spaces.

Parents must park their cars in either the first or second bay of the front carpark and walk their children across the bus bay. In the morning there will be a teacher on duty to assist with the process of walking children across the bus bay.

At 3.15pm children that are town bus travellers will be dismissed. At 3.20pm country bus travellers will be dismissed. At 3.25pm car travellers will be dismissed. No parents or students will be allowed to cross the bus bay between 3.10pm and 3.25pm. Teachers will be on duty to ensure student and parent safety.

Parents collecting their children are asked to arrive at 3.25pm, park in one of the allotted spaces and walk into the grassed area at the front of the school to collect their child. If parents wish to collect their children from the room they must be parked and across the bus bay before 3.10pm and wait on the grassed area until after 3.25pm to cross the bus bay.