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Dear Parents,
This Wednesday, I have the privilege of taking our Year 6 leaders; Annabelle, Ryley, Liam and Zayn to Canberra for a special Mass celebrating 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia. We will join other principals and school leaders from our Archdiocese to mark this occasion.
St Mary’s will celebrate our 100 years of Catholic Education in Batlow in 2 more years. A equally important occasion that we look forward to sharing with our community in 2023.
Thank you to all parents who were able to make Three way Interviews last week. If you would still like an appointment please contact classroom teachers or the front office to arrange a convenient time. Our next offer of interviews will be after Semester One reports are sent home at the end of Term 2. Parents may request an appointment at any time. If you have a concern or query, please see class teachers in the first instance, or Ms Hotham and I are also available.
What’s happening:
- Classes are all working in Literacy and Numeracy blocks establishing good learning routines.
- We enjoyed ‘the arts’ with Meg and Akira last week. They work with Sculptures by the Sea in Sydney and they shared skills and the concepts associated with sculpture. Students were engaged and excited as they could see their creations taking shape. The afternoon concluded with a walkthrough exhibition.
- Next week we continue with ‘the arts’ with David Enever who will be presenting a concert for our K-6 students full of songs, music and movement.
- Cricket Blast Cup was held today at the showground. The kids had a wonderful time with teachers and Nick-the development officer. They learned new skills and enjoyed the great game of cricket!
Have a lovely week!
Jannine
A student in our school may be allergic to nuts. More investigation is to take place, however, the doctor advice at this stage is to treat it seriously.
We ask all parents to not send any nut products into school e.g. Peanut butter, biscuits containing nuts etc with their child until further notice, this includes home cooking and cake raffle. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.
Health and wellbeing is every bodies business. Watch out for yourself and for others.
If you need support or are worried about someone else please call.
Lifeline on 13 11 14,
Murrumbidgee Local Health District Bushfire Recovery Counselling Team 0436 942 100.
ACCESSLINE 1800 800 944
Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636,
MensLine Australia on 1300 78 99 78,
School Counsellor - Available every Wednesday.
As part of the pastoral care program for students, St Mary's have access to a Student and Family Counselling service provided by CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn (CCG). CCG are contracted to St Mary's to provide a counselling service to students and their families. There is no fee to access this service.
The role of the counsellor is to focus on the emotional, social and educational well-being of the students. Counsellors welcome contact with students having difficulty with some part of their life, whether or not it affects their school work. The problem does not have to be a big one. It is better to seek help sooner than later. Some typical concerns that counsellors work with include: anger, anxiety, behavioural problems, depression, eating problems, family breakdown and family conflict, grief and loss, learning and educational challenges, parenting challenges, peer and other social relationships, school avoidance, stress and study skills. As well as individual sessions with students, counsellors can run groups, do family work, consult with parents and teachers and make referrals to other services and supports.
If the Counsellor believes the support for the student is beyond their scope of expertise, they will suggest referrals for specialist services. Counsellors also do not provide cognitive or learning assessments or court reports. Families requiring these will be referred to another service.
Student and Family Counsellors subscribe to a set of professional ethics that include duty of care and respect for the individual rights to privacy and confidentiality. The counsellors’ obligation is to ensure the safety, wellbeing and confidentiality of the student they are working with. All counsellors are mandated to report any disclosure or sign of abuse (including self-harm) or neglect to Child Protection Services. Outside of our mandated requirements, all counselling sessions are confidential and the details will not be discussed with other parties unless written consent is given by the client.
2021 has seen some changes to the school counselling service. Referrals and requests can be made by completing the online referral form accessed via Referral Form.
From next MONDAY 1st MARCH for rest of Term 1 we will be having a trial of changing our recess and lunch times and names.
11am - 11.30 RECESS will become LUNCH 1 - Main lunch such as sandwiches and lunch orders will be eaten
1pm - 1.40pm LUNCH will become LUNCH 2 - Recess food will be eaten.
Many students reach for a sandwich at 11.00am already.
St Mary's Community Council are holding a family barbeque get together on FRIDAY 12th March at 5pm.
Bring along your fold up chair and drinks (Non Alcoholic) and the barbeque will be provided.
(Backup date is Friday 19th March)
Please fill out the online form below for catering.
Next Tuesday RYLEY & ETHAN will be our news presenters.
Tune in to FM96.3 each Tuesday at 1.45pm for the latest news from St Mary's.
On Wednesday afternoon, St Mary's were fortunate to host Meg from Sculptures by the Sea and artist Akira for an inspiring workshop. Students were taught some fundamentals of artworks and how Akira uses recycled materials to both inspire and produce his own sculptures. Students were then given the opportunity to create their own sculpture out of recycled materials. It was a fantastic afternoon of creativity enjoyed by all students.
Cricket Blast Cup was held today at the showground. The children had a wonderful time with teachers and Nick the development officer. They learned new skills and enjoyed the great game of cricket!
NOTICEBOARD