Term 4 Week 6 - Friday 12th November 2021
From the Principal
Dear families,
Yesterday, our community gathered in prayer to commemorate Remembrance Day. We remember all those who have served our country and acknowledge our deep gratitude for their service. We continue to pray that justice and peace is possible for our global community.
I would like to thank the MLC2 who led the school community so beautifully in prayer - it was a very special liturgy.
Lest we forget.
STAFFING UPDATES
Alana Newberry has accepted a classroom teaching position at Ararat West in 2022. This is a great opportunity for her - a very sad loss for us. Whilst we wish Alana all the very best in her new role next year we will miss her calm and gentle disposition and her diligent professionalism when working towards high levels of learning for her students. Alana is an extraordinarily reflective learner, she is super aware of how others are feeling and is always looking for ways in which she can support others.
Emily Borrelli (currently working in a Learning Support role) will be teaching a Foundation class at Ararat West Primary School. Emily completed her final placement at West and by all accounts they are thrilled to have her onboard. I'm sure Emily will apply what she has learnt in her time here at St Mary's as she continues her career in education.
Stephanie Taylor has accepted a classroom teaching role at Ararat Primary School. I'm sure she will continue to share her enthusiasm and excitement with those she works with and teaches. It will be a great opportunity for Steph to shine in the classroom and her students will benefit from the energy that she brings to her teaching.
Simon Edge will be joining our staff team in 2022. Simon is currently working at Avoca Primary School in a 3/4 class. Simon also brings a wealth of experience in areas of wellbeing and sports management having worked at Tennis Australia, Cricket Australia and the Essendon Football Club.
We welcome Lisa Madex to a classroom teaching role next year. Lisa is currently employed at Ararat West Primary School in a junior class. She has previously taught Foundation as well as at St Andrews Kindergarten. Lisa is an advocate of supportive, caring and flexible learning environments where students are valued and have the opportunity to learn at their own pace, and through their individual learning styles. Lisa has sound practices in data collection, goal setting and differentiated practice and... she loves a spreadsheet! Lisa is a representative for the Koorie Curriculum Champions Community of Practice and member of the LAECG (Local Aboriginal Education Community Group).
We welcome Marnie Portelli to our team next year who will work in a part-time capacity. Marnie is a mature age graduate teacher who is interested in constructivist learning that prioritizes core curriculum outcomes and higher order thinking skills. Marnie is a highly effective communicator with proven ability to work in collaborative team environments. Her high level interpersonal skills and creativity will be a welcome addition to our staff team.
Specialists at St Mary’s
After consultation with the staff team there will be a change of specialisations offered at St Mary’s. My Chinese Teacher and Library sessions will continue as classroom based programmes. After much deliberation on the recommendations of the Consultative Committee, there will be some changes to the specialisations that we offer at St Mary's. We want to ensure that we offer a range of rich learning opportunities for students through the specialist programmes we offer. These programmes also provide planning time for classroom teachers.
Specialist programmes that will be offered at St Mary's for 2022 are:
Performing Arts
Elissa Gault will be joining our staff team 2 days per week in this role. Elissa is a passionate educator with experience in Music, Performing Arts and Languages programmes. Elissa has vast leadership experience and capacity demonstrated in her role at St Lawrence Catholic Primary School, Derrimut. She is keen to lead in a way that supports students to express their ideas about the human experience and supports the development of social and interpersonal skills through Performing Arts. She is a classically trained pianist, with experience in teaching group singing, ukulele, recorder, tuned percussion instruments, and djembe. Elissa is currently completing further study in social work and enhancing her knowledge around trauma informed practice.
Science
Gabby Cunningham will be joining our staff team 2 days per week in this role. Gabby has had a variety of leadership and teaching roles at both St Mary of the Angels and Marist Sion College, having taught Science and PE. She is an Ultimate Frisbee coach and enthusiastic player! Gabby's passion for Science and her proven innovation to differentiate curriculum through inquiry and student-led learning will be an asset to our school. Her focus at St Mary's will be through an Environmental/Biological perspective incorporating a throughline of sustainability.
Visual Art
Linda Lyons will be continuing to spread her joy and love for Art two days a week next year. Linda has a passion in areas of Wellbeing and will incorporate that into her programme. She has completed the Peaceful Children’s Intervention Course and is continuing her learning through an Art Therapy course. Linda is incredibly reflective and passionate about engaging students in a rich Art programme. Her intention for next year is to differentiate the curriculum in meaningful ways so that students can learn the necessary skills and techniques and promote student agency through expressions of those techniques. Look out for animations, clay pots, library bags and much more next year!
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room on Tuesday 30th November at 6pm. If you are interested in joining the School Advisory Council please come along or contact the school office.
What is the School Advisory Council?
The School Advisory Council (SAC) meets once per term for approximately 2 hours. The SAC is the leading advisory group for the Principal, as an active forum for parent and community participation, providing support and advice in strategic planning, school improvement, educational outcomes and stewardship of resources.
The School Advisory Council is intended to:
- provide a voice for members of the school community
- actively support, in collaboration with the local parish, the Vision and Catholic Identity of the School
- provide input into and support for strategic planning and directions
- actively support and promote child safety practices including the National Safeguarding
Principles for Child Safe Organisations - provide input and contribute advice in the processes of school improvement and school review
- support the Principal in meeting their responsibilities and accountabilities for educational outcomes, effective stewardship of resources, and annual reporting
- actively support the Principal in the encouragement of family engagement
- support the ongoing sustainability of the SAC and its members in its succession and learning
As always, if you have any questions please pop into the office or give me a call.
Every blessing,
Roxanne
Senior Learning Community Catholic Mission Fundraiser - Friday BBQs for remainder of term!
In lieu of a 'Mission Day' this year, Senior Learning Community students will be hosting a bbq every Friday for 4 weeks, beginning next Friday Nov 19th. We will be raising funds for Catholic Mission.
Students have been given an order form to take home. We will have sausages in bread, juice boxes, chips and zooper doopers available for purchase. All funds raised will be donated to Catholic Mission.
We will ask that order forms and correct money are back at school by the Wednesday of each week, with SLC students preparing and distributing the food at eating time every Friday.
Remembrance Day - MLC2
Yesterday, MLC2 held Whole School Prayer to commemorate Remembrance Day.
Geometry - MLC2
MLC2 have been learning about geometry this term. During these lessons, students created creatures out of nature.
Community Team News
A big thank you to the wonderful Community Team for their generous donation to the school this week! Although the team have not been able to be on site here at St Mary's, they have still been working behind the scenes. As a result, they have donated over 80 new books for all of our student cohort to enjoy. How lucky we are to have such a great team supporting the school. If you would like to join next year, email community@smararat.catholic.edu.au 😊
UPCOMING DATES
Tuesday 16th November
Foundation Transition Session 9.10am - 12.00pm
Friday 19th November
BBQ Lunch available (SLC fundraiser)
Tuesday 23rd November
Foundation Transition Session 9.10am - 12.00pm
Middle Learning Community bowls club
Thursday 25th November
Middle Learning Community bowls club
Friday 26th November
BBQ Lunch available (SLC fundraiser)
Tuesday 30th November
Annual General Meeting @ 6pm - Multi Purpose Room
Thursday 2nd December
Junior Learning Community Fun Day -TBC
Friday 3rd December
BBQ Lunch available (SLC fundraiser)
Tuesday 7th December
Whole School Transition Day
Thursday 9th December & Friday 10th December
Middle Learning Community Camp/Sleepover - TBC
Friday 10th December
BBQ Lunch available (SLC fundraiser)
Thursday 16th December
Students Last Day
Friday 17th December
Staff Last Day