Dear Members of our Community of Faith,

 

It is hard to believe we are now into Week 4 of the term. We are definitely into the full swing of things at SMMC and it is great to see all the great learning and teaching taking place around the school. This week I am away in Sydney from Wednesday to Friday on a Principal Induction Course run by the Association of Independent Schools of NSW. Over the course of the year I will do ten days in total. I want to thank the School Board for giving me this opportunity to attend this Professional Learning and I look forward to seeing how my new learning can be used to further benefit our school.

 

A big thank you to the Buchanan family who came in and mowed the grass over the weekend. With our reptilian friends probably never far away, it is nice to have the grass kept low. I know there are many people who do extra jobs that help our school to operate successfully. This generous support is very much appreciated, thank you!

 

Parents and Friends Meeting

Last Thursday we held our first Parents and Friends Meeting for the year. Thanks to those who were able to make it along. I’m sure we are in for a great year of fundraising and working together to continually improve our school and provide the best place for our children’s education and overall wellbeing. Please have a read of the attached information on the role of the Parents and Friends. Please note the Parents and Friends is not a forum for discussing issues related to students and teachers, but it is important that your voices are heard on this front using the correct forum. Most issues can be sorted out quite easily by approaching your child’s teacher. Alternatively you can make a time to meet with me. It is vital that teachers and parents are working together to do the best for the children.

 

A Mother’s Day Cake Stall will be held on Saturday 7th May. More information will be sent out later this term, but we’ll need to cook up a storm early in Term 2! A raffle will also be run as part of this fundraising effort. If you or anyone you know is able to donate some prizes for this raffle that have a Mother’s Day ‘flavour’ (e.g. Chocolates and Champagne), please let us know. Thank you in advance.

 

Saturday 22nd October has been targeted as the date to hold our Annual School Fete this year. Lots of great ideas were spoken about at the P&F Meeting, but I’m sure there are many of you with great ideas also, so looking forward to hearing from you. More formal organisation will kick into gear early next term and a Fete Committee will be formed as a sub-committee of the P&F to help work systematically towards a great event in October.

 

Mothers’ and Daughters’ Camp

Thank you to all those who have brought in their permission notes and paid the deposit. It is great to see so many families heading along for what will be a great time shared together. We are fortunate to have the support of so many other families striving to live out our faith and raise children with strong character. Please pay any balance still owing in an envelope marked with your family name and “M & D Camp’ to the office by Friday 26th February.

 

Primary School Class Meetings

Next Wednesday 24th February the Primary School Teachers will run meetings in their classrooms to inform parents of the routines and expectations at each of these levels as well as to provide a forum to answer any questions you may have. Meeting times are in the ‘Dates for your diary’ section. We hope you can make it along to these meetings.

 

NCC North Western Region Conference

This will be held at The Steakpit / Elgin Hotel, Wodonga on Saturday, Feb 27, 2016. R.S.V.P. to Michael McCormick on 0429 009 596 or Peter Murray on 0427 563 290 by Feb 25.

 

Hot Cross Buns Fundraiser

Attached is a form for each family to order delicious Hot Cross Buns as a fundraiser for our school. The Buns will be delivered on Tuesday 22nd March and can be picked up before or after Legion classes. The school will be given $2 for each ½ dozen sold so our sports court will get started a little sooner! Please put any order forms with payment in an envelope and return to the office. Thank you!

 

Head Lice

Just a reminder to please check your children’s hair regularly throughout the term. If you get onto Head Lice early it can make all the difference to eradicating it. Attached is a form with some information you may find useful. Thanks for your assistance with this matter.

 

As usual there will be a cuppa after 9:15am Mass this Friday. We also have Stations of the Cross in the Church each Friday in Lent beginning at 3pm. You are all welcome to attend. A big thank you to all our Altar Boys. They are very independent and responsible and their efforts are very much appreciated. Thanks boys.

 

God Bless

Luke Burton

Dates for your diary

·         Wednesdays  24th February, 2nd March, 9th March – High School Swimming 1:45pm – 2:45pm

·         Wednesday 24th February – Wonga Wetlands Excursion for Yr.11 Biology Students

·         Wednesday 24th February – Primary School Class Meetings in classrooms:

·         3:30pm – Kinder

·         4:00pm – Yr.1/2

·         4:30pm – Yr.3/4

·         5:00pm – Yr.5/6

·         Saturday 27th February – Dad’s Golf Day

·         Monday 29th February – Vaccination Forms due back

·         Friday 4th – Sunday 6th March – Mother/Daughter Camp at Feathertop Chalet, Harrietville

·         Wednesday 16th March – Yr 7 Vaccination day

·         Thursday 17th March – St Patrick’s Feast Day

·         Saturday 19th March – St Joseph’s Feast Day

·         Friday 1st April – School Assembly after morning Mass

·         Saturday 2nd April – Rev Reece Beltrame Ordination, St Michael’s Cathedral Wagga Wagga. An invite is extended to all the SMMC Community (see Week 2 Newsletter)

·         Wednesday 6th April – Athletics Carnival at Alexandra Park 9:00am – 3:30pm

·         Friday 8th April – Term One finishes

·         Saturday 30th April – SMMC Working Bee

·         Saturday 7th May – Cake Stall Fundraiser in Jindera

·         Saturday 22nd October – SMMC Fete

·         Friday 11th November – Sunday 13th November – Father/Son Camp

 

Click here to download newsletter as PDF