St. Michael's Primary School ~ Term 3 Week 2

IMPORTANT DATES

Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

I hope our first newsletter of the term finds you well and ready for the new opportunities that Term 3 brings! It is with great joy and enthusiasm that we welcome you back to St Michael’s for another exciting and enriching term.

As we return to another productive and rewarding term of learning and growth, it has been wonderful to see our students reconnecting with their teachers and friends ready for all the term will offer them. 

To our families, we thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s education. Seeing so many of our families join us for learning conversations and PSG meetings was wonderful. Your support is a cornerstone of the children's success, and we appreciate all you do as parents in nurturing their growth and development.

Today we celebrate the Feast of St Anne and St Joachim on July 26th. This feast day is a beautiful reminder of the importance of family, wisdom, and the legacy of faith passed down through generations. St Anne and St Joachim, the grandparents of Jesus, exemplify the love and guidance that shape and strengthen our families and communities.

In light of this celebration, we also reflect on Pope Francis’ recent emphasis on the significance of the elderly and grandparents in our lives. Their wisdom, experience, and unwavering support are invaluable gifts that enrich our personal and communal journeys. At St Michael’s, we honour and cherish the role of our grandparents and elderly loved ones, recognising the profound impact they have on our lives.

Loving God,

We give thanks for Saints Joachim and Anne who loved and cared for your Son, Jesus, and shared their faith and wisdom with him.  Help us to value the wisdom and knowledge of those around us, especially the knowledge of our grandparents.

As they have been people of hope who have supported and cared for us and our parents, may we learn from them how to love and serve others.  

Through Christ our Lord.

Amen     

We look forward to having a Mass in Term 4 to celebrate our Grandparents and the special elderly people in our lives. 

Our dedicated staff are continuing their amazing work by fostering a nurturing and inspiring environment where all can flourish. Let us draw inspiration from today's Feast and celebrate family and community as we continue to shape the hearts and minds of our students.

As we move forward into Term 3, let us carry with us the lessons of faith and family that St Anne and St Joachim represent. May we honour our elders and grandparents by showing them respect and love, and may we embrace the new term with hope, courage, compassion and a spirit of community.

Wishing everyone a blessed and successful term ahead!

Lisa Hitchcock 

Principal

Pupil Free Day - Monday 29 July 2024 

Students are not required at school on Monday as staff will be working with Andrea O'Connor on our Assessment Tool - ACER PAT Adaptive Testing. We look forward to seeing our students back on Tuesday 30 July.

Student Attendance 

At St Michael’s we have reviewed our Student Attendance Policy and created a process to support families with attendance. Please see Joe Quinn’s student attendance in the newsletter.

St. Michael’s Primary School is committed to child safety and the inclusion of all children.

School Advisory Council

Thank you to our School Advisory Council members for our meeting on Wednesday. We have two major reviews coming up in Term 3 and this was a part of our discussion. I appreciate their input to the continuous improvement of our school for the benefit of our students, families, staff and the broader community. 

Catholic Identity & School Improvement Tool Review

Our Catholic Identity and the School Improvement Tool (SIT)Review will happen in Term 3. The Catholic Identity Review will be conducted by CES Ltd on Wednesday 7 August and the  SIT Review will be led by Ron Bamford from the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) on 20-22 August. 

These will be great opportunities for St Michael’s to gain feedback, information and data on our current reality and how we continue to grow. All of this great knowledge will be used to form our next Strategic Plan.

We will require parents to speak with panel members for both reviews. If you are available on Wednesday 7 August or Wednesday 21 August can you please let me know by calling the school. We would love for you to be involved in celebrating all the great things happening at St Michael’s and to help us with opportunities for future growth. Thank you.

Parent Representative Group Meeting

I invite all of our community to the Parent Representative Group Meeting on Wednesday 31 July - 7pm at the Tallangatta Hotel. This is a great social time for parents to get together and a strength of our school community to have so many families involved with our PGR and School Advisory Council. 

Peaceful Kids & Grade 6 Skateboard Wellbeing Program

Junction Support Services began the Peaceful Kids program with children in Grades 3 & 4 Class and Grades 5 & 6 Class on Tuesday 23 July. ​​The 'Peaceful Kids' program is a Mindfulness and Positive Psychology-based program to lessen anxiety and stress and increase resilience in children. This program helps children build their emotional resilience so they are better equipped to deal with the day-to-day stresses that life brings them. Please contact the school if you would like any further information about Peaceful Kids or Junction Support Services.

Al’s Skate Co  Wellbeing Program began on Monday 22 July with a 90-minute workshop with the Grade Six students at the Tallangatta Primary School - due to rain, it will usually be at the Tallangatta Skate Park. The sessions will continue on Monday 2 August with the final session to be held at Al’s Skate Park in Wodonga. (Details of this final session will be provided at a later date). The focus of these sessions will be on improving Mental Health and Wellbeing through activity and building resilience.  As you can see below the students had a great start to the program. I think we have some budding Tony Hawk's at St Michael's!

Grade 6 Skateboard Wellbeing Program

New email address - Office Staff 

With the change in office days for staff, a new email address has been created for all office related school communications at:

office@smtallangatta.catholic.edu.au

Principal and teacher emails are still to be addressed directly to the staff member.

Foundation Class - Mrs Marsha Ardern

Why I Use Play in the Classroom: Developing a Balanced Approach

In today’s rapidly changing educational landscape, finding effective and engaging ways to teach young learners is more critical than ever. As an educator, I have discovered that incorporating play into the classroom not only enhances learning but also fosters a well-rounded development in students. For this week's newsletter, I will discuss the importance of play in education and how I aim to find a balanced learning approach with explicit teaching, small group work, and whole group work to create a dynamic learning environment.

The Importance of Play in Learning

Play is a powerful educational tool that promotes cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Through play, children learn to explore, experiment, and understand the world around them. It encourages creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Moreover, play fosters social interactions and helps children develop communication and teamwork abilities. In essence, play is not just a break from learning; it is a fundamental component of the learning process itself.

Explicit Teaching: Building Strong Foundations

Explicit teaching is essential for providing students with clear instructions and a solid foundation of knowledge. It involves direct instruction, where I explain concepts, demonstrate procedures, and provide guided practice. This method is particularly effective for teaching foundational skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics. By integrating play into explicit teaching, I can make lessons more engaging and relatable. For example, exploring concepts through dramatic play, using educational games or interactive activities can reinforce concepts in a fun and memorable way.

Small Group Work: Personalized Learning Experiences

Small group work allows me to cater to the diverse needs of my students by providing personalised instruction and support. In these settings, students can work collaboratively, share ideas, and learn from each other. Play-based activities in small groups encourage active participation and engagement. For instance, using role-playing or problem-solving games can help students apply their knowledge in practical scenarios. This approach not only enhances understanding but also builds confidence and social skills.

Whole Group Work: Fostering a Sense of Community

Whole group work is crucial for creating a sense of community and ensuring that all students are exposed to the same core content. During whole group activities, I often incorporate playful elements to maintain interest and enthusiasm. This can include interactive storytelling, group games, or hands-on experiments. By integrating play into whole group work, I can keep students motivated and create a positive and inclusive classroom atmosphere.

Balancing Play with Structured Learning

While play is an essential aspect of my teaching approach, it is important to strike a balance between structured learning and play-based activities. Here are a few strategies I use to maintain this balance:

1. Integrating Play with Curriculum Goals: I design play activities that align with curriculum objectives. This ensures that playtime is not only enjoyable but also educational.

2. Flexible Scheduling: I allocate specific times for play, explicit teaching, small group work, and whole group activities. This flexible schedule allows me to address different learning needs and keep students engaged throughout the day.

3. Observation and Assessment: I regularly observe students during play to assess their progress and identify areas that need reinforcement. This helps me tailor my instruction to meet individual needs effectively.

4. Encouraging Student Choice: I provide opportunities for students to choose their play activities. This autonomy fosters a sense of ownership and motivation in their learning journey.

Conclusion

Incorporating play into the classroom is not just a trend; it is a proven strategy that enhances learning and development. By combining play with explicit teaching, small group work, and whole group work, I aim to cultivate a well-rounded and engaging classroom atmosphere where students can flourish. Play infuses the classroom with joy and excitement, making learning an enjoyable and enriching experience for all. Let us embrace the power of play in education and continue to nurture our students' growth in every aspect.

Recommended Read

In "The Anxious Generation," Jonathan Haidt presents a compelling case that the shift from a play-based childhood to one dominated by smartphones is a key factor behind the rise in mental health issues among teenagers. The book explores the latest psychological and biological research, highlighting four critical ways in which a phone-centric upbringing disrupts development: sleep deprivation, social isolation, cognitive fragmentation, and addiction. Haidt provides detailed analyses of the unique impacts on girls and boys, offering practical advice for parents, schools, governments, and teenagers themselves. Combining ancient wisdom with modern research, this enlightening book is both a lifeline and a powerful call to action.

Mrs. Marsha Ardern - Vice Principal & Foundation Teacher

Ms Bianca Kennedy - Class 1/2

Science
In science, we have been learning about how water works. We have made artworks of waves. We have been doing water works for 2 weeks now. Our amazing Ms Hilliard has been teaching us. We all enjoy doing science because we always have so much fun.

Written by Mietta Ristrom


Maths
In maths, we have been learning about 3D and 2D shapes. We did a fun
activity where we made animals out of 3D shapes. First, we had to cut
the 2D shape out of paper, then use our ruler to fold along the lines.
After that we glued the shape together, making our animal. The glueing
part was the trickiest! But, with a little bit of resilience, we
managed to get our shapes finished!

For our second geometry activity, we were challenged with designing
our very own cubby house! We did this by exploring the different
shapes and elements in a cubby house and then added our whacky and
wonderful ideas as finishing touches! Some designs had, TV’s, slides
from the roof and pyramids for fences! We practiced using grid paper
and our rulers to keep our lines straight!

Written by Anna Furze

Writing
In writing, we have been learning about information reports. We have
been doing reports on giant pandas, giant octopuses and learning about
constructing full sentences and short paragraphs. We research and
write about the topic by using our iPads and the books in the library.
After that, we put the information into a report. We are working on
being able to identify whether a text is informative or imaginative.

Written by Lottie Piper

Unexplained Student Absences

Fact sheet for Parents & Carers

If your child is sick or absent, you are required to notify their school as soon as possible on the day of absence using one of the following methods:

1. Online: log the absence directly using your school’s IT platform.
2. Telephone: the school office and let the staff know your child’s name, class, date of absences and reason.
3. Email: the school and provide the staff with your child’s name, class, date of absences and reason.

Notifying the school of your child's absence either prior to, or on the day that they will be away, helps ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and will fulfil your legal responsibility. 

Why do I need to notify the school if my child is absent?

Schools need to know when and why a child is absent and you need to know if your child isn’t at school.

From the end of Term 2 2018, all Victorian government schools are required to contact parents/carers as soon as practicable on the same day of an unexplained student absence. If your child is absent on a particular day and you have not contacted the school to explain why, the absence will be marked as unexplained.

This system also promotes daily school attendance. Going to school every day is the single most important part of your child’s education, they learn new things every day – missing school puts them behind.

What is your responsibility?

You are legally required to ensure your child attends school every day or you must provide an explanation for their absence. You should let the school know in advance of any upcoming absences or let them know in the morning if your child won’t be at school. In order for schools to implement the same day notification requirement, it’s essential that you provide the school with your most up-to-date contact details.

Generally one notification will be sent per family. Should there be circumstances that require both parents and carers to be notified, please contact the school to make the necessary arrangements.

What is the school’s responsibility?

The school must notify you of an unexplained absence in relation to your child as soon as practicable on the same day.

Schools will let you know either by your school’s online communications app, SMS, phone call or email. If you can’t be reached because the school does not have your correct contact details (i.e. changed phone number, SMS/email failure notification received etc.), the school will attempt to make contact with any emergency contacts nominated on your child’s file held by the school. Where possible, this contact will be made on the same day of the unexplained absence.

Where can I learn more about the process for managing student absences?

Ask your school for a copy of the Attendance Policy which outlines the school’s processes and procedures for monitoring, recording and following-up of student absences.

Positive Partnerships

Position Available - School Crossing Supervisor

After many years of wonderful service Tony Lock, the School Crossing Supervisor is finishing up shortly.  We thank Tony for his diligent services and care in supporting children and families to cross safely to school.   

Please feel free to share the notice below and any enquiries can be made directly to Towong Shire. 

Wodonga Catholic Parish News

The 4th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.

'The World Day was established by Pope Francis in 2021 and is celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday of July, close to the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.

This year it will be celebrated on 28 July under the theme
"Do not cast me off in my old age" (cf. Ps 71:9),

The elderly are the 'firm foundation of the future'.

In his Message for the Fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which will take place on 28 July 2024, Pope Francis recognizes the situation of many elderly people today, and assures them:  “God never abandons His children, never.”

If you would like to read more go to:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-05/pope-message-world-day-for-grandparents-and-elderly-2024.html

Wodonga Catholic Parish News / Bulletin
https://wodongacatholicparish.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Bulletin-2024-07-28-The-17th-Sunday-in-Ordinary-Time.pdf

Kind regards

Sonni 

What's on

Lunch Order  List 2024