58 Clegg Road, Mount Evelyn.

Ph: 9736 2219 Fax: 9736 1443

Email: principal@smmountevelyn.catholic.edu.au

No. 8, 21st March, 2016

Dear Parents

Last Wednesday our Senior students competed in the District Interschool Sport Carnival. We congratulate all of them on their effort, conduct and the spirit in which they competed. We also congratulate the girls Softball team and the T-Ball team on winning the premiership for their competition. Also a big thankyou to the McCoy, Sims and Orlando family for their fabulous effort braving the horrendous weather on Saturday mornings working bee.

As part of the National Anti-bullying Day last Friday, our Student Action Team organised a couple of events to raise awareness in our community. Children, parents and grandparents were invited to write a positive action on a ribbon and tie it to the fence and, at the end of the day, as a community we made the pledge,

We the people of St Mary’s community know that treating others the way we like to be treated means everyone, regardless of their looks, beliefs or behaviours. We know that Jesus’ example of “Love Above All”, means that everyone has the right to be respected and loved. We believe that when we stand up for others who are not being treated well, we are making a smart decision and we are striving to live out the Gospel together. We promise to reach out to others who need a friend. We will not stand for mean behaviour or bullying!

Congratulations to the children who made their first Reconciliation last week. Our prayers continue to be with them as they now prepare for their First Communion.

Tomorrow is our House Sports Day. At present the weather forecast looks as though it will hold out for us, but please remember to ensure that your children come to school with SUNSCREEN ON and have some to reapply later. We are hoping that you are able to come along and cheer on the teams or help out if you wish.

You are invited to come along this Thursday, Holy Thursday, to pray with us at our Stations of the Cross, which will take place in the hall. The 30 minute sessions that are scheduled are: Years 3, 4, 5 & 6 at 12noon, Preps and 1/2F at 1pm, and at 1.30pm, Grades 1/2P, 1/2H and 1/2R.

Congratulations to our Students of the Week:

PB: Oliver V PR: Laylah F 1/2P: Lachlan H 1/2R: Kiara 1/2H: Jack J 1/2F:Charlotte K 3/4C: Riley McC 3/4N: Lachlan C 3/4F:Kayla B 3/4R: Brayden J/Ayda P 5/6B:Taylah C 5/6L: 5/6S: Ella P 5/6F: Ethan S Thank you to all of you: children, families and staff, for what has been a wonderful, packed with learning, first term. I wish you all a very happy and safe break and look forward to seeing you all again on Monday, 11th April.

With my prayers and best wishes, Mrs Lynne O’Meara Principal

I’’ll never forget how wonderful

you are!

Well done!

SCHOOL FINISHES

2.30PM , THURSDAY

Loving and compassionate God, you know us so well, inside

and out, and yet you still love us.

When we sit in judgment of others, you still love us.

When we condemn others for not living up to our standards

or expectations, you still love us.

Give us a heart of love and compassion, and a spirit of

kindness and generosity, so that we may be slow to

condemn and quick to understand.

Lord Jesus, you came among us and showed us how

to serve others. You are our model and guide and

we strive to imitate you. Give us the

strength and courage to see you in

every face, to be your hands and

feet, to be your loving smile, your

gentle touch. Be with us when we

are challenged to help others, so

that they may see that you still

walk among us. We ask this

prayer in your name. Amen.

What’s Coming Up?

22nd March – House Sports Day 23rd March – Parent Teacher Interviews

Thursday, 24th March 2.30pm – End Term 1 Monday, 11th April – Beginning Term 2

Annual School Production dates for 2016, week 7 of term 3 August 24th & 25th

School Closure Days for 2016 Thursday 5th & Friday 6th May – Staff Professional Development

Monday, 13th June – Queen’s Birthday Monday, 30th October (Day before Cup Day) – Reporting

We

ek

Nin

e

Monday, 21st March Tuesday 22nd March Wednesday 23rd March

Thurs 24th March Friday 25th March Saturday 26th March Sunday 27th March Monday 28th March

8.45am 3.30pm 3.30pm

2.30pm

School Assembly Staff Meeting HOUSE SPORTS DAY Parent Teacher Interviews

LAST DAY OF TERM 1 2.30 PM finish GOOD FRIDAY Easter Saturday Easter Sunday Easter Monday

Dear School Parents,

By now many of you are aware that last Wednesday evening the Archbishop of Melbourne asked me to take on the

position of parish priest in Seymour. He gave me overnight to consider my response. He was well aware that I had

been hoping for a second six years term here and that I had not yet completed my first term here. The Vicar General

explained that the Archbishop, having consulted his advisors and receiving their unanimous recommendation of me,

chose to take their recommendation and ask me to take on Seymour. After much prayer and little sleep, as I was

finalising my preparation for the St Patrick’s Day Mass, I accepted the posting. I did this because on Thursday

morning I read one of St Patrick’s letters telling his reader that he would never see his family again as he would

remain in Ireland until death. His logic was clear, either he would seek his own will – see his family another time –

or do the will of God – stay in Ireland until death. To me this was the answer to my prayers, I wanted to stay here in

these parishes, while through the request of the Archbishop, God wanted me elsewhere. I want you to know that

although I eagerly want to stay, I also reluctantly want to go because I believe it to be God’s will for me. My

appointment begins April 20. I ask that you keep me in your prayers, but especially that you start praying for my

successor that he may be a wonderful and holy shepherd for you all. You will remain in my heart and my prayers.

God bless and keep you; may he shine his face upon you and keep you in his peace.

Fr Eugene Ashkar (and of course Fonzie)

Do you find that your child is having emotional or behavioral issues or is overly anxious?

OnPsych are a team of fully qualified and registered psychologists who specialise in child and adolescent services working in primary and secondary schools in both individual and group settings.

Services are performed on site at school, at NO COST to the school, student or parent, through Medicare bulk billing.

These services are also available to parents.

We now have an OnPsych psychologist, Arabella Mayne, working here at our school. The approaches that

Arabella use include: CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy)

Client centred and solution focussed therapy. Employs a collaborative approach.

Issues covered by a mental health plan include: Anxiety, Attention deficit, Alcohol/drug abuse, Adjustment disorders, Bereavement, Conduct disorder, Depression, Eating disorders, Enuresis (non organic), Neurasthenia, Obsessive compulsive disorder, Panic, Phobia, Psychosis, Post- traumatic, Stress, Sleep disorders, Mood disorders, Spectrum disorders, Interpersonal, learning or behavioural disorders, exam stress, harming and adjustment difficulties (social and situational)

If you believe that this service may benefit your child or yourselves, please contact Lynne O'Meara or Angela Glennie on 9736 2219 for further information on how to access Arabella’s services.

This Thursday being Holy Thursday, the year 3/4 & 5/6 students who learn drama will be

presenting an Easter Reflection to the school community. We would like to invite interested

parents, grandparents along to view this at 1:30pm on Thursday. The reflection will run for

around 30 minutes and will coincide with the end of the day as we finish for the term at 2:30pm.

We would love to see you there!

LAST DAY OF TERM 1

SCHOOL FINISHES 2.30PM , THURSDAY 24th MARCH

(CSEF) CAMPS, SPORTS & EXCURSIONS FUND (CSEF)

REMINDER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE INFORMATION FOR PARENTS WITH A HEALTHCARE CARD

Every Vict o r ian ch ild should have access t o t he w or ld o f learn ing oppo r t un it ies t hat exist beyond t he classroom .

The Cam ps, Spo r t s and Excursions Fund help s ensure t hat no st uden t w ill m iss out on t he op por t un it y t o jo in t heir

classm at es f o r im po r t an t , ed ucat ional and f un act iv it ies. It is par t o f m aking Vict o r ia t he Ed ucat ion St at e and t he

Governm ent ’s com m it m ent t o b reaking t he link bet w een a st uden t ’s b ackground and t heir out com es.

IF YOU HAVE A CURRENT HEALTHCARE CARD

Contact the school office to obtain a CSEF application form or download from www.education.vic.gov.au/csef

Dear Families,

The students in the Extension Program are currently planning the school

production and would like to get some information from you to help

with this. Please note that we will not use specific names in the

production.

General information we would like to know is if you have ever or still

are involved in any of the following?

Child sponsorship (eg. World Vision etc)

Foster care program

Soup Van/ Food van (feeding the poor)

St Mary’s cook up/food bank

The Good Friday appeal

The Red Cross, St Vincent De Paul or any other charities

Fun Runs

Any additional social justice activities not listed

Please write brief details of anything you have been involved in please:

______________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________________

There is no need to sign this form, just send it along to the office so that the Extension students in script writing can

get a sense of the types of charitable acts that our families and extended families are involved with.

Thanks from the Literacy Extension Students.

2016 FEES

There are still a number of families that have not returned their fee agreement forms. Please contact the office immediately if you have not received your forms for 2016.

St Mary’s BSB/ACCOUNT Details

St Marys Primary School BSB 083-347

Account Number 676054930

Religious Education News

Sunday, 20 Mar 2016: Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord - Year C

In yesterday’s Gospel of Luke, we heard of Jesus' triumphant entrance into and his painful exit out of

the city of Jerusalem. We journey along with him on this week's events. We share in his glory and in his

pain. This holiest of weeks is a journey for all of us,

not just a journey that was only for Jesus. Jesus invites us all to join him. Please consider joining with the parish community as we gather this week for the ceremonies

of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil (or Easter Sunday).

Thank you to everyone who donated to the Caritas/Project Compassion campaign throughout

Lent. If you have any Project Compassion boxes at home, they can now be returned to school.

St Mary’S MaSS tiMeS Mount Evelyn

Saturday 5 .0 0 pm & Sunday 1 0 .3 0 am &

5 .0 0 pm

ST MARY’S NEWS

Woolworths Earn and Learn 2015

We have just received all the educational materials you helped us get from last year’s Woolworths Earn and

Learn campaign. As you can see from the photo, there are art supplies, maths books, world maps, a trundle

wheel and many more items that will enhance our children’s learning.

Thank you again for your wonderful support.

Melissa Roberts St. Mary’s Earn and Learn Organiser ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WORKING BEES 2016

We believe that having a safe and pleasant school environment is important. Thank you to all families who have

helped with school maintenance during last year.

To assist planning for this year we are asking each family to attend ONE Working Bee and to indicate which

session,(listed below) suits best. In an effort to cater for everyone, we will hold Working Bees across a range of days and times.

The alternative to attending a Working Bee is to complete the payment details below which are for a $60.00 contribution toward

hiring maintenance help as required. Please complete and return the form below as soon as possible (families who have not

replied by Feb 26th will be contacted).

Yours faithfully,

THE MAINTENANCE COMMITTEE.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN TO SCHOOL BEFORE MONDAY FEBRUARY 26TH 2016

NAME:_______________________________________ ELDEST CHILD’S GRADE:_______________.

Saturday April 30th Wednesday June 8th Monday July 25th

(9:00-11:30 am) (1:10-3:15pm) (8:45- 10:45 am)

Saturday August 20 (Production set up) Wednesday Oct 12th Monday Nov 28th

(9:00-11:30am) (8:45-10:45am) (Twilight 3.30pm-6.00pm)

Please debit my credit card for $60.00: (Please circle) Visa / Mastercard

Name on the card ____________________________________________________________________

Credit Card Number: [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] – [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] – [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] – [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Expiry Date: [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]

IMPORTANT INFO FOR PARENTS

In addition to our existing forms of communication, which include blanket text messaging, we are also in the process of including

‘Skoolbag’ to our communication options. This is an app for iPhone and Android that will enhance communications with the

Parent/Student community. Parents wishing to access this service will need to install the St Mary’s School ‘Skoolbag’ App. To install the app, search for our school name (St Marys Catholic Primary School Mount

Evelyn) in either the Apple App Store, or Google Play Store. We are still waiting for the Apple iPhone App to become available. We

will advise once confirmation of availability occurs. For Windows Phone, and Windows 8.1 or 10 users, search for ‘Skoolbag’ in the

Windows store, install the app and find your school.

COFFEE INVITATION FOR ALL ST MARY’S PARENTS EVERY MONDAY

MORNING

AT ST MARY’S FROM 9.00am until 10.00am A great way to meet new families

ALL WELCOME!

Mt.Evelyn Primary School OSHC – SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM On behalf of Mt.Evelyn Primary School OSHC we would like to invite you to our

Vacation Care Program. You can receive your Booking Form for Easter School Holidays from your school

office. You may also email, phone or pop in and see Melissa at Mt.Evelyn Primary School. Mt.Evelyn Pri

mary School OSHC is an accredited child care. Families can apply for CCB and CCR rebates.

Monday – Friday 6.00am – 2.00pm 9736 2233 osh@mtevelynps.vic.edu.au

28th Mon March Closed Easter Monday

29th Tues March - “Mini Golf” Excursion “Easter Activity Day”

30th Wed March - “Tennis” Incursion

31st Thurs March - “Drawing with different mediums”

1st Fri April - “Ace Space” Excursion “Messy Day”

(2nd Program if Excursion is at capacity)

4th Mon April - “Healesville Sanctuary” Excursion “Use your senses”

(2nd Program if Excursion is at capacity)

5th Tues April - “Letter “ C” Day”

6th Wed April - “Wheels Day”

7th Thurs April - “Reading Cinemas” Excursion “Cupcake Day”

(2nd Program if Excursion is at capacity)

8th Fri April - “Multi Media Day” Vacation Care Daily

It is a great opportunity for our local school community to support a wonderful program. Kind regards, Melissa Mc Donald

CROYDON BASEBALL CLUB

PLAYERS WANTED FOR BASEBALL.

T-Ball Junior Senior

Ages 5-9 Ages 8-16 Ages 14+

COME & TRY DAYS

Saturday 12th & 19th March 9.30am–11am

Barngeong Reserve - Bambra Street,

Croydon

or contact Robyn 0421 177 158

robyn@infoxchange.org

www.croydon.baseball.com.au

Communion

Dresses for

loan.

please contact

the office to

view

Help Urgently Required

We need to roster 6 people per week to run the St Mary’s tuckshop. We have not received enough volunteers to be able to

effectively do this, this year.

If you have not put your form in, please do so ASAP.

If we do not receive more responses, we will not be able to run tuckshop in term 2. If we don’t get the volunteers required we

will be unable to offer tuckshop in the future. Please commit by filling out the below form.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

The St Mary’s Primary School Canteen operates every Friday between 9.00am – 1.00pm. Volunteers are needed to help run the canteen. If you are able to help, please fill out the attached form and return to school office ASAP. NAME _______________________________________ PHONE ________________________EMAIL ___________________________ ELDEST CHILD AND GRADE _______________________________________________________________ Availability (please tick)

WEEKLY FORTNIGHTLY MONTHLY EMERGENCY CO-ORDINATOR OTHER --------------------------------- Thankyou Parents & Friends Committee

CRAFT CLUB VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED

We have loads of activities planned for this term, but for us to be able to run these sessions properly we are desperate for some volunteers.

If you can help on any Tuesday days please fill out the form below and return to the office.

Craft Club is run every Tuesday during first recess. Volunteers are required from

10.00am until 12.00pm (2 hours duration approximately)….

We are still taking donations of any craft type items……Drop them off at the office if you have anything we can use.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name __________________________________Contact Phone Number _________________________ I am available on the following Tuesday/s ____________________________________ from 10.00am – 12.00

PLEASE COMPLETE 2016 TUCKSHOP ROSTER