Dear Families,

Tomorrow we celebrate our Mothers, Grandmothers and people who are like Mothers to us. We thank God for these people in our lives as we know that they help us to grow into caring and good people.  We honour these people in our lives.

Loving God,

Today, we give you thanks and praise for the gift of mothers.

 We pray for the mothers-to-be,

who are just beginning to be the bearers of new life in them,

may they welcome their forthcoming child with loving anticipation and joy.

 We pray for the young mothers,

may they cherish their child with tender care and unconditional love.

 We pray for the mothers who are separated from their children because of war, poverty, conflict, violence and for any other reasons

Comfort them, strengthen their hope, and let them feel your loving embrace that wipes every tear away.

 We pray for all Mother-figures,

those who have loved, surrounded and shaped us with motherly care and compassion.

 We especially pray for our own mothers who have nurtured and cared for us,

Their sacrifices and care gave us a glimpse of the extent of your love for us.

Thank you for them.

Grant health, blessings, and well-being for those of our mothers who are still alive.

 We also remember those mothers who are no longer with us.

While they live forever in our hearts and memory, grant them eternal rest and reward of their labours.  Amen.

Division Athletics Carnival

Last week on Tuesday May 2nd three of our students represented our school in the Division Athletics Sports at the Joe Carmody Track in Newborough.  Josh Plozza came second in the long jump, Tahlia Pedemont came second in the hurdles and John Gramlick came fourth in the hurdles.  Both Josh and Tahlia will go on to compete in the Regional Athletics on October 10th 2023.  We are very proud of Josh, Tahlia and John for representing us so well. 

Our school, along with the 45 Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sale, will celebrate Catholic Education Week from 19 May to 26 May.
The theme for this year’s celebrations is, Catholic Schools – Places of Encounter. ‘Let the words you speak always be full of Grace’, based on Colossians 4:6.
Catholic schools are more than just buildings where students come to learn. They are Places of Encounter where students can grow academically, spiritually and personally.”
The ‘Speaking with Grace’ theme invites us to consider the power of our words and the impact our words may have on others. Words have the power to inspire, uplift, and transform lives but they can also be hurtful or discouraging. This year’s theme aims to encourage students and those in our school community to use their
words to build up others, to speak out against injustice, and to spread love and hope in the world.
Catholic Education Week is an opportunity for all Catholic schools to celebrate our distinctive mission and share features that are special about our schools.

As part of our celebrations for Catholic Education Week, our staff will put on a special morning tea for the Gr 6 students.  This event is about developing positive relationships with the student leaders in our school.  Each year the Gr 6 students really look forward to this event.  We will also be hosting our Friday School Assembly celebrating Catholic Education Week.  Everyone is welcome to join us on 26th May in the Mary MacKillop Room at 3pm.

2023 School Photo Update

• If you have not already ordered, you can still order, you have not missed out.

• Access code requests can also be made at www.spargophoto.com.au from the School Photography tab on the menu.

Vic Kids Eat Well is an exciting new Victoria-wide movement.  It supports schools and families to offer healthier food and drink options.

We know that feeding children with healthy foods helps support their growth and development. But there is a growing body of research showing that what children eat can affect not only their physical health but also their mood, mental health and learning.

The research suggests that eating a healthy and nutritious diet can improve mental health, enhance cognitive skills like concentration and memory‚ and improve academic performance.

Find out more about the latest research from Monash University

Giving your children a healthy lunchbox is a great start to boost their learning, concentration and active play.

Click here to build a healthy lunch box with your children

Prepared by West Gippsland Healthcare Group –
Health Promotion Team 56243500

2023 School Advisory Committee Members are: Marja Jamieson, Brett Hicks, Scott McCartin, Lauren Baldassa, Ashley Treyvaud, Taryn Maxwell-Garratt, Fr Bernard Buckley and Trish Mulqueen. The Committee met on Wednesday May 17^th 2023.  Church and Parish connection was discussed. The Committee felt it was important to try to support local charities and community projects were possible. P&F activities were reported to the Committee and the great work of the P&F was acknowledged. Child Safety is a standing agenda item and the new School Bus Stop was discussed. The Committee reflected on our school’s s vision statement and discussed how we live this vision out. Members reinforced our catholic core and values and highlighted the work of the Mini Vinnies team. Members highlighted the importance of ‘having a go’  in learning.

If you have any questions/wonderings that you would like the School Advisory Committee to consider please see one of our members and they will put it on the agenda.  

The Lions Club Public Speaking competition is going to be held on Wednesday July 19th. The competition aims to give students in Grades 3, 4, 5 & 6 the chance to develop their ability to speak in public and improve their self-confidence. Students are to write their speech themselves with support from families. We have 15 students who have prepared a speech and will present it next week.  Families are welcome to join us at 2pm in the Mary MacKillop Room.

The topics are:
Years 3 - 4 "Oh no - you've turned into a Giant!" - One morning you wake up and something has happened, and you are now a giant. Just like the BFG (Big Friendly Giant) in Ronald Dahl's book or the giant in Jack and the Beanstalk! How did this happen? What's it like being a giant? What do you do while you are a giant? Do you stay that way? Tell us your story of being a giant.

Years 5 - 6 - "Strange World Records set in History? - There are many World records held for many things - some strange and wonderful records over the course of history. Choose one and tell us about it. (A world record is usually the best global and most important performance that is ever recorded and officially verified in a specific skill, sport, or other kind of activity.