58 Clegg Road, Mount Evelyn.

Ph: 9736 2219 Fax: 9736 1443

Email: principal@smmountevelyn.catholic.edu.au

No. 39, 5th December, 2016

Dear Parents,

It was wonderful to see so many at the Christmas Carols and Fair last Thursday evening. We were blessed with beautiful weather and it was great to see so many getting into the Christmas spirit. The children sang and played with enthusiasm and I especially liked their moves during Jingle Bells. Thank you all so much for coming along and a big thank you for the surprise presentation! You caught me completely unawares and caused a great flood of “hay fever”! A huge tribute must be paid to Belinda G and Shelley H for their coordination and Meagan McS, Karla F, Melissa M, Amanda P, Annette P, Donna M, Leanne P, Viv M, Terry G, Futsal, Dan H, Maree V, Melanie and Dave C, the Jary family, Sindy V, Jane W, Penny C, John N, Liv C, Tracey A, Adam McS, Dean and Jen H, Dave and Bec C, Nick O'K, Simon R, Tim S, Olivia P, Cherie P, Adele C, Sharon E, Emma S, Rose B, Matt and Nicole A, Connie M, Emma S and everyone else who baked or assisted in any way. Thank you all so much for this great community event.

Congratulations to our Students of the Week last week:

Prep B: Brodie M Prep R: Harrison S 1/2F: Kaylee S 1/2H: Oliver S/Evie L

1/2P: Lucia M 1/2R: Charli O 3/4R: Natalya B/Wil A 3/4N: Beau W 3/4C: Jake T 3/4F: Nathan S 5/6B: Samuel S 5/6F: Jade W/Braedyn K 5/6L: Declan E 5/6S: Yasmin R With my prayers and best wishes for the coming week, Mrs Lynne O’Meara Principal

St Mary’s Mass Times Saturday 5.00pm & Sunday 10.30am & 5.00pm

St Mary’s Catholic Parish 58 Clegg Road, Mt Evelyn Mass: 5pm Saturdays, 10:30am & 5pm Sundays

Sacred Heart Catholic Parish Park Road, Warburton Mass: 4:30pm Sundays

St Thomas a Becket Church 40 Milners Road, Yarra Junction Mass: 9am Sundays

Advent is the season of the secret, the secret of the growth of Christ, of Divine Love growing in silence.

It is the season of humility, silence and growth. For nine months Christ grew in his mother’s body.

By his own will she formed him of herself, from the simplicity of her daily life.

She had nothing to give him but herself. He asked for nothing else.

She gave him herself. Working, eating, sleeping, she was forming his body from hers. From

her humanity she gave him his humanity.

And the Word became flesh

and lived among us, and we have seen his

glory.

We

ek

Ten

Monday , 5th December Tuesday 6th December Thursday 8th December

8.45am 3.30pm

2.30pm

Assembly Staff Meeting Year 7 2017 Orientation Day School Assembly

We

ek

Eleve

n

Monday 12th December Tuesday 13th December Friday 16th December

8.45am 3.30pm

2.30pm 9.00am

2.45pm 3.15pm 4.00pm

Assembly Staff Meeting Incursion Grade 3/4 Grade 6 Fun Day to Luna Park

School Assembly Graduation Ceremony Grade 6 Grade 6 luncheon Guard of Honour END OF TERM 4 Graduation Mass Grade 6

SUMMER HOLIDAY BABYSITTING

Hi my name is Helena O’Donahue and I have been a nanny for almost 2 years and love it! I’m

currently studying a bachelor of Early Childhood and Primary school teaching. I also have a

current Working with Children Check.

I am now looking for some lovely new families to babysit for.

If you are interested or want to know more; just ask Helena ( I work at the bakery) or feel free

to call or text me on 0457 510 455

CAR PARK RULES……. CAR PARK RULES…… CAR PARK RULES…….

PARKING IN THE DRVEWAY BEFORE 3.15pm IS PROHIBITED

UNLESS ALL CAR PARKING SPACES ARE TAKEN…..

End of Year School Mass 2016 The End of Year Mass will be held at St Mary’s Church on Wednesday the

14th of December at 11.35 a.m

NEW School Bus Applications 2017 Families living more than 4.8km from

school, St Mary’s being the closest to their family residence, could be eligible to

travel on the ‘Martyrs’ or ‘Invicta’ Bus for 2017. Application forms are available at

the office and are needed to be filled in and returned by end of November 2016 for processing.

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.

ST MARY’S

Check out our website….

The newsletter and other items are uploaded every

week for your convenience. (Weekly newsletters will no longer be emailed)

Also including this week,

Uniform Order Form

Tuckshop Menu & Car Park Rules www.smmountevelyn.catholic.edu.au

UNIFORM SHOP - NEW OPENING TIMES

Opening hours Tuesday Afternoon 3.00pm - 3.30pm &

Thursday Morning 8.30am – 9.00am

Order forms available at the office. Payment of cash or cheque MUST be included with your order.

St. Vincent de Paul

Christmas Gift Tree

Each year St. Vincent de Paul collects Christmas gifts for those in need. We

have a gift tree in the Church each year to help contribute to this

wonderful cause and we also have one in the School office. If you would

like to donate a gift please pick up a tag from the Christmas tree. All

gifts must be new –

No second hand items please. No need to wrap gifts up.

School Vegetable Garden – Volunteers required

The children have been enjoying planting the vegetables and looking after our new veggie garden. A big thank-you for the parents who have already committed their time and for the donations of plants and seedlings. This week Prep R will be working on the garden on Wednesday 30th November from 10.45 till 11.30am. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to volunteer, please complete the availability form below. Or email rpritchard@smmountevelyn.catholic.edu.au. Thank-you - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - VEGETABLE GARDEN VOLUNTEER AVAILABILITY Name: _______________________________________Mobile:______________________________ Availability: ⟥ Wednesdays 10.45am ⟥ Thursdays 10.45am ⟥ Fridays 2.15pm

St. Mary’s Christmas Eve Vigil 5pm Mass (Carols 4.30pm)

Thursday 24th December 2016 If your child would like to participate in this special occasion, please fill out the form below and

return to the office by the 14th December. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Children can dress in nativity costume for our opening procession, some ideas: Mary, Joseph, Innkeeper, shepherd or wiseman/king. - Readings: - Prayers of the Faithful - Offertory - Collection - Entrance Procession - Choir

Childs Name: ___________________________________________Grade: ______ Parent Contact Mobile: _______________________________________________ Email Address: _______________________________________________________

2017 FEE INCREASE NOTICE

2017 annual family fee will stay the same at $1,020.00 the student levy will increase slightly to $254.00 per child. School fees include course and subject levies, and the costs of all curriculum excursions and activities. School Fee Statements will be

issued at the commencement of the school year February 2017 with payment schedules and forms for direct debits. Reminder Statements will be issued at the beginning of each term for your information.

To pre pay fees or set up your own payment schedule through your internet banking, please include your eldest child’s name as the

reference. St Mary’s BSB/ACCOUNT Details

St Marys Primary School BSB 083-347

Account Number 676054930

____________________________________________________________________________________

ST MARY’S STUDENTS WHOLE SCHOOL FUNDAY

Our annual St Mary’s fun day will be held on Monday 12th December.

This year our theme is: Survivor.

This is a chance for each grade to celebrate the end of the year by enjoying a day of physical challenges, games and

fun together.

Full summer sports uniform is to be worn on this day.

As some of the activities involve water each child is to bring a small towel.

Regular playtimes, eating times etc. will run on the day and children are to bring their lunch and drink bottle as

normal

(maybe an extra snack as they might get hungry from all the challenges)

We look forward to a wonderful fun day with our great St Mary’s students.

REMINDER EVERYONE

WE ARE A NUT FREE SCHOOL

Religious Education

Sunday, 4 Dec 2016: Second Sunday of Advent - Year A Mt 3:1-12

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.

In due course John the Baptist appeared; he preached in the

wilderness of Judaea and this was his message: ‘Repent, for the

kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ This was the man the

prophet Isaiah spoke of when he said:

A voice cries in the wilderness:

Prepare a way for the Lord,

make his paths straight.

This man John wore a garment made of camel-hair with a leather

belt round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey.

Then Jerusalem and all Judaea and the whole Jordan district made

their way to him, and as they were baptised by him in the

river Jordan they confessed their sins. But when he saw a number

of Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism he said to them,

‘Brood of vipers, who warned you to fly from the retribution that is

coming? But if you are repentant, produce the appropriate fruit, and

do not presume to tell yourselves, “We have Abraham for our

father,” because, I tell you, God can raise children

for Abraham from these stones. Even now the axe is laid to the

roots of the trees, so that any tree which fails to produce good fruit

will be cut down and thrown on the fire. I baptise you in water for

repentance, but the one who follows me is more powerful than I am,

and I am not fit to carry his sandals; he will baptise you with the

Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing-fan is in his hand; he will clear

his threshing-floor and gather his wheat into the barn; but the chaff

he will burn in a fire that will never go out.’

The Gospel of the Lord

‘Change your lives! The reign of God is near!’

Do we treat people as we would like to be

treated? Do we judge others by how they look or

act? By Jesus' example we can learn to treat

others the way we would like to be treated.

Class Mass: This Thursday 8th December, 3 / 4 F and 1 / 2 P will attend the 9.00 a.m. Mass in the church. All welcome.

Social Justice: Thank you to those generous people who have taken a star from the Christmas tree in the office and

bought a present for that person. Gifts need to be left under the tree unwrapped. They will be distributed by the St.

Vincent de Paul society to local people in need.

Please feel free to take a tag and purchase a Christmas gift for the person

named on the tag. Thank you!

School Procedures for the

Bushfire Season Fire danger ratings and warnings are used in Victoria to provide clear direction on the safest options for preserving life.

Schools and children’s services listed on the DET Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR) will be closed when a Code Red fire danger rating day is determined in their Bureau of Meteorology district. Our school has been identified as being one of those at high bushfire risk and is listed on the BARR.

Where possible, we will provide parents with up to four days notice of a potential Code Red day closure by letter and SMS message. A Code Red day will be determined by the Emergency Management Commissioner no later than 1.00 pm the day before the potential closure. Once we are advised of the confirmation of the Code Red day we will provide you with advice before the end of the school day.

Once confirmed, the decision to close will not change, regardless of improvements in the weather forecast. This is to avoid confusion and help your family plan alternative care arrangements for your child. It is also important to note that:

No staff will be on site on days where the school is closed due to a forecast Code Red day.

School camps will be cancelled if a Code Red fire danger rating day is determined for the Bureau of Meteorology district in which the camp is located.

All bus routes will be cancelled.

On these Code Red days families are encouraged to enact their Bushfire Survival Plan – on such days children should never be left at home or in the care of older children.

For those of us living in a bushfire prone area, the CFA advise that when Code Red days are forecast, the safest option is to leave the night before or early on the morning of the Code Red day.

As part of preparing our school for potential hazards such as fire, we have updated and completed our Emergency Management Plan.

What can parents do?

Make sure your family’s bushfire survival plan is up-to-date and includes alternative care arrangements in the event that our school is closed.

Ensure we have your current contact details, including your mobile phone numbers. Keep in touch with us by reading our newsletters and checking our website.

Most importantly at this time of year, if you’re planning a holiday or short stay in the bush or in a coastal area, you should check warnings in advance of travel and remain vigilant during your stay.

If your child is old enough, talk to them about bushfires and your family’s bushfire survival plan.

You can access more information about school closures on the Catholic Education Commission Victoria (CECV) and Department of Education and Training website – see <www.cecv.catholic.edu.au> and <http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/pages/closures.aspx>.

For up-to-date information on this year’s fire season, visit the CFA website at www.cfa.vic.gov.au or call the 24-hour Victorian Bushfires Information Line on 1800 240 667.

CRAFT CLUB HELP REQUIRED ON TUESDAYS

Please contact the office if you are available on 9736 2219

PLASTIC LIDS all shapes sizes colours WANTED FOR THE GARDEN PROJECT

Needed by 15th November

PARENTS AND FRIENDS COMMITTEE

A BIG, BIG THANKYOU goes to Shelly HOLT for once again organizing and coordinating the annual drinks stall at the Wandin Car Show. We need help on our St Mary’s drinks stall which is a massive annual fundraiser for our primary school…… Contact the office for more

information or call Shelly Holt on 0419 531 624

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP OUT WITH MAJOR FUNDRAISER

FOR ST MARY’S

St Mary’s drinks stall

‘The Wandin Custom Car & Bike Show

Wandin Recreation Reserve (Mel ref: 121 k9)

CHRISTMAS FAIR THANKYOU’S THANKYOU once again for the amazing hard work and commitment that the St Mary’s Parents and Friends Committee show with everything they do.

Belinda G for her co-ordination of this year fair……… Behind the scenes- Shelley H, Meagan McS, Karla F, Melissa M, Amanda P, Annette P, Donna M, Leanne P, Viv M, Terry G, Futsal, Dan H, Maree V, Melanie and Dave C, the Jary family, Sindy V, Jane W, Penny C, John N, Liv C, Tracey A. BBQ helpers- Lynne O'M, Adam McS, Dean and Jen H, Dave and Bec C, Nick O'K, Simon R, Tim S, Olivia P, Cherie P, Adele C, Sharon E, Emma S, Rose B, Matt and Nicole A, Connie M, Emma S

LAST TUCKSHOP FOR 2016 THIS FRIDAY

ST. MARY’S TUCKSHOP

Term 4, 2016

ORDERING: Please put your child’s Name, Grade, Order and Amount (and change) clearly on a paper bag. Correct change if possible (wrap money in paper) For Families paying together, please write on each bag name and grade of each child.

HOT FOOD

Beef Pie 3.00

Party Pie 1.00

Party Sausage Roll 1.00

Hot Dog 2.20

Dim Sims .80

Chicken tenders 1.10

Party Pasties 1.00

Hawaiian / Margarita Pizza 2.50

Extras

(Please write as a separate item)

Soya Sauce .30

Tomato Sauce .30

Brown Paper Bags .20

ROLLS

(white only)

Buttered 1.00

ADD

Vegemite .30

Cheese .50

Mayo .20

Lettuce .50

Tomato .50

DRINKS

Nippies Milk 1.50

(Choc ,Strawberry)

Mineral Water 1.20

Orange, Cola, Apple Raspberry or Blue Heaven

Just Juice 1.20

Apple or Paradise Punch

Zooper Dooper .50

Dixie Cup 1.00

SNACKS

Jam Doughnut 1.10

Ring Doughnut .90

Chocolate or Strawberry

Choc Chip Cookie .80

Low Salt Popcorn 1.00

Vegie Chips Salt & Vinegar 1.20

Chips:

Low salt plain 1.20

Honey and soy 1.20

SPECIAL TREATS

Limit 1 per order

Red Skins .30

Milko Sticks .30

Ovalteenies .90

Sunfruit Lolly Bag .90

SCHOOL TERM DATES 2017

Term 1: Tuesday 31st January 2017 – Friday 31st March 2017

Preps start Wednesday 1st February 2017

Term 2: Tuesday 18th April 2017 - Friday 30th June 2017

Term 3: Monday 17th July 2017 - Friday 22nd September 2017

Term 4: Monday 9th October 2017 - Thursday 21st December 2017