Telephone: 53982001 Canonical Administrator: Fr Glynn Murphy

Fax: 53982210 Principal: Mrs Joy Quarrell Email:principal@smwarracknabeal.catholic.edu.au

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Wimmera Mallee area, the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagalk

peoples, and pay respects to the ongoing living cultures of First Peoples. St Mary’s Catholic Primary School community Warracknabeal is committed to the safety

and wellbeing of all children and young people. This commitment will remain the primary focus of our care and decision-making.

Welcome to Term 4 Week 6 Parish merger Next year our parish and the parish of Hopetoun will merge with the Horsham and Nhill parishes. Fr Glynn will remain in Warracknabeal as parish priest of the new parish with assistant priest Fr Jim McKay residing in Horsham. An information booklet on the merger is available for anyone who may be interested. Please contact the Office and we will send one home for you.

REMEMBRANCE DAY On Wednesday morning we were going to gather around our Flag Pole to commemorate Remembrance Day, however just as we were about to gather, a storm hit thus we gathered in the Library. We were ably led by our School Captains and Vice Captains. They worked together to formulate our ceremony and all those present felt they did an excellent job. Thanks to Dane, Lucy, Seth and Airlie. Great leadership. A snippet from our service - We have gathered together this morning to remember all who have served, and continue serving in our armed forces, especially those who have died and those wounded in battle. Today marks the 102nd anniversary of the end of fighting in Germany in World War 1. Shortly we will hold a minute silence to pause and remember all those who died in war. O God, our ruler and guide, in whose hands are the destinies of this and every nation, we give you thanks for the freedoms we enjoy in this land and for those who laid down their lives to defend them: We pray that we and all the people of Australia, gratefully remembering their courage and their sacrifice, may have grace to live in a spirit of justice, of generosity, and of peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

The Reading of “In Flanders’ Fields” was shared.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;  

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.  

At the going down of the sun and in the morning  

We will remember them."   

Lord our God, on this day of Remembrance, we entrust all our prayers and needs to your infinite mercy. Help us to become ever more mindful of the bonds that unite us as a human family despite our differences. Heal our inner wounds and outward divisions, that one day our world might live in your true and lasting peace. We make his prayer to you in the name of Jesus, Your Son. Amen. 

Reminders - on-site learning

Coronavirus restrictions remain in place. This means that:

● All unwell students must stay home. Parents will be called to collect any students who experience symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat.

● Students must bring their own water bottles to school for use (and refilling). ● We will continue to provide routine environmental cleaning, including progressive

cleaning throughout the day. ● Parents/carers are asked to observe physical distancing measures before and after

school by not congregating in areas inside or around the school, including at the main entrance.

● Parents/carers can attend the school office if necessary. Please ring beforehand.

 

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL 

The School Advisory Council met on Wednesday evening.Thank you to those SAC members who were able to attend. School Fees were discussed and the SAC has recommended the following for the 2021 school year. Family School Fees 2020 $830 Capital Levy $50 = $880 Family School Fees 2021 $870 Capital Levy $50 = $920. Effectively this means for the 2021 school year our fees have increased by $10 per term or $1 per week. (I am reasonably sure that we would all agree that we cannot do much with $1 per week). It has been agreed that the Student Levy, which was/is $160 this year, remains the same for 2021. Catholic Education must be available for all families who choose to educate their child/children in our schools. If you anticipate that this increase in school fees will present a financial difficulty for your family in 2021, please ring and discuss this with me. Fee relief will be available.  

Some current members of SAC are leaving at the end of this year. We thank them                               

for their commitment to our school over a period of time. 

 

We thank Andrew Richards who has been our Chairperson this year.  

We also thank Kevin Mills, Alison Jess and Melissa Mills for their support during their                             

time on our School Advisory Council or as a member of our Parents’ Club Executive.  

 

The students will be bringing home a nomination form for these vacant positions. If you                             

consider this may be an opportunity for you to become more involved with our school but                               

would like more information, please feel free to call the Office or perhaps ask a current                               

SAC member (Mark Peters, Alison Bish, Graeme Holland, Father Glynn, Jess Boyd,                       

Narelle Drage or myself). Thanks. 

 

These nomination forms are due back at school by Friday November 20. If there is                             

a need to hold an election, that will follow in due course. 

THE BOSS PROJECT During this year, despite the many challenges that they have faced, the Year 6 students have been involved in the $20 Boss Project. The students’ project reaches a conclusion at the Market on Saturday Nov 21. They will be selling a variety of goods. If you are able please wander down to the market and support our students.

What is $20 Boss? Developed by the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA), $20 Boss is an in-school challenge which provides the students $20 of start-up capital to create their own business. At the end of

the program, students are encouraged to pay back the start-up capital, and a $1 legacy payment to help support the running for the program. It’s a fantastic way to engage young people in an immersive experience at school that encourages their entrepreneurial spirit.

Our students will also be donating some of their profits to a charity of their choice.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

END OF THE YEAR 

Please note that the students will finish school on Wednesday Dec 16 at 3.15pm. Thursday Dec 17 will be a staff Professional Development Day.

Staff will finish on Friday Dec 18.

SCHOOL FEES

Could you please attend to these accounts as soon as possible? If this presents a problem please call and speak with me. Thanks in anticipation of your quick attention to this.

Fees: These need to be paid by the end of November

DATES  

 

Mon Nov 16 Kinder children visiting. Sat Nov 21 Please support our Year 6 students at the Market. Tues Nov 24 Kinder children visiting. Wed Dec 2 Kinder children visiting. Thurs Dec 10 Kinder children visiting. Wed Dec 16 Last day for students 3.15pm finish.

We have been asked to publish this Report, however this may be more relevant for families with teenagers.

SPECIAL REPORT: Having the Alcohol Discussion

Talking to your teenager about alcohol consumption and the potential dangers associated

with it can be tricky and overwhelming. However, no matter how difficult this conversation

may be, it is an important one to have in order to ensure the safety of our young people.

The legal drinking age in all Australian states and territories is 18 years, however this does

not deter some adolescents from experimenting with alcohol. Health experts say that young

people are at greater risk of alcohol-related harm than adults as it increases the risk of

damage to their developing brain. It is a substance that affects their body, behaviour and

decision-making abilities, highlighting the importance of preventing or limiting your

teenager’s alcohol use.

End of school and the impending festive season may be a cause for celebration for many

teenagers ready to party and wanting to put this year behind them. However, the impact of

the pandemic has experts concerned that these celebrations may involve excessive alcohol

consumption and result in risky behaviour. Parents and carers can help minimise these

risks by influencing sensible drinking habits. It is important to outline the rules and

boundaries around age-appropriate alcohol consumption and what the legal implications

may be. Although many teenagers are fully aware of the dangers, they put more value on

the reward than adults.

Start the conversation today. Parents and carers need to educate their children on when,

where and how to drink responsibly.

If you require further guidance or information, contact the Alcohol and Drug Foundation

Helpline on 1300 85 85 84 for free confidential support.

Here is the link to your special report https://smwarracknabeal.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-having-al

cohol-discussion-au

CHICKPEAS Religious Education: We have been learning about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Reading: Our book this week is ‘Dry to dry’. Writing: We have been writing information texts about Australian animals. Vocabulary: This week our words are: humid, avoid, blazingly, stalks and surging. Mathematics: In Maths we have been learning how to share collections evenly and with a remainder. Art: This week we made a Remembrance Day wreath using poppies. Inquiry: We have been learning about the states in Australia. Sport: In Sport we have been working on our ball skills using small games. Japanese: This week Year 1 students are comparing Japanese toys and Australian toys. Foundation students are matching Japanese instructions to their English meaning.

WHEAT Religious Education: We learnt about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Reading: We are learning about silent letters. Writing: We have been writing information texts, using patterned writing. Vocabulary: humid, avoid, blazingly, stalks, surging. Mathematics: We are learning to share collections into groups equally, and with remainders. Art: We designed a Christmas card with a local theme. Inquiry: We learnt about this year’s NAIDOC Week theme. Sport: We have been learning the skills for cricket. Japanese: This week students are comparing Japanese toys and Australian toys.

BARLEY Religious Education: Who is St. Mary and what gifts of the Holy Spirit did she display within the Bible. Reading: I can identify technical words and discuss their relevance to the text. Writing: Understand when to use word contractions and that an apostrophe of contraction is used to signal missing letters Vocabulary: except, fluttering, wallowing, tapestry, dunes Mathematics: I can use an algorithm to subtract numbers with bridging. (eg. 823 -597) Art: Aboriginal painting./Emma Kealy Inquiry:Identifying and locating examples of the main climatic types in Australia and the world, for example, equatorial, tropical, arid, semi-arid, temperate and Mediterranean. Sport: Major Games: Softball skills/Game. Japanese: This week Year 3 students are using prior knowledge and practicing reading and translating characteristics from Japanese into English. Year 4 are writing complex sentences and sharing with the class.

CANOLA Religious Education: In Religion we have been discussing how to show love, peace and justice at school. Reading: Our shared text this week is Fire, by Jackie French and Brice Whatley. Writing: We have been adding description to our writing through noun phrases. Vocabulary: defeats, reign, debris, devastation Mathematics: We have been using algorithms to help us solve multiplication problems. Art: In Art, we have created an artwork for NAIDOC week. Inquiry: We have been learning about the Northern Territory. Sport: We practised sofcrosse skills. Japanese: Year 4 are writing complex sentences and sharing with the class. Year 5 are writing their final copy of their weekend.

LENTILS Religious Education: We are researching charities and volunteer groups and finding out how their work demonstrates peace, love and justice. Reading: We are using comprehension strategies to interpret information and ideas. Writing: We are writing information reports on Australia and ensuring we use formal, factual and subject specific language. Vocabulary: citizens, aggravation, enlightening, intriguing and apologetic Mathematics: We are learning how to use estimation and rounding to check our answers. Art: We are creating artworks to celebrate NAIDOC week. Inquiry: Sport: Cricket Japanese: Year 5 are writing their final copy of their weekend. Year 6 are finishing their draft of their weekend and beginning their good copy.

WHEAT CLASSROOM PAGE In Maths, Wheat students have been sharing collections into groups evenly, and into groups with some left over. Harlow and Ivy are busy working out problems.

We have also written letters to our pen pals!