Pentecost is the final feast that brings to close the Easter season. Historically, Pentecost is the day on which the church celebrates its birthday. It is the day on which we commemorate the coming of the Holy Spirit to the early followers of Jesus. In the lead up to the events of the first Pentecost (which we now celebrate 50 days after Jesus’ death and resurrection) there were already a growing number of followers of Jesus. The scriptures tell us that many followers felt overwhelmed by the recent event especially the apostles, who must have been very frightened. But, through the Holy Spirit, Jesus spoke to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.” James 20:21

Their mission was to be the same as his – to continue to spread the word of God.

Last Friday afternoon the College community gathered in prayer to commemorate Sorry Day. This year, Mrs. Jennine Brock and our College Captains, Ebony and Keegan, led the liturgy that was observed by everyone with great interest and respect. This year is the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum on constitutional recognition. In sharing this story with our community we believe we acknowledge the rights of Indigenous peoples and the human suffering that was endured.

Winter is upon us! As the mornings get colder it is important for families to consider the extra time that it takes to get ready for school to ensure that all students are on time. I encourage all students to be well prepared by having a routine that allows them to do most things the night before to be sure that they’re ‘ready to go’ every morning. Being regularly on time for school is an expectation of us all. - Being on time helps to ensure a smooth start to the day; - Being on time reinforces good work habits and builds accountability in students; - Being on time gives a message to my teachers and peers that I respect them.

THE MARIAN ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

SEYMOUR www.smseymour.catholic.edu.au facebook.com/stmarysseymour

No. 16 (1/6/17)

T.2 Week 7 of 11

A welcoming Catholic community that respects our heritage and looks to a sustainable future.

We inspire learning excellence, resilience and service to others.

St. Mary’s College Vision Statement

Pentecost Sunday – 4th June

Sorry Day

Are You On Time For School?

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The new Administration wing began to rise out

of the ground on Tuesday when the slab was poured.

The rain threatened all day and despite some

drizzle it all went to plan.

Over these next few weeks, staff will be very busy marking tests and exams, assessment tasks and writing mid-year reports. As explained previously, the new Victorian Curriculum has meant some changes to reports that teachers are currently finalising. Watch this space!

Two weeks ago I informed families that our groundsman and maintenance worker Mr Kevin Jones, suffered a brain aneurism on Mother’s day. Immediately following the episode Kevin was extremely ill, requiring surgery to relieve pressure on the brain. Remarkably, during the past two weeks he has responded well and is making a good recovery from his injury. Whilst Kevin is still being treated in hospital his family is hoping he will be able to return home soon. I look forward to updating families each week.

Reminder: These past weeks the sniffles/head-colds have been going around and it has taken its toll on many students who have been too unwell to attend school. It is always difficult during these times - balancing work commitments and sick children - but it is important that students do not return to school until they’re well enough.

Our sincere apologies! We had a few names that were accidentally left off our list last week. Please see the updated list for our 2017 Eucharist candidates.

Thanks for the great start to our Winter Appeal!! We are very appreciative of the wonderful support we receive from our families for this very worthy appeal. We will be collecting non- perishable items of food over the next few weeks, ready to be delivered to the local St Vincent de Paul conference at the end of the term.

Mr Peter Kelly

Colds/Flu

New Administration Wing

Exams, Assessments and Reports

Get Well Soon

Sophie Allen Charlotte Allison Riley Atherton Holly Bender Zac Brown Charlie D’Orria Remy Hare Daniel McLean Joel Mills

Tahlia Mulraney Grace Nolan Madison O’Connell Rogan Puppa Adison Thornberry Ebony Smith Lucas Warren Noah Wemyss

Eucharist Candidates 2017

St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal

We hold all these students in our thoughts and prayer over the coming weeks.

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Fidget Spinners – Yes or No? In recent weeks, we have been over run with fidget spinners of varying sizes, shapes and colours. If we go back just a little way, when fidget spinners were first advertised, their purpose was for children that need to have something in their hands in order to concentrate. However, they have since become a common and inexpensive toy, available everywhere.

The following article has been sent to me and I found that I was enthralled with the author’s professional opinion and perspective of children in today’s society. The author, Victoria Prooday, an Occupational Therapist, talks about society as a whole and why she believes fidget spinners are a psychosomatic response to society today. What do you think? ‘The brain has the magical ability to rewire itself. We live in the world that offers our brains instant gratification, which works just like a drug. The more instant gratification we offer our brains, the more our brains crave it. With the best of intentions, we have rewired the brains of this entire generation of children to expect instant gratification, by offering them iPads, videogames, and depriving their brains of opportunities for boredom, responsibilities, and limits. Children come to school emotionally unavailable to learn. Their brains are unable to function under lower levels of stimulation, and expect special effects at all times. Unfortunately, real life can’t offer their brains what we promised; compared to the stimulation offered by the screens, real life is boring. Life requires the brain to work through boredom, which these children can’t tolerate so they become fidgety the moment their brains perceive even minor “boredom”. With the invention of the spinner fidgets, we take their brains to the next level of instant gratification. Moreover, again and again, we buy our children what they want, the moment they want it, without thinking if it is truly what they need. Now, they bring the spinners into the classroom; continuing to stimulate their brains all day long with high levels of spinning stimulation. The more they stimulate their brains, the more they will crave for it, the less delayed gratification they will have, the less emotionally available for learning they will be. There are a few kids that do require fidgets. However, even for these kids, the fidgets are just a quick fix. These children require a much deeper approach to help them concentrate. In many cases, if a child needs fidgets, it means that his brain is overly stimulated and he actually needs help calming his brain down rather than further stimulating it. Here are some suggestions that will minimize your child’s need for fidgeting: - Teach children that “boredom” is a normal state of human emotions. Help children to recognize the signs of boredom and help them develop functional strategies to deal with it. Don’t take the responsibility of constantly entertaining your kids, as they need to learn to self-regulate through boredom. - Put a conscious effort to train your child’s delayed gratification skills. Avoid using technological babysitters in cars and restaurants and train his ability to just sit and wait. Teach your child to sit at a table until everyone finishes eating. Limit snacking between meals. - Limit your child’s access to technology. In addition, unplug from your phone and share quality time with your child. - Offer your child opportunities to spend time outdoors, especially in green space. - Provide regular opportunities for high intensity, high duration exercises such as biking, hiking. - Bring calmness into their lives by listening to calm music, sitting around a fireplace, having a calming bath, reading a book, drawing, or playing board games. - Offer plenty of sleep in technology free bedrooms. - Train your child’s ability to complete monotonous work, such as helping with cooking, setting a table, making his/her bed, or folding clothes. - If your child truly needs a fidget, provide him/her with a low stimulation fidget, such as a stress ball.’ Indonesia Day - Baguskan Last Wednesday the MP classes had Aaron and Nita from Baguskan come and visit for the day. The aim of the day was to immerse the students in Indonesian culture. During class this term the Year 3 and 4s have been learning about a traditional Indonesian folktale called ‘The Ramayana’. Baguskan gave the students an opportunity to put their learning into practice as each class learnt music on the gamelan (an Indonesian orchestra) and dances to perform the Ramayana story in a concert later in the day. The students looked amazing in their brightly coloured costumes and it was wonderful to see everyone participate in the concert. They also enjoyed making masks and riding the becaks. Before they got on the becak they had a conversation in Indonesian with their driver. Terima kasih to the Year 9 drivers. Terima kasih - Thank you - to Nita, Aaron, staff and students who made this day a great success. Well done everyone on a great day.

P -4 News

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Here are some recounts from MP-S:- ‘The masks were fun to make and were really colourful. I really liked making them. We had to colour them as brightly as we could. They were used for Indonesian dance and concerts.’ Ryan O’Dwyer ‘When we were learning the Indonesian dance, we were actually practising for a concert. We were able to wear costumes. MP-S were the Giant Army, MP-B were the Monkey Warriors and MP-J were the Giants as well as the main characters of Rama and Sinta, the Golden Deer, Old Man Bird and Rama’s brother’. Chloe Ash ‘The music the MP’s played was the Indonesian gamelan and the Year 9’s helped us practise. We played the gong and the xylophone and the Indonesian drum.’ Jabe Brown ‘On Indonesian Day we were riding the becaks and it was really fun. When the Year 9’s were pedalling us around, we had to speak to them in Indonesian. When Ollie started pedalling Isaac, they fell over because they were going too fast. It was a great day.’ Iziah Wilson ‘On Indonesian Day we had a concert and we were the performers. The concert was about the story of Rama and Sinta. The plot was that Rama gets banished by his father, the King. He goes into the forest with his brother and his wife Sinta. The Giant King kidnaps Sinta. We were the Giant’s Army and we had to battle the Monkey Warriors whom were helping Rama. We all died in the battle. Rama killed the Giant King and saved Sinta. I liked it very much.’ Felix Muscovich Religious Professional Development Last week Mrs Brock, Mrs Bullen and myself travelled to Melbourne to undertake Religious Professional Development – ‘Engaging with Sacraments’. In Day 1 of 3, we reflected on what Sacraments mean to us in our own personal experiences, when have we felt God and what are signs, symbols and rituals we associate with Sacraments. The aim of this professional development is to gain a deeper understanding of what Sacraments mean and how best to teach our students about them to provide a lifelong understanding of the Sacraments and fond memories associated with making them.

Eucharist Students are looking forward to their Eucharist Sharing Day on Friday 23rd June, with the Eucharist Mass happening on Sunday 25th June at 10.00am. We look forward ot seeing you all there.

A big thank you to Mrs Loretta Duncan for helping with the mask-making.

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Some Reminders… - Canteen (On wet days and at recess) Please be reminded that students from P-4 are not permitted to go to the canteen at recess on any day. On wet days, only Canteen Monitors can drop off and pick up lunch orders for their class. Any items ordered on a wet day, such as gelatis and icy poles, will be carried over until the next dry day. This is for the students’ safety whilst it is raining and to also ensure students stay as dry as possible. - Sport Uniform in Terms 2 & 3: On days of sport, students are to wear blue tracksuit pants whilst the weather is cold. Shorts can be worn under tracksuit pants or changed into before sport but pants are to be worn before and after the sport session. Illness – Just a reminder if your child feels unwell, has had an unwell or unsettled night, vomits or has a green nose, whilst they are still permitted to be at school, we strongly encourage they stay at home until these symptoms clear. There are very few ways to prevent re-infection, so staying at home is one way. We also continue to encourage children to wash their hands and use sanitizer before eating or after sneezing, particularly as the weather turns cold.

Until next time, continue to ACT JUSTLY, SHOW RESPECT and DO OUR BEST. If you have any concerns or questions,

please don’t hesitate to see your classroom teacher or myself – you know I love visitors!

Mrs Anne Spencer: P-4 Co-ordinator

Don’t forget All Prep students have been given an envelope regarding to the School Nursing Program. Enclosed is a School Entrant Health Questionnaire for parents/guardians to complete and return to the College. The primary school nurse will be visiting the College to assess all Prep children and provide parents and or/guardians with the opportunity to raise any concerns they many have about their child’s health and development with the school nurse.

Melissa Eddy: School Nurse, Seymour

School Nursing Program – Department of Education

New Enrolments

Enrolments for all year levels, especially Prep and Year Seven are now open.

Please contact the College Office for an Information Package.

Applications for Round 1 Interviews close 9th June 2017

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As we hit the half way mark of our term, we would like you to continue to encourage your child to ‘try their very best’ with all their studies, ensuring all work tasks are completed on time and

to a high standard, as we approach mid year reports. I would like to make a special mention of our Year 7’s and how well they have continued to transition into secondary schooling. They have been a mature, responsible and positive group of young adolescents who embrace their learning and are fully engaged in all their classes. Research shows that adolescents can struggle at times to cope with change, especially as they enter secondary schooling. The advantage our students have is that we are cohesive Prep to Year 10 College, which enables this transition from Year 6 into Year 7 to run smoothly.

We continue to offer support at lunchtimes for those students who would like to utilise HOMEWORK CLUB, especially if unable to complete tasks at home on a regularly basis. Please encourage your child to take advantage of this opportunity. Be sure to browse through your child’s student planner, as there are notes and reminders that may be useful, as well as and please sign it weekly. We also have fantastic staff who offer their time on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon from 3.30pm to 4.30pm for any of our secondary students who would like some one on one support with their Mathematics. A wonderful opportunity for your Year 7 child to get some extra assistance with any difficulty they may be having understanding mathematical concepts at the secondary level. We would like to thank Mrs Molinaro and Mrs Cullum for bringing us another wonderful Indonesian cultural experience. The concert of the Ramayana story set to Kecak and Gamelan was fantastic. The costumes and instruments came alive with every Middle Primary student being totally engaged.

Yr. 5-7 New

Our Year 5-7 students thoroughly enjoyed the concert and following the story.

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During our Pastoral Care sessions, our homerooms continues to discuss our term goal. ‘Strive to Succeed’ through the ‘Keys To Success’ program. The 5 Keys to Success are Persistence, Getting Along, Confidence, Organisation and Resilience.

Our Positive Behaviour Goal for this term continues to be: ‘Strive To Succeed ’

Our ‘Key to Success’ focus in the next couple of weeks will be ‘Resilience’. Resilience means knowing how to stop myself from getting extremely angry, down, or worried when something bad happens. It means being able to calm down and feel better when I get very upset. It also means being able to control my behaviour when I am very upset. Examples of Resilience are:- - When someone treats me unfairly, inconsiderately disrespectfully, I can stop myself from getting too angry and lashing out. - When I make mistakes, do not understand something, get a bad school report, or am teased or ignored, I can stop myself from getting very down. - When I have an important test or activity to perform, I can stop myself from getting extremely worried. - When I want to meet someone new, I can stop myself from getting extremely worried. - When someone is putting pressure on me to do the wrong thing, I can stop myself from getting extremely worried about what they will think of me if I stand up and say “no”

Ms Zine Dovara: 5-7 Level Co-ordinator Final Reminder – order closing soon…

Fees and Levies – Now Due Families are reminded that the payment of all Curriculum Levies (Primary and Secondary) are now due.

Please do not hesitate to ring me at the College if you need to discuss this.

If you have not been receiving your statement or require another copy please contact the College.

Mrs Meryl Connell

The following photos (20x25cm approx) are available at the College Office for viewing and purchase at $15.00 each:

- College Captains - Class Captains - Sports Captains - SRC Reps - Middle Secondary Leaders

If you wish to buy one or more of these photographs, please contact the College Office.

Proof

. … from The

Business Manager

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Term Two Focus: … ‘I am an Upstander – what do you stand up for? What better way to celebrate exam week than enjoy a delicious morning tea prepared by their mentors! That is exactly what our Year Ten students enjoyed on Tuesday May 30th… home made soups, slices, muffins, hot party pies and sausage rolls. This was our mid term catch up as these students are all out and about next week doing their Work Experience. Special thanks to all those staff members who prepared cooked, baked and prepared food for this wonderful morning tea. Mr Brian O’Dwyer and Mrs Tanya Oakley have worked tirelessly with the students setting up their work placements for them out and about in various work places. As part of their Careers program our Year Tens attended the Careers Expo at Assumption College last Friday May 26th. From all accounts our students enjoyed the expo and came away with showbags full of information for future courses and pathways. Thanks to Mr O’D and Tanya for organising the day! Last Friday afternoon the College community attended the Sorry Day assembly run by Mrs Brock. Congratulations to all students on the respectful manner in which you all participated in this assembly and hopefully you all learnt something about the special significance of this day and our indigenous stories and traditions. Congratulations to Ebony Marshall and Keegan Grant, our College Captains who continue to grow and impress on every occasion with their maturity and confidence in carrying out their roles….So Proud!!!

Last Tuesday I accompanied the girls who were playing netball in Shepparton, on their Southern Ranges sports day. What a great day… participation rate was fantastic and all girls were inclusive and encouraging of each other. Some great shots here of our Year 8 girls team and the whole group supporting and encouraging our Year 7 girls in their last game. Thanks to our sports co-ordinator Miss D who always organises a great day for us all!

Yr. 8-10 News

Careers Expo Year Tens Sorry Day Assembly

Southern Ranges Sports Day Mentor Morning Tea

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As part of their B4W program this week our students started off their day with a Shared Breakfast and then participated in Wheelchair Basketball run by the Disability Sport and Recreation Group from Melbourne. This activity is a hands on experience for the students in learning what it’s like to have a disability and still play sport. What is WheelTalk?? It is an interactive program teaching students about diversity, acceptance and disability. Presenters are Victorians with disability who are actively involved in sport and recreation. At the end of the presentation, participants play up to an hour of wheelchair basketball, which gives them a physical understanding of what it is like to live with a disability. The students were thoroughly engaged in this session and their feedback was most positive and insightful with regards to people with a disability. In Year 9 Religious Education classes we are studying the changes the Vatican 2 Council had on the Catholic Church in the 1960s and after. As part of this unit our students made their own bishops hats and actually participated in their own council with various documents being debated. It is a hands on way for the students to experience what the council was like and how the documents were presented and debated. They are currently viewing the mini series ‘The Brides Of Christ’ as part of this unit also. This will give them insight into what the Catholic schools and students were like during the 60’s pre and post Vatican 2. It has been pleasing to see so many of our students take advantage of the many opportunities being offered here for them by our teachers to have Maths tutoring, literacy help or study time in the library both at lunchtimes and after school on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Keep up the great work everyone and thanks to all those staff who take on these extra commitments. Pathways At St Marys.

The Year 10 students were invited by Assumption College to attend their annual Careers Expo. So between recess and lunch time on Friday May 26th May our Year10’s travelled by bus and enjoyed the hospitality in the Gonzales Centre. There was a great array of information stalls and interactive displays. Including most of the major universities, GOTAFE and Bendigo Kangan TAFE, displays from:- Racing Victoria, Master Plumbers, VACC Automobile Apprenticeships, Young Eagles- flight experience program. Marcus Oldham Agriculture and Equine College, Design Colleges from Acadamy of Design Australia and the Whitehouse Institute, The Institute for Drone Technology, Victoria Police and Ambulance, Northern Health, Veterinarians, and many more. It was great for our students to mingle with many of the area schools and enjoy this well presented display.

We hope this has stimulated some more ideas for our Year Ten in their future pathways. The Year 10’s have been busily preparing for their week of work experience next week. There are a lot of new learning experiences in this program, from nervously contacting employers, filling out arrangement forms, learning OHS requirements in the workforce, learning about appropriate presentation and behavior at work, and privacy and confidentiality in the workplace. Our students will be experiencing the world of work in health, education, equine, building and automotive trades, engineering, hospitality, design, animal care, research, town planning, administration, IT, retail, parks maintenance and horticulture. We look forward to hearing about their week in the life of work.

Mr Brian O’Dwyer & Mrs Tanya Oakley Pathways & Careers

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Student Profile: On a Wednesday I come to school to do straight Year Ten classes. I chose to do straight Year Ten over VCE Maths and VET because I’m not the best at Maths and I didn’t go for VET because I missed my offer to do a VET course. On a Wednesday I have my study period first to help me and others to get ahead in the subjects and tasks given by the teachers. After that Maths for us and VCE Maths for those who chose to do it, then English and then two periods of Robotics until the end of the day. Hayden Knox

Every week on a Wednesday, I along with a few other Year 10’s do VCE General Maths with Mrs Gordon. At first l was unsure of what to choose because I had no idea on what my future career is going to be. Despite this, I don’t regret choosing this subject as Mrs Gordon is encouraging and a bubbly teacher who has lots of patience. She lets the students know when to be quiet and work. In my opinion Maths opens up a wider career path and starting VCE in year 10 will give me the opportunity to study a Year 11 subject. I recommended doing the VCE Maths for all students, as it benefits you in your future years of schooling. Sally Su

This year I have chosen to do straight Year Ten every Wednesday. We start the day with a study period to work on assignments that we have due, then we have Maths with Mr Keating. After recess we have English with Mrs Rowland, then we have Creative Arts for period 4 & 5, we either do Drama or Robotics. I enjoy doing straight Year Ten. Tayla Pollard

Every Wednesday each week I go down to Seymour College to do my Building and Construction VET course. I learn about the basics of being a Builder/Carpenter from our teacher Mr Burgess, We usually do a fair bit of book work on Safety and the right ways of doing things but for every period of book work we usually do a period of wood work. I love what I learn from this experience and I enjoy the timetable that they offer. I also enjoy going down the street during recess and lunch and grabbing some food. William Voisey

All Country Buses: Students travelling to or from school on a friend’s bus, need to collect a ‘Form 10: Application for Adboc Travel – Student’ from the College Office and have it filled in, and returned to the Office prior to the date of travel so that it can be approved by the Bus Company. Alternatively parents can phone the College Office and request an email version to complete.

Adhoc Travel is not permitted without written permission from the parent.

Town Service/Pucka/Telegraph Rd & Sungarrin Rd. Buses:

Puckapunyal: Students intending to use Interim bus travel to Puckapunyal are required to purchase a Myki Card (the system of pay $1.20 per trip is no longer available).

Telegraph Road Bus is equipped with the Myki System. BUT students can still choose to pay as they go ($1.20) - which at this stage is still applicable on this bus service.

Sungarrin Road Mini Bus: Students will continue to pay as they go ($1.20). An Interim Bus pass is to be issued out of courtesy.

Mrs Mary Tampion: 8-10 Level Co-ordinator

Seymour Coaches

Adhoc Travel Travelling On A Friend’s Bus

Going to a friend’s house; attending sports training; meeting a family member.

Myki Cards can be purchased from the bus driver at a cost of $3.00. The driver will then credit your card to the value you wish (eg $10.00: gives you the purchase of the card and travel credit for approx. 5 one way trips. Myki Cards are also available for purchase from a Newsagency or Post Office.

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DATES TO REMEMBER Term Two JUNE: Friday 2nd SP Swim Program: M:11.15am; G:12.00noon; K:12.45pm Wk.8: [A] Mon 5th Yr.10 ‘Work Placement’ Week Prim. Division Cross Country World Environment Day Friday 9th SP Swim Program: (times as above) Wk.9: Monday 12th Queen’s Birthday – Public Holiday [B] Tuesday 13th Staff PD Day – Student Free Day Wed. 14th Yr.9 B4W ‘ Whroo Excursion’ Friday 16th SP Swim Program (times as above) Level Assemblies (2.20pm) Wk.10: Monday 19th Wellbeing Week [A] Wed. 21st Primary District Cross Country Friday 23rd Eucharist Sharing Day Reconciliation for First Eucharist Candidates (10.00am) SP Swim Program (times as above) Sunday 25th Sacrament of Eucharist (10.00am) Wk.11: Monday 26th Yr.10 Immunisation: Meningococcal [B] Tuesday 27th Yr.10 Art Excursion to National Gallery Wed. 28th June Yr.9 B4W ‘Melbourne Trip’ (by Bus) St. Vinnies Winter Appeal Mass (9.00am) Friday 30th SP Swim Program: (times as above) Rug-Up Day College Assembly (12.30pm) Term Two Concludes – Student dismissed at 2.30pm Term Three JULY Monday 17th Term 3 Commences for Staff & Students Wk.1: Tuesday 18th Confirmation - Faith and Information Evening (7.00pm) [A] Thursday 20th State Cross Country (Prim & Sec) Friday 21st Yr.10 Careers Expo

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

These dates are subject to change.

Any changes will be noted in red. Watch

this space!

Sacramental Program:

Sacrament of Confirmation: Friday 25th August (7.00pm)

CANTEEN ROSTER

5th – 9th June (10.45am-2.30pm)

Friday 2nd June Jo Fairweather, Karen Pearce

Monday 5th June April Clark

Tuesday 6th June Suzanne Lubeck

Wed. 7th June Kelly Rogers

Thursday 8th June Dimitra Caruana

Friday 9th June Jodie Parchomenko, Barb Plum

ST. MARY’S PARISH SEYMOUR ~ ST. JOSEPH’S TALLAROOK

Parish Priest: Father Eugene Ashkar TELEPHONE: (03) 5792 1064

MASS TIMES: St. Mary’s: SAT 6.00pm, SUN 10.00am; St. Joseph’s: SUN 8.30am

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE 90 High Street, SEYMOUR, TELEPHONE: (03) 5792 2611

PO BOX 269, SEYMOUR 3661 Office Hours: 8.15am-4.30pm

Class Mass (9.00am)

7/6: MP 19/6: Yr.10 21/6: JP