Term 3 Week 2 Monday 22nd July 2024
- Acknowledgement of Country
- From the Principal
- Important Dates:
- Our Lady of Mercy Parish News
- Welcome to our School Community
- St Colman's Footy Tipping
- St Colman's Annual Major Raffle
- Student Achievement
- Gaga Pit
- School Uniform
- Weekly Award Winners
- Playgroup at St Colman's
- School Wide Positive Behaviour Support
- SchoolTV Wellbeing Platform
- St. Colman's School is a Child Safe Community
- Toastie Tuesday
- Lunch Orders
- Out of School Care
- AngliCare Energy Assistance
- NCCD
Acknowledgement of Country
St Colman’s acknowledges the Girai wurung people as the traditional owners of the land on which our school stands and we respectfully recognise elders both past and present.
From the Principal
Dear St Colman's community,
Welcome to Term 3. While the weather has been cold and gloomy, we have been warmed by the enthusiasm and joy of our students as they have returned to school and reconnected with their friends.
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and had plenty of opportunities to do those things that fill your emotional banks and recharge your batteries for another busy term ahead.
I was blessed to experience a wonderful trip travelling around Ireland and Scotland with sixteen of my colleagues from the Diocese of Ballarat. The purpose of our trip was to explore the inspirations and lives of some of the founding patrons of our various schools, including Catherine McAuley (founder of the Sisters of Mercy), Teresa Bell (founder of the Loretto Order), Solas Bhride Centre (spirituality centre for St Brigid; founder of the Brigidine Sisters), Edmund Rice (founder of the Christian Brothers) and Nano Nagle (founder of her own religious order, the Presentation Sisters). Visiting the many homes, museums and monuments of our founders helped me develop a greater understanding of their individual journeys. I was also provided with invaluable insight into a life dedicated to service and witness and have been inspired to ensure our school remains true to the original vision of these people in providing faith-based education and a holistic education: one that develops the whole person - intellectually, spiritually, morally, and socially.
Read on to find out what else is happening in our school community. It is always a good idea to familiarise yourself with the key dates section of the newsletter. Please feel free to contact me at any time with any questions, concerns or suggestions you may have.
Have a wonderful week.
Kind regards,
Janet
Important Dates:
Term 3
Wednesday 31st July- SAC Meeting at 6:30pm in Staffroom at school
Monday 5th August- 150th anniversary of the Diocese of Ballarat Message Stick stops at St Colman's
Tuesday 6th August- Kinder Visit
- Parent Teacher Interviews
Thursday 8, 15, 22 and 29th August- Gymnastics in Warrnambool
Monday 12th August- Seniors to visit Aberlea
Thursday 18th August- Bullying No Way Day
Friday 16th August- 5/6 Hooptime in Terang
Monday 26th August- Dental Van (all week)
- Book Week at St Colman's
- MRC Discovery Day
Wednesday 28th August- Father's Day Breakfast
Thursday 29th August- Book Fair and Parade
Friday 30th August- 3/4 Hooptime in Terang
Mon-Tues Sept 2nd-3rd- Year 3/4 to Warrnambool
Thursday 5th September- Major Raffle Drawn
Monday 9th September- Middles to visit Aberlea
Friday 13th September- Grade 5/6 Excursion to Budj Bim
16th - 20th September - Meals on Wheels
Tuesday 17th September - Bell's Shakespeare at Mortlake College
Friday 20th September - Footy Colours Day
- Term 3 ends
2024 School Camps (with St Thomas’ Terang)
Sept 2nd-3rd: Year 3/4 Warra Gnan Coastal Camp, Warrnambool
Nov 13th-15th: Year 5/6 Dunkeld Adventure Camp
Catholic Identity
One of the many highlights of my recent trip to Ireland was a visit to Catherine's House, the first house of Mercy built by Catherine McAuley in response to the needs of the community of Dublin at that time. Catherine established the ‘House of Mercy’ in 1827, which provided shelter for homeless women and children, as well as educational and social services for them. Catherine had a particular focus on empowering women, striving to help them recognise their inherent worth and achieve independence. Education was central to McAuley's mission, as she believed it was key to lifting people out of poverty and enabling them to support themselves. She established schools that focused on educating Catholics at a time when education was primarily reserved for members of the established Church of Ireland.
McAuley's approach was innovative for her time, particularly her work with women. Her legacy continues through the many schools, hospitals, and social service organisations founded by the Sisters of Mercy around the globe and St Colman’s Primary School proudly continues the work of this champion woman.
Mercy House, Dublin
Our Lady of Mercy Parish News
WEEKEND MASS TIMES
ST THOMAS’ TERANG
Saturday 6.00 pm
Sunday 10.30 am
ST COLMAN’S MORTLAKE
Sunday 9.00 am
Community Engagement
Welcome to our School Community
Last week we welcomed Tomas Weatherly, along with his parents Eli and Hamish and sister Matilda, into the St Colman's school family. We know that they will love being part of our wonderful community.
Please introduce yourselves and make them feel welcome when you meet them around our school.
St Colman's Footy Tipping
With the AFL Footy season well over halfway, it is a timely reminder to pay your entry fee. Only paid up members will be eligible for the prizes. $20 for adults and $10 for primary school aged children.
Current table topper is Angela Absalom on 109 points. Josh J is in second place and a mystery member called ESPNFAN823874... is sitting in third spot.
Leader Board
St Colman's Annual Major Raffle
This week we are officially launching our school raffle and tickets are now available to be purchased from the Try Booking link below.
We have renamed our raffle the "Local Loot Draw" as the prizes are being supplied by a large variety of Mortlake businesses in the form of vouchers and gift cards. The lucky winner of the first prize will receive $3,000 in vouchers to spend at many Mortlake businesses.
The "Local Loot Draw" will take place at school on Thursday 5th September 2024.
First Prize $3000 in vouchers supplied by Mortlake businesses
Second Prize $1000 Neighbourhood Benefit EFTPOS card supplied by Acciona
Third Prize $500 voucher supplied by Bates IGA Supermarket Mortlake
Last year the raffle raised almost $10,000 for our school and we would love to do the same again this year. All money raised will go into upgrading our current playground.
This year all families will be rostered on to sell tickets at community ‘hot spots’.
Clarke’s Café - Fridays 11-2pm
Bate’s Supermarket - Saturdays 10-2pm
WVLX (Mortlake Saleyards)- 1st and 3rd Thursdays of most months (1st and 15th August and 5th September) 9am -1pm
If you have a preference of where and when you would like to be rostered on, please contact the office ASAP as we are in the process of creating this roster.
Teaching and Learning
Student Achievement
Congratulations to our Year 6 student Remy Herry, who recently was awarded first prize in the state final of the Victorian Agricultural Shows (VAS) Junior Carrot and Date Muffin section.
Well done, Remy!! St Colman's School is very proud of you!
Gaga Pit
Our very versatile maintenance manager, Tim McKenzie, was busy over the holidays as he completed the installation of our new Gaga Pit. We are very grateful to Tim for his work and especially grateful to Acciona (Mortlake South Wind Farm) for their grant of $3000.00 that helped fund this project.
Yet another way to keep our students fit, active and socially engaged during their play breaks!
School Uniform
With Winter well and truly upon us, it is timely to remind us all of the uniform expectations at our school. We have noticed quite a few students regularly wearing clothes that are not a part of our uniform. Sports uniform is only to be worn on SPORTS DAY (Wednesday) and black leggings are not allowed. Your support in enforcing our uniform policy with your children would be greatly appreciated!
The School Uniform and how we wear it is a reflection on our School. Children should wear their uniform with pride and a sense of belonging to the St Colman’s School community.
Boys’ Winter Uniform:
Navy blue rugby school jumper or navy blue school jacket
Navy blue polo shirt (short or long sleeved)
Grey cotton drill trousers
Navy blue socks (Crew length)
Girls' Winter Uniform:
Navy blue rugby school jumper or navy blue school jacket
Navy blue polo shirt (short or long sleeved)
Navy skirt or navy cotton drill trousers
Navy blue socks (Crew length)
Unisex Sports Uniform:
Navy blue polo shirt
School blue shorts or PLAIN navy blue tracksuit pants or leggings
Navy blue socks (Crew length)
Runners
Weekly Award Winners
Congratulations to these amazing students who were acknowledged for their achievements at our end of week assembly on the last day of term 2 as well as Week 1 awards last Friday.
Award Winners
Playgroup at St Colman's
We look forward to welcoming back our local pre-schoolers every second Friday, with our next session being held next week Friday August 2nd.
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD WITH YOUR FRIENDS WHO HAVE PRE SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN. EVERYONE IS WELCOME!!!
The ongoing commitment to this project will require support from other members of the school community. If you are willing to help out by going on a roster to help organise Little Colman’s, please contact either the school or Lily.
WE WILL NEED TO PURCHASE SOME GAMES AND EQUIPMENT FOR OUR PLAYGROUP. HOWEVER, WE WONDERED IF YOU HAD ANY OLD TOYS AND GAMES THAT YOUR CHILDREN HAVE GROWN OUT OF AND THAT YOU NO LONGER NEED. IF SO, WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE THE DONATION OF ANY PRE-SCHOOL TOYS AND GAMES, INDOOR OR OUTDOOR, THAT ARE IN EXCELLENT USED CONDITION.
WELLLBEING
School Wide Positive Behaviour Support
School Wide Positive Behaviour Support is: A multi-tiered framework for establishing the social culture and behavioural supports needed for a school to achieve behavioural and academic outcomes for all students. For the next two weeks at St Colman’s we are working with our students on developing effective learning habits that will set them up for success throughout the year ahead. During that time, all staff will be reinforcing the behaviour expectations as set out in our Behavior Matrix (below).
SchoolTV Wellbeing Platform
Raising Girls
This week's link is to a selection of articles that aim to help support parents to nurture and raise confident, happy young girls.
It is no surprise that girls today are transitioning to puberty a lot earlier than they did a century ago. The physical, psychological and emotional changes that occur during this time can be challenging for girls, but also their parents. Some parents and carers may feel uncertain about how best to support their daughter through the ups and downs of adolescence. With the rise of social media and technology, mental health difficulties in girls are increasing as often they are faced with online images that make it difficult to see themselves as acceptable. Many are being exposed to porn, sexualisation and innuendo from a very young age. Girls need positive role models in their lives to step up and help them shine with self-respect and confidence.
St. Colman's School is a Child Safe Community
Child Safety Officers
Janet Cain and Rosie O'Connor are our Child Safety Officers.
Contact them on:
Phone: 55992285 or 0490539167
Email: jcain@scmortlake.catholic.edu.au or roconnor@scmortlake.catholic.edu.au
The Child Safe Standards
The Child Safe Standards (the Standards) are compulsory minimum standards for all Victorian schools to ensure they are well prepared to keep children and young people safe and protect them from abuse. provides the framework for child safety in schools.
Community Noticeboard
Our Student Representative Council will be co ordinating our partnership with Cooinda Terang to become a collection point for Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic).
We will be collecting all eligible empty drink containers and then returning them to the CDS collection point at Cooinda. The 10c raised from each return will go back to the SRC. They will nominate various charities to support as well as using 50% of the funds to upgrade school resources.
So please start collecting and sending in your empties.
Most aluminium, glass, plastic and liquid paperboard (carton) drink containers between 150mL and 3 litres are eligible. You can keep the lids on, we recycle them too. The easiest way to know if your drink container can be returned is to look for the 10c mark on the label, often located near the barcode.
You can help in two ways:
- The first is by far the simplest. Just return your empty eligible containers to the tubs in the corridors at school.
- If you have a large amount of containers to deposit, you may wish to take them to a Container Deposit Depot and return them yourself. Please download the CDS Vic West App (instructions below). When you return your containers, nominate St Colman's School Mortlake as the charity you want to donate the money to.
Please note, that as we are in partnership with Cooinda Terang, our preferred deposit depot is their Reverse Vending Machine located at 49 Dow St Terang.
Toastie Tuesday
Lunch Orders
LUNCH ORDERS are only available twice a week on Monday and Friday.
Menu and price list below
Out of School Care
A reminder that we continue to have access to Out of School Care in 2024, supplied by TheirCare, at Mortlake College. Registration is made via the TheirCare website. https://theircare.com.au/
Search for Mortlake College P-12
AngliCare Energy Assistance
As part of Anglicare Victoria’s FREE Energy Assistance Program, they provide assistance with energy bills to support Victorians to:
- Talk to their energy retailer and get help with debt
- Access extra financial support
- Check they are receiving eligible concessions on their bill
- Find and move to an affordable energy plan
- Understand bills and fix any possible errors
- Support your child's education with free internet at home
They can provide immediate assistance for clients who are struggling to pay for their gas or electricity bills to prevent disconnection to their property!
The follower two flyers provide further details.
NCCD
Please read the attached information sheet for parents regarding NCCD.