Dear Families,

I hope this message finds you well. As the 2024 school year approaches, I would like to share some important updates and information with you.

The 2024 school year will commence on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. Please mark this date in your calendars. We look forward to welcoming all students back to STM for another exciting academic year. If, for any reason, your child will not be returning to STM in 2024, we kindly request that you email me at dhurn@stmhadfield.catholic.edu.au as soon as possible. Your prompt communication will assist us in our planning and preparations for the upcoming school year.

Our dedicated teachers are currently finalising class lists for 2024. I appreciate the families who have already emailed us with requests. If you have specific requests, please make sure to email me at dhurn@stmhadfield.catholic.edu.au by Friday, November 10, 2023. While we make every effort to accommodate individual requests, please understand that creating balanced class lists can be complex, and we may not always meet every specific request. I want to assure you that our primary focus in forming class lists is the wellbeing and educational needs of each student. We consider various factors, including academic needs, social dynamics, and teacher expertise to ensure a positive and productive learning environment for all.

Last week I sent out information to the community regarding the consolidation of our current Year 1 and Year 3 levels to 2 classes, resulting in two Year 2 classes and two Year 4 classes in 2024. I appreciate that this change can be concerning but we want to assure you that this change has been carefully considered and in consultation with the Staff, School Advisory Board and Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) and we believe it will not impact the quality of learning and teaching your children receive. Our focus remains on the wellbeing and academic success of all.

Next week, you will receive a letter in your email regarding school fees and levies for the upcoming academic year. This letter will provide details on payments, as well as contact information for any questions or assistance you may need. We are committed to ensuring transparency and clear communication regarding financial matters.

As I mentioned last week the school has been successful in gaining a Capital Fund Grant of 2 million dollars to enhance our facilities and buildings, with a particular focus on the Junior Building. We are working closely with MACS to finalise the building timeline, and we will keep you updated on developments as they come to hand. We value your partnership in your child's education, and we are excited about the positive changes and improvements that the grant will bring to our school.

We are excited to announce that our Prep 2024 orientation sessions are just around the corner! This is a fantastic opportunity for our incoming Prep students to come together and get a head start on their educational journey. On Tuesday, November 14th, and Tuesday, November 21st, from 9:15 AM to 11:00 AM, we invite your child to join us for a fun and interactive orientation. Please enter the school via Angus Street. North Street entrance will be locked. More information regarding Prep Orientation was sent to parents via email on October 18, please refer to this email as it contains important information. 

Warm regards,
David Hurn
Principal 

Click this link to subscribe directly to our STM Public Events Google Calendar for web or Android users. Click this link to subscribe if you are an iPhone user. 

NOVEMBER

• Tuesday 14th - 2025 Prep Orientation Day 9.15-11.00am

• Tuesday 21st - 2025 Prep Orientation Day 9.15-11.00am

DECEMBER

• Tuesday 5th - Volunteers Day

• Thursday 7th - Carols Evening 5.30-7.30pm

• Wednesday 13th - End of term Mass at 10.00am - all families welcome to attend

• Thursday 14th - Year 6 Graduation

• Friday 15th - Last Day Term 4 12.00pm finish; gold coin donation charity TBC; canteen closed

**'Public Events' are listed on our website under 'News and Events', the link being; https://www.stmhadfield.catholic.edu.au/news-events

On the bottom right hand side there is a blue box with a + symbol. If you have a google account, you can link the 'Public Events' calendar to your own personal Google calendar and keep up to date with the most current events and times.

Please don't hesitate to contact the office if you have any questions.

JANUARY

• Monday  29th - Staff return to school 

• Tuesday 30th - All students, including Preps, return to school

• Wednesday 31st - Preps have Wednesdays off in January and February

FEBRUARY

• Wednesday 07th - Preps have Wednesdays off in February

• Wednesday 14th - Preps have Wednesdays off in February

• Wednesday 21st - Preps have Wednesdays off in February

• Wednesday 28th - Preps have Wednesdays off in February

MARCH

• Tuesday 05th - School Photos

• Monday 11th - Labour Day Public Holiday

• Tuesday 12th - 2025 Enrolment Tours at 9.30am

• Tuesday 19th - 2025 Enrolment Tours at 9.30am & 6.30pm

• Friday 22nd - 2025 Prep enrolments due

• Thursday 28th - Last day term 1 2024 - 12.00pm finish

• Friday 29th - Good Friday

**'Public Events' are listed on our website under 'News and Events', the link being; https://www.stmhadfield.catholic.edu.au/news-events

On the bottom right hand side there is a blue box with a + symbol. If you have a google account, you can link the 'Public Events' calendar to your own personal Google calendar and keep up to date with the most current events and times.

Please don't hesitate to contact the office if you have any questions.

Author’s Corner

This week we celebrate a few writing pieces from our Year 1 students. They were provided with an interesting image and were asked to complete a quick write, recording what could happen in the jungle in just one minute. 

The Jingle Jangle Jungle

Swinging upside down, the monkeys laughed so much that they got a tummy ache. At 9:59 a giraffe was quickly drinking water because the hippo was racing the giraffe to see who was the fastest drinker. The snake was showing off how cool he was. Slow walking, the turtle looked in the tiny mirror that fit his face. Slowly wiggling was the sloth, smiling bright while the rabbit was bouncing high. The fish were splashing and when they got to the bottom it made a big splash WHOOSH! Staring at the hippo was a bear trying to hide behind the tree, at the same time the squirrel was calmly eating hard nuts. Hiding behind the bush was a worm because birds eat worms. The time struck 10:00.

Isla (year 1)

In the jungle in one minute, the sloth was laying down on a wooden log. The hippopotamus was relaxing on the light water, the giraffe was bending down to slurp some water. Up in a tree the monkey was swinging tree to tree. Behind the dark brown tree a bear is having a calm moment. On the light grass the turtle is slowly walking towards the lake. The bunny was sitting on the log and the squirrel was poking its head out of the tree. 

Leah (year 1)

The blue little fish can swim in one minute. The squirrel can climb the tree in one minute. In one minute the big brown sloth slowly crawls across a big log. The giant tortoise can slowly swim across the lake. In one minute the snake can attack the bunny. The bunny can run away quickly from the snake. In one minute a bear can eat two fish. A giraffe can lean over the lake. In one minute a monkey can swing on the giant green vine. A hippopotamus can drink ten gallons of water. In one minute a crocodile can attack a llama. A shark can eat ten fish. In one minute a tiger can hunt a lion. A bison can hit a horse with its powerful horns. 

Archie (year 1)

Reading Eggs Audit

Thank you to the Prep - 2 parents who responded to the survey regarding the use of Reading Eggs at home. After reviewing the responses, the school has decided not to renew our Reading Eggs subscription in 2024. This choice is based on the assessment that the cost of the program outweighs the benefits it provides. At the beginning of next year, we will provide you with a list of online resources that your child may wish to use to support their learning at home. Thank you for your understanding.

Michelle Rinaldi
Acting Literacy Leader

MOPS (Maths Olympiads for Primary Schools) and Maths Explorer Participants for 2023

Congratulations to the following students for their outstanding efforts in this year's competitions. 

MOPS is a competition that is aimed at very high achieving year 5 and 6 students and Maths Explorer is aimed at students in year 3 and 4. The competitions focus on problem solving skills and strategies.

Please note that entry into the competition is via nomination according to mathematics data collected at the beginning of the year. The competition runs from the end of term 1 to the end of term 3. 

Awards will be posted in the next newsletter