Advent is a season with its own mood, colours, sounds, words and joys. Sometimes it can be swamped by Christmas and we can be tempted by all that is around us to celebrate Christmas too early. At St Mary’s our classrooms invoke the signs and symbols of Advent for as long as possible – all the time building the sense of waiting, expectation and hope that the season of Advent is. During Advent we all come to understand what it was like when the world waited long ago for the coming of Jesus, the ‘Light of the World’.

During this Advent season the College community will be gathering in the gardens on

Monday mornings throughout the Advent season…

Come along and join us.Come along and join us.Come along and join us.Come along and join us.

Teachers are finalising reports for 2016. This year reports will be distributed on Friday 9th December. Upon receiving your child’s report you may wish to speak with a teacher. Please make direct contact with your child's teacher before the end of the school year. Staff will be available until Monday 19th December should you wish to discuss your child’s report.

Before collecting their Reports students need to ensure that they have returned all Library books and resources belonging to the College. Parents are also requested to confirm that payments of fees have been finalised and lap top payments are up to date. This request is being made to ensure that the College is able to prepare and plan for 2017. If you have any concerns about fees or lap top payments please contact the College Business Manager, Mrs Meryl Connell.

On Orientation Day all students Prep to Year 7 will be with their class and teacher for 2017. The main focus on this day is to ensure that all students and staff enjoy their new class, have lots of fun getting to make new friends moving into next year. I thank all teachers for their planning and preparation of classes and hope that everyone has a great day.

THE MARIAN ST. MARY’S COLLEGE

SEYMOUR

www.smseymour.catholic.edu.au

No. 38 (1/12/16)

T.4 Week 9 of 11

Advent Week 2

End of Year Reports

Fees and Lap Top Payments

Orientation Day – Tuesday 6th December

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I was lucky enough throughout the week to get a sneak preview of a draft of this year’s Odyssey. For those new to St. Mary’s this year, I am referring to our annual College magazine that features all the events and activities throughout the year in a beautiful magazine full of photographs and reflections by the students and staff.

Many families would know that Mrs Carol Gurnett has undergone extensive treatment and surgery to remove a tumor from her right leg. Unfortunately Carol’s recovery hasn’t gone as planned and she remains in hospital after some further surgery due to complications. Finally Carol is beginning to make some progress towards a recovery and hopes to be home by Christmas. Please keep her in your prayers.

Congratulations to our

Community Leaders, Wellbeing Leaders, McAuley & Padua Sports Leaders:

CommunityCommunityCommunityCommunity Wellbeing Wellbeing Wellbeing Wellbeing

Mackenzie Spencer and Willem Eager Madison Pearce and Isabella Weeks

Sports Sports Sports Sports LeaderLeaderLeaderLeaders!s!s!s! McAuley: Rani Curry and Hudson Kaak Padua: Mary Tarrant and Willem Eager

Peter KellyPeter KellyPeter KellyPeter Kelly principal@smseymour.catholic.edu.au

Student Leaders 2017

Odyssey

On the Sick List

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YEAR 8 (2017) LAPTOP PROGRAM Families are reminded that the introductory session for the 2017 Year 8 Laptop Program will be held on Tuesday 6th December at 7.00pm in the Science Wing. The laptops will be available for collection on this night. Payment of the first instalment of $270 is also due at, or preferably prior to this session, to avoid cash handling on the night. Our preferred method of payment is by electronic funds transfer (EFT). If payment is made by EFT, payment must be received in the College bank account by Friday 2nd December.

The College bank details are as follows: BSB: 083-890

Account No: 629 211 120 Reference: LTOP (Surname) Payments may also be made by cash or cheque at the College.

YEAR 7 (2017) LAPTOP PROGRAM Families are reminded that the introductory session for the 2017 Year 7 Laptop Program will be held on Wednesday 1st February 2017 at 7.00pm in the Science Wing. The laptops will be available for collection on this night. Payment of the first instalment of $230 is also due at or preferably prior to this session to avoid cash handling on the night. If payment is made by EFT, payment must be received in the College bank account by Friday 27th January 2017. Please use the same details as above for deposits. All new families, and returning families, are advised that payments can be made any time from now and throughout December and January for the Year 7 laptops. Please ensure you reference your payment, as indicated above, if paying by EFT. Payments may also be made by cash or cheque at the College.

Parents are reminded that the introductory sessions, which include an e-Smart presentation, are compulsory for parents and students.

NEW FAMILIES JOINING THE COLLEGE IN 2017 At St Mary’s College we take the health and safety of our students very seriously. As such in 2016 we adopted a new health and safety application named CareMonkey. CareMonkey is an innovative parent controlled electronic medical form for schools, clubs and other groups with a duty of care. We use the CareMonkey app in the best interest of the children whilst also reducing the burden on parents to fill out the same information on multiple forms throughout the year. Users can use a PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone to enter the details including: ● emergency contacts ● medical contacts ● medical checklist including asthma, allergies, seizures, diabetes ● health and ambulance insurance details ● notes and other care instructions from parents ● and more… As a parent/guardian you will receive an invitation to join CareMonkey and enter details for your child/children. By following the instructions you can create your own free CareMonkey account and control all data about your child/children. The CareMonkey system stores the information on your behalf and you will be able to grant (or deny) access to your data with our school. You are also able to share this data with any other group or individual you choose (eg. your child's grandparents, their child‐minder, their sports club, etc). From the schools perspective, this information will only be visible by the relevant staff for your child and will be managed in accordance with the Privacy Act. You don’t need to do anything until you receive the email requesting the information. Please feel free to contact the school if you have any questions. You can also visit the CareMonkey website for more information: www.caremonkey.com

Mrs Meryl ConnellMrs Meryl ConnellMrs Meryl ConnellMrs Meryl Connell

. … from The

Business Manager

…from the

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Advent prAdvent prAdvent prAdvent prayerayerayerayer In this second week of Advent, we listen to the scripture readings that ask us to ‘make way’ and ‘be prepared’ How are we preparing for the birth of Jesus? Who are we making welcome in our daily lives? Isaiah 11:2 And the Spirit of God shall rest upon this branch, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might… We gathered as a College community in the Garden area on Monday to celebrate the first week of Advent. This is a prayerful and reflective way to begin the week and to focus our attention on Advent in the midst of all the ‘busyness’ of the end of year activities. Please join us in the Garden area at 8.45am on Monday 5th December, Monday 12th December and Friday 16th December for the next three prayer times.

Graduation Graduation Graduation Graduation What a wonderful celebration we had last Friday night at the Year 10 Graduation Mass and Dinner. We were so proud of our Year 10 students and they finished their time at St Mary’s in such a respectful and enjoyable way. Many thanks to Fr Ashkar for leading us in celebration in the Mass and to Mrs Gough, Mrs Hogan and the Choir for a beautiful Liturgy and the wonderful singing. It was lovely to welcome our families to the Mass and then onto the dinner. Dani Kimmel was our photographer for the evening, North Central party Hire organised the decorations and Ken’s Catering provided another very enjoyable meal. Year 9 students transformed into excellent waiters and the night finished with our awards presentations and some memorable slide shows of the students time at St Mary’s.

Many thanks to families and friends of the graduates for ensuring the students had a wonderful evening. We also say thank you and farewell to the following families who are now leaving St Mary’s College:

Boyer, Deacon-Stock, Elliott, Fanning, Galofaro, George, Grant, Greeno, Horton, Johnson and Spencer.

Education in Faith & School Community

…from the Deputy Principal

Reflection

O Spirit of Understanding, Come Take hold of our hearts

when we simply cannot understand the thoughts, the actions, the motivation of another.

Remind us of the wonderful uniqueness of each person.

Give us your spirit of understanding to be patient, to truly listen deeply, to hear beyond the spoken word into the longings of the heart. Reveal to us some connection,

that we might come to a peaceful understanding and an acceptance of each other.

AmenAmenAmenAmen

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Year 8 Reflection Day Year 8 Reflection Day Year 8 Reflection Day Year 8 Reflection Day The Year 8 students will finish their ‘final’ day in Year 8 on Friday 2nd December with a Reflection Day - ‘Looking Back, Looking Forward’ and preparing for their transition into Year 9. The students are to wear their sports uniform. Lunch will be provided. We anticipate this being a wonderful way to complete the year, before their transition week into Year 9.

Singing In PSinging In PSinging In PSinging In Partnershipartnershipartnershipartnership On Friday, we welcomed Puckapunyal Primary School choir to St Mary’s. The students joined in with our choir and had a wonderful couple of hours singing together, enjoying each other’s company and learning some new songs!! Thank you so much to Puckapunyal staff and students for coming to St Mary’s. We hope to make a return visit next year!!

Christmas Carols Christmas Carols Christmas Carols Christmas Carols The St Mary’s Choir will be singing at the Community Christmas Carols on Sunday 4th December at Goulburn Park. Thank you so much to Mrs Hogan and the Choir for representing the College at this annual community event. Hope to see you there!!

� UpUpUpUp----coming Eventcoming Eventcoming Eventcoming Event::::

Primary End of School Year Liturgy

Friday Dec 16th 2.30pm (M/P Hall)

Prep Christmas play, Liturgy and singing of Christmas Carols.

Congratulations to Jayne Rohde, Chloe, Imogen Cafasso. The girls were winners in the

‘Don't Park in the Blue Space' Poster Competition, organised by Nexus Health.

They were presented with their awards last Thursday night in Wallan. Their posters will be displayed around Mitchell and Murrindindi Shires.

MrMrMrMrs Catherine Evanss Catherine Evanss Catherine Evanss Catherine Evans catherine.evans@smseymour.catholic.edu.aucatherine.evans@smseymour.catholic.edu.aucatherine.evans@smseymour.catholic.edu.aucatherine.evans@smseymour.catholic.edu.au....

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As we approach the final weeks of school and, more importantly, enter the busy Christmas

period, it is important for everyone to ensure that we are all putting those healthy mind checks in place to make our season enjoyable and positive.

Michael Herbert provides some useful tips on how we can all monitor our thoughts in order to minimise those destructive thought patterns that can often appear, especially during busy periods.

Monitoring Thought Patterns by Michael Herbert We can train ourselves to notice and keep watch on the thousands of thoughts we have each day because they are the things we are talking about to ourselves. It is the pattern of our thoughts that tell us: what is on our mind; our joys and our concerns; our fears and our worries; who we love; and how we think and feel about ourselves, the world and other people.. Our thoughts usually fit into one of three categories: positive - negative - neutral. It is a valuable exercise to ask ourselves these two questions:

1. Is there a pattern to my recent thoughts that demonstrates I am in good shape (emotionally, physically and spiritually)

with a positive frame of mind?

2. In recent times, have I developed a pattern of thinking that negatively impacts my view of myself, others or my world?

Our thought patterns help orchestrate the habits and behaviours of our day. A day of positive thoughts can produce very different habits and behaviours to those on a day that is being driven by a destructive pattern of thinking. There are two key behaviours that encourage destructive patterns of thinking: Rumination and worry: This is where we get stuck in particular thoughts and just can’t seem to let go of them. Thought distortion: e.g. taking things personally, black and white thinking, jumping to conclusions.

As a single footstep will not make a path on theearth, so a single thought will not make a pathwayin the mind. To

make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, wemust think over and over the kind

of thoughts wewish to dominate our lives. Henry David Thoreau

Mr Sean O’BrienMr Sean O’BrienMr Sean O’BrienMr Sean O’Brien

Student Wellbeing

…from the Deputy Principal

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ WWWWellbeing WWWWords of

WWWWisdom’…’…’…’…

IIIIf any parent has any concerns relating to the wellbeing of their chilf any parent has any concerns relating to the wellbeing of their chilf any parent has any concerns relating to the wellbeing of their chilf any parent has any concerns relating to the wellbeing of their childddd please contact me by phone or please contact me by phone or please contact me by phone or please contact me by phone or emailemailemailemail::::

sean.obrien@smseymour.catholsean.obrien@smseymour.catholsean.obrien@smseymour.catholsean.obrien@smseymour.catholic.edu.auic.edu.auic.edu.auic.edu.au....

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The season of Advent has started, and we are truly waiting for Christmas, and looking forward to the end of this school year. As part of the process of looking forward – we celebrate the successes

of the year! Students are all participating in the transition process. The Year 10s have graduated from St Mary’s College. The Year 9s are experiencing a week of the Year 10 curriculum and start their holidays on Friday after their day out. Next week Orientation Day for all students will take place on Tuesday 6th December. Our current Year 7 & 8 students will be experiencing a week of preparation for their 2017 year. This is the opportunity to remind parents that the students in P-6 have their Stationery Requirements levied and provided in the classrooms. The secondary student Stationery List is attached – see page 8. New students will be shown examples of items on Orientation Day so they are clear about what to purchase. Student Reports are being finalised by teachers and will be distributed on Friday 9th December. Your P-6 child will bring it home with them, so please check their bags! The Year 7 & 8 students can collect them from the Multi-Purpose Hall foyer when they return from their excursions. Otherwise they can be collected from the College Office. No formal interviews are scheduled this term, but if you have anything to clarify regarding reports, please contact your child’s teacher via email or through the College office. The Curriculum Team is finalising the learning and teaching action plan for 2017. We will report on the achievements and implementations for the Report to School Community and establish clear actions for next year. The Homework Policy is a work in progress! The staff are participating in workshops at year levels, to research good homework practices and establish consistency and clarity in expectations for students at each year level. The professional development policy has been ratified. Curriculum review of units of work and learning plans, for the start of 2017 is underway and will be a focus for these final weeks. As the year is closing and the workload is reducing, it is important that students meet their expectations and be punctual

and respectful to each other and teachers at all times.

Maths Challenge’s for this week

Santa needs to order boots for all of his reindeer. He has four reindeer pens with 12, 19, 14 and 16 reindeer in them.

How many boots are needed?

… looking ahead – Friday 9th December - P-8 Reports Distributed - Yr.9-10 Reports available for collection from the College Office

Learning & Teaching

Remember Have a go! Learn something new everyday!

Mrs Christine BuhlerMrs Christine BuhlerMrs Christine BuhlerMrs Christine Buhler

…from the Deputy Principal

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Answers: # 61 reindeer x 4 boots per reindeer is 244 boots. # The last box had 19 chocolate bars in it.

Mrs Christine BuhlerMrs Christine BuhlerMrs Christine BuhlerMrs Christine Buhler

CANTEEN ROSTERCANTEEN ROSTERCANTEEN ROSTERCANTEEN ROSTER 5555thththth –––– 9999thththth DecemberDecemberDecemberDecember

Friday 2nd Dec. Cherie Matthews Monday 5th Dec. Neisha Reid Tuesday 6th Dec. Siobhan Thornberry Wed. 7th Dec. Catherine Plessey Thursday 8th Dec. Volunteer Required Friday 9th Dec. Karen Pearce

DATES TO REMEMBERDATES TO REMEMBERDATES TO REMEMBERDATES TO REMEMBER 5555thththth –––– 9999thththth December December December December

Friday 2nd Dec Yr.8 Reflection Day Level Assemblies (2.20pm) Yr.9 Day Out: Craigieburn Central Yr.9 End of School Year (3.15pm) Monday 5th Dec. Advent Prayer – Garden Area (8.45am) Tuesday 6th Dec. Orientation Day (8.45am-3.15pm) Yr.8 (2017) Laptop Roll Out Night (7.00pm) Wed. 7th Dec. - Thursday 8th Dec. - Friday 9th Dec. Yr.7 Day Out: ‘Go Jump’ Shepp. Yr.8 Day Out: Craigieburn Central Yr.7/8 End of School Year (3.15pm) P-8 Reports Distributed Yr.9-10 Reports available for collection from the College Office

Maths Challenge Results

Learning & Teaching

Head Lice

Cases of headlice infestation have been

reported in Senior Primary.

Parents are requested to check their child’s

hair, particularly if they are complaining of

‘an itchy head’ and if necessary carry out the

appropriate treatment. Your local Chemist

will have the required lotion to deal with the

infestation.

To assist us further in the attempt to control

the infestation, please inform the

College Office

of any re-occurrence.

ST. MARY’S COLLEGE 90 High Street, SEYMOUR, TELEPHONE: (03) 5792 2611 FACSIMILE: (03) 5792 4091

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

ST. MARY’S PARISH SEYMOUR ~ ST. JOSEPH’S TALLAROOK Parish Priest: Fr. Eugene Ashkar

PO BOX 100, SEYMOUR, VICTORIA 3661 TELEPHONE: (03) 5792 1064 FACSIMILE (03) 5792 4390 MASS TIMES: St. Mary’s: SAT 6.00pm, SUN 10.00am; St. Joseph’s: SUN 8.30am