Parent Prospectus

Prospectus Booklet (click here)

 

Principal’s Welcome

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Thank you for enquiring about St. Mary’s Parish Primary School, which is under the governance of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Pty Ltd.

Whether your child is starting school for the first time, or transferring from another school, we are all on a journey together.  At St. Mary’s School we strive to be people who live out the Gospels in everyday life. We believe it is important to listen to people, to respond to their needs, to work collaboratively and to expand the concept of ministry that supports the belief that everyone has a talent and a contribution to make for the common good of society.

The people in our community make our school a special place to be. We value inclusive relationships and connections with the community. We encourage our students to develop respectful relationships with their peers, teachers and the broader community.  Our teachers are highly talented and dedicated.  They work in collaboration to develop a school culture that values teaching and learning.  They encourage all students to be inspired by the school motto ‘Love Above All’ in the pursuit of academic excellence, spiritual, social and emotional wellbeing.

If you have any questions that have not been answered in this booklet, please feel free to contact us.  You are most welcome to make an appointment for a personalised tour of our school, by phoning 97362219.

Looking forward to meeting you again in the future.

Yours faithfully,

 

Mrs Angela Glennie

PRINCIPAL

School Profile

St Mary’s Primary School is in the Shire of Yarra Ranges, it is situated at the entrance to the beautiful Yarra Valley.  St Mary’s, established in 1980, has an enrolment of approximately 308 students from Prep to grade 6.  Many students come from multi-culturally and socio-economically diverse backgrounds.

St. Mary’s property spans seventeen acres of beautiful bushland, incorporating extensive play areas that include an oval, basketball and netball courts and a bush walking track.  The grounds, being partly landscaped, focusing widely on trees and plants native to the local area provide an opportunity to be used by staff, children and families for both recreational and educational purposes.

St Mary’s is supported by the Parish, School Advisory Board, Parents and Friends Association and a very positive parent body.  School policies are updated frequently updated and socialised with the community.  This process ensures that policies reflect current best practice.  Our vision statement and school motto ground us firmly in the Gospel values.

 

 School Vision Statement

The Principal, Staff, families and parish priest, see St. Mary’s as a community of people sharing a common belief in our motto, “Love Above All”. As members of a Catholic Parish school, we strive to be models of the Gospel values of love, understanding, respect and service.

 Love Above All

  In Our Faith, In Our Words

  In Our Actions, In our Diversity

  In Our Striving, In Our Sharing, In Our Hoping

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures” 1 Corinthians 13: 7-8

 

 School Song

This is our journey, this is our Truth.  

Love one another, our golden rule

In the heart of creation, blue wren in the trees

Here at St Mary’s, one family

This is our song, this is our call

In all that we do, love above all

God called to Mary she answered with love

Love never gives up, Mary trusted in God

With courage in our hearts, may we live the same way

With joy in our hearts serve Jesus each day

 

This is our journey, this is our Truth.  

Love one another, our golden rule

In the heart of creation, blue wren in the trees

Here at St Mary’s, one family

This is our song, this is our call

In all that we do, love above all

Mary walked with Jesus, love never loses faith

She stood by the Cross, she lived Jesus’ way

With faith in our hearts, may we walk with Him too

lead a life of faith in all we say and do

 

This is our journey, this is our Truth.  

Love one another, our golden rule

In the heart of creation, blue wren in the trees

Here at St Mary’s, one family

This is our song, this is our call

In all that we do, love above all

She was there in the rising, in love there is hope

With joy in her heart, Christ’s love does live on

May we reach out to each other, be God’s living Word

Standing together we are hope for the world

 

This is our journey, this is our Truth.  

Love one another, our golden rule

In the heart of creation, blue wren in the trees

Here at St Mary’s, one family

This is our song, this is our call

In all that we do, love above all

 

Beliefs

As staff we –

  • grow and participate in a unified, caring and living community
  • continue to develop our own faith
  • take time to listen to and care for people as individuals
  • keep up to date with current educational practices through professional development
  • keep child safety and wellbeing at the forefront of all decisions

For the families of our children we –

  • foster an awareness that each person is a valued member of our school community
  • encourage parental engagement–class and school programs, working bees, canteen, Parents and Friends Association, Education Board, etc.
  • encourage parent engagement
  • be aware of and respect the variety of home and family situations
  • keep child safety, Government Health Advice and wellbeing at the forefront of all decisions

Working with Children Check and Child Safety code of Conduct

As of the 1 January 2008, all schools are required to comply with the Working with Children Act 2005, and ensure that any person unsuitable to be involved in ‘child related work’ does not do so.  St Mary’s ensures that all responsibilities related to the Child Safety Standards are met.

At St Mary’s Primary School Mt Evelyn, we hold the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a central and fundamental responsibility of our school. Our commitment is drawn from and inherent in the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ, with love, justice and the sanctity of each human person at the heart of the gospel. The strength of our commitment is lived through our school motto of: Love Above All

What is the purpose of a child safety code of conduct?

All students enrolled at St Mary’s Primary have the right to feel safe and be safe. The wellbeing of children in our care will always be our first priority and we do not and will not tolerate child abuse in any form. We aim to create a child-safe and child-friendly environment, promoting Child Safety to the community. An environment where children are free to enjoy life to the full without any concern for their safety.  For more information regarding the Child Safety Standards, visit www.dhhs.gov.au

At St Mary’s, all school employees, volunteers, contractors and clergy are required to proactively ensure the safety of students at all times and to take appropriate action if there are concerns about the safety of any child at the school. All school staff must adhere to relevant laws, the code of conduct, policies, procedures and training relevant to Child Safety, complying with all requirements.

All parents, relatives and caregivers volunteering at St Mary’s Primary School must hold a current Working with Children Check and must have read and signed the Child Safety Code of Conduct.  It is an expectation that every community members is an advocate for Child Safety.

“Teachers are always in a professional relationship with the students in their school, whether at school or not”

 

Community Parents & Friends

St Mary’s Parents and Friends provides an important support to our school community.  Meeting on a regular basis working together fundraising to not only support the School’s programs, but to enhance a sense of community for our families. Many friendships have been made through the Parents & Friends Network. All current parents of St Mary’s are automatically able to be a part of the Parents & Friends Association.

Our Parents & Friends organise many events and functions throughout the year, Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day stalls and various fundraising and social events such as the Christmas Fair.  They provide services to our School community such as Icy Pole Days and Special Food Days and tuck shop.  The foodbank which has now been running successfully for many years is designed to support families in need by offering a meal to take home during times of hardship or challenge.

All funds raised through the P & F go back into our school, supporting a variety of projects from playgrounds, air conditioners for our classrooms, books and equipment and many other resources which are of benefit to all.

St Mary’s is a place of friendship, support and inspiration.

 

Aims

We aim for everyone to feel safe, secure and know that their contribution to the school community is valued.  We will encourage, develop, recognise and celebrate the talents and achievements of all people in the school community, with the aim of each achieving full potential. We are an inclusive community.

We, the staff, parents and children, aspire to excellence in all areas of the curriculum.  Staff will pursue knowledge and expertise in current educational initiatives to ensure best practice.

We acknowledge parents as the primary educators*, in partnership with the school, sharing the responsibility of their child’s education.  We will communicate, consult and involve them in the process.

We Will

provide for teachers’ and children’s spiritual, academic, social and emotional wellbeing

  • ensure a safe, secure, supportive and stimulating atmosphere that encourages children to take risks and have responsibility for their own learning
  • expect that all children will learn
  • Collect and use student data to design learning
  • provide challenging activities that encourage the development and use of thinking skills and opportunities to verbalise the problem-solving process
  • maintain a strong link between home and school which creates powerful and supportive learning environments
  • cater for individual needs
  • provide an environment where we encourage and celebrate the discovery of uniqueness and emerging talents
  • make time available for sharing prior knowledge
  • ensure constant monitoring and evaluation for the teaching of individual needs of the child
  • cater for developmental and differentiated learning
  • develop opportunities for the promotion of analytical, creative and critical thinking strategies
  • provide opportunities for individual, group and whole class work
  • ensure activities are relevant and achievable and constantly brought back to the whole for reflection

* Vatican II, 1965, Declaration on Christian Education

 

Programs and Services

  • Intervention Program – Remedial, Extension and Program Support
  • Arts Program which includes a Performing Arts Program.
  • Participation in Inter-school sporting activities.
  • Physical Education Program.
  • STEM
  • Sacramental Preparation Programs
  • Wide range of extra-curricular activities.
  • Maths & English workshops.
  • Dedicated Literacy and Maths blocks for uninterrupted learning.
  • Student Wellbeing/Self Esteem program.
  • Student Action Team
  • Italian Language Program
  • Prep- Year 6 Buddy System.
  • Information Technology.
  • Camp for Year 6.
  • Environmental programs.
  • Prep orientation program.
  • Bike Ed for Year 5.
  • Enrichment Program.
  • Before and after School care.
  • Library
  • Whole School Meditation
  • Daily Prayer

 

Pastoral Care

As an extension of our Student Wellbeing Program, St Mary’s offer the services of our pastoral care worker. This is a Victorian Government initiative that has the approval of Catholic Education Commission of Victoria (CECV)

The pastoral care of students is a focus of each school day.  Understanding the ‘whole’ child creates a stronger bond between the students and staff.  Any student having social or general wellbeing concerns can meet with our Pastoral Care worker as her work supports our Wellbeing Programs. Pastoral Care appointments seek to assist: mild anxiety, social challenges and emotional stress.

Unlike psychological services, referrals (from G.P) are not required.

“Understanding the ‘whole’ child”

 

Religious Education

In a Catholic school, Religious Education focuses on the spiritual development of each person, acknowledging and celebrating the Holy Spirit at work, inviting a relationship with God. It is at the same time a disciplined process of ‘faith seeking understanding’, where the questions of God, beliefs and life are articulated and explored within the Catholic tradition to develop students’ faith lives and stimulate a search for meaning and truth. Religious Education is grounded in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, providing opportunities to encounter the living Christ through the holiness and brokenness of the individuals and communities with whom we relate.

“The wellbeing landscape of the Catholic school incorporates all aspects of school community life from students’ physical, intellectual, moral, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing and development to the safe and supportive environment in which they learn”.

Literacy

At St Mary’s we provide a high quality Literacy program which equips students with English knowledge and skills enabling them to become confident communicators, creative thinkers, problem solvers and informed citizens.

Every morning the students at St Mary’s engage in purposeful activities in listening, speaking, reading, viewing and writing.  A focus on whole class, small groups and individual needs is a priority at St Mary’s.  Content is drawn from the Victorian Curriculum.

We offer multiple programs across the levels to support and challenge students in their learning in Literacy.

A proportion of students may be identified at the end of the Prep year as requiring support with reading and writing strategies. The Mini Lit Program provides one-to-one daily or small group intervention to assist such students.

 

Mathematics

At St. Mary’s, we believe that it is essential to equip our students with mathematical knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to daily life.  We believe that learning mathematics at school should be a positive experience in which students develop confidence and a sense of achievement from what they learn. The Mathematics curriculum is divided into three strands: Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability. Staff and students work together in mathematics to become risk takers and problems solvers and to value the process and effort required for investigation and exploration. Teachers use a variety of assessments to prepare for the teaching of students. Each level is assigned a designated time for Numeracy and level teachers carefully plan together consulting student data to drive teaching and learning. Opportunities are given to support and extend students within each unit of work.

 

Extension Opportunities

Extension Opportunities are provided to allow eligible students to further develop their abilities at a higher level of understanding. This occurs via differentiated curriculum and specific extension groups.

 

Learning Diversity & NCCD

Learning Diversity is a broad area of support for all learners and their personal learning differences.  All aspects of Learning Diversity are guided by MACS and Australian Government Disability Standards legislation.  There are a broad range of supports available depending on the child’s needs.

 

National Consistent Collection of Data

Macs and the Victorian Government called the NCCD have a funding model in Learning Diversity team support teachers to:

  • Identify students’ needs
  • Provide extra support to enhance development
  • Meet and plan with parents throughout the year

Should you have any questions or concerns either about an existing diagnosis or suspected condition we encourage you to speak with the Principal for assistance.

 

Student Services

Through an internal school assessment and referral process, students have access to services provided through Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools. Such services may include Speech Pathology, Psychological assessments and Education assessments.

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures”

 

Technology

Children at St Mary’s Primary School use the Internet on a regular basis as part of their learning. We see the use of technology as an integral part of our students’ education in school. Parents and students are required to sign a ICT / Photographic / Recording Acceptable Use Agreement which covers relevant practices and expectations for the appropriate use of IT for education.

We hold accreditation as an eSMART school and highlight ‘online safety with students and parents as part of our learning as a community.

 

The Arts

The Arts program at St. Mary’s, encompasses extensive and varied Visual and Performance based learning.  Visual Art is taught by classroom and specialist teachers and an annual Art Show is held to share student learning with the community.  In the Junior Levels Drama, Dance and Music are taught to all students; this program culminates in a Performing Arts Showcase during Term 4.  In Years Three to Six, all students are involved in an elective Performing Arts program and can make choices across the areas of Performing Arts including joining the school choir, learning instruments and various types of dance, music and drama.  The learning culminates with students producing a yearly production that is written by the students. This focuses on the relevant Wellbeing themes being investigated by the school community.  Students are also encouraged to perform at various parish and school community events.

 

Physical Education

The Health & Physical Education program promotes participation in physical activity through the development of attitudes, skills and movement competence.  The interschool and zone sporting programs involves grade 5 and 6’s competing in a variety of sporting events including football and netball.  House sports are held for the whole school on various days throughout the year consisting of a variety of sporting events on the day.  Being a part of one of our four sports houses encourages team spirit sportsmanship and sportsmanship. Physical Education classes are taught as a specialist program at all grade levels.

 

Student Leadership

Student leaders are promoted in our school through the election of School Captains, House Captains and Student Action Team. There are a variety of leadership opportunities for students in the senior school at St Mary’s, both at School and House level. We believe such roles enable students to gain valuable leadership experience, grow in confidence and become responsible citizens and positive role models for others.  The Student Action Team meet with school leadership weekly to share ideas and plan student lead activities.

For prep students a buddy system is established with students from grade 6. This is to help Prep students starting school to enjoy a welcoming experience from the very beginning. The benefits of a buddy system are twofold – the older children learn to take on responsibility, while the younger children know that they have a fellow student they can confidently turn to for support.

The Buddy System helps to promote friendship and support between older and younger peers through regular collaboration between their classes, creating a sense of whole-school community. They also create friendships that enable both older and younger buddies to bond more closely with their school, increasing the likelihood of positive school relationships for all students.​

 

Language Other Than English (LOTE)

Research tells us that the experience of learning a second language not only improves our knowledge of how languages work but also enhances our thinking skills. Respectful understanding of linguistic and cultural difference, and high-level language and intercultural skills are also essential for Victorian Catholic students to meet the challenges, and thrive, in a world characterised by significant social, economic, technological and environmental changes. 

A specialist teacher teaches the Italian language to all classes from Years Prep – Six each week.

 

Uniform

All St. Mary’s students are required to wear the full correct school uniform. We believe that the wearing of uniforms promote the children’s pride in their school and self-discipline.  It enhances the safety of students through the early identification of persons not belonging to the school, and management of students in off campus activities. Uniforms promote equality amongst students through common dress.

The St Mary’s online uniform shop carries all uniform items, including school and library bags.

Whilst it is not compulsory to purchase uniform items only from our uniform shop, we trust that parents will only purchase items that are of the same as sold in the uniform shop.  We would ask that you continue to support us as we strive to ensure a disciplined atmosphere in our school, by ensuring that your children do wear the standardised uniform.

 

Behaviour Management

Positive and responsible student behaviour is essential to the smooth running of the school, to the achievement of optimal learning, and to the development of a supportive and cooperative school environment.  St Mary’s has a whole-school approach to behaviour management that encourages children to become confident, courteous and friendly, to be forgiving and compassionate in order to allow themselves and each other the maximum opportunity to learn. Students are encouraged to reflect upon their own behaviour and, importantly, to take responsibility for it.

Bullying is constituted by repeated acts of physical harm, harassment, verbal insults or hurtful remarks, or actions designed to hurt somebody’s reputation, social standing or to cause humiliation. Bullying may be carried out directly or indirectly, and may include the use of digital technologies such as social network sites, websites or on-line chat rooms.  St Mary’s School has adopted a zero tolerance position on bullying.  Our school actively combats bullying by providing a safe, secure and stimulating learning environment, which responds to behavioural concerns in a timely manner.

Aims:

  • To build a school environment based on positive behaviour, mutual respect and cooperation.
  • To manage challenging behaviour in a positive and professional manner.
  • To establish well understood, consistent and logical consequences for student behaviour.
  • To collaborate with parents around behavioural concerns.

 

Enrolment

St. Mary’s school exists to promote and educate in the Catholic Faith and to foster Gospels values which focus on striving to be the best we can be.

We aim to support “the full flourishing” of each student, across religious, physical, cognitive, emotional and social domains (Catholic education Melbourne 2016).

 

Criteria

While enrolment preference is given to Catholic families, our School community is an inclusive one which is non-discriminatory to other beliefs and faiths. We are proud of the many students who have come to us from other Catholic, Independent and Government schools.

 

Summary

Enrolment in a Catholic Parish Primary School is the beginning of a partnership between families, schools and teachers.  The educational aims of the school should be an equal priority for the teachers, students and families alike, each according to his or her role, always in gospel spirit of freedom and love.

Based on C.E.C.V. policies 2.4

 

Medical

Due to the severity of allergic reactions to nuts and nut based products, many schools choose to implement a ‘nut safe’ policy, particularly if there are children attending that have known nut allergies. Avoiding nuts can be challenging because nut products are used as ingredients in many commercial food products that are not obvious sources of nuts. St Mary’s promotes and supports Nut Safe practices.

Medical action plans are required to advise staff what to do if a known allergen is encountered. The action plan should be developed with the child’s family and treating team (doctor, allergist, paediatrician) and be approved and signed by a recognised health professional involved in their care. On enrolment, we request all written documentation of confirmed allergies. Anaphylaxis is a serious health issue that can be prevented through knowledge, awareness and planning. If your child is diagnosed as being at risk of anaphylaxis, advise your school as soon as possible.

 

Out of School Hours Care

The Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) programs are facilitated by TheirCare Pty Ltd. The program is held onsite in the school hall.  More information: www.theircare.vic.edu.au

 

School Fees

Catholic schools could not exist without assistance from parents in the form of fees.  Such fees assist in making up the short fall in Government grants and are vital to the ongoing viability of our schools.

 

Enrolment Fee

For new families $100.00 (deducted from 1st Term fees).

 

Books & Levies

Book levies are billed per child per year, payable at the beginning of the year or following a payment plan. This covers the cost of student stationary and materials, subject levies and excursions.  It does not cover the Camp program for year 6 or any interschool athletics or outside sports for years 4, 5 and 6.

 

Fees

Fees are billed per family, per year.  At St. Mary’s we understand that different methods of payment may suit different families so we have structured four methods to choose from: Understanding that these may not suit everyone, we are always open to discussion under circumstances that need other options.  Our current yearly fees are available on our website.  Families experiencing financial stress are always encouraged to contact the principal as it is the school’s mission that no child be denied a Catholic education due to hardship.

 

Payment Plans

Payment plans are available to accommodate all fee payments.

 

Health Care Card Holders

Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are able to apply for a rebate towards school fees of $125 per year.  Payments are made directly to the school and are tied to the student.  Application forms are available from the office and should be completed and returned no later than March each year.

 

Immunisation

From 1 January 2016, families with children aged under 20 years need to have their children immunised (unless the child has an approved exemption) to be eligible to receive the Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A end of year supplement and child care subsidies. (Note: This does not apply to children aged under 12 months for the purposes of the FTB Part A supplement only.) Vaccine objection is no longer an exemption category for immunisation.  Families with children that have a medical exemption (medical contraindication or natural immunity certified by a general practitioner, or participants of an approved medical research study) continue to be eligible to receive Child Care Benefit (CCB), Child Care Rebate (CCR), and the FTB Part A end of year supplement for that child.

COVID 19 Immunisation of all staff and volunteers follows Government Health Advice for school settings.