Newsletter Term 1 Week 8 2025

From the Principal

Yesterday was such a great example of students  experiencing learning outside of the classroom in a fun, positive and inclusive environment.  While being stationed on the Year 2-6 High Jump I saw so many examples of sportsmanship, resilience, courage, teamwork and determination and I loved every minute of it! 

A huge thanks to Mr A, Mr Eddie and all their team for the work that goes into making the day a huge success.  The parent/grandparent support on the day was enormous and the staff went over and above to make sure the day was enjoyable and active for all students. I was certainly proud to be a part of such an amazing school community. 

On Sunday at 11.30am one of our Year 3 students, Hendrix Sheekey,  will be baptised at St Mary's Church, Newborough.  We congratulate Hendrix on his maturity to make this important decision on his faith journey. 

Regional Swimming Success for Alfie

Congratulations to Alfie Barwell who competed in the Regional Swimming in Sale last Wednesday finishing 4th in freestyle. Alfie won through to the Regional Championships after finishing in 1st place at the Zone Swimming in Traralgon. What a huge effort!

Easter Raffle & Casual Clothes Day

This year as part of the Parents and Family Committee we are going to run an Easter raffle. On Friday the 28th of March the children are invited to dress in casual clothes and instead of a gold coin donation we ask that each family bring something to contribute to the Easter Raffle.

This can be an Easter Egg, Block of Chocolate or anything Easter related such as Easter books or activities. Boxes will be placed in the classrooms to collect the goodies. 

Raffle tickets will be distributed early next week, and are due back by Tuesday 1st April and will be drawn Thursday 3rd April.   Thank you so much for helping to make this a success.   Please note the donation is per family not per child.

Colour Run Sponsors from 2024

A big thank you to all our Colour Run Sponsors from 2024, you generous donations helped make this event such a memorable day for the students at the end of last year!

Tuckshop Helpers Needed

Our wonderful P&F are looking for some more amazing volunteers to assist with Tuck-shop on a Friday. Our students love getting some yummy food every Friday, however volunteers do help us to have this available for our school. It doesn’t have to be every week. Could just be once a term. If you have a few hours to spare, we'd love to have you on board! It's a great way to support the school community. 

Please let the office know or get in touch with Kyra 0401 266 947 or Zoe 0411 640 097 if you want any more info or would like to be rostered on. 

2026 Foundation - Sibling Survey

Please complete this Google form if you have a sibling that is due to start Foundation in 2026.  If you have any questions, please contact the school on 5127 3606.  

https://forms.gle/XKbnuX5FW4KZEKGi9

SchoolTV - Social Media & Comparison Culture

A Special Report: 

Young people today are growing up in a world where exposure to other people's lives is constant. Through social media and other platforms, they are regularly presented with curated highlights - from flawless holiday photos and academic milestones to the latest fashion trends and fitness achievements. This continuous stream of idealised content fuels what is known as comparison culture, where self-worth is often measured by how someone stacks up against others.

For children and adolescents, who are still figuring out who they are, this culture can be particularly damaging. Constantly comparing their appearance, achievements, or social standing to friends, influencers, and even strangers can lead to unrealistic expectations and a skewed sense of self-worth. This relentless need to measure up can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and anxiety - undermining both confidence and emotional wellbeing.

It's vital that parents and caregivers understand how deeply comparison culture can influence a child's self-perception and sense of value. Left unchecked, it can foster perfectionism and a dependence on external validation, where a 'like' or comment becomes the measure of their worth.

The good news is, families have a powerful role to play in helping young people navigate these challenges. This Special Report will help you empower your child to build the resilience and confidence needed to navigate today's comparison-driven world and embrace their own unique path.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:
https://stkmoe.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-social-media-comparison-culture-au

Mindfull Aus Parent Seminar

Mindfull Aus is inviting you to register for a Zoom Webinar

 When: May 13, 2025 07:00 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney

Topic:  Boundaries and Behaviour - How to Hold Strong, Loving Boundaries while Preserving Influence and Connection

 Register in advance for this webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pqrq3UqcRdmxIO61iIR6zQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Holding Boundaries While Staying Connected: A Workshop for Parents

Big feelings can lead to big behaviours, and when emotions run high, it’s easy (and very common) for kids, teens, and their parents to feel overwhelmed. When this happens, conflict can all too easily fill the space between even the closest children and their important adults. Setting firm boundaries is essential, but how do we do it in a way that preserves connection, trust, and influence?

In this dynamic workshop, we will discuss how to support children through their emotional ups and downs, while maintaining clear, loving, consistent leadership. By the end of the workshop, parents and carers will have concrete, proven ways to establish meaningful boundaries with their young people; hold those boundaries with confidence while building strong, loving connections and expand influence; and nurture their social-emotional resilience - even when things feel tough.

This workshop is ideal for parents, caregivers, and anyone who works with or lives with young people. We will explore:

• the neuroscience behind emotional dysregulation—why big feelings happen and how they shape behaviour;
• how to talk to children about feelings and behaviour in a way that opens the way for conversation and growth;                                                                              
• practical strategies to help children understand and manage their feelings and behaviour;
• changing the way we think about discipline - why traditional disciplines don't work and what to do instead;
• building high-quality relationships with your young people that will expand your capacity to lead, guide, and teach;
• connection after conflict - how to repair after an emotional or relational ‘collision’;
• why these ‘collisions’ are a necessary part of healthy development;
• when behaviour is extra big - the common origins of challenging behaviour, how to respond in the moment, and the practical strategies that will effect lasting change;
• how to establish meaningful boundaries with love and leadership, and how to respond when those boundaries are challenged;
• building their emotional toolbox - the strategies children can use to understand and manage feelings.
• to co-regulate or co-dysregulate - how the emotional temperature of parents impacts the emotional temperature of children, and how to use this to bring calm;
• screen-time struggles—how to set and hold boundaries around device use without constant battles, and why this is important.

Join Parenting & Child Development Expert Karen Young for a relatable, engaging and informative Parenting Webinar. Hosted by Mindfull Aus as part of our Healthier Hearts & Lighter Minds program.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Newsletter - by Lisa Fenech

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