Benvenuti! Welcome! I hope you have had a lovely holiday and start to the new year. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the families at our school. My name is Signora Zollo. I will be teaching your child/children for one lesson a week in Italian. This year the students will continue to develop their communication skills and understanding of the language and culture. The students will be involved in a variety of learning experiences including listening, speaking, reading, writing, researching, role playing, dancing and singing. I would like to encourage the students to share their own cultures with myself and others within the classroom. Please find below some words and phrases you may like to practise with your child/children at home.

Ciao                             Hi/bye

Buongiorno                 Good morning

Buon pomeriggio        Good afternoon

Buonanotte                 Good night

Arrivederci                  Goodbye

Come stai?                 How are you?

Bene, grazie               Well, thank you

Per favore                   Please

Grazie                         Thank you

Mi chiamo                   My name is …

Prego                          You are welcome

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

As we commence the new decade with optimism, I hope that you had time to rest and spend much needed and valuable time with your loved ones. This holiday break was particularly heartbreaking with the immense damage across the State caused from bushfires. Our prayers go out to all who have lost their homes and livelihood and it is hoped that God’s richest blessings are upon them as they recover from this devastating event. I have included a handout in this newsletter titled “Helping children affected by Bushfires” for your perusal.

A very warm welcome is extended to all for the 2020 academic year and in particular a special welcome is extended to all of our new students and their families.

Welcome back to not only the 2020 school year but a new decade!  Welcome also to our many new families that have joined  St Martin’s community.  May your child’s and your year be one of hope, joy, love and learning.  I pray that each and every one of you have had a blessed holiday break and are ready for the learning opportunities, successes and challenges that lie ahead.

Our whole school theme for 2020 will be centred on Catholic Social Teaching whereby the school community will engage with the seven principles which cover all spheres of life - the economic, political, personal and spiritual.  The principles are inspired by the writings of the Pope and other Catholic leaders about social issues.  Catholic Social Teaching reflects the signs of the times through scripture and assesses the social realities in the light of the gospel.

Welcome to sports at St Martin’s for 2020.

Broadly Speaking there are 3 branches to sports at St Martin’s. They are;

• Catholic Schools Carnivals open to boys and girls in Years 3-6. These carnivals are held during school time and are sometimes preceeded with lunchtime trainings or Be Active sessions.
• SAPSASA Events are open to boys and girls in Year 6. Year 6 students are nominated through school prior to team trials. Swimming and athletics events are open to boys and girls in Year 3-6. Selection for these teams usually happens during school time.
• School Sports - Netball, Basketball, Volleyball, Cricket, Football

These teams compete after school hours and may train after school.

The nomination of after School Sports teams is dependent upon registered student interest and adequate volunteers​.

All volunteers (parents and caregivers) are asked to wear a volunteer badge while on the school site and on any excursion. Volunteers must have a current police clearance, and have undertaken the Responding to Abuse and Neglect online training course before being issued with a badge.   No badges will be issued on the day of the excursion.  Badges are kept at the school office.  When a badge is needed, volunteers are required to sign the Volunteer Register upon receiving and returning the badge.   If you have any queries please see Nadia Udina in the front office.