Term 2, Week 5 Friday 30th May 2025

Dear Families

National Reconciliation Week 2025
Last week, we came together for a whole school assembly hosted by 4FM to think about National Reconciliation Week and its 2025 theme: “Bridging Now to Next." It’s an important time to remember how we can help make things fair and friendly in our communities and all across Australia.

At school, we practice talking to each other in kind and understanding ways. These talks help us fix problems and build stronger friendships. They also show the values we care about most—like compassion, justice, integrity, responsibility, and perseverance. By working on these skills, we’re helping to make a better future where everyone’s story is heard and respected.

This Friday our staff will be engaging in a Cultural Awareness Day. This will be a meaningful day of learning, connection, prayer, and reflection including opportunities to explore Kaurna Culture with Steven Warrior from Kuma Kaaru. Many thanks to Maria Iovino for her leadership in planning this day and our Reconciliation Action Plan, along with the members of the Reconciliation Action Plan Staff Committee.

Please remember we have a Student Free Day this Friday 6 June.

Carpark Update
The new carpark development has progressed very well and is currently ahead of schedule. Many thanks to everyone in our community for your patience and understanding during this time.

Over the past 5 weeks we have had some disruptions, but as a community we have navigated these reasonably well. However, when on duty staff have noted some unsafe driving behaviours: A few important safety reminders: It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure our children are safe.

1. Never do a 3-point turn near the school crossing.
2. Do not overtake other cars near the school crossing.
3. Always use the crossing to cross the road.
4. Please do not use the staff carparks or driveways to pick up or drop off.
5. Check all signage and line markings.

Thank you
As we publish this edition of the Newsletter Kelly Campbell has returned to her role as Principal. I’m sure Kelly will look forward to sharing information about her renewal leave with the community in the next Newsletter.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff, members of the School Board and members of the school community who have supported me in my role as Acting Principal over the past 5 weeks. It has been a privilege to lead our St Margaret Mary’s School community.

Best wishes for the week ahead.
Belinda

Dear families and caregivers,

In Week 7, I will be joining the Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) United Kingdom Study Tour and Pilgrimage from Thursday 12 June until the end of Term 2. The Study Tour will include the Global Researchers Advancing Catholic Education (GRACE) Colloquium and visits to Diocese trust schools in London followed by Spiritual Pilgrimage of the Saints throughout Ireland.

This will mean I will be away for two parish events. Firstly, the 7:00pm First Holy Communion Information Meeting at Whitefriars on Wednesday 18 June (Week 8). If you have any questions regarding the sacramental program, whilst I am on leave, please email Kirsty sacramental.coordinator@croydonparkparish.com.au.

I will also be unable to attend the 10:30am Parish Family Mass on Sunday 22 June (Week 9). If you have any questions regarding the Parish Family Mass please email Paula parish.secretary@croydonparkparish.com.au.

St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal
Each year as part of social justice and outreach, St Margaret Mary’s School generously supports the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal. This winter, Vinnies volunteer members across Australia are seeing an unprecedented demand for homelessness services and support.

As such, Croydon Parish Vinnies are seeking donations of non-perishable food items for families who would otherwise go hungry. A family hamper could include cereal, long life milk, pasta, pasta sauce and rice, tin cans containing meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, baked beans or spaghetti. Additional items such as biscuits, tea, coffee, sauces and sugar may also be included.

To promote the Winter Appeal, our Student Leadership Team representatives will demonstrate our school value of ‘Responsibility’ by presenting a Powerpoint to their respective classes. The presentations are aimed at raising awareness for the Appeal and inviting donations of long life foods that can be stored for distribution throughout the Winter and Autumn months.

If you are able to support, please place the non-perishable food items in the white donation baskets in the main entry foyer. The donation baskets for food hampers will be in the foyer from Monday 2 June (Week 6) to Friday 27 June (Week 9).

A permanent Vinnies clothing bin is also available behind St Margaret Mary’s Church at the back of the preschool. If your family wishes to donate any clothing items to Vinnies for their Croydon store, the clothing bin can be accessed via the parish driveway on Torrens Road.

For further information about the St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal, please visit the Vinnies website https://donate.vinnies.org.au/winter-appeal or contact Lyn at our local Croydon Parish Vinnies on 0417 848 768.

Have a good weekend everyone,

Matthew Harrison

In the lead up to National Simultaneous Storytime we read “Naturopolis” and the “Sydney Harbour Fairy” by Deborah Frenkel and “Seagull” by Danny Snell so we were familiar with the author and illustrator. Students always find it interesting to hear little bits of information about authors and illustrators. For example, as a child Danny Snell was a reluctant reader, so it was pictures rather than words that drew him to the wonder of books.

In Craft Club, we looked at “The Truck Cat” and lots of other picture books about cats to inspire us. Some chose to create realistic looking cats and others chose to create rainbow striped cats.  Everyone was proud of their work and had fun at the same time!

The Scholastic Book Fair has been a great success so far. The students have enjoyed coming in with their class to see what is available and write their favourite book on a wish list so you can see what interests them.

The fair will be open Monday 2nd June after school, Tuesday 3rd June before school and after school. SORRY, NO CASH PURCHASES.

The fair is only here a short while and will close Tuesday 3rd June. If you have been online and pre-paid please make sure you collect your books by Tuesday afternoon.

If you miss out on visiting the Fair then keep an eye out for the Scholastic Book Club magazine coming home early in Term 3 with many of the same titles.