Term 2, Week 3 Friday 17th May 2024

It was lovely to come back to SMMS last Monday after my time on Long Service Leave.  I was fortunate to travel to the UK and Spain and spend some time exploring and doing multi-day hikes.  Thank you to Belinda Elliott for taking on the role of Acting Principal during this time.  I appreciate all the staff support in also taking on extra roles to support the smooth running of the school.

Master Planning
During our recent Parent/Teacher conversations and through an online survey, we recently gathered some community to assist in our Master Planning progress. I really thank those who were able to respond, your feedback has certainly been helpful in identifying priorities for development.  We continue to work through ideas with Detail Studio and will keep you up to date as we go through the process. A Master Plan is about ‘thinking big and wide’ and making short- and long-term plans for the development of our whole community.

Enrolments
We have a few spaces left in our Term 3 Reception enrolment intake.  We are planning on offering 2 smaller classes, so this would be a fantastic opportunity to join our community and a great transition to full-year Reception in 2025.  If you know of anyone who may be interested in finding more about this class, please contact Angela in the office.

STEM
This year, our students have been exploring STEM with Mr Smedley, focussing on coding and robotics.  We are very lucky to have access to these great resources and program.  St Margaret Mary’s School will be showcased at the upcoming BRIXPO, Adelaide’s’ Biggest Lego Fan Show!  Selected students will showcase how we use Lego as a part of our STEM  learning program.  The exhibition is at St Clair Recreation Centre from 6-7^th July.  Keep an eye out for more information.

Thank you for your continued support,

Kelly Campbell

Dear Families

I hope that all our Mums enjoyed their special day on Sunday 🌷

Preservice Teachers
We are very lucky to have 3 Preservice Teachers from UniSA learning alongside our staff and working with our students over the next few weeks. Chelsea Wright and Chelsea Pace are in their 3^rd year of their Bachelor of Education degree and are placed with 6CH and 2KB. Ashleigh Caspar is in her 1^st year of the Bachelor of Education and is working with 1SB. We are pleased to be able to support the Preservice Teachers and provide exciting opportunities for them to learn from our amazing educators, as well as from children and families in our wonderful SMMS community. We wish Chelsea, Chelsea and Ashleigh well in their time here at SMMS and thank Kellie, Charlotte, Ben and Bec and the children for their support of these future teachers.

R-5 Swimming: Tuesday 4 – Friday 7 June
All families Reception to Year 5 should have received swimming notices last week. (The Year 6 students will participate in an aquatics program later in the year.) Please complete the permission notes and return them to your child’s teacher ASAP, but definitely by the end of next week. If you are a registered volunteer, please indicate this on the note, and we will be in contact regarding your support during swimming week.

Your child’s teacher will communicate more information about the swimming lessons and will give reminders leading up to Week 6.

There have been some changes to the swimming lesson times. See table below. This timetable does not include the travel time to and from the pool on the bus.

Thank you for your on-going support. Wishing you all the best for the weeks ahead.

Belinda 

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Last week, our Reception classes celebrated their Term 2 Liturgy of the Word. The theme of the liturgy was ‘Celebrating Together.’ Our young people joyously sang songs with actions, shared readings on the sanctuary and expressed ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ through actions. Special thanks to our amazing Reception classes, our supportive Year 1 classes who joined us for the celebration and Rosalie and Nira for running the PowerPoint.

2024 St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal
The St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal supports an increasing amount of families in the community impacted by the cost of living crisis. In support of the Winter Appeal, we are seeking any clothing and shoes that your family has outgrown or no longer need. There will be two clothing bins, a blue bin in the entry of our school and a white clothing bin in the undercroft area. All donated items need to be in good condition as they will be passed on to Vinnies for sales in their stores.

Every donation inspires change! When you drop off good clothes and shoes in our Vinnies clothing bins, you're not just donating them to charity. You're supporting Australians doing it tough and reducing our impact on the environment. Every dollar made in a Vinnies Shop goes back into the community. Vinnies support over 1.3 million vulnerable Australians each year thanks in part to clothing and shoe donations. If you are able to support, we thank you for your generosity.

Daly House Day
Next Friday 24 May (Week 4), the students in Daly House (yellow) are invited to wear one of their yellow items from Sports Day in addition to their school uniform (please note: this is not a casual day). Items include their Sports Day yellow T-Shirt, yellow hair accessories or yellow socks. This is an invitational celebration of Daly House team spirit, so please do not purchase any new clothing or items (that were not already worn on Sports Day). Daly House students will not require a gold coin donation and please avoid spraying hair with colour or applying coloured zinc on this occasion.

Every House will have their own House Day celebration of team spirit:  

• Grady House (Red) Friday 26 July (Term 3, Week 1)
• MacKillop House (Green) Friday 9 August (Term 3, Week 3)
• Margaret House (Blue) Friday 18 October (Term 4, Week 1).

First Holy Communion Meeting
Our next Sacramental gathering will be our First Holy Communion Information Meeting on Wednesday 3 July (Week 6) at 7.00pm at Whitefriars School (45 Beaufort Street, Woodville Park) in the Mary MacKillop Hall.

The parish requests that students receiving the Sacrament of First Communion attend the information meeting with at least one or both parents. Students will receive a First Communion pack, containing information and a third book with activities to help families prepare for the sacrament. Please be advised that you will be required to sign in on arrival to confirm your attendance. 

Term 2 Masses and Liturgies

Please note that all Masses and Liturgies are held in St Margaret Mary’s Church.

Families who are able, are most welcome to join us for these celebrations. If any changes occur, they will be communicated through Seesaw and upcoming newsletters. If you have any questions regarding Masses or Liturgies, please contact the front office or email matthew.harrison@smms.catholic.edu.au .

Have a good weekend everyone.

Matthew Harrison

Book Club Issue 3 is closing soon!

Due date for orders is 19^th May.

ALL orders done online via Book Club LOOP.

Find out how on Page 31 of your magazine (payments will not be accepted at school).

Dear Parents, your child is invited to join a FREE soccer session on Sunday, 26th May, from 10:00am to 11:00am at Adelaide's best athletes performance centre. 

More Than Sport FREE soccer clinic:

⚽Designed for 5 to 12 years old, first-timers, and beginners

📅 Date: Sunday, 26th May
⏰ Time: 10:00am - 11:00am

📍Address: 26 Stirling St, Thebarton SA 5031 (Inside Game Ready Performance)

☎️Contact: 1300 815 464 / admin@morethansport.com.au

REGISTER FOR FREE: https://morethansport.com.au/exclusive-invitation/

More Than Sport is hosting a FREE soccer clinic at their new HQ equipped with a massive indoor court, complete gym floor featuring a recovery zone with ice baths, sauna, and spas!

And that's not all! Major clubs like Adelaide United F.C., The Crows, Port Adelaide, Adelaide 36rs and other major clubs train there! 

Your child might even get a chance to meet their favourite athlete!