Term 2, Week 3 Friday 20th May 2022

Art Show
Many thanks to all our families who attended our Art show on Wednesday evening.  We were so excited to be able to finally open our doors to families to experience our new learning spaces.  It was a lovely celebration of community and learning. The artwork was amazing, and it was great to see such a variety of mediums and techniques used.  Thank you to all our staff for their preparation of the artwork and displays.  You can still purchase your child’s artwork for $5 and they will bring it home at the end of this week (just contact the office).  All proceeds will go towards our new play space.

COVID-19 Update
It is important that you continue to actively monitor your child for any COVID-19 symptoms.  If any symptoms develop (even mild symptoms) students must not attend school and should follow SA Health advice in relation to testing and quarantine.  If a positive result is advised, you will need to let the school know as soon as possible (even if your child has not attended for a few days).

We continue to work closely with SA Health, and in instances where there are 5 or move COVID-19 cases in a class, we will activate the Catholic Education South Australia Outbreak Management Plan for COVID-19 and communicate with families at that time.

School Soccer
The school soccer season has begun.  This season we have 4 teams in the North Western Junior Soccer Association competition.  This could not be possible without the fabulous support from our volunteer coaches and team managers.  School soccer is a great way for your child/ren to experience the game in a safe, affordable and supportive environment.  Thank you also Celeste Brown for coordinating our school involvement.

National Volunteer Week
During National Volunteer Week, we say a huge thank you to all our volunteers at St Margaret Mary’s School.  As restrictions are being lifted we are making a ‘call out’ to all parents to consider registering as a volunteer at our school.  Even if you work, there may be opportunities for you to help at out of hours events such as school disco, school board, soccer and basketball.  Clearances for volunteering can take a few weeks to process, so it’s good to have your application in ‘just in case’ you would like to volunteer at an event.

Please see Angela in the office for more information.

We still are in desperate need of volunteers for R-2 swimming next week!

Thank you for your continued support,

Kelly Campbell

Thank you to all those families who were able to come along to our Art Show this week. The children loved the opportunity to show their families their artwork and their classrooms. The staff loved being able to share the new learning spaces with the community!

A big thank you to all the students who did such a fabulous job on their art work. The children were very eager to learn new techniques and share their learning with everyone. A huge thank you to all our staff who prepared the learning spaces for the evening. It was a lot of work but very worth it!

Swimming
Our students in years 3-5 have been participating in a Water Safety Program at the Aquatic Centre this week. The children have been enjoying the opportunity to be involved and are having a great time.

Next week the children in Reception to Year 2 will be participating the same program. We know they are looking forward to it.

Volunteers
We are requiring volunteers for next weeks Water Safety Program. If you are able to help out, please let your child’s teacher know.

We will also be requiring volunteers to help out with some upcoming sporting carnivals.

If you would like to become a registered volunteer, please see Angela and she will be able to help you complete the paperwork.

Staffing
We are experiencing difficulty with staffing at the moment, with many of our regular relief staff sick. This has meant some classes have had a variety of different teachers. Although we try to make sure that there is some continuity in the relief teachers in each class this is not always possible.

Just a reminder that we have a number of children preparing to start in our Foundation class in July. We also have children getting ready to start Preschool at the same time. It is a very busy and exciting time for them all.

We still have some places available in Foundation and Preschool for Term 3. If you know someone who has not enrolled their child, please encourage them to contact Angela in the Front Office.

Alicia Boylan
Assistant Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

This Week is the fifth week in the Season of Easter and it is also Laudato Si’ Week. Inspired by Pope Francis’ Encyclical, Laudato Si’ invites us to consider our ongoing commitment to ecological conversion and spirituality in prayer, gathering and action.

Student Leaders
It has been wonderful to meet with our Student Leadership Team (SLT) Representatives.  In our meetings, we have acknowledged our responsibility as leaders and discussed different ways that we can be active in our service of others. Particularly, how we can be service leaders within our classrooms, in our school and in our community. We look forward to providing updates of our leadership experiences throughout the term.

St Vincent de Paul Winter Appeal
At the next SLT meeting, we will be focusing on raising awareness in our community for the St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies) Winter Appeal. The appeal invites donations of warm clothing, blankets and canned food, to support families in need this winter. Our SLT representatives are preparing to share more information with their peers over the coming weeks.

Primary Years Masses
As of Monday 16 May, schools were able to return to class, year level and whole school Masses with families.  As such, we have already confirmed two dates with the parish for Term 2 and we are pleased to welcome back families to join us once again for these celebrations of the Eucharist.

On Thursday 2 June (Week 5), we will have a combined Year 6 and Year 3 parish Mass and then on Thursday 16 June (Week 7), our Year 4/5 classes will lead a parish Mass celebration.  Both Masses will be at St Margaret Mary’s Church from 9:15am.

Further dates for our Early Years Liturgy of the Word celebrations will be announced in the next newsletter.

Confirmation Meeting
Next Tuesday 24 May, Croydon Park Parish will hold an Information Evening for the ‘Sacrament of Confirmation’ at Whitefriars Catholic School, in the Mary MacKillop Centre at 7.00pm.  

It is important that all candidates attend so that they receive their Confirmation home booklet and key information regarding this Sacrament. Due to the large number of Sacramental enrolments, we again ask that only one adult attends with their child(ren) on this evening.

Confirmation Dates
The first Confirmation Ceremony will be on Friday 12 August, in St Margaret Mary’s Church at 7:00pm. The children attending this ceremony will need to attend the practice session one week earlier on Thursday 4 August in St Margaret Mary’s Church at 6:30pm.

The second Confirmation Ceremony will be on Friday 19 August, in St Margaret Mary’s Church at 7:00pm. The children attending this ceremony will need to attend the practice session two weeks earlier on Thursday 4 August in St Margaret Mary’s Church at 7:30pm. 

As always, if any changes or questions arise, please don’t hesitate to contact the Sacramental Coordinator Eleni Vailas as soon as possible on 8346 0944.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone,

Matt Harrison

Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission

Please remember that Monday 30th May is a Student Free Day.  OSHC will be available, so please book in asap.

The Year 4/5 students have commenced their unit of work on L'Orto del Nonno. This term they will explore and learn vocabulary for vegetables, animals and insects and also focus a little on sustainable gardens. 

OSHC enjoyed a visit from our friendly local police car on Thursday afternoon.  Everybody was excited to have a look around the car and hear the siren.