Term 4, Week 1 Friday 21st October 2022

Our staff are commencing the process of class placements for 2023.  This week, students will also have a chance to provide input into this process. Each year teachers spend a great deal of time looking at class placements for the following year.  This process takes many things into account.  First and foremost, we take into consideration the learning needs of all students.   We aim to ensure classes are ‘balanced’, by also taking into consideration a balance of gender, progress and levels of children’s learning, children with specific needs (social/emotional, learning and physical), relationships and family considerations.

At this time of the year, we have not finalised staffing and class structures, and we have teachers who will be changing year levels, as well as new teachers to our community.  Requests for specific teachers are not a part of our process, as classes are determined before teachers are allocated to that class or year level.

If there is a consideration that you feel we need to be made aware of, please email me before Friday 28^th October (kelly.campbell@smms.catholic.edu.au).

Once the process is finished, it is extremely difficult to consider further input from parents because the movement of one child will affect other children in the class and the balance that we work hard to achieve. In previous years, if you have put something in writing, please email me again, if you would still like this to be considered.

Outdoor Play Space

Over the next school holidays work will commence on renovating our outdoor learning and play spaces.

The undercover area will be re-surfaced to make this space better utilised by students.  Our hard play area (courts) will be all be resurfaced.  We are also installing a new playground with an updated nature play and sandpit area.  We are planning to stagger this work to ensure there is always some play space for the students.  It will be a bit messy as the works are being done, but it will be worth it!

A new undercover shade sail is also being installed in the Preschool to replace our beautiful tree we lost earlier in the year.  The construction works for this are planned for the school holidays.

Thank you for your continued support,

Kelly Campbell

Welcome back to Term 4! We hope that you were able to have a restful break?!

 Transitions visits

We have had a busy start to the term already. This week we welcomed new children who are beginning their transition to preschool and school for Term 1 2023. It is always wonderful to meet new families, see all the smiling faces and welcome them to the St Margaret Mary’s community.

It was wonderful to see the children who are about to begin preschool exploring the learning space and becoming familiar with the teachers and routines. Mrs Braidwood also had a wonderful time with the children who are about to begin Reception. They will be getting used to the routines of the school. It is always an exciting time for the school and the children.

We have limited availability in Reception for 2023. If you know of any children who are able to start school in Term 1, 2023, please encourage their families to contact us. Our next Principal Tour is next week, Tuesday October 25^th.

Diwali celebrations

This week the classes have been working with Yashoda (mum of Tungavidya) and Veena (mum of Jaikrish and Yukti) to learn about the celebration of Diwali in the Indian community. The children have been learning about the symbols used during the celebration and the meaning of Diwali. The children have enjoyed participating in the craft activities as well.  We will be acknowledging Diwali in the assembly on Monday if you would like to join us then.

Term 4 events

Term 4 will be a busy term with many different events happening in the school community. We have already had school photos this week, and there are many more things happening. A copy of the school calendar for Term 4 can be found here. Please keep a close watch on the newsletter and SeeSaw so that you know what is happening next!

Volunteers

In the next few weeks, all children in Preschool, Foundation and Reception will be going on excursions to the Zoo. Other year levels have sport carnivals coming up, as well as excursions planned. If you would like to attend with your child and to help out on the day you will need to have completed the school volunteer process.  This is not difficult, and Angela can help you to do this. Please contact Angela at the Front Office for more information.

Attendance

Just a reminder that school and preschool starts at 8.45 each morning. Attendance matters! Please ensure your child is attending school and preschool every day, unless they are sick.  If your child is sick and will be absent for the day please call the absentee line on 82455855.

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome back to Term 4 everyone!

Sunday 16 October, was the Feast of Saint Margaret Mary. Margaret grew up in France, she was educated by the sisters of the Order of Saint Clare and became devoted to prayer and communion. She later became one of the sisters of the Order of Visitation and added the name Mary. Within her religious order, Margaret Mary devoted her life to Jesus and sharing his love for us with others.

On Sunday, the parish celebrated the feast day of our Croydon Park Church with a Mass followed by a cultural celebration on the courts. The festivities included a blessing as well as different cuisines and performances from around the world.

Feast Day Celebrations

On Thursday 20 October, we gathered to acknowledge our school feast day the Memorial of St Margaret Mary. We were excited to start the morning with our first whole school Mass in the Church. Ms Lang’s Year 1/2 class showed the congregation how to make the sign of the Cross in French (a nod to a young ‘Margaret’ in France who loved to learn and pray).

The Mass was presided by Fr Sam with the support of our Foundation to Year 6 readers and slideshow operators. Fr Sam spoke about the unconditional love Jesus has for each of us. It was a beautiful celebration, it was wonderful to finally share a Mass experience with all our Foundation to Year 6 classes present and to once again hear the joyous singing of our young people’s voices filling our Church.

Just to add to the celebration and make the day that little bit extra special, we also enjoyed refreshing fruit ice-blocks in the afternoon. 

Masses and Liturgies

The following Term 4 Masses and Liturgies of the Word (LOW) will be held in St Margaret Mary’s Church. If you are able, we invite families to join us for these celebrations. You can enter the Church via the Torrens Road main doors.

Thursday 27 October        Year 5 Parish Mass (Simon and Jude)              9:15am

Thursday 3 November      Year 3 Mass (All Saints)                                     9:15am

Friday 11 November         Year 1/2 LOW (Remembrance Day)                  10:20am

Monday 14 November     Foundation and Reception LOW (Advent)           9:15am

Have a wonderful weekend everyone,           

Matthew Harrison
Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission

We have been advised by our suppliers that the short sleeve polo tops will not be available until mid December.  We are low on stock of size 10 short sleeve polos and are awaiting size 6, 8 and 14.

Apologies to those who are waiting.

For those of you that weren’t aware each school holidays I meet with an Italian hub group  and together we plan for our students. Our little group is growing . This year our group has consisted of  6 Italian teachers  from different catholic schools in the metropolitan area.  We pride ourselves on planning units of Italian learning that are interesting , engaging and fun for the students we teach. Our teaching and learning methodologies include songs, stories, interactive clips to watch, reading, writing and speaking .

Students  will complete some revision work and consolidation on basic Italian vocabulary for the first few weeks this term. They will then explore and learn about Italian Christmas customs and traditions along with the very special legend of La Befana who is the gift giver in Italy. Senior students will further explore the story of the nativity  Il Presepio .

Looking forward to a busy and productive term.

Gina Armiento
Italian Teacher

Hi Families… 

 My name is Nadia Siv, and my daughter Lila attends St Margaret Mary’s School in foundation class.

 For the last few years, Lila and I have collected books and toys for the Salvation Army as part of their Christmas Appeal. Last year we managed to donate an amazing 722 gifts!!  I was blown away by everyone’s generosity! 

 This year I am upping the ante and hoping to get to 800 presents! So I am reaching out to everyone I can to achieve this goal. The impacts of the bushfires, floods and COVID have increased the number of families suffering financially this year, so let’s get some seriously good toys and books to some incredible, deserving children. 

 Collection starts now and will run until the 30th November 2022.   I will be unable to accept gifts after this date. 

 HOW TO DONATE

 Purchase your gift (ensuring you follow the gift guide below), and drop it off to the front office at St Margaret Mary’s for me to collect

Your generosity is highly valued, and we appreciate the time and effort it takes to get a special gift for a child in need. It’s important to us that your intention is honoured, so please read through the below gift giving guide before choosing your gift. 

Gift requirements: 

• Toys and books must be new and good quality.
• Your gift should be ready to read or play with as soon as it’s opened on Christmas morning (i.e. include batteries, or colouring pencils for colouring books, etc)
• No gift wrapping, please. While it may seem helpful to wrap your gift, this creates problems in the sorting and packing process and also means that parents don’t get to see or wrap the gift for their child.

Gifts most needed 
This year we have a shortage of gifts for children between 6 and 12 years of age. By donating a gift suitable for a child in this age group, you will help us meet the needs of many more families. Gifts such as board games, STEM and activity-based toys are always well-received. 

Items we can’t accept 

Unfortunately, there are some items that are difficult to sort and pack. Others may not be appropriate for a wide range of children. Repurposing these items costs money that we’d prefer to spend on getting more toys and books to more children. You can help us reach more children by avoiding the sorts of items listed below. 

• Breakable items such as glass or porcelain 
• Calendars and diaries 
• Candles and lamps 
• CDs and video games 
• Clothing including shoes, costumes and pyjamas 
• Food or drinks 
• Games suitable for adults (16+ years) 
• Toys that look like weapons such as guns and swords
• Items that contain liquid 
• Promotional Marketing or branded items (items with company logos) 
• Second-hand or handmade items 
• Sheets and towels 
• Toiletries, perfume and makeup 
• Large items such as bikes, hula hoops, ride-ons etc. Try to keep your gift smaller than a school backpack. 

Any questions please ask! Thank you again!

Nadia Siv