Term 4, Week 3 Friday 1st November 2024

As we are coming closer to the end of the school year, we are busily organising staffing for 2025.  Julie McGrane will be returning to her role at her previous school at the end of this year.  Julie has been a fantastic addition to our school over the past 2 years, demonstrating dedication to teaching and our community, having a positive impact on the students in her class.  We are sad to see her go but wish her all the best.

Sarah Carritt will be joining our teaching team in 2025, in the upper primary year levels.  Sarah is an experienced teacher, having taught in many different countries and most recently at St Thomas More School.  Class placements are being organised this term and we then allocate teachers to the year levels.

Our teachers are currently writing their Semester 2 reports and will continue to add to these over the term.  Our reports cover the learning and assessment for Semester 2 subject areas.  The comments focus specifically on Religious Education, English and Mathematics.  The assessments are guided by the Australian Curriculum Achievement Standards.  I encourage you to read the comments, as teachers outline areas of strength and growth for your child/ren.

We are finalising our 2025 enrolments and have some spaces available in our January Reception intake, as we are now offering 3 classes.  If you know anyone who may be interested in a St Margaret Mary’s education, please ask them to contact Angela in the front office for more information.

We have important information for parents available on our website.  Importantly, our Positive Resolution Procedure is online. At St Margaret Mary’s School we believe we need to communicate clearly that issues or concerns are to be resolved in respectful and appropriate ways.  It is important that grievances are kept confidential and that a time of reflection takes place.  Verbal and non-verbal communication should be respectful and uphold the dignity of all involved.  You can find the Positive Resolution Procedure at https://www.smms.catholic.edu.au/news-events/parent-communication

A reminder that all registered volunteers are required to complete a WHS induction.  Current volunteers will have received an email from Angela outlining the sessions available.  Please check and book a session if you have not already done so.

Thank you for your continued support,

Kelly Campbell
Principal

Dear Families,

The last 2 months of the year are upon us! How time flies!

Multicultural Festival – 9:45am Friday 8 November

Preparations are in full swing for the Multicultural Festival on Friday 8 November. **Please note the start time will now be 9:45am (Not 11:45am as originally planned). Children will eat their lunch as normal, and an afternoon snack will be provided. Many thanks to families who have donated money to help us cover the costs of catering and decorations.  If you are able to help, please send any donations to the School Office in an envelope marked “Donation for Multicultural Festival” and with your child’s name.

Families are welcome to join us for this special event. We hope to be able to hold it outside on the courts. If you are able to volunteer some of your time at 1:30pm to help us serve the food, could you please let us know by emailing info@smms.catholic.edu.au or contacting Angela in the Front Office.

Transition to Preschool and Reception in 2025

It has been great to meet the children who will join our school community in 2025. Our new Receptions have been visiting us on Wednesdays with Ms Leonardi or Ms Ventura and enjoying spending time together in the classroom and in the school yard. Our new Preschoolers will also be visiting us on Thursdays or Fridays to meet their teachers Ms Iovino and Ms Van Mourik and preschool friends. We hope that it is a positive start to their time with us at St Margaret Mary’s. Welcome to our school community!

Tennis Carnival

Many of our Year 3 and Year 4 students participated in a Tennis Carnival last Thursday. Mr Harrison and Mr Fuda and all of the parents who attended said the students played really well, were very supportive of each other and showed good sportsmanship. Well done! The weather was perfect too! Many thanks to Mrs Brown, Mr Harrison and Mr Fuda as well as our wonderful parent volunteers, Kahdija, Harley, Tracy, Adam, Kelly and Renee.

Next week is the Interschool Athletics Carnival. If your child has been selected, please return the permission forms ASAP. And if you are able to volunteer, and have all of the required clearances, please contact Angela in the Front Office.

Best wishes for the week ahead.

Belinda Elliott

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

On Friday 25 October, we held our Catholic Charities fundraiser - Outreach Day. We would like to say a big thank you to our Year 6 leaders, Ms Harms, Ms Osborne and Ms Pepicelli coordinated a broad range of stalls with creative activities, gifts and food options for the students to enjoy. A special thanks also to all our families for supporting the fundraiser through your ticket purchases. The money we raised from ticket sales will now be donated to our Catholic charity, ‘Mary MacKillop Today.’ Mary MacKillop Today, provides education and life skills to transform the lives of some of the poorest communities throughout the world.  Thank you for your support of Outreach Day and for your generous support of Mary MacKillop Today.

St Vincent de Paul – Vinnies Christmas Appeal Donations
In Term 4, we are inviting support for the Vinnie's Christmas Appeal. The Season of Christmas is a joyful time and yet for many families, it may also be a financially challenging time. Vinnies is committed to a more just and compassionate Australia, and as such, is deeply appreciative of the support and generosity of parish schools like ours.

Vinnies are inviting donations of much needed food, gifts and toys to create Christmas hampers for needy families in our parish.

Collection baskets will be placed around our ‘Giving Tree’ in the main entrance area. The baskets will remain in the entrance, from Monday 4 November (Week 4) to Thursday 5 December (Week 8). Then, on Thursday 5 December, the ‘Giving Tree’ will also be on display by the Parish Hall at our community event. On the night, any families who may still wish to place a donation in the baskets, can do so as they arrive.

To raise further awareness, our Student Leadership Team representatives will also be speaking in their classrooms about families in our parish who need our help this Christmas. They will explain the ‘Giving Tree in our entry area’ and how our community can donate food, gifts and toys in support of the Vinnies Christmas Appeal.

2025 Sacramental Program
On Wednesday 6 November, there will be an Information Parent Meeting regarding the 2025 Parish Sacramental Program. The meeting will be held in the Mary MacKillop Hall at Whitefriars School (45 Beaufort Street, Woodville Park, SA 5011). The meeting will be an opportunity to become familiar with the program and roles of families, schools and parish in the preparation for the celebration of these sacraments. If you have any questions before Wednesday, please contact the parish office on 8346 0944.

Have a good weekend everyone.
Matthew Harrison

Apologies for the confusion caused by our SMS system issues.  Please note that you can text us on 0497 901 493 at any time to advise of absences or to send us a message.  If you receive an absentee text from us you can respond to that number on the day of absence (but only on that day).

Alternately, you can call to leave a voicemail on 08 8245 5855 or email absent@smms.catholic.edu.au anytime.