Term 4, Week 3 Friday 4th November 2022
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2023 Planning
The year is quickly passing us by and we are already planning for 2023. I am excited to announce some new initiatives for 2023.
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Gifted and Talented program. We will be initiating a program for students for extension and enrichment. This program will support students in a number of ways. Firstly, teachers will develop their understanding of classroom-based extension within the existing curriculum and be supported to plan for this learning. Secondly, we are planning to offer some specific extension programs for selected students throughout the year. As our policy and program is developed, we will offer some parent sessions with more information.
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STEM focus. In 2023, we are planning to employ a specialist STEM teacher. This teacher will work with our classroom teachers to develop a whole school approach to teaching STEM across the curriculum, as well as to ensure our students have a range of specialist STEM experiences.
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Extended Reception transition. Our Transition to Reception program will expand to a full day a week (in addition to Preschool hours) for 10 weeks prior to children starting Reception. This program will be available for children in our Preschool as well as other children joining us from other kindy’s, ELCs, preschools or childcare.
Happy World Teacher’s Day
We celebrated World Teacher’s Day on Friday 28th October. The official theme this year was, ‘the transformation of education begins with teachers’. At St Margaret Mary’s School, all our educators (teachers and ESOs) work tirelessly to improve student outcomes and to support student wellbeing. We are very proud of our staff and the continual learning they embrace for transformative improvements.
Diwali
We had a wonderful celebration of Diwali on Monday 24th October. The children enjoyed learning about this festival that is celebrated by many of our families. The artwork was great! Thank you so much to Yashoda Krishnan and Veena Rajpurohit for coming into all our classes and sharing your culture and art. A special thanks to Yahsoda, Veena and Jesse for preparing and performing at our assembly.
Staffing Update
Kathy Day (4/5KD) has been on long service leave this Semester. Kathy has recently decided to retire from her position at St Margaret Mary’s School. Kathy has worked as a teacher at St Margaret Mary’s since 2004 and has taught many students and worked in a variety of year levels. Kathy always demonstrated a great passion for student learning, inclusivity and developing student’s love for the ecology. We wish Kathy all the best for her retirement.
Playground Development
We are hoping that work on our new playground will be completed over the next school holidays. Due to the difficulty in access and availability of labour, the new hard play area will be completed in 2 stages early next year.
Donations of toys/books
We are supporting Lila Siv (Foundation class) to collect donations of new toys, books and stationery for the Salvation Army. Please see information later in the newsletter about how to donate. You can drop off your donations to the school office.
Thank you for your continued support,
Kelly Campbell
Term 4 is progressing quickly as always. The children have been very patient with the weather, but we are all looking forward to more sunny days. Please remember that it is ‘NO HAT, NO PLAY’, regardless of the weather.
What’s news in Physical Education
During term 4 our students participate in a tennis program. Our Year 3 and 4 students have already been to a tennis carnival this term, practising their skills playing real tennis games! This week all classes started a 4-week tennis program with coaches from Flinders Park Tennis Club. The children always enjoy the opportunity to learn new skills and to learn from different coaches.
End of Year Community Event – SAVE THE DATE!
We are currently planning our end of year event. It will be held on the evening of Thursday December 1st. We are finalising the schedule for the evening, but it will be a showcase of learning from the Semester 2 Performing Arts curriculum, with guest appearances by the school choir! As we finalise the details we will let you know more, but please save the date! We are very excited to be able to share this with our school community again!
Traffic
A number of people have been parking on yellow lines close to the school to drop their children at school or preschool. It is illegal to park on yellow lines. If the police or council parking inspectors witness this, you will be fined! Please park further down the street, or use the large gravel carpark (empty block) nearby.
We ask that drivers do not use driveways near the school to turn around. This is dangerous and holds up the traffic. It is also not respectful of our neighbours.
Thank you for your help and understanding with this.
We have limited places left in Preschool and Reception for 2023, so please make sure you talk to your friends and family about the where their children will be attending school next year.
We would love to see them here at St Margaret Mary’s Preschool and School!
Alicia Boylan
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Dear Parents and Caregivers,
On Tuesday 1 November we celebrated the Feast of All Saints followed by the Feast of All Souls on Wednesday 2 November. These feasts are significant days in the Liturgical Calendar of the Church.
Journey to Emmaus
On Monday 31 October we concluded the 2022 Year 6 servant leadership program, ‘Journey to Emmaus.’ Our Year 6 students engaged in their third experience of collaborative groupings with Whitefriars students. Activities throughout the day included prayer and reflection, designing creative ‘messages of hope,’ organising donation packs for Hutt Street and celebrating a liturgy of the Word. Special thanks to Josh Page and Whitefriars Catholic School for hosting our young leaders.
Hutt Street
On Tuesday 1 November, through the combined efforts of St Margaret Mary’s and Whitefriars we filled twelve baskets of toiletries and stationery donations together and delivered these to Hutt Street to distribute to the broader community. Hutt Street were overwhelmed by the volume of our Term 3 appeal donations. Hutt Street staff expressed sincere gratitude for the enormous generosity and contribution of both our Croydon Park Parish schools.
Sacramental Program
Next week, we will be sending out a link to the 2023 Parish Sacramental Program. If you are considering participating in the program with your child / children, we invite you to express your interest for 2023 by completing the attached electronic form. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via email at matthew.harrison@smms.catholic.edu.au
Masses and Liturgies
In recent weeks we have celebrated parish Masses with our Year 5 classes and Year 3 classes. The remaining celebrations will be Liturgies of the Word (LOW). These liturgies will be held in St Margaret Mary’s Church. If you are able, you are most welcome to join us. You can enter the Church via the Torrens Road main doors.
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 and enjoy the sunshine.
Matthew Harrison
Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission
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Term 3 was filled with lots of amazing and interesting learning in 1/2AL.
Here are some images that show some of our learning experiences.
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Students in Year 4/5 have started investigating the legend of La Befana. Who is she? Why is she such an important part of the Italian Christmas tradition ? Does she really leave coal for the naughty children ?
Her legend is interesting and such a significant part of the Italian Christmas custom & tradition.
Gina Armiento
Italian Teacher
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Hi Families…
Collection starts now and will run until the 30th November 2022. I will be unable to accept gifts after this date.
HOW TO DONATE
GIFT GUIDE |
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
Important Dates
6pm 2023 Reception Parent Information Session
10.20am Remembrance Day Liturgy Yr 1/2
9.15am FDN/Rec Liturgy
6pm 2023 Preschool Parent Information Session
Children's University Graduation
School Times & Term Dates
Front Office: 8.30am - 3.45pm
Student Supervision: 8.30am - 3.20pm
Classes: 8.45am - 3.00pm
2022
Term 4: Monday 17 October to Friday 16 December
2023
Term 1: Monday 30 January to Friday 14 April;
Term 2: Monday 1 May to Friday 7 July;
Term 3: Monday 24 July to Friday 29 September;
Term 4: Monday 16 October to Friday 15 December
Preschool Times
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Group 1: Monday & Tuesday 8.45am - 2.45pm;
Wednesday 8.45am - 11.45am
Occasional Care: Wednesday 9-12 (bookings required)
Group 2: Wednesday 12.15pm-3.15pm;
Thursday & Friday 8.45am - 2.45pm
Playgroup
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Crossing Monitors
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Thank you to these students who have volunteered to be crossing monitors:
Week 1 - Ky, Nam, Dakota
Week 2 - Olivia, Wynter, Alexis
Week 3 - Logen, Piang, Savannah
Uniform Shop Times
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Tuesday: 2.30pm - 3.30pm;
Friday: 8.30am - 10.00am
Please Note:
track pants and short sleeved polos are expected to arrive by week 8;
more short sleeved polos are expected to arrive at the start of 2023;
long sleeved polos and jackets are expected to arrive in March 2023.
OSHC Hours
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Morning: 6.30am - 8.30am;
Afternoon: 3.00pm - 6.15pm
Phone Camp Australia: 1300 105 343
Croydon Park Catholic Parish
Parish Priest: Fr Charles Lukati
Ph: 8346 0944
Student Absences
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Phone: 8245 5855 (answering service - call anytime)
Email: absent@smms.catholic.edu.au
SMS: 0407 682 137
November Birthdays!
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We wish the following students who celebrate a birthday in November a very happy and blessed birthday:
Phillip | 6LO |
Angus | PRE1 |
Fifi | 4/5GG |
Hoang | 3GW |
Jasmine | 4/5GG |
Jordan | 1/2ML |
Tue Tam | 1/2AL |
Hayley | 4/5CM |
Michas | 1/2CF |
Zecharias | PRE2 |
Rosalie | 1/2AL |
Bethlehem | 6LO |
An | 4/5CM |
Natalie | 6LO |
Jade | 1/2CF |
Scott | 1/2KB |
Patrick | 4/5GG |
Zara | PRE2 |
Mia | 6LO |
Greatest | 3MK |
Greatness | 3GW |
Han | 3GW |
Taye | 1/2ML |
Jaxon | RRB |
Scott | RRB |
John | 4/5GG |
Harry | 3GW |
Lucas | PRE1 |
Nicholas | 1/2CF |
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