Term 4, Week 9 Wednesday 14th December 2022

2022 has been a very busy year! There have certainly been a lot of things happening and we were pleased to see many events and activities return for the 2022 school year!

The children have moved into our new learning spaces with ease, and it is difficult to remember how the school building used to be. The new buildings are certainly wonderful learning spaces. We are now looking forward to the new yard redevelopment, which will begin over the school holidays.

Community Event 2022

It was such a wonderful night to celebrate our End of Year Community Event on the 1^st of December. The weather was perfect and there was a very large crowd! We were so pleased to have so many parents, carers, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends come along to enjoy the evening and see the children perform!

I want to thank Mrs Selina Roper, our Performing Arts teacher, our organising committee and all the teachers for all the hard work that went into getting the children ready to perform. There was also a lot of work to get ready for the night. Also, a big thank you to the students who helped with different jobs in preparation and on the night!

I was also very happy to have so many parents offer to help cook the barbeque or serve the food. I would especially like to thank Craig, Lisa, Adam, Nick, Trang, Truc, Prageeth, Claire, Savroop, Tik, Emilia, Carla, Jesse, Thuy, Sharon, Dan, Amrit, Yuan, Amrit, Almaz, Yoana and The Mi. Thank you for your help on the day and for your offers to help as well. Without parent support, these events cannot go ahead!

Occasional Care

This term we have been using Occasional Care to provide children with the opportunity to transition to Preschool. The children have been developing their independence and resilience as they transition to a new environment without their parents and/or carers. The children have also been learning the routines of the Preschool and practising their sharing and turn taking skills! It has been a wonderful opportunity for the staff and children to get to know each other before the new Preschool year begins.

Occasional Care will begin again on Wednesday February 1^st, 2023. Occasional Care will be running from 8.45 to 11.45 each Wednesday morning during term time. Families are reminded to contact the Front Office to book their child in.

Playgroup

I would like to thank Vicky Manalo for her work in running Playgroup this year, and Nikki Calabro for her support of Vicky.  This year has been an opportunity for the Playgroup to rebuild after going online due to Covid. It has been wonderful to see some families return to Playgroup and to see new families join in.

The families had a wonderful time last week, when Playgroup went to the park for their end of year picnic. There was even a special visit from Father Christmas! 

A big thank you to all our Playgroup families for your participation and support for a wonderful year of play and fun!

Playgroup will begin again on Friday February the 10^th (Week 2).

I would like to thank the students and families for their support over the school year. I am very excited to see what 2023 will bring and to be working and learning with you all again.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Have a wonderful break, enjoy some sleep-ins and a well-deserved break from the routines of school!

Merry Christmas

Alicia

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

This is the third week in Advent. This week, we light the rose-coloured candle, representing ‘Joy,’ joy that the birth of Jesus offers each of us.

End of Year Mass
On Friday 9 December, we celebrated our whole school End of Year Mass. In his homily, Fr Charles spoke to the children about being thankful for the many blessings we have received this year. To be grateful for the experiences shared and the people who care for us. It was great to see some of our families join us and to witness the children singing and engaged with such joy.

Ceremony of Light
On Monday 12 December, we gathered as a whole school for a Ceremony of Light. We listened to John’s Gospel that Jesus is the light of the World and that He wants to be a light in our lives. This year, the Year 6 leaders have drawn on the light of Christ through their service and symbolically passed on a candle to each of the Year 5 students, our leaders in 2023.

Vinnies Christmas Appeal
It was wonderful to see all our families together again at our Community Event on Thursday 1 December. On behalf of Sr Catherine and St Vincent de Paul, I would like to thank everyone for their enormous generosity. We were blown away to see so many donations hand delivered on the evening and placed under our Vinnies ‘Giving Tree.’ This week, Vinnies volunteers will create baskets to deliver to families across Adelaide in their mission to show that ‘a little bit of love can change someone’s Christmas.’

Parish News
Information regarding the 2023 Parish Sacramental Program and Altar Server training will be distributed at the beginning of Term 1, 2023. Copies of the sacramental program letter and registration form are available from the front office. If you have any questions please let me know via email matthew.harrison@smms.catholic.edu.au

Christmas Eve Masses

• English Family Mass: Saturday, 24 December at 6.30pm in St Margaret Mary’s Church (Carols from 6pm)
• Vietnamese Mass: Saturday, 24 December at 7.00pm in Mater Dei Church (Carols from 6pm)
• English Night Mass: Saturday, 24 December at 10.00pm in Mater Dei Church (Carols from 9.30pm)

Christmas Day Masses

• English Mass: Sunday, December 25th at 8.30am in St Patrick’s Church
• Polish Mass: Sunday, December 25th at 8.30am in St Margaret Mary’s Church
• English Mass: Sunday, December 25th at 10.30am in St Margaret Mary’s Church

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, time with friends and loved ones and a safe and happy start to the new year.

Matthew Harrison
Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission

Buon Natale a tutti! 

Merry Christmas to all.

Wishing everyone a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year . Tanti Auguri for 2023. 

Gina Armiento
Italian Teacher 

• Existing students - $100
• New students - $110

Co-Curricular Fee Payment Day will be Wednesday 25th January 9.30am - 2.30pm.

School Card forms will be available on this day.  Please bring your Health Care or Pension Cards with you to apply for School Card.

Thank you,

Jane Victory
On behalf of the St Margaret Mary's School Board