Newsletter Term 2, Week 6 2023
Monday 12 June- Kings Birthday Public Holiday
Monday 10th July- Student Free Day
Hello Everyone,
Welcome to our first Winter newsletter for 2023. At the PSG meeting Tuesday night, the parents were discussing how quickly this term is flying by and I have to say I feel like my first year at the wonderful St. Margaret Mary’s, will be over before I blink! I am enjoying the blessing of being the principal of this dynamic, warm, inclusive school.
FSG
The FSG meeting was well attended and provided a great opportunity to build further details into our upcoming events and set the wheels in motion for the sharing of tasks across the many offers of assistance. As communicated previously, we have a number of student centred goals for the funds we raise through FSG events so your support is welcomed and encouraged. The next event on the SMM calendar is the -Children’s School Disco Friday 23 June, see the flyer below for details. Next term, our annual major fundraising and social event is the –
Trivia Night on Saturday September 2nd. Please put this date in your diaries and rally your family and friends in readiness for a great night out!
Community Connections = Enhanced learning opportunities
Since the last newsletter, the children have enjoyed enhanced learning experiences thanks to SMM’s positive community connections. The year 4s travelled to Emmanuel College to engage with staff, students and school facilities to learn about secondary life, learning and opportunities. Last week the year 3 – 6 children had the opportunity to attend Emmanuel College’s 2023 Musical, “The Addam’s Family.” The staff and students returned to school elated after enjoying the high standard presentation from the College’s Production students.
On May 31st, all year sixes walked down to the Science works museum for yet another free opportunity to engage with their latest learning sprint thanks to our positive relationship with this brilliant learning facility virtually on our doorstep. Our children not only get to experience rich STEM learning opportunities; they are also invited to provide feedback on the highlights of their experiences. This feedback process also enriches our children’s learning through opportunities to collaborate with Science work learning designers through problem solving and creative thinking when making suggestions for improvements or enhancements.
Some Changes on the Horizon!
Staff Farewell
It is with both sadness and gratitude for her dedicated service, that we announce Mrs Andrea Moscato will be leaving SMM mid Term 3 to take up the opportunity of a leadership position at Queen of Peace, Altona. Andrea has been at St. Margaret Mary’s for 14 years and whilst she is excited at the opportunity of working in a new context and a bigger school, she is sad to leave SMM as Andrea has built many meaningful relationships within our community. Andrea, we thank you, we will miss you and we send blessings to you as you embark on this next exciting stage of your career. Thank you for the positive difference you have made to many young lives during your time at St. Margaret Mary’s.
Year 3 2024 – Chromebooks in, ipads no longer required from Families
We are slowly phasing out the “Bring your own devices” (BYOD) approach at St. Margaret Marys for many reasons and all of them benefit our children and our parents.
PLEASE NOTE 2024 – Year 3 Children (parents) are NOT required to buy an ipad. Next term we will give all 2024 Year 3 families access to a portal that sells the same Chromebook, and bag for all children, with the option of finance if that is helpful for your family. Chromebooks are significantly cheaper than ipads. Year 3 2024 children will have access to a shared selection of SMM school ipads should they need this technology as a learning tool in class.
What about 2024 Year 4 – 6 children who already have an ipad?
Children will continue to use their BYOD ipads at SMM in years 4 – 6 in 2024 and the school will use the Chromebooks that we already have when the children in these year levels need access to Chromebooks as a tool for their learning.
What are the benefits?
There are many educational benefits and alongside these, Chromebooks are less of a financial outlay for parents and with all children purchasing the same devices, there will be a centralised system of device set up, capabilities, and School compliant securities installed. Your children will take home their Chromebook each night to recharge it in preparation for the next day. More information about the program will be included in future newsletters, including access to the family purchase portal. If you have any questions please contact Simon or myself via email office@smmspotswood.catholic.edu.au
Refreshing our Library – Thank you Volunteers!
Tilly Stoove, a recently retired Teacher Librarian, has volunteered (with a nudge from an old work colleague Colleen) to assist in the sorting, auditing and formulation of a strategic plan for enriching our student collection and library environment. Alongside Tilly we have had the excellent assistance of two volunteer mums, Chris Pym and Alison Muscat who have come in multiple mornings and have enjoyed the chance to help out.
Thank you SMMLT – St. Margaret Mary’s Library Team!
Enrolments
Enrolments for 2024 are healthy and I am presently meeting with the top categories of our enrolment criteria so if you have a sibling yet to be enrolled please prioritise contacting the school office as I have begun offering positions for Foundation 2024. It has been delightful meeting the families and children.
2023 SMM Feedback, Reporting Protocols
Key events for reciprocal feedback and communication protocols are fast approaching as Semester One draws to a close. As communicated in a recent Operoo message, reports will be sent out online this semester so if you still require a printed copy, please notify both your child’s class teacher and email office@smmspotswood.catholic.edu.au and please type – Printed copy of Student report in the subject line. Parent / Teacher Learning Conversations will be in the final week of Term 2. There will also be an opportunity for positive and constructive Parent to School feedback through a beginning of Semester 2 Parent survey. This will be sent out via a google forms link Week 1 of Term 3.
Stay warm, take care
Colleen McCambridge
Principal
Follow our socials for the latest learning posts from the classroom
St Margaret Mary’s students are independent life-long learners inspired by Gospel values and empowered with a sense of purpose and responsibility. They confidently engage with others and are equipped with skills to adapt to an ever changing world.
Each week, students who embody our values, apply the school mindsets to learning, work hard to improve or persevere to deliver on learning objectives are awarded a class award. The students who earned an award in the past weeks are:
Term 2, Week 6
Term 2, Week 5
Frog in a Pond
The Juniors were busy making the old favourite “Frog in a Pond.” They got to make it, and then were able to write procedural texts about how they did it. Yum!
4/5’s Assembly
This week at assembly the Grade 4/5 class shared what we have been learning in class recently. We discussed how we have been learning about metaphors, similes, alliteration and personification and gave some examples of these. One example Thomas and Oliver shared of a simile was "He was as happy as a quokka!"
We also shared our learning about the 3 Levels of Government and Callum tested the school on how well they knew which government was responsible for different things including taxes, police and rubbish collection.
Eva C
Year 6 Design Sprint
By Serena
On Wednesday, we went to Scienceworks for a STEM design sprint. We got to learn about prosthetic arms, legs, bionic ears, bionic eyes, hip replacements and much more. We also had different specialists and even Bree Mellberg (Basketball Paralympian) to speak to us about what they do, and about devices that help the human body. Our class got to create different things that will help someone with a disability to do things that we do every day.
In the morning, the Year 6’s walked to Scienceworks. From there, we entered a big room with many schools and got an introduction to our day. We looked at different designs of prosthetic legs and how they can become works of art. Bree Mellberg got to come and talk to us about life in a wheelchair and how it impacted her life. We got to learn what things she does and even got to watch little animals getting sent off to space! After that, we had a snack and looked at different devices that helped people with disadvantages to do everyday things. Then, 2 specialists from the bionics institute talked to us about bionic ears and eyes. They also showed us what the human ear and eye can do and the different implants that you could have if there is a problem. We then had lunch and looked at the ‘think ahead’ exhibit. When we went back inside, we got to create different devices that could help people with disabilities do different things. Ellie and I made a voice controlled controller to help people mow the lawn. From there, we looked at the other creations and then walked back to school.
I enjoyed creating the devices and speaking to Bree because it showed me that having a disability may change your life but you can use it in a positive way. It also showed me different ways to help people and what people might need help with.
I learnt how bionic ears and eyes work and the different problems that they can fix. I also learnt about the way that someone in a wheelchair can get on with everyday life and the challenges that they have to face.
In the future, I want to use this information to promote awareness to those who need help. I also want to help create ways for people with disabilities to do things everyday and to get to places with no trouble.
Inform and Empower Parent Information Session
Thank you to all our families that attended the Inform and Empower Information session. We had 45 families register for the session which is a great turnout. There was some very useful information for parents and carers about some very popular games and apps.
If you would like to watch a recording of the session, you can visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIgXSxSt9qA
It is highly recommended that all parents of school age children watch the recording as it has valuable information around helping our kids navigate the online world.
Children’s Liturgy
To the families of Sacred Heart and St Margaret Mary's of the Parish of St Joseph,
The parish is hoping to reinstate regular Children's Liturgy during the 10am Sunday Mass at Sacred Heart Church to encourage young families and their children to our weekend Masses.
We are looking to form a group of 3-5 adults/youth (16 years and older) who are interested in taking turns to lead these sessions and create opportunities for the children of our parish to learn more about the life of Jesus.
Resources and guidance would be provided.
If you are interested, please speak to Fr Binh after Mass or contact Ivana at the parish office on 9391 1201 or email to Newport.Spotswood@cam.org.au
Thanks and have a great weekend.
With every prayer and blessing,
Rev Binh Le
Upcoming School Masses and events
Sunday 18th June- Family Mass: Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Reports Online
This semester we are pleased to announce that you will be receiving your child’s semester report online via the nForma Parent Portal for the first time.
Instructions on how to access the nForma Parent Portal will be sent out to the email addresses that have been previously supplied to the school. These emails will be sent out on Friday 16th of June, 2023.
It is very important that you have updated your email addresses with the school, as an automated email containing instructions and login details will come from no-reply@nforma.com.au and not the school. Please ensure that you check your junk/spam folder for an email from that address.
It is highly recommended that you use a computer to access your child’s reports for the first time. Subsequent logins can be made on a mobile device if preferred.
Once you have followed the instructions, you will be able to view your child’s report online.
Once in the portal you will need to choose your child (if you have more than one at our school) and then choose the reporting component.
Forgotten passwords:
If you have forgotten your password, please follow the 'forgotten password' link. Please note that your new password needs to be at least 7 characters long and must include at least one non alpha-numeric character, e.g. *, - / or similar.
If you have requested a password reset and the email does not appear, please look in your junk/spam folder for an email from no-reply@nforma.com.au.
If you have any questions or issues, please contact the school office. A paper copy of your child/rens report will be available upon request.
Playground
Please note that the playground is not open before or after school as there is no teacher supervising the playground at those times. If your toddler or preschool child is playing on the playground before the bell in the afternoon it would be helpful if when the bell rang, they then came off the playground so other school children aren’t tempted to play alongside them. Thanks for your support with this.
Also, as much as we love the cute dogs that come down to school to pick up their humans we ask that they don’t come into the school yard. We have some kids that are frightened of dogs and like to be with their parents before having to walk past any dogs.
Investigations
The junior classes need your help. We are after some resources to help ignite our investigations. If you are doing any clean outs over the holidays we want your clean, usable, second hand things! As always we are after natural based items, think wood, rattan, real life items etc basically NO PLASTICS.
We have listed some items on the graphic we are particularly after if you have any hanging around. If you have any small cardboard boxes (packaging from online shopping) headed for the recycling bin please keep them aside for us. If you have any questions about an item's suitability please email Simone Laurie (slaurie@smmspotswood.catholic.edu.au)
Please send any items in with the kids or drop them off at the front office. Thanks in advance, Simone and the Junior Team
Parent Teacher & Student Interviews
Early next week we will be sending out instructions and a link to book your Parent Teacher and Student meeting. These will take place in the final week of term 2 on Tuesday 20th and Thursday 22nd June.
Students are encouraged to attend as well and will be actively involved in teacher feedback.
Chromebooks in 2024
In 2024, St Margaret Mary’s will be making some changes to it’s BYO program. Current year 2’s will not be required to purchase an ipad, but instead will use a Chromebook. See Colleen’s report to see some of the reasons for the change. More information to follow, including the parent portal used to purchase your child’s device.
Important Dates
Trying to find an important date? Check out our updated Term Dates page.
Upcoming Water Works
Over the past twelve months Melbourne Water has completed investigation works at the sewer maintenance hole near the corner of Cullen Street and Hudsons Road, Spotswood.
Results of these investigations indicate that the internal fittings, including the drop pipe need to be upgraded.
The drop pipe located inside the maintenance hole plays an important role in transferring sewage from Spotswood on to Melbourne Water's Western Treatment Plant.
Works will involve:
• Removing the old drop pipe, ladder and landing pad
• Cleaning and re-lining the internal surface of the maintenance hole
• Installing a new drop pipe, ladders and landing pad
These works will ensure that the sewer maintenance hole and drop pipe continue to operate safely for generations to come.
Timing
Works will start in mid-May and will take around 3 months to complete, weather permitting. Working hours are between 7am and 5pm Monday to Friday. Aqua Metro Services will complete this project on behalf of Melbourne Water.
At the first FSG meeting some potential fundraising targets were discussed. One thing everyone agreed on was a new audio visual system for the hall was a must. All our fundraising efforts this year will go towards the new audio visual, a ga-ga pit and some other exciting resources yet to be finalised.
Footy Tipping
Well what a shocker of a round we just had, and I was sitting on a miserable 1 until Sunday morning. Luckily everyone else seemed to have a terrible round as well and there wasn’t too much movement. Spare a thought for those who tried to use their Joker! Yikes!
The top 3 on the ladder are very close but Shakatak appears to be holding their nerve against the Millar Boys onslaught. Next week there is a couple of tricky ones. Will the doggies bite back against the cats? Will Carlton continue their spiral downwards? Only time will tell.
Please pay now if you haven’t already done so!
$25 to join and prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd to be announced soon.
Payments made via school FSG bank account. Please have entry payments made by round 3, using your footy tipping alias as a reference.
Account SMM FSG
BSB: 083 347
Acc: 365426557
You can also send in $25 in an envelope, labelled with your alias and titled "2023 footy tipping"
Join the competition below: https://www.footytips.com.au/comps/SMM_2023_AFL_Footy_Tipping_Competition?p=stmm3015
Best of Luck!
Emmanuel College News
Open Day 2023 was a wonderful event with families enjoying the opportunity to meet students, see the
fantastic facilities we have here at Emmanuel and meet staff and students. We hope that you saw lots of things that you liked and that your child would enjoy doing here at Emmanuel.
If you were unable to attend, or would like to visit the College again, you are most welcome to come along to Information Morning on Saturday 5 August – times for each campus are below and registration is available here: https://www.ecmelb.catholic.edu.au/enrolment-information/tours
Saturday 5 August 2023
Notre Dame Campus 9:00am
St Paul’s Campus 10:30am
Year 7 2025 Applications
A friendly reminder that if you have a child in Grade 5, applications for Year 7 2025 close on Friday 18 August 2023. Even if your older child is already attending or joining us in 2024, it is a requirement for an application to be submitted for 2025. A Prospectus Pack containing an application form can be obtained
by:
Attending Information Morning on Saturday 5 August
Following this link to the College website: Request a Prospectus here
Sending an email to: enrolments@ecmelb.catholic.edu.au
Calling our College Registrar, Ms Donna Grech on 8325 5119
Coming into either Campus Office between 8am and 4:15pm on weekdays.
Please ensure that you provide us with your current email address as Year 7 2025 Letters of Offer and Waitlist notifications will be distributed to families by email on Friday 18 October.
I hope to see you at a College event soon.
Best wishes,
Jenny Hendricks
Community Engagement Officer
Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College
Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College Altona invites you to explore our faith and learning community at one of our Open Events in 2023
OPEN MORNINGS
Open Mornings provide an opportunity for families to witness learning in action on a regular school day. Our Year 9 student ambassadors will give you a personal tour of the College. Visiting families will have the unique opportunity to ask questions of our ambassadors and gain an honest insight into our programs and what it is like to be a student at Mount St. Joseph Girls' College.
Register to attend by visiting our website HERE.
Thursday 8 June - 9:15am – 10:30am
Thursday 20 July - 9:15am – 10:30am
Thursday 3 August - 9:15am – 10:30am
Thursday 7 Sept - 9:15am – 10:30am
ENROLMENT APPLICATIONS
A reminder that enrolment applications for Year 7 in 2025 close on 18 August 2023. Apply online HERE or contact the College Registrar, Mrs Sherri Collins for further information.
Contact details: registrar@msj.vic.edu.au or phone 8398 2007.
