Newsletter Term 2, Week 6 2025

May 30

Monday 9 June - King’s Birthday Public Holiday

Friday 13 June- Whole School Athletics Day at Newport Athletics Track

Dear Parents, Carers and Friends,

What a fortnight it’s been — classic Melbourne, with all four seasons often making an appearance in a single day! We’ve embraced nature’s shifts as we transition from summer into the crisp beauty of autumn. I must admit, those chilly mornings have this principal moving a little more slowly than usual!

Family Faith Life

A heartfelt thank you to all who participated in the Junior School Family Prayer Night. It was lovely to see so many families gather in prayer and reflection with their children — such moments speak deeply to the faith-filled spirit of our community. Thank you to Mr Devlin (Deputy Principal, Faith and Community) for organising another rich experience for our children and families, and to the junior teachers, Ms Taylor, Ms Barbalaco, Ms Hutchins and Mrs Crawford, for their presence on the night, especially during this busy reporting period that demands additional hours.

Social and Emotional Learning

We remain deeply committed to nurturing each child’s social and emotional development. Our SEL curriculum is a vital part of each week at school. Grounded in our school values of Compassion, Respect, Integrity, and Excellence, this learning supports students to build resilience, navigate relationships, and grow in empathy and self-awareness.

This work is led thoughtfully by Mrs Novak and supported by all our teachers, who embed these values in everyday interactions and the explicit teaching of this important learning.

We encourage families to continue these conversations at home — whether through shared moments of prayer, quiet reflection, or simply checking in with your child. An important aspect of the family–school partnership includes helping children recognise big feelings, learning to pause before reacting, and practising both giving and receiving forgiveness.

Staffing News

Last Friday’s Gala Sports Day was a brilliant celebration of teamwork, perseverance and fun. Our students represented themselves and our school with pride. A big thank you to Mrs Magill for her organisation of the day and for the many vibrant, purposeful PE learning experiences she continues to lead each week.

We are also delighted to share some joyful news — Mrs Magill and her husband, Christian, are expecting their first child at the end of the year. We send them our warmest congratulations and blessings during this very special time.

Looking ahead, Mr Mitchell — whose welcome and profile featured in our last newsletter — will officially take the baton from Mrs Magill at the beginning of Term 3. Mrs Magill will then move into the Junior Learning Enhancement Teacher role, where she will specialise in delivering the MiniLit literacy and Learning Framework in Number, both evidence-informed targeted teaching programs that work hand in glove with the explicit teaching all students receive in class.

Mr Mitchell will begin as our SMM PE Specialist and Middle–Senior Learning Enhancement Teacher, with a focus on MacqLit targeted instruction. We are fortunate to have such skilled and passionate educators supporting student learning and wellbeing at every stage.

Leadership and Enrolment Updates

I also wish to acknowledge the expert leadership of our Deputy Principal, Mr. Smith, who navigates the dual roles of Director of Learning and Teaching and Learning Diversity Leader. One recent and particularly rewarding aspect of this work has been the opportunity for Mr Smith to join me in meeting the children and families applying for Foundation 2026.

We anticipate one Foundation class in 2026, and unfortunately, not all applicants will be able to receive a place at St Margaret Mary’s. This demand further affirms our successful acquisition of $3.6 million in state government funding announced early last year — a clear recognition of our school’s growth potential and strong educational offering.

Building Update and Community Consultation

Following a four-month delay while resolving site usage considerations, we are now re-engaging with our exemplary architects, Cotter and Reid, to achieve the best possible outcome for our students. The proposed plans include the addition of four new classrooms, upgraded student toilets, and purpose-designed learning spaces. A key priority in the design process is to retain nearly all existing play areas, with enhancements planned to improve the surface and functionality of outdoor learning and play spaces.

We look forward to re-engaging with families and our wider community through a new round of consultation. Please stay tuned for opportunities to share your thoughts and be part of this exciting next stage in our school’s journey.

Thanks for your continued support as we continue our important work together — nurturing confident learners, strengthening community and planning well for the future.

Take care,

Colleen McCambridge

Principal

cmccambridge@smmspotswood.catholic.edu.au

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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. Awards will be handed out at our next assembly, this coming Monday. The students who earned an award in the past week are:

Week 5

Week 6

Celebrating Bebras Challenge Success!

At last week’s assembly, we were excited to celebrate the amazing achievements of our students who took part in the Semester 1 Bebras Challenge!

Everyone did a fantastic job, whether they worked on their own or in a group. We are so proud of the effort, teamwork, and problem-solving they showed.

Here are the wonderful results:

Grade 5/6

High Distinction

Cecilia F & Maddie S

Alex S, Freddie O, Patrick L, Gilbert M

Swarn W, Chris S, Noah P

Distinction

Tuppence R

Credit

Xavier S & Finn W

Grade 3/4

Credit

Hannah L, Aurelie F, Cynthia N

Asher P

Harrison D

James B, Ben C, Liam J, Andy P

Leo W, Daniel L

Merit

William S

Gala Sports Day

Last Friday, our senior students participated in the Gala Sports Day, competing in soccer and netball against other local schools.

Both of our soccer teams performed very well and made it to their grand finals. The B team played a close game but were defeated by Footscray 2–1. The C team had a strong win, beating Yarraville West 3–0.

Our two netball teams also had a solid day, each winning two games and losing two. Both teams finished as runners-up in their leagues.

All students represented the school well throughout the day, showing good sportsmanship and teamwork. Thank you to all staff and families who supported the teams.

Simultaneous Reading Day

Last Wednesday, our students joined children across the country for National Simultaneous Storytime, all reading The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel at the same time! It was a lovely way to celebrate reading and community, and the kids had a blast! Thanks to our wonderful staff for bringing the story to life. 💛📚

Around the Rooms

Foundation

The past two weeks in Prep have been full of learning, creativity and connection.

In Literacy, we have been focusing on the letters h, e and n, exploring their sounds and practising them in different ways. The children have also enjoyed listening to a variety of stories, which we have linked to our Social and Emotional Learning. We have had thoughtful discussions about how to say sorry and how to be a good friend, using story characters to help us understand and reflect on these important life skills.

A special highlight was National Simultaneous Storytime where we joined our Grade 6 buddies to listen to a shared story. It was such a joyful experience and made even more memorable by the craft activity we did together afterwards, which we absolutely loved.

In Maths, we have continued working on partitioning numbers and deepening our number sense. Alongside this, we are regularly revisiting concepts we have learned earlier in the year to strengthen our understanding. Our recent pattern photos are a great example of this refresher work, and the children have loved recognising and creating patterns in different ways.

We are so proud of the effort and enthusiasm Prep students have shown over the past fortnight. Keep up the wonderful work!

Year 1

Over the past two weeks, 1 Green has been busy continuing our exploration of measurement in Maths, focusing on mass and capacity through hands-on activities like comparing the weight of classroom objects and measuring liquid using different containers. In Literacy, we have been introduced to two new digraphs; /ew/ and /ue/, and we have been practicing writing sentences with correct punctuation. In SEL we have been discussing the importance of the school rule ‘We keep hands, feet, and objects to ourselves’. In Faith Life we have been learning about important members of the community and the roles they play in keeping our neighbourhoods safe and happy!

Year 2

Over the past two weeks, Grade 2 has been busy in Maths with addition and subtraction, learning about fact families, using doubles to solve problems, and beginning regrouping. In Literacy, our spelling lessons have focused on the /ou/ and /ow/ sounds. They sound the same but are spelled differently—one handy trick is that words never end in "ou"! We are continuing with some great writing, and students are working on individual goals like spelling, punctuation, handwriting, and editing their work. In Reading, we’ve been making connections to help us understand texts better—linking them to our own lives, other books, and the world around us. A highlight of the last fortnight was National Simultaneous Storytime, where we read The Truck Cat and illustrated a cat with help from the book’s illustrator!

Year 3 and 4

This term in Inquiry, we’ve been exploring the idea of rules and laws—what they are, why we have them, and how they help us live and work together. As part of our learning, we’ve also been discovering Aboriginal lore, which includes the stories, customs, and traditions passed down through generations. We looked at how lore is different from the modern Australian laws we know today.

In Wellbeing, we’ve been learning about affirmations and celebrating what makes each of us unique. We created beautiful affirmation flowers to reflect our special qualities.

In Writing, we’ve been using our imagination to create an adventure story called Buddy’s Adventure. Check out one of the exciting beginnings to the story below!

5/6

Junior Prayer Evening

We had a fantastic turnout for our very first Prep to Year 2 Prayer Evening, beautifully guided by Samantha O'Dwyer, a well-known presenter in Religious Education and a beloved former teacher here at St Margaret Mary's. 🙏✨

Sam introduced us to new and reflective ways of praying—encouraging us to look inward, reflect quietly, and listen with our hearts to God. It was a wonderful evening of community connection and spiritual growth.

Thanks to all our families and teachers who came along and made the night truly special! 💖

FSG Meeting - Monday, 2nd June

Our next Fundraising Support Group (FSG) meeting will take place on Monday, 2nd June at 7:00 pm in the school staffroom. We warmly invite all parents, carers, and community members to join us—especially newcomers!

We will be discussing upcoming fundraising initiatives, including:

Trivia Night
Fathers’ Day Stall
Fathers’ Day Breakfast
School Disco

Come along and share your ideas, meet other parents, and help make a difference in our school community. We look forward to seeing you there!

🏉Footy Tipping🏉

🏉 Footy Tipping Update – Round 10/11

The tipping competition is getting interesting after Rounds 10 and 11! Team Walsh has taken the lead, just edging ahead of grechster thanks to a good pick of the margin. The Doggies let me down against Geelong but here’s hoping we bounce back this week. Halfway into the season and the top of the ladder is incredibly tight, with only one point separating the top five spots—plenty of room for movement in the coming rounds. Looking ahead, this week looks pretty steady but who knows if an upset is around the corner. Best of luck!

Please pay now if you haven’t already done so. Payments made via school FSG bank account, are asked to use your footy tipping alias as a reference. Account SMM FSG BSB: 083 347 Acc: 365426557 You can also send in $25 in an envelope to the office, labeled with your alias and titled "2025 footy tipping".

https://www.footytips.com.au/comps/2025_SMM_Footy_Tipping?p=stmm3015

Cash prizes this year!

1st Prize- $200

2nd Prize- $100

3rd Prize- $50

Congratulations Cara!

Well done to FSG member Cara for applying for a grant from Hobsons Bay Make it Happen.

This money will go towards purchasing equipment for a new lunchtime STEM Club for our senior students focusing on design and 3D printing.

We can’t wait to start!

New Mathematics Curriculum and Reporting

At the close of 2023, the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) unveiled its updated Mathematics curriculum, known as Mathematics Curriculum 2.0. This revision by the Victorian Government aims to elevate Australian educational standards to better align with global benchmarks.

By 2025, all Victorian government schools must adopt Mathematics Curriculum 2.0.

At St Margaret Marys Primary School, we began implementing this updated curriculum for teaching in Semester 1 2024, and will be reporting starting from Semester 1, 2025.

During the transition, we have observed that some students' achievement levels in Numeracy assessments under Victorian Curriculum 2.0 are occasionally lower compared to those under version 1.0. Consequently, your child may achieve a lower level this year in comparison to their previous progression points.

In regards to school reports, previously, teachers reported on three strands of the mathematics achievement standard (Number and Algebra, Measurement and Geometry, and Statistics and Probability), resulting in three progression points.

Under Mathematics Curriculum 2.0, there are now six strands (Number, Pattern and Algebra, Measurement, Space, Statistics and Probability), and teachers will assess against the entire achievement standard, providing a single aggregated progression point.

Due to these changes in reporting standards, the first report you receive under Mathematics 2.0 will only indicate achievement without showing progress. Subsequent reports will display progress against the unified achievement standard.

We want to assure you that any apparent decrease in your child's mathematics attainment level in 2025 is likely due to these revised curriculum targets, not a regression in their learning or capabilities.

These adjustments emphasise the Victorian Government's heightened expectations for mathematics education. The new curriculum is more rigorous across multiple domains. Lower reported levels do not reflect the efforts of our teachers or students but rather highlight the differences between the two curriculum versions.

Rest assured, your child's actual attainment has not diminished; the benchmarks have evolved. At St Margaret Marys, as teachers adapt their instruction and planning to meet these new standards, we anticipate a period of adjustment. During this transitional phase, our focus will always remain on fostering learning growth.

If you have any questions regarding the curriculum changes or your child's report, please feel free to discuss them with your classroom teacher or with me directly.

Anne Ablinger
Mathematics Leader

Salvation Army Donation Drive

St Margaret Mary’s is supporting the Salvation Army in Altona and Hobsons Bay by collecting non-perishable food and household items for local families in need.

Suggested items include tinned food, toiletries, baby care products, long life milk, and pantry staples like pasta, rice, and snacks.

All donations can be brought to school. There's also an option to donate money via the QR code on the flyer.

Thank you for your support.

Guidelines for Keeping Your Child Home When They're Sick

We understand that deciding when to keep your child home from school can be challenging. Here are some guidelines to help ensure your child recovers fully and doesn't spread illness to others:

Fever

If your child has a fever, it's best to keep them at home. Ensure they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the help of medication before returning to school. At home, you can keep them hydrated and comfortable, which is crucial for their recovery.

Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea can indicate a viral infection. It's important to keep your child at home and provide them with oral rehydrating solutions to prevent dehydration.

Vomiting

If your child has vomited, it's best to keep them at home until they have been vomit-free for 24 hours. This way, they can rest and recover without discomfort, and you can avoid the inconvenience of having to pick them up from school if they are still unwell.

Cough

A serious cough can spread infections and affect your child's sleep and energy levels. If your child has a wet cough, especially with breathing difficulties, please seek medical advice, possibly get a COVID-19 test, and keep them home until they are better.

Rashes

Some skin rashes can be contagious. Have any rash evaluated by a doctor before your child returns to school to ensure it is safe.

Conjunctivitis

This eye infection spreads easily among children. Keep your child home until a doctor confirms they are no longer contagious.

Stomach Ache

Stomach aches can be tricky. If there are no other symptoms like diarrhoea or constipation, and your child is otherwise active, they might be okay to attend school. However, if the pain persists, consider keeping them home and discussing any potential emotional stressors with them.

Ear Infection

Evaluate the severity of your child's symptoms. Mild ear pain might be manageable, but if they are uncomfortable or have a fever, it’s best to keep them at home. Monitor their overall behavior and energy levels to guide your decision.

By following these guidelines, we can ensure our children remain healthy and ready to learn. Thank you for your cooperation and support in keeping our school community well.

Camp Australia

What’s coming up in Term 2!

Emmanuel College Latest News

Our learning and teaching programs provide a curriculum that is challenging, ever-changing and suited to the needs of each student. We utilise appropriate technology and engaging learning experiences to assist students in achieving their personal best.

The sewing room is buzzing with energy—a vibrant mix of cutting, pinning, stitching, and creativity. Textiles classes are in full swing this term and our students have proudly completed their hand-sewing projects, which included creating a colourful puppet and a quirky scrappy monster. They are now moving on to mastering the safe use of sewing machines, with new projects such as a pencil roll and a stylish tote bag. Adding an eco-friendly touch, students are repurposing old clothing to craft their creations. Exciting times indeed.

Join us for a College Tour in June

Notre Dame Campus – Tuesday 17 June | 9:15am – 10:30am
St Paul’s Campus – Monday 23 June | 9:15am – 10:30am

We welcome you to join us for a campus tour led by student ambassadors where you will see the fantastic facilities and learn more about the innovative learning programs that we have here at Emmanuel.

Registration for events is essential and can be made by following this link: Tour Dates and Registration or via the College website: Emmanuel College

Year 7 2027
Is your child currently in Year 5 and you would like to apply to Emmanuel College for the Notre Dame or St Paul’s Campus? Applications will close on Friday 15 August this year and are now submitted online. Even if you are a current family with a child at the school or have a child commencing in 2026, you must apply for your Year 5 child by the closing date.

👉 Submit an application online

Important dates for Year 7 2027