Newsletter Term 3, Week 2 2025
Tuesday 5 August - St Mary Mackillop Feast Day mass 9.15 am
18-22 -August - Book Week!
Wednesday 20 August- Book Week Parade- 2.15 pm
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff and Students,
As we begin the month of August, Term 3 is well underway and we find ourselves deep in Ordinary Time in the Church’s liturgical calendar—a season that invites us to notice God in the everyday: the kindnesses, the conversations, the efforts, and the shared moments that shape our school community.
Next week, we celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Her words, “Never see a need without doing something about it,” continue to guide and inspire us—and they’ve been lived out beautifully in recent weeks.
Staff Professional Learning
Thank you to all families for supporting the two student-free days at the start of term. The first day allowed staff to make strong progress in the MACS School Review through focused reflection across the five key domains. We will continue over the coming weeks to gather evidence of effective practice ahead of our formal review with external personnel early Term 4—an opportunity to affirm our strengths and guide our next steps.
The second PD Day afforded us the opportunity to enhance our work with the new Victorian English curriculum (launching 2026), ensuring we remain informed, ahead in our curriculum knowledge / pedagogy and therefore well-prepared in the teaching of reading, writing and oral language.
Refreshed Play Spaces
Thanks to the energy and generosity of our FSG team and wider community, our outdoor spaces have received some fantastic improvements. This year alone, fundraising has made possible:
- A new gaga pit constructed, (also lined with turf and very loved!)
- A refreshed, safer sandpit
- Significant mulch top-up for the adventure playground
- Novel sets for middle and senior students
- Decodable readers for junior students
- Installation of a major AV upgrade in the school hall (with thanks to SAC member and parent Kelley Revellman and Emmanuel College for securing the donation of the projector, speakers and screen)
- A beautifully framed portrait of St Margaret Mary
We’re deeply grateful to the SMM FSG — these enhancements have enriched both learning and playing across the school. I look forward to joining many of you at our upcoming FSG-organised Trivia Night.
Building Plans Moving Ahead
Our architects (Cotter & Reid), Simon, and I continued work over the holidays to advance the Stage 2 building plans—made possible through a $3.6 million state government grant. The design has been carefully considered to minimise disruption to learning in 2026 and will be shared with the community in the coming weeks.
Later this month, we’ll welcome back to our school Melissa Horne MP, Member for Williamstown, for a cup of tea, chat, tour and of course - to share in our excitement about our growing and thriving school. Melissa is consistently supportive of SMM for which we are thankful.
Grandparents and Special Friends Day and Book Fair
Last Tuesday was a joyful celebration of community, beginning with a beautiful Mass and followed by classroom visits, morning tea in the hall and an opportunity for all to peruse the Book Fair.
Thank you to Simon Devlin for preparing such a thoughtful liturgy, our teachers for warmly guiding students, and Lucy McCarthy for her outstanding coordination of both morning tea and the Book Fair.
Foundation Incursion – Wild Action
Our Foundation students were treated to a visit from Wild Action and some very special Australian animals. I was brave (and lucky!) enough to hold a magnificent tawny frogmouth, while Elvis the echidna was a firm favourite among students. Thank you to Ms Kelly for organising this fun and curious experience.
Cubby House Makeover
You might have noticed our much-loved cubby has had a fabulous makeover! With damaged boards replaced, a new roof, repositioned window, decking, secured bluestones, and a relocated tree seat—it’s ready for imaginative play. On behalf of the community of SMM I extend our thanks to Marcus, one of our junior parents, who volunteered his time and skill over the holidays—ably assisted by his two very enthusiastic project managers, Harriet and Georgia. For minimal outlay (and plenty of donated materials), I suspect the real estate value of our playground cubbyhouse has skyrocketed!
Student Voice and School Improvements
Over the past fortnight, I’ve met with Year 5/6 students and Evelyn from Year 4, who delivered persuasive and thoughtful proposals for school improvements. Thanks to their advocacy, we’ve added extra heating to the library and corridors, begun exploring the logistics of a lunchtime book club and we’ve approached FSG about fundraising to enhance our garden spaces and to assist in exploring a big student idea - caged soccer field!
The Spirit That Sets Us Apart
Whilst reading this fortnight’s newsletter one can see that there’s a golden thread through all the events described: a spirit of compassion and service. It shines through in the families supporting staff development, the FSG’s tireless fundraising, grandparents joining us in prayer, parents improving our grounds, and students bravely speaking up for positive change.
It’s part of what makes St Margaret Mary’s the special place it is.
Take Care,
Colleen McCambridge
Principal
Coming Up Soon…
🎉 SMM Trivia Night – Let’s Make It a Night to Remember! 🎉
There’s so much excitement building for our upcoming Trivia Night – and we’d love your support to help make it a huge success! ✅ Tickets are on sale now! Book yours here: https://events.humanitix.com/smm-trivia 🎟
Can you help in other ways?
We’re seeking: Alcohol & Chocolate donations for our famous Wheelbarrow Raffle Class Hampers for group prizes Silent Auction items or vouchers – big or small, every donation counts! Drop off any items at the school office or reach out if you know a business that could support.
💥 Don’t forget to enter our online raffle to win a $1,000 Luxury Escapes voucher! https://rafflelink.com.au/smmtrivianight2025 Thank you for helping us hit our fundraising goals and build an amazing night for our school community!
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. Awards will be handed out at our next assembly in week 3 at 2.45 pm. The students who earned an award in the past week are:
Week 2
Week 1
Grandparents’ Morning
Around the Rooms
Foundation
We’ve had a wonderful first two weeks back at school following the holidays! It’s been a joy to see the students settle back into routines with such enthusiasm and curiosity.
In Faith Life, we’ve introduced our new topic: Creation and Living Things. We’ve begun exploring the beauty and wonder of the world God has created, with a particular focus on minibeasts and other living things.
To kick off our Life Inquiry unit, we had an exciting minibeast incursion! The students were captivated by a range of fascinating creatures including spiders, cockroaches, stick insects, crabs, scorpions, and even an elephant sea slug! We also met some predators of minibeasts, such as an echidna and a bird, which helped deepen our understanding of food chains and the roles different creatures play in our world.
In Maths, we’ve launched into our new topic on addition. Students have been using pictorial strategies to help solve problems, and they’ve been showing great focus and persistence throughout our lessons.
In Phonics, we’ve been exploring the sounds and letter patterns: w, ck, ll, ff, ss and sh. Students have enjoyed practising these sounds through games, word work, and writing activities.
It’s been a fantastic start to the term, and we’re looking forward to all the learning and discoveries still to come!
Year 1
Term 3 has been off to a flying start in Year 1! In Maths, we have been busy exploring measurement by using informal units to compare the vertical and horizontal lengths of objects around the classroom. In Literacy, we have been learning two new digraphs; /ow/ and /ou/, both making the "ow" sound, as in cow and loud. In Faith Life, we have been reflecting on the story of Creation and enjoyed preparing for and celebrating Grandparents Day with joy and gratitude. We cannot wait for what the rest of the term has in store for us!
Year 2
We've had a busy and exciting start to Term 3 in Grade 2! In Maths, we're diving into a new unit on multiplication and division, exploring different ways to solve problems and build number knowledge. Our Reading Comprehension lessons have introduced a new strategy, inferring, which is helping us read between the lines and make thoughtful predictions.
In Writing, we're continuing to build our grammar skills, with a focus on verbs and how they bring our sentences to life. We’ve also started a new Faith Life unit, where we're learning about the environment and how we can care for God’s creation. We began by looking closely at two powerful images of the environment, which sparked some deep thinking, wonderings, and rich classroom discussions.
Years 3 and 4
The 3/4s have hit the ground running! We’ve started our Literacy unit, which is based on the novel The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate. Inspired by the true story of a captive gorilla, the story is told from the point of view of Ivan himself. The novel explores the treatment of animals in the entertainment industry, while highlighting powerful themes of friendship, compassion, and hope as Ivan dreams of a better life for himself and those he cares about. This ties beautifully into our Faith Life Inquiry, where we are exploring sustainability and conservation. In Maths, we have been building our understanding of multiplication and division by breaking down numbers and strategies.
Year 5/6 Maths Magic!
Our Year 5/6 students have been diving into the world of maths this term! Each lesson begins with a Number Blast to sharpen their mental strategies and number skills. They have been challenging themselves to complete tasks and beat their personal bests in Number Ninjas and their new favourite number blast game Noggle. Over the past two weeks, a major focus has been on adding and subtracting fractions with the same and different denominators. They have been developing confidence in solving a wide range of problems, plotting their thinking on number lines. Students have enjoyed using visuals and hands-on games and activities to support their understanding of fractions.
Number Blast Activities and Fractions games
Feast of St Joachim and St Anne - Grandparent’s Day Mass
It was wonderful to celebrate Grandparents Day this week and have so many grandparents and special friends come to visit. It was heartwarming to have our church full and see many of our students cuddling up with their nonnas and papas. It is a very special time for us and we love having our community come together.
First Eucharist Preparation for Year 4 Students
Our Year 4 students are beginning their preparation for their First Eucharist, which will take place in August. The Eucharist Masses are scheduled for Saturday, 23rd August, and Saturday, 30th August, at St Margaret Mary’s Church at 5:30 PM. Please arrive 15 minutes early to find your pew and settle in.
Thank you to all families for confirming your chosen Mass date.
Our Eucharist Formation evening has been scheduled for Thursday, 14th August, at Sacred Heart Primary School Hall, beginning at 6.30pm. This evening, hosted by Gen Bryant, promises to be very special and informative for our First Eucharist families. Families are asked to sit together on this evening.
Trivia Night
Dear Families,
There’s so much excitement building for our upcoming Trivia Night, and it’s coming up fast! 🎉 Tickets are on sale now – grab yours here: https://events.humanitix.com/smm-trivia 🎟 We still need your help to make the night a big success. Donations of alcohol, chocolate, class hamper items, and silent auction prizes or vouchers are most welcome – big or small, every bit helps! Please drop items at the school office or contact us if you know a business that could support. And don’t forget to enter our online raffle to win a $1,000 Luxury Escapes voucher: https://rafflelink.com.au/smmtrivianight2025 – Thank you for your support!
Warm regards,
FSG
Upcoming Events Next Term
🏉Footy Tipping🏉
Well, there’s been quite a bit of movement on the ladder, with a large number of people using their jokers and scoring perfect rounds. The top four remains tightly contested, led by Team Walsh, but the rest of the pack will need to take some bold action if they’re going to catch up.
Not long to go now — remember, the season finishes in Round 24. Finals are not included.
Best of luck!
Cash prizes this year!
1st Prize- $200
2nd Prize- $100
3rd Prize- $50
Thank You!
We’re thrilled to welcome Buxton Inner West as our Platinum Sponsor for the SMM Trivia Night!
A special shoutout to Directors Tristan Tomasino and Matthew John - both are proud ex-students of our school who jumped at the opportunity to lead the way with Sponsorship.
With their incredibly generous support we have some very exciting major prizes up from grabs this year. Bigger & better than ever.
Congratulations to our Semester 2 SRC
Well done to our Semester 2 Student Representative Council members. We will hand out badges at our next Monday morning assembly.
Hick Street Access
Footy girls, this one's for you!
Whether you're just starting out or already play and want to take your game to the next level — the AFLW All Girls Superkick Centre at Whitten Oval is the place to be! Will take place 2 hours before each game!
Dates:
• Sat 16 August
• Sat 30 August
• Sun 21 September
• Fri 26 September
• Fri 10 October
$55 for the full program
Mission Whitten Oval
Girls aged 7–12
Run by the Western Bulldogs & AFL Victoria – all skill levels welcome.
Each session will go for one hour and coached by AFL Vic Female coaches
Scan the QR code on the flyer to register or register here: https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/df01ff
#GirlsPlayFooty #AFLW #Superkick #WesternBulldogs #FootySkills #GameOnGirls
#WFNL #WestIsBest #BulldogsAFLW
Chess Club Term 3
Thank you from the Salvos
CAMP Australia Newsletter
Headlice Reported
We have had reports of head lice in the junior school. Please check your child’s hair and apply treatment if needed. Long hair should be tied back to help prevention.
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.
Inform and Empower Sessions Beginning Soon
This term, our students will be engaging in Inform and Empower sessions focused on a range of important cybersafety topics. These sessions are designed to build awareness, confidence, and responsible habits when navigating the online world.
Below, you’ll find some of the content that will be covered — we encourage you to use it as a conversation starter at home. When schools and families work together, we can better support our young people to stay safe and make informed choices online.
Emmanuel College Latest News
Welcome back to Term 3 as we begin the exciting second half of 2025. The students have many great adventures to look forward to during the remainder of the year, things such as Yr 8 Surf School, Yr 9 Camps, Yr 10 Driver Education and the Semester 2 Music Concert. We look forward to sharing stories and photos from these events with you as the year unfolds.
Information Morning – Saturday 2 August
Join us at Information Morning on Saturday 2 August where you will learn more about the innovative learning programs, see the fantastic facilities and enjoy a student-led tour of the campus. Registration and more details are available via the College website – Register here.
Notre Dame Campus: 9am to 11am
St Paul’s Campus: 10:30am to 12 noon
Applications for Year 7, 2027 – close Friday 15 August 2025
If you have a child in Year 5 and you would like to apply for Year 7 2027 at the Notre Dame or St Paul’s Campus, applications close on Friday 15 August 2025. Please ensure that you submit your application before the closing date. Click here to apply online.
If you have any questions regarding the online application process, please contact:
Ms Donna Grech, College Registrar
📞 8325 5100
✉️ enrolments@ecmelb.catholic.edu.au
We look forward to welcoming you at a College event soon.
Yours sincerely,
Jenny Hendricks
Community Engagement Officer
Mount St. Joseph
Applications for Year 7 in 2027 Closing Soon
For those families wishing to enrol their daughter at Mount St. Joseph Girls' College in Year 7 in 2027, an online application form should be completed before the closing date of Friday 15th August 2025. Parents can scan the QR Code in in the flyer attached or visit:
https://msjgc-au-vic-393.app.digistorm.com/forms/enrolment-application/start
Feast Day Colouring In Competition
To commemorate the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, we are running a colouring in competition with our community. Students from Prep/Foundation to Year 6 are invited to partake, by scanning the QR Code to access the sheet or visiting:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sZ6AegJ7kOiBl0v8eVmLJnt1P0fzgRzI/view?usp=drive_link
I have also attached the sheet to this email.
We welcome students to submit their artwork via our Front Office between 8:30am - 3:00pm during the month of August. Gold coin donations are welcomed (but not compulsory), whereby all proceeds will support Mary MacKillop Today, an organisation continuing the legacy of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop by working with vulnerable communities here and overseas.
Winners will be contacted in early September and invited to collect their prize from our College Principal, Kate Dishon.
Your support in helping us connect with your school community would be greatly appreciated.
Warm Regards,
Caroline Russo
Marketing, Events & Communications Officer
Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College
133 Maidstone Street, Altona VIC 3018
Boon Wurrung Country
t 03 8398 2000
