Newsletter Term 3, Week 4 2025
Trivia Night this Saturday!
18-22 -August - Book Week!
Wednesday 20 August- Book Week Parade- 2.15 pm
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff and Students,
From celebrating St Mary MacKillop to exploring the wonders of our local zoos, welcoming a special visitor, and marking the Feast of the Assumption, it’s been a week full of connection, inspiration, and shared experiences at St Margaret Mary’s.
On Monday, we celebrated the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop with a Whole School Mass. Mary’s courage, wisdom, and trust in God still guide us today. Her words –
“Do your bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world”
– remind us that even small acts of kindness and care can make a big difference.
Our students have been learning well beyond the classroom:
Year 5/6 visited Melbourne Zoo for their Sustainability unit, seeing conservation in action.
Year 3/4 headed to Werribee Zoo, exploring the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitats.
Last Friday, we welcomed Melissa Horne MP, Hon. Member for Williamstown. Melissa is a long-time supporter of SMM and commented on the calm, happy feel of our school and engaged students – lovely feedback, especially for a Friday afternoon!
This week is Bullying. No Way! Week. I hope you’ve had a chance to read the Operoo letter I sent out Tuesday and were able to talk with your children about the Parent and Student Codes of Conduct. These chats help keep our school safe, respectful, and kind – where living our values is part of everyday life.
We’ve also enjoyed a lively Book Week incursion, “Book an Adventure,” we had Teeth on Wheels here on Wednesday, and we’re looking forward to tomorrow night’s Trivia Night – a great chance to connect, have fun, and support our school.
This morning, we marked the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in prayer. This special feast is a reminder of Mary’s deep faith and trust in God, and it was beautiful to see our students and staff gathered in reverence.
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 5 at 2.45 pm. The students who earned an award in the past week are:
Week 4
Week 3
Treasure Hunt
It was a great way to get ready for this year’s Book Week with a fun whole school incursion focused on our Book Week books. We had actors Felix and Mackenzie take us through a fantasy world with their play titled Treasure Hunt.
Around the Rooms
Foundation
Maths fun with our Buddies.
Year 1
Over the past fortnight, Year 1 students have been engaged in a range of exciting learning experiences. In Maths, we have been recognising and creating patterns, as well as practising skip counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s. In Literacy, we have begun planning our own imaginative narratives and exploring the new digraphs /au/ and /aw/, as in autumn and hawk. In Faith Life, we have been learning about habitats and living things, and how we can care for them as part of God’s creation. We also wrote a prayer in honour of Saint Mary Mackillop. In SEL, we have focused on the message that “everyone belongs” and that there is no place for bullying in our school. We have also been working hard to prepare for our upcoming assembly on Monday the 18th at 2:45pm, and we hope you can join us!
Year 2
In Faith Life, this fortnight, we have been learning about God’s wonderful world and focusing on gratitude and being good stewards of it. After listening to the Bible story Creation, students shared the things they love most about what God has made. We continued this learning by exploring the parable of the mustard seed, thinking about the small actions we can take to help care for and protect our environment. We have also been exploring living and non-living things, and learning what living things need to survive.
In Literacy, our writing lessons have a new focus—writing paragraphs. We have learnt that a paragraph needs a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence. Over the past two weeks, we have been applying these skills in our recount writing, and working hard on editing our own work to check for correct punctuation and spelling.
Years 3 and 4: Werribee Zoo Excursion
The Year 3/4s enjoyed an exciting visit to Werribee Zoo. We learned about keystone species and their vital role in maintaining healthy habitats. A highlight was seeing a real silverback gorilla and elephants up close, which helped us make rich text-to-world connections to our Literacy novel The One and Only Ivan.
We also participated in our third Adventures Online session, focusing on cyberbullying as part of the Bullying No Way National Week of Action. Students reflected on being safe, respectful, and kind online, while learning strategies to handle challenges, be upstanders, and seek help when needed.
Year 5/6: Melbourne Zoo Excursion
Last week, our 5/6 students ventured to the Melbourne Zoo as part of our Inquiry unit on Sustainability. We travelled by train and were warmly welcomed by the Zoo’s incredible education team. During our session, we explored environmental factors and learned how to identify biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) elements. We also discussed how human actions can have positive impacts on the environment.
After our learning session, students enjoyed free exploration of the Zoo. Highlights included watching the very hairy orangutan swing through the trees, getting up close to reptiles in the snake and lizard enclosure, and visiting the Butterfly House, where some lucky students had butterflies land on them!
A huge thank you to our amazing parent helpers; we couldn’t have done it without you! We’re now back in the classroom, inspired and excited to continue our learning about the environment and sustainability.
“My favourite part was the orangutans. I learnt that they can hold their weight with just their pinkie.” - Chris
“ I had such a good time at the zoo. I loved the butterfly house and had lots of them land on me.” - Sophie
“ My favourite part of the zoo was being in the reptile house when we saw the big crocodiles.” - Noah
Feast of St Mary Mackillop Mass
Last Tuesday we celebrated the Feast of St Mary Mackillop.
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.
Year 4 First Eucharist Formation Evening
It was lovely to come together to prepare for our year 4’s First Eucharist being celebrated at the end of August. Thank you to Gen Bryant for leading us on the night and to our families for supporting their children’s faith journey.
Trivia Night Tomorrow Night!
The day has finally arrived — and we’re thrilled to share that we’ve sold a record number of tickets! This Trivia Night is shaping up to be one to remember.
A huge thank you to Cara and all our amazing volunteers for the time, effort, and energy they’ve poured into making tonight possible. We’re also deeply grateful to our families for your generous donations, which help make events like this such a success.
We can’t wait to see you there!
The FSG
Upcoming Events Next Term
🏉Footy Tipping🏉
It’s coming down to the wire and with only 2 rounds to go the top 4 are separated by only 3 tips! With close calls last week like West Coast over Adelaide, Dogs over Dees and Hawks over The Pies, it’s really anyone’s guess as to who’s taking home the prize. Best of luck and see you next time with the winners!
Best of luck!
Cash prizes this year!
1st Prize- $200
2nd Prize- $100
3rd Prize- $50
Have you paid yet? Only 17 of 30 members have paid their fee this year. Remember, it’s for the FSG and all money raised goes back to the kids.
There’s still time though!
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"
Thank You!
A Huge Thank You to Kieser Spotswood!
We’re thrilled to announce a generous $975 donation from our friends at Kieser Spotswood – and it could be YOURS!
This incredible package includes:
3 months Kieser membership
7 guided training sessions with expert instructors
Physiotherapy assessment to keep you moving at your best
Whether you want to kickstart your own fitness journey, gift it to a family member, or surprise a friend – this is an opportunity you don’t want to miss!
Before our Trivia Night, take a moment to picture yourself (or someone you love) enjoying this amazing prize – then get ready to bid big!
If you’re joining us on the night, make sure you’re in the running.
Can’t be there? No worries – you can bid here: https://www.32auctions.com/SMMTrivia2025
Let’s make this prize work hard for our fundraising AND give someone a healthy, happy boost!
Congratulations to our Semester 2 SRC
Well done to our Semester 2 Student Representative Council members.
MACSSIS Family Survey Coming Soon
In the coming weeks, families will receive a link to the annual MACSSIS family survey. This 30 minute survey is your chance to help improve our school. Please keep an eye out in your inbox and help shape the future of SMM.
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
Thank You
3/4 Red is now enjoying a brand new 75-inch interactive touch screen and wall mount, thanks to a $4,550.70 Bright Future Grant from ExxonMobil Australia.
This fantastic technology is already enhancing STEM learning and collaboration, as you can see from the smiles in the photo below. We sincerely thank ExxonMobil for their generosity and support of our students’ learning journey.
CDF Community Fund
Reid St Parking
Please be mindful of parking restrictions on Reid St during pick-up and drop-off times. We have had some neighbours report being blocked in by parked cars.
BYO Chromebooks for 2026
Below is important information for our Year 2 families regarding the Chromebook program, which will begin next year as the students move into Year 3.
CAMP Australia Newsletter
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
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
Student Indigenous Immersion trips at Emmanuel
During the Term 2 school holidays, students embarked on two Indigenous Immersion trips as part of Emmanuel’s NAIDOC week celebrations. As a FIRE Carrier school, Emmanuel College remains committed to reconciliation and the promotion of Indigenous culture and spirituality.
Students from NDC travelled to Dalby in Queensland, while another group of students from SPC travelled to Port Augusta in South Australia. Participants at both campuses found the experience deeply enriching as it offered meaningful insights into Indigenous culture and perspectives that challenged their thinking. See page 2 for some insightful student testimonials.
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
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
