Newsletter Term 3, Week 6 2025
Father’s Day Sock Stall- Wednesday 3 September
Father’s Day Breakfast 8-8.45 Friday September 5th
Dear Parents, Guardians, Staff and Students,
As week six of this Term comes to a close, it is once again my pleasure to share the latest “goings on,” at St. Margaret Mary’s.
First Communions
May we all continue to pray for our Year 4s who made their First Communion last Saturday – such a special moment in their faith journey.
We also keep in prayer the Year 4s preparing for their First Communion this Saturday at 5.30pm at St Margaret Mary’s Church, and warmly invite all families to join us in this beautiful celebration.
Trivia Night at the Spotswood RSL
Our Trivia Night at the Spotswood RSL was a roaring success. Congratulations to the winners of the raffle, our quiz champions, the lucky reverse bingo winners and of course the wheelbarrow of goodies. A special mention to Cara, Year 1 mum, and our Fundraising Social Group (FSG) who made this such a hugely successful and memorable night alongside every family that contributed in some way. It was a wonderful reminder of the strength of our community when we come together.
We are yet to reach our final fiqure for this evening as we await the last few silent auction payments. So far, the evening was successful in raising just over $8,000, which will be used for enhancing our STEM resources through a new class set of Sphero balls for learning how to code and a set of new Blue Bots to supplement our aging Bee Bots. These engaging and “educating our children for the future” resources take a significant financial outlay so the school technical levy will also contribute to their purchase. Any remaining monies will be used for some indoor and outdoor plants and to supplement the FSG account for future child centred priorities.
Student Voice
As shared in my last newsletter, the ideas of our Year 5 & 6 students have already led to some great changes around the school, including our new Ga Ga Pit and extra heaters. Their latest suggestions include fundraising for a caged soccer space and adding some special food days to complement our online canteen.
In response, we will soon be holding a Sushi Day, and from next week our school leaders will be selling bags of plain salted popcorn for $1 each. This will continue daily until Zooper Dooper Days return in Term 4.
Book Week Fun
Book Week was another highlight. The sunshine came out for our afternoon parade which allowed the children to also shine in their creative costumes! It was great to see so many families and friends turn up to watching enjoy the afternoon parade. Teachers embraced the theme of Alice in Wonderland and our Book Week rotations were a real hit with the children. Thank you to Mrs Crawford for leading the day time rotations initiative and to all the families, students and teachers for making the book parade day so enjoyable. A Special thank you to Mrs Falcone – our animated, entertaining MC for the parade!
Bradmill History and acknowledgement of Generosity
Another special day for Years 3–6 last Tuesday. Students wore a touch of denim as Victor, a past “angelic” SMM student and long-time Bradmill employee / manager, shared stories of the old denim factory, how denim is made, the way steam power is generated and was used at Bradmills. This site is presently transforming into a vibrant housing, shopping and community precinct. Thanks to David from Frasers Property Group for organising this event, the donation to our students of the German-made steam model and many thanks to Victor for bringing history and steam power to life!
More generosity to give thanks for!
New soccer goals arrived this week—thanks to John Cann from Abel Sports and the advocacy of his grandson Byron. It’s a joyful reminder of the generosity within our community and the many good people around us that continue to support and enrich the learning and facilities for our children.
Zoo and Gala Sports Day
Yesterday, our Year 1 and 2 students had a wonderful day at the Melbourne Zoo, exploring and learning about animals, their habitats and how to look after our environment that we share with all living things. The baby Giraffe was a highlight! Thank you to our staff for preparing our students for this engaging day of learning as our current knowledge rich unit on Sustainability draws to a conclusion.
Also on Thursday, our Year 5 and 6 children participated in the Gala Sports Day yesterday. Thank you to Mr. Mitchell and the teachers for making this day possible. Our students once again represented SMM with enthusiasm, good manners and commitment.
Building Plans – Parent Zoom
We are very excited to be sharing our new building plans with the parent community via Zoom this coming Tuesday evening at 7pm. If you are unable to join, a hard copy display book of the latest draft will be available to view in the school office. In the weeks ahead we will also be consulting with students and families about how our new spaces reflect our values and our connection to parish life through exploration of quotes from St. Margaret Mary.
Thoughts, prayers, support
In light of the tragic events in rural Victoria, I want to especially reach out to any of our families and friends connected to Victoria Police. Please know that you are being held in our thoughts and prayers. At moments like these, we are reminded of the strength of community—how much it matters that we hold one another in care, support, and prayer.
Thank You!
A big thank you to John Cann and the team at Abel Sports. John heard about our broken soccer goals and very generously donated a new pair of steel soccer goals to our school.
Congratulations to Spotswood Under 12’s Mixed Team!
Last Sunday, the Spotswood U/12 faced off against Hoppers Crossing in a thrilling final. With the scores locked and only 10 minutes left on the clock, our very own Noah P stepped up and kicked the winning goal, securing the team a spot in the grand final.
This Sunday, they’ll take on Altona at Donald McLean Reserve at 9am in the Grand Final. We encourage everyone to put on the green and gold and come down to cheer them on.
We wish the team the very best of luck!
Coming Up Soon…
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 7 at 2.45 pm. The students who earned an award in the past week are:
Week 6
Week 5
District Athletics
Book Week
Bradmills Yarraville Visit
We were fortunate to have local historian and former Bradmills manager, Vic Muscat, visit our Year 3–6 students. Vic spoke about the history of the Bradmills site and the manufacturing that took place there, particularly the production of denim. He explained how the machines were originally powered by steam engines, which in turn powered the sewing and other equipment needed for production.
We were also joined by David Mazzotta from Frasers Property, the developer of the site, who generously donated a working model of a steam engine. This provided students with a wonderful hands-on opportunity to see how machines once operated, while also deepening their appreciation of the rich local history we have here in the West.
Around the Rooms
Foundation
This week, our Prep students were very excited to welcome back Miss Kelly and Miss Ciara! With both teachers back in the classroom, we have been focusing on settling into our routines and enjoying some time to reconnect and catch up.
In Literacy, we have been exploring the letters and sounds v, x, and y. The children have been practising reading and writing simple CVC words that include these sounds, helping to build their confidence as early readers and writers.
In Writing and Faith Life, our learning has centred around the lifecycle of a butterfly. The Preps have enjoyed writing about the changes a butterfly goes through, and we have been reflecting on how this connects with God’s wonderful creation. Together, we have brainstormed ways that we can help take care of all of God’s creation in our daily lives.
In Maths, we have been learning about mass. This week, the children have been hefting different classroom items and practising how to identify and compare objects as lighter or heavier.
Year 1
What an exciting fortnight it has been in Year 1, filled with curiosity, creativity, and new challenges. In Literacy, we have been focusing on the sounds /y/ and /ey/ as in happy and key. In Numeracy, we wrapped up our work on patterns and skip counting, before beginning our new topic of grouping collections. Our SEL lessons have centred around conflict resolution and understanding personal space, helping us learn how to work and play respectfully with others. In Faith Life, we reflected on God’s wonderful creation of creatures great and small, and practiced showing gratitude for the world He has made for us. We also celebrated Book Week and enjoyed dressing up as our favourite characters, and explored a range of wildlife at Melbourne Zoo!
Years 1 and 2 Trip to the Zoo
As part of our Faith Life unit about the environment, Grade 1 and 2 students enjoyed a wonderful day at Melbourne Zoo! We have been learning about God’s creation, the amazing world we live in, and ways we can care for the environment with respect. In our classrooms, we’ve explored living and non-living things, animals and their habitats, and the needs of different creatures in a variety of environments.
Our zoo excursion was a fantastic hands-on experience that brought this learning to life. Students participated in an engaging session about animal habitats, their special features, life cycles, and how we can help protect and preserve these environments. It was an exciting, interactive day of learning, discovery, and fun!
Years 3 and 4
In Literacy, The One and Only Ivan has reached its climax, and we are eagerly waiting to see what happens next. Students have also been practising their joined handwriting to build fluency. In Maths, Year 4s are exploring decimals while Year 3s are solving word problems. In Religion, students are learning about the structure of Mass and the meaning behind each part. For Faith Life Inquiry, students have come together across both classes to complete a research project on an ecosystem or conservation issue.
Year 5/6
Grade 5/6 Book Week Highlights
Book Week was a fantastic celebration of reading and writing in our 5/6 classrooms! We kicked off the week with a Book Tasting, where students explored a range of book genres and rated their favourites. Many even discovered a new genre they might not have tried before!
In writing, students have been busy researching and drafting biographies about an Australian author of their choice, building on their skills in researching and presenting information.
The highlight of the week was definitely Wednesday, when we participated in the whole-school Book Week activity rotations and the much-loved Book Parade. To finish the week on a high, we shared a special reading session with our Prep buddies—where we read them one of this year's Children's Book Council of Australia shortlisted books. Not only was this a lot of fun, but also a great way for us to put our reading fluency skills to the test!
It was a week full of creativity, stories, and lots of reading fun!
First Eucharist
Last Saturday evening, we celebrated the first of our First Eucharist Masses. It was a lovely occasion, made even more special by the support of the church choir. Our students participated with reverence as they received this important sacrament.
This Saturday evening, we will celebrate with the remainder of our students. We wish them all the best as they take this next step in their faith journey.
Trivia Night
What an amazing trivia night we had this year! It was wonderful to see so many of our families come along and enjoy the evening together. We are thrilled to share that we smashed our previous record of 77 attendees, with over 100 tickets sold this year!
The night was filled with fun, fantastic prizes, and great fundraising. A huge thank you to our FSG, and especially to Cara for her leadership in making the night such a success. Together, we raised over $10,000 for our school—an incredible achievement!
We still have more exciting events to come this term, including the Father’s Day Sock Stall, Father’s Day Breakfast, and our End of Term Disco in the hall. We look forward to seeing you at one of these upcoming events and thank you for your continued support.
The FSG
Upcoming Events Next Term
🏉Footy Tipping🏉
That’s a wrap for this year’s footy tipping! It was a close finish, with a few roughies that could have gone either way.
Congratulations to TeamWalsh, NicJBell and Grechster for taking out 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. An honourable mention goes to Collingwood Cal, who made a late surge up the ladder to finish 4th.
Hope your team made the finals — and all the best if they did!
Prizes can be collected from the office.
Until next year!
1st Prize- $200 - TeamWalsh
2nd Prize- $100 - NicJBell
3rd Prize- $50 - Grechster
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"
MACSSIS Family Survey: Begins Next Week
Next week, 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. The survey window will be open from Monday the 1st of September to Friday the 19th of September.
New First Aid Reporting System
We are currently trialling a new digital system to record and report first aid incidents that occur at school. When a student receives first aid, an email notification will be sent to the primary parent email address. Please note, families will still receive a phone call if a student has a head knock. All email notifications will come from nForma.
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
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.
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.
National Child Protection Week – 7–13 September 2025
Next week we join schools and communities across Australia in recognising National Child Protection Week. The theme for this year is “Every conversation matters: shifting conversation to action”.
At St Margaret Mary’s, we believe that talking openly about child safety is essential to building environments where every child feels safe, heard, and valued. National Child Protection Week is a timely reminder that each of us has a role to play in ensuring children are protected and supported.
Families are encouraged to use simple conversation starters at home to help children identify safe environments and people they can trust. Questions such as:
What makes you feel safe at school, home, or when you’re out and about?
If something was worrying you, who are three people you could talk to?
If you saw someone being treated unfairly, what could you do to help or get help?
These small but powerful discussions help children build confidence, problem-solving skills, and the ability to speak up for themselves and others.
Together, as a school and community, we are committed to the Child Safe Standards and ensuring that every child in every community gets a fair go.
Emmanuel College Latest News
There is something for everyone at Emmanuel College, with countless opportunities for students to achieve their personal best individually and in team activities.
Debating
Being a member of the College debating team helps students develop skills in confidence, public speaking and teamwork – skills that are valuable both at school and beyond. We are proud of our debating team members and congratulate them on their fantastic debates at the recent competition held at Mazenod College. Congratulations to Vanessa for being awarded Best Speaker, and the NDC team for winning first prize in Division 2.
Celebrating Cultural Diversity at Emmanuel
This week we came together to celebrate the rich and diverse cultural backgrounds within our Emmanuel community. Students and staff proudly showcased their heritage by wearing traditional cultural dress, headwear and creative hairstyles. Our canteen offered a variety of foods from around the world, and the school came alive with musical and dance performances that highlighted the vibrancy of our community.
It was truly a joyful week of connection, learning, and celebration. We look forward to sharing more of these memorable experiences with you in the coming weeks.
Year 7 2026 Fun and Games
It was wonderful to see Year 6 students get together to participate in the Year 7 2026 Fun and Games Nights held at each campus. These events are a fantastic opportunity for students to strengthen the connections they have already made through other transition activities during the year, as well as to meet staff and current students.
We recognise that moving from primary to secondary school is a significant step, and we are committed to supporting students as they navigate this important transition. Events like these not only help to ease the move but also build confidence and a sense of belonging within our college community.
Year 7, 2027 – Applications Closed on Friday 15 August 2025
If your child is in Year 5, and you would like them to be considered for a place in Year 7, 2027 please contact the College Registrar as a matter of urgency:
Donna Grech – 8325 5100
enrolments@ecmelb.catholic.edu.au
Yours sincerely,
Jenny Hendricks
Community Engagement Officer
