Newsletter Term 4, Week 10 2025
Friday 12 December - Year 6 Graduation
Monday 15 December- Step Up Day and Final Assembly 2.30pm
Tuesday 16 December- Students finish Term 4, 12.00 pm
Dear Families, Students, Staff and Parish Community,
As we enter the final week of our school year, it is hard to believe how quickly 2025 has unfolded. In this season of Advent, we pause, prepare our hearts, wait in hope, and recognise Christ’s presence in the ordinary rhythms of our lives. At St Margaret Mary’s, we have certainly experienced that hope-filled presence in the many moments of joy, growth and community that have shaped this year.
There is much for our children, families and staff to be proud of. Our School Review affirmed the strong, evidence-informed practices that guide teaching and learning at SMM, and our NAPLAN results showed significant positive growth across the board. These outcomes reflect the skill of our teachers, our structured instructional approach, and the genuine partnership we share with families.
Over the past few weeks, our existing and new staff have been working closely together, onsite and online, to ensure a smooth transition into 2026. This has been thoughtful and steady work, and I am grateful for the professionalism and generosity of every staff member involved. On Monday our new staff will join us for Step Up Day, which is always a highlight as students meet their 2026 teachers and classmates and end the year with confidence and excitement.
Throughout this term, I have had many conversations with parents and guardians, and it is clear that we need to spotlight our multi-tiered learning and wellbeing supports more intentionally. Our resourcing has expanded significantly in recent years, and we now have a coordinated, data-informed team supporting every class overseen by Paul Smith our D.P. & Director of Learning and Teaching.
Learning Enhancement and Learning Support at SMM in 2026
We now have:
• 4 Learning Enhancement Teachers working across classrooms
• 4 full-time Learning Support Officers
• Weekly analysis of current student data to guide adjustments
• LETs timetabled into classroom instruction and planning meetings
• LET roles connected to uplifting a curriculum area such as literacy, mathematics, inclusion and wellbeing
What Learning Enhancement Teachers do:
• Provide whole-class, small-group and individual instruction
• Support children to access learning at their point of need
• Extend and enrich students who are ready for further challenge
• Work shoulder to shoulder with classroom teachers to strengthen practice
This flexible approach ensures our support is responsive, consistent and aligned with each student's progress.
Our final week has been filled with joyful celebrations, including graduation, Christmas Carols, our Advent and end-of-year Mass, and opportunities to gather as a community. Thank you to Simon for organising the Mass, to Fr Samuel for leading us in prayer, and to our teachers and children for preparing such beautiful performances. It was also the perfect opportunity to honour Simon’s nearly fifteen years of dedication to SMM and to farewell Laura, Eleanor, Lucy and Tayla. Each of them has contributed with care and heart, and we are grateful for their time with us.
During Mass we also witnessed the handover of student leadership from Sophie and Swarn to Georgia and Jackson. We give thanks for the steady and generous leadership that Sophie and Swarn have shown, and we congratulate our 2026 Captains. We look forward to seeing Georgia and Jackson grow into this important role and the opportunities it offers.
We are also delighted to share that past student Grace Tull, has been named Co-Captain at the Academy of Mary Immaculate for 2026. This is a wonderful achievement for Grace and her family.
As many families know, the influence of social media and communication platforms continues to reshape childhood, friendships and family life. I am encouraged by the national commitment to supporting healthier digital habits for young people. No policy will ever be perfect, but this is an important moment for all of us to reflect on how early access to social media is affecting our children. As a school, we will continue to work alongside families to promote respectful, balanced and developmentally appropriate use of technology.
I also wish to draw your attention to correspondence from Fr Samuel. Families may be aware that St Mary’s Williamstown and St Joseph’s Spotswood and Newport are beginning a process of exploring a collaborative parish partnership supported by the Archdiocese. A full transcript is included below for families who would like more context about this positive and future-focused step.
In all things, our mission remains the same. We nurture compassionate, resilient and curious learners who know they belong and are deeply supported as they grow.
A Final Word of Thanks
To our extraordinary staff, thank you. Your commitment, your care for our children, and your willingness to work together with generosity and good humour have shaped a strong and joyful year at SMM. To our parents and caregivers, thank you for the trust you place in us and for the steady partnership that underpins everything we do for the children in our care. Your support makes a profound difference.
May your Advent be peaceful, your Christmas joyful, and your holidays provide rest and time with those you love. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2026 for another year of growth and possibility.
Take Care,
Colleen McCambridge
Principal
Welcome to SMM
Thank You for Your Generosity
A heartfelt thank you to all our families for your incredible generosity during our Salvation Army Christmas Food Drive. It has been truly inspiring to see our community come together in faith and compassion, living out our call to support those in need.
Because of your kindness, many families will experience a brighter and more joyful Christmas. Your donations will make a real difference, offering both practical support and a reminder that they are cared for.
We are so grateful for the way our community continues to step up in love and service. Thank you for helping us share hope this Christmas season.
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.
Around the Rooms
Foundation
As we come to the end of our Prep year, these past two weeks have been a beautiful time of reflection, celebration, and learning. In Faith, we have been exploring the Christmas story and the birth of Jesus. The children engaged thoughtfully in Godly Play, watched videos that helped bring the story to life, and listened to readings from the children’s Bible. Their wonder, curiosity, and joy during these moments have been truly special.
We have also enjoyed plenty of Advent-themed craft, with the students creating meaningful pieces that helped them connect with the themes of the season. Our focus on Love has been especially important as we prepare for our upcoming liturgy on Tuesday. The children have been reflecting on what love looks like in our school, our classrooms, and our relationships with others.
Alongside this, we have spent time looking back on our year in Prep—remembering the fun we have had, the challenges we have overcome, and all the ways we have grown together. Hearing the children talk about their favourite memories has been a joyful reminder of just how far they’ve come.
To all of our wonderful families, I want to say a heartfelt thank you. From the bottom of my heart, it has been an amazing year. It has been a privilege to watch your children grow, both academically and as unique, kind, and capable young people. Your support, encouragement, and trust have meant so much, and I am deeply grateful.
Wishing you all a restful, joy-filled Christmas season and a wonderful break ahead.
Year 1
As we wrap up an incredible year in Year 1, it has been inspiring to watch our students grow, learn, and shine in so many ways. In Numeracy, students have been strengthening their understanding of addition and subtraction strategies within 20. In Literacy, we’ve been revising sounds and suffixes, and creating festive-themed writing pieces that highlight just how far their skills have come. In Faith Life, we have been exploring Advent and the Christmas story, and in SEL we’ve been preparing for a confident transition into Year 2.
Last week, we were fortunate to visit ACMI, where students took part in producing their own mini-movie using the green screen, a definite highlight! Our End of Year Mass and Christmas Concert were also wonderful celebrations, and I am so proud of every student for giving it their all.
It has been a year filled with joy, curiosity, and hard work. Thank you for your ongoing support, your children have been an absolute delight to teach!
Years 2
As we wrap up a wonderful year in Grade 2, we have been reflecting on how much the students have grown and the joy and fun we’ve shared together. These classes have worked hard, applied themselves, collaborated beautifully and learned so many new skills. They have strengthened friendships and shown their wonderful personalities every single day. It has been inspiring to watch them take on new challenges, find themselves in the learning pit and work their way out of it, and to see the excitement when new learning finally ‘clicks’.
Over the past fortnight, we have had a strong focus on persuasive writing and our author study. Students have shared their opinions and preferences about which Julia Donaldson book they enjoyed most, giving thoughtful reasons to support their choices. They have also planned and written their own Christmas narratives and continued revising their tricky words.
In Maths, students explored number patterns and skip counting. We were also very fortunate to visit ACMI to conclude our learning about technology and green screen. Students enjoyed the exhibition on media and the moving image, and they had a fantastic time creating their own mini movie about fairy tales and finding Cinderella. It was a day filled with wonder, excitement and rich learning.
We also celebrated a beautiful evening of Christmas festivities with our end-of-year Mass and Carols. The children sang their hearts out, grooved and moved with confidence, and made us incredibly proud.
Well done to all our Grade 2 students on a fantastic year of learning, growth and joy. We feel very lucky to have taught you this year—you brought happiness to every day in the classroom. Thank you, and we wish you all the very best for next year.
Years 3 and 4
As we come to the end of the year, the Year 3/4s have been busy!. In Literacy, we explored how Christmas is celebrated around the world through reading comprehension, a research project slideshow, and festive writing tasks using a holiday-themed choice board.
In Maths, students built their number fluency through the game Lift the Tile – Any Operation, using all four operations to make totals and think strategically. They have also continued learning the multiplication algorithm with regrouping.
In Faith Life, students are continuing with their Jesse Trees, learning about the people in Jesus’ family tree and the stories that lead us toward Christmas.
Year 5/6
In Grade 5/6, students have been reflecting on their learning, friendships, and achievements throughout the year. Our Grade 6 students have also been reflecting on their entire journey at St. Margaret Mary’s as they prepare to graduate next week. To celebrate these memories, students have been creating their own “Memory Books” as special keepsakes. Here is a little sneak peek at some of their pages!
Year 6 Big Day Out
Our Year 6 students celebrated their long-awaited Big Day Out at Luna Park, and the day could not have been more perfect. The sun was shining, spirits were high, and the excitement began the moment we stepped through the famous smiling gates. Students enjoyed a vast range of rides—some thrilling, some gentle, and all packed with fun. There were plenty of laughs, squeals, and moments of bravery, including convincing Miss Parnell to take on both The Coney Drop and the Pharoh Tower ride!
Scan the QR codes below to take a listen to some of the students' podcasts.
Scan the QR codes below to take a listen to some of the students' podcasts.
End of Year Mass and Carols
It was a wonderful way to end the year with our annual End-of-Year Mass and Carols. It’s always a special evening where our community comes together in joy and celebration.
From all of us at SMM, we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe, restful holiday break.
Advent Prayer Services
Students have been examining Advent and preparing for this special time in our Church year. Each week, our classes are exploring one of the four weeks of Advent. This week, our Year 3/4 students focused on Peace.
At our senior assembly next Monday, they will continue their journey by reflecting on Joy, and our Prep students will explore Love at their prayer service on Tuesday the 16th.
Mini Vinnies
Well done to our Mini Vinnies. We raised over $150 for the charity through our Christmas Dress Up Day this week.
2026 Start-of-Year Assessment & Transition Sessions - “Setting Every Child Up for Success”
Dear Families,
As we prepare for the beginning of the 2026 school year, we will again be running our Start of Year Assessment & Transition Sessions for all students. These sessions have proven to be a highly effective way to set each child up for success, ensure a smooth beginning to the year, and strengthen the partnership between home and school.
What the session looks like
Each 60-minute transition booking includes:
A 10-minute Parent/Guardian Conversation
This is an opportunity for you to meet your child’s 2026 teacher and share important information, such as:
your child’s interests, strengths and learning preferences
any concerns, supports, or goals for the year
aspirations you have for their learning and wellbeing
anything that will help us create a positive and successful start
This short, focused conversation ensures the teacher hears directly from you, understands your child as an individual, and can begin building a strong relationship with your family from the very beginning.
A 20-minute 1:1 session with the new teacher and a 30-minute follow-up with another staff member
Your child will complete a small number of warm-up learning activities so the teacher can gain an early sense of their literacy and numeracy skills. This allows us to gather shared insights and ensure all adults working with your child have a consistent understanding of how to best support them.
Parents and guardians do not need to stay after the initial handover conversation.
When will this occur
Wednesday 28th January, 2026
Thursday 29th January, 2026
Why we do this – the purpose
Starting the year with a dedicated transition session and assessment procedure allows us to:
Build strong relationships from day one – your child meets their new teacher individually in a calm, supportive environment.
Understand your child deeply – we gather important insights from you about your child’s strengths, needs, aspirations, learning style, and wellbeing.
Assess where each child is currently working – teachers spend time 1:1 with your child to gain an early snapshot of their literacy, numeracy, and learning behaviours.
Ensure students feel safe, known and ready – children begin the school year already connected to their teacher and familiar with their new space.
Support wellbeing and reduce first-day anxiety – many children find new starts overwhelming; this process significantly eases that transition.
Bookings Your Appointments
Next week your child will participate in Step Up Day with their new class and teacher. Classroom information will be sent home and bookings can be made following this via School Interviews Online using this link: https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/ujnhp
Additional Meeting Times for Students With Identified Needs
For families who participated in a Program Support Group (PSG) meeting toward the end of this year, we will also be in contact to confirm additional transition meeting times.
These sessions allow us to:
Build continuity in adjustments and supports
Ensure all goals and strategies discussed in the PSG are carried forward
Provide extra time to plan for students who require more targeted transition support
You will receive a separate communication to arrange these additional meetings.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school office.
Warm regards,
Paul Smith
Deputy Principal / Director of Inclusive Learning & Teaching
BYO Chromebooks for 2026
Ordered Chromebooks are now available from the office.
Any order made now will be delivered at the start of term 1, 2026.
School Holiday Programs
Emmanuel College Latest News
Year 7, 2027 Enrolments
A reminder that applications for Year 7, 2027 closed on 15 August. Letters of Offer and
waitlist notifications were emailed to families on Friday 17 October 2025.
If you have a child currently in Year 5 and haven’t applied yet, please get in touch with our
College Registrar, Ms Donna Grech as soon as possible, on 8325 5100.
Yours sincerely,
Jenny Hendricks
Community Engagement Officer
Well done, Grace!
We are incredibly proud to see Grace, a former St Margaret Mary’s student, appointed as one of the Academy of Mary Immaculate’s 2026 Co-Captains. It is wonderful to see her leadership, dedication and hard work recognised.
Congratulations, Grace — our whole school community is delighted to see you thriving!
