Newsletter Term 3, Week 5 2022
Monday 22nd August - School Closure
Dear Parents,
Today, 11th August, marks my 8 year anniversary as the Principal of St. Margaret Mary’s Spotswood. I clearly remember my first day in 2014 as not only the new principal of St. Margaret Mary’s but as a new Principal full stop!
Full of mixed emotions with the anticipation and hope for what lay before me whilst trying to combat the sheer terror and negative self-talk of ‘what was I thinking and could I do this job!’
Eight years on if I am honest, I still have the occasional day where I wonder what I was thinking and if I can do this job but most of the time I am just grateful that I am part of the St. Margaret Mary’s community.
The children, families and staff over the last 8 years have augmented my career as a teacher and my life. I thank you all for being a part of this journey with me and I look forward to what the future holds.
This week we celebrated the Feast of St. Mary of the Cross Mackillop, Australia’s first Saint and recognized for her lifelong commitment to the poor, particularly in setting up schools through the order she co-founded with Fr. Julian Tenison Woods, the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart.
Having been taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph, when I was in secondary school and now working in a school that was established by the Sisters of St. Joseph, the canonisation and the feast day are of importance to myself and our school.
Her actions over a century ago have impacted my life and indeed the lives of thousands of our students and their families, who were also educated at some point by the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Over the next two Saturdays (13th & 20th August) some of our Grade 4 students and one Grade 5, will be making their First Eucharist. First Eucharist is the second Sacrament of Initiation in the children’s faith journey.
We extend our best wishes and keep in our prayers Sophie A, Valentina, George, Chloe, Oliver M, Samuel, Abdullah, Zoe S, Callum, Pia, Cruz, Jye and Ellie C.
In this newsletter is the updated version of the CECV Statement of Commitment to Child Safety in line with the new Child Safe Standards which came into effect on 1st July and support the new Ministerial Order 1359. I strongly encourage all families to take the time to read this statement.
Last newsletter I introduced a new school initiative, Positive Behaviours for Learning. Below is a link to a youtube video that gives further information about this initiative.
Finally, in a few weeks, families will receive information about the MACSSIS survey which we ask parents, Grade 4 to 6 students and staff to complete in order to identify the strengths and areas for improvement in our school.
MACSSIS data benefits everyone within our school and provides valuable community insights on areas that each school can focus on. Our school believes it is important to encourage families to have a voice and contribute to shaping the ongoing improvement of the school.
Regards,
Andrea Richards
Principal
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. The students who earned an award in the past weeks are:
Term 3, Week 4
Term 3, Week 5
Sports Report
District Track and Field Carnival 2022
The Westgate District Track and Field Carnival was held on the 20th of July at Newport Athletics Track. St Margaret Mary’s sent a team of 41 students to compete on the day. Students had a great time competing against other Westgate district schools. I am very proud to report that our students showed excellence, resilience and great sportsmanship on the day. A big congratulations to all of the students that participated. Also a big thank you to Miss Steele, Miss Barbalaco and Emma Meehan (Jessica’s mum) who ran the long jump event on the day.
We have five students competing at the Division Track and Field Carnival on the 6th of September at the Keilor Athletics Track. Congratulations to the following students who will be representing our school and the Westgate district in their events:Milla Gooch (AWD)- 100m and shot putNoah Fegan- 200m and long jumpValentina Fiorucci- Shot putKayla Theodorou- Long jumpOliver Roberts- Discus
Further information about the Division Track and Field Carnival will be provided to these families shortly.
Thank you,
Kristine Messig
Eucharist Preparation
Some of the students are busy preparing for their 1st Eucharist by making some unlevened bread . From all accounts it was delicious. We wish them the very best at their special masses, this Saturday the 13th and 20th, in the St Margaret Mary’s Church at 5.30pm.
Footy Tipping
Well, tipsters here we are. The final 2 rounds before the winners are announced. Farrer and MPANTAZ are still in first and second place but screaming up the ladder is StaceyPM, scoring an incredible 9 and putting her into 3rd place. Revs69 has got himself within a whisker of a place and the next couple of rounds could prove to be a tense time. Remember tipsters, there’s no prize for 4th place so now’s the time to have a go.
Winners are invited to contact the office and arrange a time to collect their prize at the completion of the competition.
Best of luck all and see you at the finish line.
Account SMM FSG
BSB: 083 347
Acc: 365426557
Make sure you use your alias as a reference.
Call for new members!
Can you spare some time to help out with the FSG? We are currently looking for new members. Contact Stacey to express your interest and find out more about how you can help out.
We are very excited about holding our Annual Information Morning this coming Saturday at our St Paul’s Campus. This is an excellent opportunity for families to come along and hear from our College Principal, student leaders and parents about life at the College, as well as enjoying a tour of the great facilities that the students enjoy. Registrations for the event are essential and can be made via the Tours & Events tab on the right hand side of the homepage of the College website, www.ecmelb.catholic.edu.au.
Just a reminder:
Also, the closing date for applications for enrolment for Year 7, 2024 is rapidly approaching. The closing date is Friday 19 August, 2022. A Prospectus Pack containing an application form can be requested under the Enrolment Information tab on the right hand side of the homepage of the College website, www.ecmelb.catholic.edu.au, by emailing enrolments@ecmelb.catholic.edu.au, calling the College Registrar on 8325 5119, or by visiting the friendly staff at reception of either campus.
If you have a child currently in Grade 5, please note that it is a requirement to submit an application if you wish to be considered for a place in Year 7, 2024, even if you already have an older child who attends the College.
We hope to see you at a College event soon.
School Fees
School Fees
School fee payments are to be finalised by the end of term 3 unless otherwise discussed with the school. Thankyou to all the families who have made payments towards their family school fees and levy accounts. Without this support from you, our school would not be able to run.
If you have not started to make payments towards your account can we suggest you set up via your bank account, weekly, fortnightly or monthly direct debit payments. They are a great way to work towards settlement of your account.
We accept EFTPOS over the phone, or in person at the school office and you can make direct payments into our account. Please use your family name as the reference so we are able to allocate the payment correctly.
Our bank details are:
Account Name: St Margaret Mary’s School
BSB: 083-347
ACCOUNT: 463870010
Please speak to Andrea Richards or the Office ladies if you are experiencing financial hardship.
Trying to find an important date? Check out our updated Term Dates page.
We welcome your feedback so if you have anything to contribute to the newsletter, questions about content or general feedback, please let us know.