Newsletter Term 1, Week 8 2025
Friday 28 March- Colour Fun Run
Friday 4 April - Easter Bonnet Parade and Last Day of Term 1 (1pm Finish)
Dear Families and Friends,
It's been a busy fortnight at school! We started it off with the Labor Day long weekend, which was immediately followed by a very educational professional development day at Emmanuel College. The focus was on deepening our understanding of the science of learning, particularly emphasising best practices in writing across all year levels from Foundation to Grade Six. It was wonderful to see the staff engaging deeply with these valuable insights.
NAPLAN testing also took place during this period for our Year 3 and Year 5 students. It was fantastic to see students doing their very best.
Following this, we celebrated Catholic Education Week, which began with a lively St Patrick's Day on Monday. Students had a great time learning about St Patrick, wearing touches of green and enjoying the vibrant spirit—after all, everyone's a bit Irish on St Patrick's Day!
The celebrations continued with Harmony Week and Neurodiversity Week activities taking place throughout the week, fostering awareness, inclusion, and understanding within our school community.
On Wednesday, we had a very special Combined Schools Day. Our Prep to Grade Two students visited Sacred Heart, engaging in activities centered around St Joseph's Feast Day, while Sacred Heart’s Grade Three to Six students joined us for similar activities and a shared Mass. It was a wonderful day, strengthening our parish connections and fostering friendships across both schools.
Additionally, we invite our families to join us for the Parish Feast Day Mass and Commissioning Ceremony at Sacred Heart Church this Sunday at 10:00 am. This special Mass highlights our dedication and service as educators in our community.
We also celebrated World Down Syndrome Day on Friday, with students proudly wearing colorful socks and engaging in activities aimed at enhancing understanding and celebrating diversity.
Our school captains and liturgy captains had the privilege of attending the special St Patrick's Day Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral with myself and Mrs Novak. Despite the rainy weather, the spirit and joy of celebrating Catholic Education Week shone through.
Looking ahead, we have an exciting week planned. On Friday, students will participate in our eagerly awaited Color Fun Run at Edwards Reserve from midday. Remember, this event is our major fundraiser for the year, and your generous donations are greatly appreciated—please ensure donations are submitted before next Friday.
As we approach the end of term, excitement builds for our annual Easter Bonnet Parade and Easter Raffle, happening on the last day of school at 9:00 am. We encourage everyone to join in the fun by wearing their most creative Easter Bonnets! Donations of chocolate eggs for our raffle baskets can be dropped at the office, and please remember to return your raffle tickets by early next week.
We look forward to another fantastic fortnight ahead. Thank you for your ongoing support, and see you around the school!
Simon Devlin
Acting Principal
🌟 Congratulations Gilbert!🌟
Congratulations to Gilbert on a fantastic achievement—receiving the U11 All-Rounder Award at the Spotswood Cricket Club presentation night! We're proud of your hard work and dedication. Well done! 🏏🌟
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 9 at the earlier time of 2.30. The students who earned an award in the past week are:
Week 7
Week 6
Minecraft Club
Minecraft Club is going strong, with lots of Year 3–6 students enjoying Friday lunchtime sessions. Numbers keep growing, and students are busy creating exciting projects in different worlds. It’s great to see teamwork, creativity, and friendship building each week!
Around the Rooms
Foundation
Over the past two weeks, students have been working hard in a variety of subjects. In Number Blast and Math lessons, we’ve been focusing on double numbers and building confidence in counting from 0 to 5. In Literacy, our students have been concentrating on the letters M, S, and T, strengthening their foundational skills.
During Harmony Week, students participated in a special buddy activity with the Grade 5/6s, where they learned about St. Patrick and the significance of the day. Everyone joined in the celebration by wearing green, making it a fun and educational experience for all!
Exciting Learning in Year 1 Green!
We've had a fantastic couple of weeks in Year 1! In Maths, we have been continuing our work on place value, strengthening our understanding of tens and ones. In Literacy, we have enjoyed learning about compound words, discovering how two smaller words can come together to create a new one. In Faith Life, we have been deepening our understanding of Lent, reflecting on kindness and ways we can follow in Jesus’ footsteps. Combined School’s Day on Wednesday was also a huge success!
Year 2
In Literacy, our Grade 2 students have been exploring persuasive texts and creating some impressive persuasive pieces of their own. From debating the best season of the year to presenting compelling arguments about whether we should or shouldn’t own pets, our students have shared some very convincing reasons!
In Maths, we’ve begun a new unit focusing on addition and subtraction. Students are currently mastering the skill of "bridging 10," making addition easier and more efficient. It’s been wonderful to see their confidence and understanding grow as they apply this useful strategy.
We also took time to reflect on St. Patrick's Day, learning about who St. Patrick was and why he is important. Our students discussed how fortunate we are and took a moment to express gratitude for the many wonderful things in our lives.
Year 3 and 4
These past two weeks, Year 3s had their ‘NAPLAN caps’ on, putting their hard work and preparation into practise as they tackled their assessments with confidence. Catholic Education Week kept us busy with rich learning experiences, including celebrating St Patrick's Day, embracing inclusivity during Harmony Week and Neurodiversity Week, marking the Feast of St Joseph with Combined Schools’ Day, and recognising World Down Syndrome Day. It has been a wonderful time of reflection, connection, and community!
5/6
Bodyworks
A couple of weeks ago all the grade 5’s had a ‘BodyWorks’ incursion. This was a day where we learnt all about our amazing bodies and how they can change as we grow. We made a new friend named ‘Bod’. They were a life-size mannequin with all the human body parts that we were able to take out and learn about what each of them did. We learnt some crazy new facts about the human body such as how you only need one kidney to live and that babies are actually born with a hole in their head! It was a very educational day and we left having learnt a lot!
By Gilbert
Quiet Area ‘Chat and Colour’
If your child would like to colour outside during the play sessions, please supply a colouring book clearly labelled with their name for your child to give to their class teacher. Children will be able to access these during the play break. Coloured pencils are supplied.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
Regular SEL lessons in the classroom are happening this term using the CASEA program as the basis. The students began the term by getting to know/reacquaint themselves with their peers and teachers and explored their strengths This has been reinforced through the awareness week activities this week. Focussing on strengths points out to students that they are unique and reinforces the importance of people being different. It allows for an exploration of students’ different talents and strengths and the ways that these can benefit others in the group.
Source: 2022 Murdoch Children’s Research institute
The students continue to build their emotional literacy which is the ability to recognize, understand and manage our feelings and emotions in healthy ways. This leads to better self-expression and emotional control. Emotional literacy can help children build stronger relationships with others. When students know how to manage their emotions they are better equipped to handle stress and anxiety. It helps them cope with challenges and bounce back from setbacks. Students practised identifying their own feelings and the feelings of others and looked at the varying intensity of feelings through the use of the ‘volcano’ metaphor. They learned a practical strategy known as the “calming down” strategy.
How you can work in partnership with us!
This Raising Children’s Network article provides parents with behaviour tips and strategies on the topic of Helping children calm down: 3-8 years.
Helping pre-teens and teenagers calm down (Suitable for 9-18 years)
These articles explain why children need help to calm down from strong emotions.
SunSmart
Our website has our updated SunSmart policy. Students have access to the SunSmart UV widget via their digital devices. This encourages them to check for the times of day they need to use sun protection. Thanks to our Grade 6 Environmental Captains who will be responsible for inserting the daily recommended sun protection times on our new sign near the ramp.
Please work in partnership with us by ensuring your child has a hat at school (clearly labelled with their name) from the beginning of September to the end of April
A child with no hat at school is directed to play in the undercover area to protect them from high UV exposure. Skin protection is necessary when the UV index reaches 3 or higher. For comprehensive guidelines and resources, visit SunSmart's website at sunsmart.com.au
Take protective action for your family by:-
● Accessing the free SunSmart App
● There's nothing healthy about a tan ... still
● Skin Cancer - End The Trend campaign
eSmart
National eSmart Week 2025 runs from Monday 31 March to Sunday 6th April and focuses on teaching students how to stay safe and responsible online.
Our school engages in the Inform and Empower program. Their innovative and award winning live streamed incursions teach our students about cyber safety and digital wellbeing. This team work with many schools. It is interesting to note that when working with parents they ask for one word to describe parenting in a digital world and the five most common responses are: challenging, difficult, overwhelming, scary and confusing.
Please work in partnership by discussing online safety at home and support our efforts to create a positive digital environment for all students.
SESSION FOR PARENTS
National eSmart Week 2025: Parenting in the digital world
Parenting in the digital world has many challenges. Join this session to understand your child's online world and how you can support them to stay safe.
Date: Wednesday 2 April 2025 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM (UTC+11)
National eSmart Week 2025: Parenting in the digital world Tickets | TryBooking Australia
Another useful resource for parents and carers
The ‘Australian Classification’ is a government organization responsible for classifying films, games, and apps to ensure they are age-appropriate for children and families. It provides clear guidelines on what content is suitable for different age groups, helping parents make informed decisions about what their children watch or play. The Australian Classification website offers easy access to ratings, reviews, and detailed information on the content, so families can stay safe and confident in the digital choices they make. By using these resources, parents can protect their children from inappropriate material and ensure a positive media experience at home.
Thanks for working in positive partnership with us to support the children in our care!
Kath Novak
Student Wellbeing / MHiPS
Combined Schools Day
It was wonderful to come together on Wednesday as the schools of St Joseph's Parish celebrated the Feast of St Joseph. We warmly welcomed the Year 3-6 students from Sacred Heart Primary to St Margaret Mary's, where we explored activities focused on the life of St Joseph, culminating in a vibrant "Path to Peace" chalk display outside. Meanwhile, our Prep to Year 2 students journeyed down to Sacred Heart Primary, engaging in similar meaningful activities and celebrating Mass together. It was a fantastic day, strengthening community bonds and celebrating our shared faith on this very special occasion.
Parish Feast Day Celebration – This Sunday, 23rd March ⛪✨
We warmly invite all St Margaret Mary’s families to join us for the Parish Feast Day at Sacred Heart Church on Sunday, 23rd March, at 10 AM.
This special Mass will honor all those who serve within our parish, including our dedicated teachers from St Margaret Mary’s. It’s a wonderful opportunity to come together in faith and gratitude as a community.
Following Mass, everyone is welcome to stay for a celebratory morning tea in the hall. We’d love to see as many families there as possible! 💙🙏
We Need You!
The parish is hosting a cup of tea after Mass on Saturday, 26th April at 5:30 PM, and we're looking for your help! We already have one volunteer, but we're seeking one more friendly helper to assist Vicki in serving tea and coffee to our parishioners. If you're able to lend a hand and make the evening special for everyone, please get in touch with Simon at sdevlin@smmspotswood.catholic.edu.au. Your support will be greatly appreciated!
🏃♂️🌈 Colour Fun Run – Fundraising Update 🎉
A huge thank you to all the families who have already signed up for our School Fun Run’s Crazy Colour Day! It’s fantastic to see so much enthusiasm—we currently have 137 students registered, which is nearly the entire school!
If you haven’t registered yet, get ready to put on your running shoes, don your most colourful attire, and join us for an exhilarating and vibrant event filled with fun, fitness, and a kaleidoscope of colours!
Mark your calendars—on Friday, March 28th, Edwards Reserve (AKA The Frog Park) will be transformed into a canvas of colours. This event promotes health, wellness, and community spirit, all while having an absolute blast!
As our major fundraiser for the year, all money raised will go directly towards student resources and equipment.
Sign up today at funrun.com.au and get ready to make wonderful memories with your kids as they run, laugh, and get drenched in a spectrum of colours!
The FSG
Colour Fun Run Timetable
🏉Footy Tipping🏉
The footy tipping competition is off to a cracking start with Hawkspursjnr and Patty35 leading the pack thanks to some savvy tipping and bonus points! It’s anyone’s game though, especially with an exciting round ahead—Carlton faces a tough challenge against an in-form Hawthorn on Thursday night, while the Bulldogs and Collingwood clash on Friday in what promises to be a thriller. And don't miss Essendon taking on the Adelaide Crows on Saturday—time to get those tips in and shake up the leaderboard!
Click the link below:
https://www.footytips.com.au/comps/2025_SMM_Footy_Tipping?p=stmm3015
$25 to be paid by round 4. 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".
Easter Raffle Reminder!
There are still plenty of raffle tickets available at the office if you'd like to sell more. A huge thank you to everyone who has already returned their tickets—your support is greatly appreciated!
We've received lots of wonderful donations, and our fantastic FSG team is continuing to reach out to local businesses for even more exciting prizes.
Thank you for helping make our Easter Raffle a success!
Holiday Programs
AUSKICK
Camp Australia
Foundation 2026 Information Evening and Tours
Know anyone looking for a great little school? Let them know about our upcoming Information Evening and school tours.
Emmanuel College Latest News – 4 March 2025
Social Justice Outreach Program
Each term, our students take part in a meaningful Social Justice Outreach Program, volunteering their time to support members of the community who are less fortunate. Recently, our students visited Reaching Out in the Inner West of Melbourne, where they helped distribute food and other essential supplies to those in need. Their efforts made a real difference and highlighted the importance of giving back to the community. We also had the privilege of attending the Project Compassion launch at Emmaus College. It was an inspiring event where we connected with students from other schools and learned about the incredible work that Caritas is doing to support vulnerable communities. These experiences continue to remind us of the power of compassion and the importance of standing in solidarity with those in need.
It was wonderful to welcome over 200 families to the St Paul’s Campus Open Evening last night. We welcome you to join us at the Notre Dame Campus Open Evening:
Notre Dame Campus Open Evening
Monday, 24 March
4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
We’d love to show you what makes Emmanuel College such a special place. Come along to a College experience for a first-hand look at our vibrant community and enjoy a guided tour led by our amazing student ambassadors, and:
Hear from College Principal, Dr. Janine Biggin
Learn about our diverse curriculum
Take part in interactive activities
Meet our dedicated staff
Registration is essential. Secure your spot here: Open Evening and College Experience Registration
Year 7, 2027 Enrolments Now Open
Do you have a child in Year 5?
Applications for Year 7 in 2027 are officially open and will close on Friday, 15 August 2025. Even if you have a child already attending or enrolled for Year 7 in 2026, you must submit a new application for your child who will commence in Year 7, 2027.
Apply online now: Application Form
For any enrolment enquiries, please contact:
Ms. Donna Grech, College Registrar – 8325 5100 | enrolments@ecmelb.catholic.edu.au
We hope to see you at a College event soon.
Yours sincerely,
Jenny Hendricks
Community Engagement Officer
Mount St. Joseph
VISIT US
Visiting our College is a great way to explore our dynamic learning spaces and experience learning in action.
You will meet our Principal, students and staff and see why Mount St. Joseph Girls' College is the best choice for your child. Tours of the College are led by our student ambassadors. This gives visiting families the unique opportunity to ask questions and gain an honest insight into our programs and what it is like to be a student at Mount St. Joseph Girls' College. Please register for one of the following Open Events by visiting our website or scan the QR code.
Open Mornings – 9:15am – 10:30am
Thursday 19 June
Thursday 24 July
Thursday 07 August
Thursday 4 September
Open Day – 10am – 2pm
Sunday 18 May
APPLY NOW
Students wishing to attend Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College for Year 7 in 2027 should apply in Grade 5 of their primary school education.
Applications for Year 7 in 2027 are now open. Apply online via the College website. The closing date for applications is Friday 15 August 2025.
For application to Years 8-12, there is no application closing date, but vacancies are limited and waiting lists may apply.
For all enquiries, please contact:
Sherri Collins: registrar@msj.vic.edu.au
133 Maidstone Street, Altona
(03) 8398 2000
www.msj.vic.edu.au
CLASS OF 2024 VCE RESULTS
“We are incredibly proud to announce the results of our 2024 Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and Vocational Major (VM) students. Each student has worked incredibly hard throughout the past two years and these results are well deserved.”
Kate Dishon – Principal
