Term 1, Week 5 Friday 4th March 2022

We have been back in full swing, with all our students back on site, for 2 weeks and we certainly have been busy with lots of learning and activities.

• Year 6 students have commenced their podcasting course with ArchD Radio
• R-2 classes have commenced their InitiaLit program for literacy, with all students having undertaken their screening assessment with a teacher.
• Italian, Performing Arts and Sport lessons are in full swing!
• Sports Captains have been elected
• Student leaders have led community prayer (over the PA to be COVID safe)

And the students are all making great use of their new learning spaces.

Ash Wednesday

This week we commenced the season of Lent with Ash Wednesday.  Throughout Lent our community will be focussing on the needs of others, specifically through Project Compassion. On Tuesday, students were able to enjoy a pancake as a part of Shrove Tuesday, in preparation for Ash Wednesday. Thank you to Mr Harrison for organising the pancakes and class liturgies to sprinkle the ashes, as is the Catholic tradition. 

School Board

Last Wednesday we held our School Board AGM.  The reports are available from the front office (just email info@smms.catholic.edu.au or call 8245 5800).  The 2021 Performance Report will also be available on our website within the next week.

We are still taking nominations for parent representatives on our school board.  You do not need any specific qualifications or experience; you just need to be interested in the continual improvement and development of St Margaret Mary’s School and Preschool.  We meet twice a term (this term via Zoom) on a Wednesday 6.30-8pm.  Please let me know if you’re interested, or if you’d like some more information.

Healthy Eating

We are encouraging all families to support us in promoting healthy eating and drinking at school.  This term we are focussing on water only at school.  Please do not pack other juice boxes/drinks.  We will have spare water bottles at school, that can be refilled to ensure no child will be thirsty.

COVID-19 Update

Due to continuing restrictions, we will postpone our general parent/teacher conversations from week 8 until week 10.  You will receive information about how to book these meetings in the weeks prior to this. 

We are fortunate that we can now have whole school gatherings outdoors and are looking forward to having Community Prayer this Friday outside on the basketball court.  Parents are invited to attend this outdoor prayer (please wear your mask).

Thank you to everyone for supporting us by keeping your child home if they are unwell and getting them tested if they display symptoms.  Please remember to inform the school immediately (after hours on the phone or via email is OK) if your child tests positive so we can ensure the correct information is passed on to our community.

Thank you for your continued support,

Kelly Campbell

Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday, in the Catholic Church was traditionally a day when Christians used up their remaining animal products like meat, eggs, milk and butter before they began 40 days of fasting during the Season of Lent.

On Tuesday, each class was provided with a yummy pancake to enjoy. I have never seen so many pancakes! Thank you, to the classroom teachers for supporting the distribution and optional toppings and to those families who arranged an alternative dietary snacks in the lunchbox for their child/children to enjoy during this time.

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. As part of Ash Wednesday our young people are invited to receive ashes. The ashes come from the palms used during the previous year’s Palm Sunday Eucharistic celebration. Receiving the ashes helps us to reflect that from ashes springs new life. To our young people this means being ‘the best version of themselves.’

Liturgy of the Word

Each year level gathered for a special Ash Wednesday Liturgy of the Word. We shared special prayers heard in Mark’s Gospel that God sees the good things we do when we try to be more like Jesus, and we spoke about how we can do this by showing kind words and actions. Due to current recommendations the children were invited to have ashes sprinkled over their heads and to say a prayer for those in need or someone special in their lives. I was fortunate to be able to join some of the classes and was really touched by the expressions of kindness shared by the children.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

On Sunday 6 March at 10:30am, our 17 Reconciliation candidates will be presented to the Croydon Park Parishioners at St Margaret Mary’s Church.  Please keep these young people in your prayers, particularly during this Season of Lent as they share these formational experiences with their families.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

God bless,