Principal's News
Dear SMCM Community, Wominjeka!
Lifelong benefits of attending a Catholic School
I am pleased to share new research using the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey data that found people who attended Catholic schools are likely to see lifelong benefits in employment status, general health and life satisfaction.
This research was undertaken by a team in the Centre for International Research on Education Systems (CIRES) at Victoria University and commissioned by Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA). The research found that on average, there are both personal and community benefits of Catholic schooling. People who attended Catholic schools are on average more likely to be employed, and to earn higher wages, than government school attendees. In addition, Catholic school attendees are more likely to work in an industry or sector that directly benefits the public and were more likely to donate to charity. The report also found that Catholic school attendance had a positive average impact on personal health and life satisfaction scores.
A copy of the report is available on the Victorian Catholic Education Authority website at www.vcea.catholic.edu.au/lifelongbenefits.
School Fees
School Fee statements have recently been distributed. Thank you to families who have completed the direct debit forms and make regular payments. Thank you to families who have made lump sum payments and have paid their 2025 fees in full.
Did you know?
Catholic school students, receive less government funding than government school students. To make up the difference, Catholic schools collect fees. Even then, on average Catholic schools operate at around 90 per cent of the cost of educating a student in a government school.
Our School fees are a family fee.
The school fees help pay for: loan repayments; insurance; telephone and internet; buildings and equipment maintenance; gardens and grounds maintenance; care taking and cleaning; heating, cooling, light and power; water; sewerage; council rates; furniture and IT equipment.
The student levy is per student.
The student levy pays for all learning, teaching and excursion expenses, including work books, pencils, textas, scissors, glue, art & craft materials, online subscriptions, chrome books and iPads, sports equipment, library books, literacy resources and maths equipment and more.
Does everyone have to pay school fees?
Yes, our school is a low fee paying Catholic Parish school. We rely on everyone paying their school fees. For more information see the School Enrolment Agreement on our website.
What about the Parish contribution?
A condition of enrolment at SMCM is supporting the work of the Catholic Parish of St Peter’s Epping. All families are asked to support our Parish with an annual contribution.
What if our family is facing genuine financial hardship?
Did you know our school receives additional funding for every family with a Heath Care Card including covering the costs of school camp. If you have a Health Care Card please provide a copy to reception to ensure we can apply this discount for your family. If your family is experiencing genuine financial hardship please speak with Erwin or myself so we can discuss a payment plan.
Who checks up on us?
Each Catholic school has a Business Manager assigned by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) that oversees our financial transactions and viability. Our financial transactions are independently audited annually. Thank you to Erwin and Kelly for your efficient management of our school finances.
Thank you to all the families who are honouring your school fees commitment. Families who are yet to make contact with the school regarding their 2025 school fees will be contacted shortly to discuss payment options.
NAPLAN
Next week our Year 3 and Year 5 students complete their NAPLAN assessments. We wish our students well and encourange them to have a go and try their best.
The NAPLAN result reports are expected mid-year. These assessments are just a snapshot of each child’s learning and support the ongoing assessments being completed at school.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Matt, Effie and Milania (Peace Homegroup) on the passing of Matt's mother last week.
Prayer for the health of Pope Francis
Loving and Merciful God,
We come before You in prayer, lifting up Your servant, Pope Francis, in his time of need. You are the Source of all healing, and we ask You to surround him with Your loving presence, granting him strength and recovery.
May Your divine grace rest upon him, restoring his health and filling him with renewed vigor to continue leading Your Church with compassion and wisdom.
“But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord.”(Jeremiah 30:17)
We place Pope Francis into Your hands, trusting in Your eternal care. May he be comforted by the love of the Church and the prayers of all the faithful. We ask, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that his recovery be swift, and his spirit be strengthened in Your peace. May Your will be done in his life, O Lord, and may Your healing power be with him always.
We offer this prayer in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Credit: Caritas Jerusalem
Thank you for your continued support of our school community!
Claire
Principal
claire.pitcher@smcmeppingnth.catholic.edu.au
