Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to the 2024 academic year. There is an excited buzz in the playground and the teachers and students are filled with boundless possibilities, hope and the promise of new growth. I wish to extend a warm welcome to each member of our school community, particularly our new Kindy parents and those families new to St Margaret Mary’s this year. 

As we journey together, our school community is grounded in the theme of Hope. Hope is the guiding light that inspires us to imagine a future filled with joy and success. This year, Sydney Catholic Schools has adopted the theme of Hope from Pope Francis’ message for youth delivered at World Youth Day. In response to this theme, our system action is: 

"We journey together as joyful witnesses to hope."

Here at St Margaret Mary's let's embrace the spirit of Hope together, creating a collaborative partnership that encourages resilience, creativity, and learning.

Please see the following reminders to ensure we get our school year off to a great start.

School Routines 

Please remember supervision does not start on the playground until 8.20 am when the gate is opened. If you need to pick your child up early or drop them to school late, you must come to the office to sign them in and out. Parents are not permitted to go to classrooms, the office will arrange to have your child brought down or escorted to class if they are late. Children should not be turning up to the gate unaccompanied once it is locked, parents and carers are legally required to sign them in if they arrive after classes have started. 

Kiss and Go

This is the service that allows parents and carers to drop off and pick up in Clovelly Rd without leaving your vehicle. Please be reminded to use this service children must enter and exit vehicles on the left, they must also be able to latch and unlatch their seatbelts. Finally, as this is a parent run service, if you use ‘Kiss and Go' you must volunteer one morning a term to assist as a parent helper. If you are already using the Kiss and Go Service but have not yet volunteered please send your Name, email address and contact phone number to stmm.kiss.go@gmail.com

Amadeus Music Program

The Amadeus program was introduced by the Executive Director of Sydney Catholic Schools, Tony Farley. Tony firmly believes “Music is an important part of life through which we express ourselves as human beings,  it brings communities together, creates joy and stimulates the brain and the senses”

The Amadeus program is compulsory for all students in years 3-6 as it provides access to a learning environment that includes a quality music program nurturing and developing skills that can be expressed across the curriculum. 

According to the research the positive effects of young people involved in music education programs include:

• Increased development of individual creativity and self-expression which can improve a learner’s confidence and motivation
• Achievements in reading, language and mathematics development, increased higher-order thinking skills, increased motivation to learn, and improvement in social behaviours.
• Experiences and learning that fosters the development of collaboration, problem-solving, critical thinking, imagination, communication, agility and empathy.

Over the next couple of weeks the students in Year 3 - 6 will be receiving their instrument and for those of you new to the school a contract with important information regarding the care and costs of repairing instruments will also be sent home. It is important parents and carers understand that the cost to repair or replace damaged instruments lies with you. The school will obviously issue instruments in good working order.