Welcome back to Term 4! I couldn’t think of a better way to begin this term than with our St MM’s Feast Day and what a celebration it was! The Feast Day of St Margaret Mary of Alacoque is October 16. Margaret Mary was gifted spiritually as a youth, preferring silent prayer to playing as a child. She became bedridden with illness for four years. Praying to Mary, she promised to consecrate herself to Religious Life, and was instantly healed. She entered the Visitation Convent and became a Nun. Margaret Mary is the patron saint of devotees of the Sacred Heart, of polio patients, and for those who have lost their parents. The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was formally recognized and approved by Pope Clement XIII.

Our school celebrations were held over two days, with Monday being our feast day mass with special guest Sister Faye who was a founding Sister of St Margaret Mary’s. I first met Sr Faye when I was working at St Aidan’s Maroubra Junction. Sr Faye would come in regularly to read with students and if they were “extra good”, she would play a game of Uno with them. When I moved over to St Margaret Mary’s, Sr Faye phoned me to congratulate me and to let me know that she was in fact a founding Sister of our school. Since then, Sr Faye has met with the staff to tell how the St Margaret Mary’s school came to be. It was wonderful to be able to invite her back so that she could admire what our school is today. On Tuesday the celebrations continued with Ziggy and Lucky, professional African Drummers and what a show they put on! These two appealed to every student, parent and teacher who came to listen to them. A wonderful way to start Day 2! Then despite the rain, we held our first ever Feast Day Stalls and Games Fair and of course we concluded with St MM’s has Got Talent in the afternoon. AND what talent we have! Congratulations to Nathan in Year 1 who took out the infants winner and Edward and Lucy Hammer, our senior winners. A special mention to all of our entrants and our guest judges - Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift! A huge thank you to all of the staff in particular Mrs McClure and Mrs Giannikos for all of their work in the lead up to the day and also to all of the parent helpers who assisted on the day. The money raised from Mission Day will go towards the Christmas Appeal and the Catholic Education Foundation.

Special Announcement - Tony Farley (Executive Director of SCS to visit St MM’s)

It is with great pleasure that I announce that Sydney Catholic Schools Executive Director Mr Tony Farley will be visiting St Margaret Mary’s for our end of year Amadeus concert on Friday November 10 at 9.10am. As you may be aware, it was Mr Farley’s dream for each child within the system to learn to play an instrument so we extended the invitation to him to see the wonderful musical progress the St MM’s students have made in their Amadeus lessons. What is special about our community is our school spirit so I wish to extend the invitation to all of you to be able to join us on the morning to show Mr Farley the wonderful community we are -

Term 4 PAT Testing

Each year, SCS advises schools to undertake the PAT tests in Term 4 for reading and mathematics for all students in Years 2 - 6. PAT stands for Progressive Achievement Test and the data is used to identify starting points for learning, target teaching and monitor growth. The tests now follow the “adaptive” approach to testing which is similar to NAPLAN. This means that based on student responses, personalised test pathways are determined giving a more precise picture of student achievement and even greater diagnostic power. Our students have begun testing this week and the teachers will use this information to assist planning and to inform reporting.

Timeline of Year 5 Leadership Voting

As we are now in Term 4, it is time for our Year 5 students to put themselves forward for 2024 school leadership positions. Below I have outlined a timeline that will be shared with the students to allow them time to consider what role they would be best suited to and to prepare themselves to undertake leadership roles. This is such an exciting time in the students lives and one that I am sure they have given much thought to already. Based on the small numbers of the Year 5 class, Mrs O’Donnell and I have gone over the roles and adjusted them to suit the numbers within the class. Traditionally, the school has had a boy/girl school captain. For 2024, we will have Captains voted in regardless of their gender. The roles available for our 2024 Year 6 class are -

School Captains x 2
House Captains x 4 (1 per house)
ICT x 2
SRC x 2
Faith and Justice x 3

Year 6 Transition to High School Talk

Students and parents of Year 6 are reminded of the upcoming Transition to High School Evening on Wednesday November 1 at 6pm.

KISS AND GO SAFETY GUIDELINES

Parents are reminded of the protocols of using the Kiss and Go service, particularly in the afternoons. Unfortunately there have been several afternoons where I have witnessed extremely close calls. We need to remember that children do not have the “road sense” that adults have. Please take the time to follow the protocols below for everyone’s safety -

AFTERNOONS (3.10 – 3.30pm)

You must be registered to use the afternoon Kiss and Go zone. Registration forms are available from the office. Let the office know if you need a new name label.
Do not arrive before 3.10pm and sit with the engine running. There is a 2-minute time limit on stopping in the Kiss and Go zone, even if you are in your car.
The Kiss and Go zone is a No Parking restriction and the penalty for exceeding this time limit is $191 and 2 demerit points.
Kiss and Go operates until 3.30pm, so if possible, delay picking up your child until after the initial 10-minute rush period.

How to collect your children

Remind children to go to Kiss and Go gate in the afternoon.
Clearly display your name label when using Kiss and Go.
The queue for Kiss and Go begins at the LOWER end of the zone at the telegraph pole. Only join the rear of the queue and DO NOT attempt to pull in at the front or middle of the queue; it operates like a taxi queue.
Wait for your child to be brought to the car. Please apply the handbrake to avoid rolling forward.
Allow enough room between the car in front of you to be able to pull out without reversing if they have been delayed.
Children will be sent to the first few cars only. Move forward as the cars in front of you leave to allow room for more cars to join the end of the queue.
Stay in your car when children are getting in, Teachers can assist with bags and seat belts.
Pull away from the queue slowly and carefully, watching for traffic on Clovelly Road.

Please follow instructions and directions from the teachers supervising the Kiss and Go.

Some Kiss and Go Safety rules to protect teachers and children

Do not block the driveway of The Little Sisters or the school gate
Do not double park – Penalty $344 and 2 demerit points.
Do not do a U-turn from the pick-up zone – Penalty $344 and 2 demerit points.
Do not queue out into the road where the parked cars begin. This will prevent other drivers needing to drive on the wrong side of the road to pass you. This becomes EXTREMELY DANGEROUS in such a built-up area.
If you are not able to pull up in the Kiss and Go zone safely drive around the block (Avoca Street, Frenchman’s Road, Clovelly Road) the queue should be clear by that time.
If you are in a hurry, park the car legally and collect your child from the playground.
Be very aware and cautious of pedestrians in the area.

No Animals on the Playground

Parents are reminded that bringing pets onto the playground is prohibited. As I am sure you appreciate, the safety and well being of all students is our collective responsibility. I refer you to the COMPANION ANIMALS ACT 1998 - SECTION 14e

Dance