Principals News
Dear Parents,
I trust you all had a great holiday and that your children have come back ready for a busy term in the run home to Christmas. Term Four is always a very busy time in schools and this year will be no different.
In Term Four, plans are being put in place for the following year, assessment is undertaken for the ‘End of Year Reports’ and there are many planned activities. It is an exciting time for the school with a new principal to be appointed in the coming weeks. MACS will communicate with the school community as soon as the appointment has been ratified by the Archbishop. We are in the process of finalising the teaching staff for 2025. I will keep you informed as these decisions are made.
Please make sure you have the following events in the diary:
Beachside Division Athletics
On Tuesday 15th October selected children will represent the school in the Division championships at Duncan McKinnon Reserve. Those children selected have qualified by finishing first or second in their age group at the District Championships. We wish these children all the best:
Javier Adderley, Angus Allen, Mila Bolton, Max Cornish, Lucy Dolan, Thomas Edwards, Koby Nicolaci, Edgar Quinn, Logan Seoud, Jakob Tickner, Lachie Turner, Alex Vlahos, Lachie Whyte and Matilda Worn
Year 3/4 Cricket Day
Year 3 and 4 students will be attending the Dendy T20 Cricket Day Friday, 25th October at Dendy Park, Brighton. We will be competing against other schools from the Dendy District in friendly and competitive matches. The students will be travelling by bus to the venue, which will be leaving St. Mary’s at 8:45 am and returning by approximately 3.00 pm. This is a great day for the students to practise not only their cricket skills but to demonstrate their sportsmanship and teamwork.
Year 5/6 Cricket Day
Year 5 and 6 students will be attending the Dendy T20 Cricket Day Friday, 18th October at Dendy Park, Brighton. We will be competing against other schools from the Dendy District in friendly and competitive matches. The students will be travelling by bus to the venue, which will be leaving St. Mary’s at 8:45 am and returning by approximately 3.00 pm. This is a great day for the students to practise not only their cricket skills but to demonstrate their sportsmanship and teamwork.
Youth Leadership Program Course
As part of our leadership course the Year 5 children will be undertaking a public speaking course. The sessions will be from 9:30am-11am. The dates of these sessions are as follows:
Grade 5: Monday 21st October, Monday 28th October, Friday 8th November, Monday 11th November, Monday 18th November, Monday 25th November, Monday 2nd December (sessions and Graduation morning ceremony).
Prep 2025 Orientation Sessions
The 2025 Prep children will have three orientation sessions to introduce them to the school. These dates will be on Wednesday 16th October, Wednesday 30th October and Wednesday 13th November. Each session will be from 9:00am to 11:00 am.
Parents and Friends Meeting
The first Parents and Friends meeting will take place Tuesday 15th October at 6:00pm.
School Lapathon
This year the children will be participating in the school walkathon on Friday 15th November from 11:45am to 1pm. This event is a fundraiser run jointly between the school and the Parents and Friends Committee. All children are encouraged to seek sponsorship from family and friends with prizes for the children who raise the most money and run the most laps. More details will be forwarded in coming weeks but we will need the assistance of a large number of parents to assist to keep the event safe for all children.
Melbourne Cup Long Weekend
The school will be closed on Monday 4th November and Tuesday 5th November for the Melbourne Cup Long Weekend.
Grandparents Day
Grandparents Day will take place on Thursday 21st November 9:00-11:00am and is one of the highlights each year. Our special guests will commence their time in the church with a liturgy at 9:00am followed by activity in the classroom.
Prep 2025 Information Night
The Parent Information Night for parents with children in Prep 2025 will take place on Monday 11th November at 7:00pm in the hall.
Years 5 and 6 Swimming Program
The Year 5 and 6 Swimming Program will commence on Monday 18th November with six sessions run over the following two week on the following dates:
-Monday- Wednesday 18-20 November & Monday-Wednesday 25-27 November.
Year 3 Camp
The year 3 children will head away for a night at Sovereign Hill on Wednesday 11th December and will return home on Thursday 12th December. The children will stay onsite at Sovereign Hill and have the chance to experience all that it has to offer.
Year 4 Camp
The Year 4 children will be on camp from Wednesday 4th December to Friday 6th December at Campaspe Downs
just over an hour’s drive from Melbourne. PGL Campaspe Downs Adventure Camp is set in the Macedon Ranges, close to Kyneton. School camp is a fantastic opportunity for children to develop new skills, friendships and interests. Highlights include: Giant Swing, Aeroball, Passport to the World, Canoeing, Flying Fox, Archery and Leap of Faith.
School Carols
We will be having School Carols which will take place on Monday 9th December 6:00-7:00pm. This is a whole school event with all children performing but the nativity will be led by our Preps. On the Carols evening, each class will perform carols to re-enact the story of the first Christmas. All children will need to attend this night and families are encouraged to come along with their chairs or rugs and be part of the audience.
Orientation Day for Years 1-6
The children will have their Orientation Day on Monday 16th December from 9:00-11:00 am where the children will spend time with their 2025 class and teacher.
End of Year and Graduation Liturgy
The End of Year and Graduation Liturgy will take place on Friday 13th December at 6:00pm. All students are expected to attend this important school event. The school will be celebrating the school year with different year levels taking on responsibilities during the liturgy.
Conclusion of School Year
The school year for Years Prep-5 will conclude on Tuesday 17th December at 1:00pm
Assembly
Assembly will be held on Monday afternoon commencing at 2:15 pm. Parents are most welcome to attend assembly. Class awards will be presented and highlights presented from the class hosting the assembly. Parents may attend. Each class will take a turn at hosting the assembly and listed below is this timetable:
Assembly Roster for Term Four
- Monday 14th October Year 6
- Monday 21st October Year 5
- Monday 28th October Year 4
- Monday 4th November No assembly
- Monday 11th November Year 3
- Monday 18th November Year 2
- Monday 25th November Year 1
- Monday 2nd December Year Prep
- Monday 9th December Year 6 Final Assembly
Children Arriving at School on Time
It is an expectation that children are at school and ready to work by 8:45am. It can be uncomfortable for children if they arrive late and they miss instructions needed for the morning session. Literacy and Numeracy sessions begin straight away. It is also an inconvenience for the teachers who often have to repeat instructions. I would ask that all families make an effort to have their children here on time. To avoid disruption to the classroom, if your child is late, please drop them at the office, sign them in, say goodbye and your child can walk to class.
Tony McMahon
Principal