Principal's Update
Dear Families,
Over the past few weeks, we have encountered several concerning issues at school stemming from students’ use of social media, including group chats on platforms such as iMessage and WhatsApp. Unfortunately, these challenges are becoming increasingly common, even among younger students. We recognise that many families are navigating this complex issue, and we appreciate your partnership in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our students.
It is not uncommon for online conflicts that arise at home—often in the evenings or on weekends—to carry over into school life, creating difficulties for students and staff alike. At St Margaret’s, we firmly believe that primary school-aged children do not yet have the maturity or cognitive development to safely navigate the complexities of social media or unsupervised internet use. We regularly witness the negative impact that these digital interactions can have on students’ mental health and overall wellbeing.
While students are at school, we maintain strict supervision and clear boundaries around technology use to support learning in a safe environment. However, we are increasingly noticing that similar safeguards are not always in place at home, leading to unintended but serious consequences. Unsupervised internet use presents significant risks. Allowing a child unrestricted access to the internet is akin to letting them explore an unfamiliar and potentially unsafe place alone. Without guidance, they may be exposed to harmful content, cyberbullying, or inappropriate interactions. As parents and educators, it is our responsibility to set firm boundaries and ensure children develop safe and responsible digital habits.
How Can Families Help?
- Monitor Online Activity – Set clear rules and use parental controls to oversee internet usage.
- Establish Boundaries – Primary school aged children should not have social media accounts; children need adults to enforce limits.
- Educate and Communicate – Encourage open conversations about online safety and responsible digital behaviour.
- Stay Calm and Supportive – Praise children who ask questions or report online concerns. They should feel safe seeking guidance rather than hiding their experiences.
At St Margaret’s, we are committed to promoting digital safety through our ongoing cyber safety program across all year levels. We are also working on securing guest speakers to further reinforce the importance of this topic. We appreciate your support in helping us create a safer online environment for our children. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
School Building Project: I received great news last week following a meeting with the MACS Building and Infrastructure team and our school architects—the next stage of our school’s building master plan is ready to proceed! We are currently in the tender process and have shortlisted six building companies, each of whom will submit a proposal for the project. We anticipate this process will be completed within the next month, with construction set to begin in early July.
The project includes three new state-of-the-art classrooms, breakout spaces, additional toilet facilities, and the refurbishment of two existing classrooms. This development will significantly enhance the learning environment for our students, families, and staff.
NAPLAN Assessments: Over the past 2 weeks, our students have participated in NAPLAN assessments, and we are incredibly proud of the way they approached this experience with confidence and a positive mindset. It has been pleasing to see that the vast majority of students enjoyed the process and that it did not cause unnecessary stress or anxiety. While NAPLAN provides valuable insights into student learning in Literacy and Mathematics and helps guide the learning and teaching processes in the school, it is important to remember that these assessments are just one measure of a child’s progress. A test result does not define a child or capture the full extent of their talents, creativity, resilience, and unique strengths.
We commend all our students for their effort and perseverance throughout NAPLAN and thank our teachers and families for their ongoing support in creating a calm and encouraging environment. Well done to everyone involved!
Staff Professional Learning – Caritas Australia: On Friday, 7 March, our staff participated in a professional learning day focused on Religious Education. We were fortunate to welcome Michael McGirr from Caritas Australia, who led us in a day of reflection, learning, and meaningful conversations.
This was a valuable opportunity for staff to step back from the busyness of school life and reflect on faith and personal growth. Michael made some insightful observations about the positive and supportive culture within our staff, something we can all take pride in. I am grateful for the enthusiasm and professionalism shown by all staff throughout the day.
2026 Enrolments: Our recent Prep Information Morning was a great success, and we have been conducting additional tours for families of students who will be starting school in 2026. Enrolment demand remains very strong, so I encourage all families with a child starting Prep next year to submit an enrolment form as soon as possible to secure their place. Enrolments for Prep 2026 close on Wednesday 30 April. Offers for Prep 2026 will be made mid-June.
Footy Fun: The start of the AFL football season has seen some exciting footy related events happen at St Margaret’s. This was highlighted by a visit to the school by Western Bulldog players on Monday. Senior players Oskar Baker, Rhylee West, Taylor Duryea and Ryan Gardiner met with some of our students and conducted a Q&A session alongside a footy clinic. It was a great experience for our students and particularly the Bulldogs supporters at school. We have also had a number of footy clinics running at the school including a week long visit from AFL Victoria and from Maribyrnong Football Club.
Year 4 Holy Communion: We extend our best wishes to all our Year 4 students who will be celebrating their First Holy Communion this Saturday. This is a significant milestone in their faith journey, and we are delighted to support them as they take this important step.
The Mass will be held at St Mary's Church, Ascot Vale, at 6:00 pm. We warmly invite families, friends, and members of our school community to join us in celebrating this special occasion. May this be a meaningful and joyous experience for our students as they receive the Eucharist for the first time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them on this special day.