Principal's News
Dear SMCM Community, Wominjeka!
Welcome to Term 2!
It is wonderful to be back together for Term 2 and enjoying the Autumn sunshine.
Key dates for the term are included in today’s newsletter. To stay informed, please ensure notifications are turned on for the Compass App and refer to the Weekly What’s On, published each Monday.
Term 2 brings a strong focus on assessment and reporting as we work to communicate student progress clearly with families through Learning Conversations and Semester One Reports. Further information will be shared in the Learning & Teaching section of the newsletter throughout the term, including some updates to our processes as we transition to Compass.
Prep 2027 Enrolments
Our enrolment process for Prep 2027 is well underway across the Parish. In 2027 we will have four Prep classes. In the coming weeks we will meet with new families to our school and offers of enrolment will be made in early June.
Sibling places for Prep 2027 will be offered at the end of May. Sibling interviews will be held in Term 3. With more and more applications for new families coming in each day we do not want any current families to miss out on a place. If you have a sibling starting school in 2027 please ensure your enrolment form is completed this week!
Child Safety
Ensuring we meet our moral and legal responsibilities in implementing the Child Safe Standards at SMCM requires ongoing reflection and refinement of our practices.
This term, there will be some updates to our visitor sign-in processes. Knowing who is onsite, and when, is essential in the event of an emergency and in safeguarding the young people in our care.
- Adults attending Afternoon Gathering will be asked to sign in via a QR code, which will be displayed on the screen in the amphitheatre.
- Visitors attending our Mother’s Day morning will also be asked to sign in via a QR code, displayed on the Interactive Whiteboards in each Homegroup.
- Any parent or visitor onsite between 8:45am and 3:15pm is required to sign in.
If you are attending as a volunteer (e.g. for an excursion, as a class helper or event support), you will be required to enter your Working With Children Check (WWCC) details in Compass. Please ensure your WWCC is current.
All sign-in information is kept confidential and is only accessed in the event of an emergency or a breach of the Child Safe Standards.
Thank you for your support and cooperation in adhering to these processes. Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of every child remains our highest priority.
Shop for Schools
Last year, our school community came together in an incredible way, winning$10,000simply by visiting Pacific Epping and completing their regular shopping! Through a great sense of community spirit, some strategic planning and maximising points, we proudly placed third - and this year, we’re aiming for first place!
Last year’s prize money contributed to the installation of glass partitions and doors in our open-plan learning spaces, creating more effective and flexible environments that support student learning.
This year, any funds raised will go towards the development of new synthetic surfaces for our paddock, continuing to enhance our school facilities for all students. Further information about the Shop for Schools program will be shared via Compass, Instagram and the Community section of our Newsletter.
Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to helping us grow and improve our learning environment for every child.
From Monday, students are expected to transition to their full Winter School Uniform. Should we continue to experience unseasonably warm weather throughout May, students may wear their Summer uniform.
I look forward to continuing to work in partnership with our community this term to support the ongoing growth and success of every student.
Claire
Principal
claire.pitcher@smcmeppingnth.catholic.edu.au
