Assistant Principal

Learning and Thriving in 25!

Over the past few weeks, it has been wonderful to see all of our teachers and students working collaboratively to develop what it means to be a learner at St Margaret Mary’s. We are trying very hard to set your children (our students) up for success. 

Our students, along with their teachers, use a range of diverse tools to immerse themselves in all learning opportunities to achieve their goals. Being curious and open to new ideas, preserving with challenging tasks, demonstrating a ‘have-a-go’ attitude, learning from mistakes, asking clarifying questions and always doing your very best are just a few of the learning dispositions our community is focusing on each and every day as they strive to achieve their reading, writing and maths learning goals. 

On Friday 7 March your child will bring home their Religious Education and Mathematics books. Please take the time to look through, discuss and enjoy the work and responses your child has completed. The students have been a school for four weeks, so keep this in mind when looking throught the books.

In Religion, lessons involve prayer, role plays, reflecting on God’s word with their peers, discussing our everyday faith experiences and responding to scripture, all of which play an important part in your children’s learning.  When looking at your child’s Mathematics book, remember that mathematical thinking is often recorded in different ways. During each lesson children undertake a great deal of mental computation and a range of reasoning and problem solving strategies to answer mathematical questions. 

In preparation for the books coming home, your child has placed a sticky note to indicate a piece of work they would like to share with you. We encourage you to write a comment to your child, based on your discussion about their learning. Our students really do treasure your comments. Additionally, we ask that the books be returned promptly the next school day so that your child can continue their written work in the appropriate book. 

NAPLAN 2025

Students in years 3 and 5 will be sitting NAPLAN between 12 and 24 March 2025.

NAPLAN is just one part of our learning assessment program. The tests assess literacy and numeracy skills your child is already learning at school. It is not a test that can be studied for, and students are not expected to do so.

If you know your child is going to be absent during this testing window, please let your child's classroom teacher or the office know. Please ensure that your child arrives at school on time as all tests will begin shortly after the morning roll is marked. Also, it is important that each child has a good breakfast before they arrive at school

Parents are encouraged to visit the parents and carers page on the NAP website and download a copy of the NAPLAN information brochure. 

EVERY MINUTE COUNTS

Please note that school commences promptly at 8:40am. Attendance at school and being on time is closely connected to your child’s learning and wellbeing. If you have found traffic difficult this week please consider altering your morning routine to ensure that your child is at school prior to 8:40am everyday. 

Being just 10 minutes late every day adds up to an hour a week of lost learning. Over a year this adds up to one week of school missed in a year! 

We understand on occasions there may be a very good reason why students arrive late to school. On the odd occasion your child is late to school, parents must accompany their child to the office for their safety and to sign them in with our office staff. 

I am excited to celebrate and share with you the wonderful learning that happens everyday at St Margaret Mary’s over the next few weeks as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week.

God Bless

Rochelle Borg

Assistant Principal