Assistant Principal's Message

Celebrating Term 1

Next week we will come to the end of the first term and it is amazing to see just how much we have all accomplished. We have so much to be grateful for. This term has been filled with rich learning opportunities as well as many exciting events to build community including:

• Opening School Mass
• Commissioning of the Year 6 Student Leaders
• Parent Teacher “Get to know your child” meetings 
• Diocesan Swimming Carnival
• StMM’s Cross Country 
• Parramatta Eels visit
• Catholic Schools Week
• Kindergarten 2025 Open Morning and School Tours
• NAPLAN for Years 3 and 5
• P&F Easter Raffle 
• Harmony and Wellbeing Day
• Launch of the school's Facebook and Instagram
• Ash Wednesday Liturgy
• Holy Week and Easter Liturgies 

We look forward to continuing to celebrate the fantastic learning that happens everyday at St Margaret Mary’s.

St Margaret Mary’s Pillar Awards:

At St Margaret Mary’s we have four key pillars representing our core values, beliefs and school goals. The Pillars of Faith Community, Teaching and Learning , Personal Growth and Partnership therefore form the basis of the schools Student Award process. Students who are displaying these core values and striving to achieve their personal best are acknowledged by receiving one of the StMM’s Pillar Awards. 

Beginning Term 2, students who have been working hard and nominated by their teachers to receive a Pillar Award will be presented with their award at Friday morning's assembly. It is important that as a community students achievements are recognise and celebrated. 

Friday 10th May will be the first Friday morning assembly where the weekly awards will begin. 

New Learning and Break times from Term Two

As Ms Carlo-Stella outlined, beginning term two our learning and break times will change, ensuring all students are focused on learning at the optimal learning times as well as enjoying a break time with their friends as a whole school community. The daily schedule is outlined as follows:

During break times, the playground will be divided into separate play areas to ensure all students are able to play safely with their friends whilst being supervised by staff. 

Kindergarten and year one will be playing on the lower grass area, near the school office, while years two - six will be on the soccer fields, top and lower playground on  rotational roster. There will also be two passive play areas, one for kindergarten / year one and the other passive play area for students in years two to six. The passive play areas will be a calm, sit down space where students can play games or chat with their friends. 

The library is also open at lunchtime for any student who would like to read quietly. 

During recess and lunch breaks, two StMM’s Clubs will be operating for students who have nominated themselves. These clubs include dancing, colouring in and drawing, craft, technology, lego, board games and STEM. 

Attendance Matters - Arriving at school on time

As we know, arriving late to school impacts your child’s learning. Being just 10 minutes late every day adds up to an hour a week of lost learning time. Therefore, it is critical we arrive at school on time, before 8:40 am. 

Upon arriving at school, students are reminded to move quickly to their designated areas where they can greet and catch up with their friends. In the morning the school gates will be closed at 8:40 am, to ensure students and teachers are safe to move to their learning spaces ready to start the day. We kindly ask parents to support the school staff and community by parking and escorting your child into the office if you arrive after the morning bell at 8:40 am. 

Holiday - learning at home:

Many parents often ask how they can support or help their child(ren) at home and during the school holidays with their learning?

The best learning you can do with your child at home during the holidays is to read, read and read with them. Take them to Merrylands library, enjoy reading stories throughout the day, read and view stories online via Storybox or PM online. Reading builds your child’s imagination, general knowledge about a wide range of topics, vocabulary and spelling. Skills everyone relies upon when learning!

Another great idea for the holiday break is to play board or card games as a family such as snap, go fish, snakes and ladders, scrabble, trivial pursuit, etc. Playing such games builds your child’s number sense which can help their maths skills in the classroom. Your child will know a few card games they could teach the whole family such as maths headache. These is used every day during the maths warm ups as part of the maths lesson. 

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead. I hope over the school holiday break everyone has a chance to relax and enjoy special times with your families. 

God Bless

Rochelle Borg

Assistant Principal