Principal's Report
Kylie O'Donnell
Feast Day: Dedication of the Basilicas of St Peter and St Paul – 18 November
On 18 November, the Church celebrates the Dedication of the Basilicas of the Apostles Peter and Paul. These two great basilicas, built by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, honor the apostles traditionally believed to be buried there. St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls have been places of pilgrimage for centuries, reminding us of the deep roots of our faith and the mission entrusted to the apostles to spread the Gospel.
Lord God,
We thank You for the witness of Saints Peter and Paul,
Who gave their lives to share Your Word.
May their courage inspire us
To live our faith with joy and strength.
Help us to build a community rooted in love and truth,
Just as they built the foundations of the Church.
Amen.
Raffle Tickets
Please return all raffle books and money to the school office before Friday 28th November. If you have a large extended family and would like extra books, these are available at the office. There’s no need to sell every ticket, but please return what you do sell. This is a wonderful cause. Father Pat shared that proceeds from the raffle will help the orphanage purchase a truck to transport children to school each day. Remember the winners will be drawn at the Christmas Carols night Wednesday 10th December.
Student Recognition - StMM Stars
A big thank you to everyone who has sent in superstar photos and stories of achievements outside of school! In addition to our amazing sports stars, we are also celebrating students who excel in academics and other areas of talent. Please take a moment to read about these accomplishments in the STMM Stars section of this newsletter—and keep those good news stories coming! We love sharing and celebrating the diverse achievements of our students.
Arriving at School Early - School opens at 8.20am
Just a reminder that morning supervision begins at 8:20 am each day when the gates are opened. We’ve noticed an increasing number of students arriving before this time. If you need to drop your child earlier, please consider using the SCECS Before School Care service for their safety and supervision.
Phones and Smart Watches
Please ensure all phones and smart watches are handed in each morning as per school policy. This helps us maintain a focused and respectful learning environment for all students. Year 6 students have been advised that failure to hand in their phone may result in the device being locked in the Principal’s office overnight, or parents may be asked to collect the phone after school. Thank you for your support in reinforcing this expectation.
Sand Safety Update
You may have seen recent reports about a national recall of coloured sand products after traces of asbestos were detected in some imported brands. Please be assured that St Margaret Mary’s did not have any of the recalled products (Kadink Sand, Educational Colours Rainbow Sand, or Creatistics Coloured Sand). As an extra precaution, we have disposed of all sand products used for arts, crafts, and sensory play. The safety of our students is always our highest priority, and we are committed to maintaining a safe learning environment.