Assistant Principal's Message

As we settle into Term 1, I want to share some important updates and reminders to support our students' learning and wellbeing.

Morning Assemblies

Our school community gathers each morning for assembly, providing a wonderful opportunity to connect and begin the day together.

Assembly Schedule:

• Monday to Friday: Daily assemblies are held each morning
• Prayer: Student-led prayer takes place at assembly on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Wednesdays, prayer is led within learning spaces
• Monday Assembly: Includes Acknowledgement of Country and the singing of the National Anthem
• Friday Assembly: Our weekly Pillar Awards will be presented, commencing Friday, 20th February 2026.

We remind parents and carers that during our school assemblies, we show respect and partnership by listening attentively, joining in prayer and avoiding distractions for the students. To support this:

• Parents are asked to stand at the silver seats area and not directly in front of the students.
• Once you are asked to move, it is important that you do so promptly and without further disruption.
• There is no need to wave, call out or make gestures (such as love hearts), as this distracts the students. 
• If distractions continue, we may need to consider having parents leave the playground before assembly commences. Our priority is to settle the children and begin the school day focused on learning. 

Our staff work hard each day to support your children, often going above and beyond. We know children may sometimes share their perspective to parents in a way that reflects only part of a situation or in a way that makes them look favourable. It is important to remember that teachers and staff are working with the full picture, therefore, all sides of the story. If we are to continue to work in true partnership, we ask that all concerns are raised in a respectful and constructive manner.

Partial Absences: The Impact of Late Arrivals

When students arrive late to school, even by 5 minutes, it affects more than just their day:

• Students could miss important morning routines and learning instructions that start the day on the right foot
• Accumulated late arrivals result in a significant loss of  learning time

If your child arrives after 8:40 am, parents need to accompany the students to the office and sign them in. We understand that occasional lateness happens, but we ask families to prioritise punctuality as an important way they can start their day. 

Once the gates are locked, parents are no longer able to come onto the playground and need to leave their child at the school office.

Let's work together in partnership to help every child at St Margaret Mary's flourish in faith, learning and character.

In partnership,

Anthony Matthews

Assistant Principal