News and Events

July 2, 2026

Newsletter, Wk 10, Term 2, 2026

Dear Families,

As we reach the end of Term 2, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone in our school community for making this term so wonderful.

The term has been filled with energy, joy, and connection including many special occasions and events, carnivals assemblies, liturgies and lots and lots of learning. We thank our amazing staff for their commitment, creativity, and care. Every lesson, every event, and every extra effort helps shape the supportive environment our students thrive in. To our families, we deeply appreciate your involvement, encouragement, and partnership. Whether you attended events, volunteered, or supported from home, your contribution strengthens our community every day. And to our students, we are proud of your enthusiasm, kindness, and curiosity. You bring life to our school, and this term has been richer because of you.

Thank you all for making Term 2 such a memorable and meaningful chapter. We look forward to an exciting Term 3 ahead.

Shaping our future together,
Belinda and Gareth

Term 3 Important Dates

A reminder that Term 3 commences on Monday, 20th July. It’s a jam-packed term – so please take note of the following important dates:

School Photos | Thursday, 23 July (Week 1)
Please use the school holiday period to ensure your child has their full uniform ready for school photos. If you are yet to return your school photo payment envelope, please do so as soon as possible.
St Mary Magdalene’s Feast Day | Friday, 24 July (Week 1)
Our Patron’s Feast Day is always a special day for our school where we celebrate and acknowledge who we are and focus deeply on our school values. This will be a special way to launch our new term and engage in some community-based activities. More information to come!
Parent Teacher Interviews | Monday, 27 July – Wednesday, 29 July (Week 2)
Year 4-6 AFL Footy Carnival | Friday, 31 July (Week 2)
Cross Country Carnival | Wednesday, 12 August (Week 3)
Pupil Free Day | Monday, 17 August (Week 5)
Father’s Day Liturgy | Friday, 4 September (Week 7)
Dental Visit for our Junior Primary Classes | Monday, 7 September (Week 8)
ATSI Literacy Day | Wednesday, 9 September (Week 8)
Year 3-5 T-Ball Carnival | Wednesday, 16 September (Week 9)
Colour Run for Mercy Day & Final Day of Term 3 | Thursday, 24 September (Week 10)
Pupil Free Day (Staff Berry Street Training) | Friday, 25 September (Week 10)
First Day of Term 4 | Monday, 12 October

Semester 1 Reports

Semester 1 Reports are coming home with your child today.

These reports provide a detailed snapshot of each student’s learning and progress across the first half of the year. They reflect achievement, effort and engagement, and are designed to give families clear and meaningful information about how students are progressing in relation to curriculum expectations. Please check your child’s school bag for this important document.

We encourage families to take time to read the report carefully with their child. This is a valuable opportunity for reflection, celebrating successes, acknowledging growth, and discussing areas where further development is needed. We offer our gratitude and appreciation to our class teachers who spend many hours crafting these reports.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Throughout Week 2 of Term 3 we will host Parent Teacher Interviews for our students.

This learning conversation is a wonderful opportunity to discuss your child’s school report as well as receive feedback regarding other facets of their school experience. There is also an opportunity to review your child’s Personalised Plan for Learning if this applies to them. We deeply value Parent Teacher Interviews and strongly encourage all families to book in. The booking portal will open tomorrow and will stay open for the school holiday period. An EdSmart email will be sent to you on Friday containing details regarding how to book.

SMM Makes the News!

Did you see some of our students in The Advertiser? We are excited and proud to have a link to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It has been special to see our students so excited for Nelson and Shukulu as they watch their uncle play for the mighty Socceroos.

100 Super Days of School

Keep a look out for some ‘superhero’ students on Friday as our Receptions celebrate 100 SUPER DAYS at school.

We are very proud of our youngest students and congratulate them on an incredible first semester. Last week they even hosted an Assembly for the whole school. What a class of superstars!

Lost Property

At this time of year our lost property tub is overflowing.

Please encourage your child to have a look through if they have misplaced their school jacket or any other items. Alternatively, feel free to have a look when you are at school to pick up or drop off. We appreciate that school uniforms come at a cost so it is important that items are clearly labelled.

Farewells

At the end of this term, we sadly farewell Ms Rosemarie Andreacchio and Mr Max Monaghan.

We are deeply appreciative of the talent, time, and commitment these wonderful educators have shared with our school community. Rosemarie and Max leave with a great deal of love from all of us, having made a lasting impact on our students, staff, and families. We wish them all the very best for the new adventures ahead and thank them sincerely for the mark they have left on our school.

Sporting Highlights at St Mary Magdalene’s

At St Mary Magdalene’s, learning extends beyond the classroom. We value both academic growth and active participation in our school.

Two weeks ago, our students enjoyed an energetic week of sport. Our Year 5 and 6 students represented the school at the Catholic Schools Basketball Carnival at the Lights Sports and Community Centre, demonstrating excellent teamwork, sportsmanship, and determination throughout the event.

Both teams competed strongly throughout the day against quality opposition, demonstrating excellent sportsmanship and resilience in every game. Our Year 5/6 Girls Team finished in 5th place, while our Year 5/6 Boys Team finished in 6th place. The students should be proud of their efforts and the way they represented our school on and off the court. A special thank you to Mrs Oosthuizen and Nick Doube for their support in coaching and supervising both teams throughout the day. Their encouragement, guidance, and commitment helped make the carnival a positive and enjoyable experience for all students.

We would also like to acknowledge our students, Savannah and Emelia, who kindly assisted St Thomas More School by playing in their team during the carnival. Their willingness to help ensured that school could participate fully, and their contributions played an important role in helping the team win the competition. We are very proud of the sportsmanship, leadership, and positive attitude they demonstrated throughout the day.

Congratulations to all players for their effort, teamwork, and positive attitude. We look forward to seeing their continued development and success in future sporting events.

We also welcomed the MiniRoos Program to our school for a soccer skills session in conjunction with the beginning of the World Cup. Students enthusiastically took part in drills and games, discovering that some are natural players while others make equally passionate spectators, and that both roles are important! As we head into the holidays, we’re sure many families will be cheering on the Socceroos in the World Cup. It’s the perfect time to relax, recharge, and get ready for an exciting semester ahead.

A huge welcome to our newest little learners!

Our group of mid-year receptions finished their transition-to-school visits last week – and they are all set to begin their St Mary Magdalene’s journey at the start of Term 3. It has been such a joy getting to know each of them, and we know they are going to love being part of our school community. Big things ahead for these little ones!

If you know any families with little ones turning 5 before October 31 this year, they are eligible to start school in Term 3. We’d love to welcome them to our SMM family! 🏫 Reach out to our Front Office to find out more.

School Uniform | Sale @ LOWES

Our uniform supplier, LOWES, has extended their uniform sale for another week! This is a good opportunity to stock up on any fresh uniform items if you need them. Visit them at Elizabeth City Centre or shop online here.

High School Musical | Thomas More College Production

The students at Thomas More College are putting on a production of High School Musical! Some of our students have been invited along for a FREE matinee performance, but if you and your family would like to see the production, please purchase tickets here.

Faith in Action | A Word from our APRIM

Gospel Reflections: Matthew 11:25–30

In this week’s Gospel, Jesus invites us to come to Him when we feel tired, worried or weighed down. He reminds us that we do not have to carry our burdens alone. Jesus is gentle and loving, and He offers us peace, comfort and rest.

As we move through our busy days, may we remember to pause, trust in God, and share kindness with those around us. When we walk with Jesus, He helps lighten our load and strengthens us for the journey ahead.

Wondering Questions for Families

I wonder what I can bring to Jesus when I am feeling worried?
I wonder how I can show kindness to someone this week?
I wonder when I feel closest to God?

PRAYER, LITURGY AND THE CELEBRATION OF MASS

Prayer, liturgy and the celebration of Mass are at the heart of life in a Catholic school, nurturing the spiritual growth of our students and strengthening our community in faith. Through daily prayer and shared liturgical experiences, students are invited to develop a personal relationship with God, reflect on Gospel values, and grow in compassion, gratitude and service. The celebration of Mass brings us together as one body in Christ, reminding us of the presence of Jesus in our lives and guiding us to live out our faith in meaningful ways.

We warmly invite all families to join us for these sacred celebrations, as your presence enriches our community and strengthens the partnership between home, school and parish in fostering a living faith.

Keep an eye out for dates early in Term 3.

Feast Day Celebration

We are excited to celebrate our St. Mary Magdalene’s Feast Day early in Term 3 on Friday, 24 July. As part of this special occasion, our school community will gather for a Whole School Mass at 12:00 pm in Yarning Place, celebrated by Fr Santosh.

We warmly invite all families and community members to join us as we come together in faith, prayer and celebration. We look forward to sharing this special occasion with you.

LIVING MERCY AT SMM

At St. Mary Magdalene we strive to live out the Mercy value of justice by treating everyone with fairness, dignity, and compassion in all that we do. In the classroom, this looks like students ensuring every voice is heard during discussions, sharing resources equitably, and supporting one another so that everyone has the opportunity to learn and succeed. Teachers model justice by encouraging inclusive practices and helping students to think critically about what is fair and respectful. In the school yard, justice is seen when students include others in games, resolve conflicts peacefully, and stand up for those who may feel excluded or treated unfairly. Through these daily actions, our community continues to grow as a place where justice is not only taught but lived with kindness and integrity.

SACRAMENT PROGRAM 2026

Students in our school continue their faith journey through the Sacrament Program, recently coming together for a meaningful workshop focused on Confirmation.

During this time, they explored the significance of the sacrament as a strengthening of their relationship with the Holy Spirit and a deepening of their commitment to live as active members of the Church. Through engaging activities, prayer, and discussion, students reflected on the gifts of the Spirit and how these can guide their actions in everyday life. The workshop provided an opportunity for students to grow in understanding, connect with one another, and prepare their hearts for this important step in their spiritual journey.

Please click on the link to access the parish bulletin to find out about events happening within the Elizabeth Catholic Parish: Bulletin – Elizabeth Catholic Parish

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