Term 2, Week 9 2021

Dear families

As we head into our final week of school for Term 2, we would like to thank all the students, parents, guardians, families, and staff for welcoming the new Leadership Team and structure with such open arms.

It has been a very busy term for our students and families from NAPLAN to the Scholastic Book Fair, Dress for Reconciliation, and an awesome visit to the Northern Sound System. We have been focussing on building on our core Mercy Values of Respect, Compassion, Courage, Service, Justice and Hospitality both in and out of the classroom.

On Wednesday 30 June (Term 2 Week 10) you will receive your child/ren’s Mid-Year Report. These will be given to your child in a sealed envelope. We do this to protect your child’s privacy and so that you (the parent/s) will be the first to read the report and discuss it with your child. These reports are a descriptive summary of your child’s progress for this year and should also point out to you and your child, the specific areas needed for ongoing learning improvement. It is essential to your child’s ongoing learning that both you and your child know of the achievements that they have made and what they need to do to continue this progress.

If there is anything in the report that comes as a surprise to you or your child, or you do not understand some of the comments made, then please make an appointment to see your child’s teacher.

Next week, we will show our respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island community as we join them to celebrate NAIDOC Week. NAIDOC Week celebrates the achievements, culture, and history of Australia’s First Nations peoples.

Reminder that Term 2 finishes at 3pm on Friday, 2 July and Term 3 begins 8.45am on Monday 19 July.

We hope all our students and families have a restorative and safe school holidays.

Connecting Life, Faith and Learning
Chris, Ciara, Melissa and Leah
Leadership Team

Refugee Week

This week we celebrate Refugee Week. We remember the millions of displaced people – refugees and asylum seekers around the world. We see the great courage and perseverance of many of those people who have lost everything. Often facing injustice, misunderstanding and prejudice, these people show us how to stay strong and hopeful even when everything seems to go wrong. When we are willing to learn from them, they are a great blessing for us. The theme for Refugee Week 2021 is Unity.

St. Vincent de Paul Winter Warmer Collection

The St Vincent de Paul Society started when a 20-year-old man named Frederick Ozanam decided to do something about the poverty he saw in his community. Today, St. Vincent de Paul Society or ‘Vinnies’ works with people across Australia to continue this legacy, and to continue the fight for a more just and compassionate society by providing clothing, food, furniture and housing assistance to those who are most in need. In the last newsletter we shared information about our St. Vincent de Paul Winter Warmer collection. The donation bins will be at our school until Thursday July 1. Thank you to those who have already provided donations.

Sacramental Program 2021

If your child is currently involved in the Sacramental Program for 2021, please take note of the following dates for Term 3.

Week 4: Confirmation / Eucharist Workshop Saturday, August 14, 1pm - 4pm at St. Mary Magdalene’s School.

Week 6: Confirmation / Eucharist Parent Workshop Friday, August 27, 5.30pm – 6.30pm at St. Thomas More Church

Week 6: Confirmation / Eucharist Practice Session Saturday, August 28 at St. Ann’s church

Week 7: Celebration of Confirmation Wednesday, September 1, 7pm at St Ann’s Church OR Wednesday, September 8, 7pm at St Ann’s Church

Week 8: Celebration of First Eucharist Saturday, September 11, 6pm at St. Thomas More Church OR Sunday September 12, 10am at St. Thomas More Church

OR

Saturday September 18, 6pm at St. Thomas More Church OR Sunday September 19, 10am at St. Thomas More Church

Sacrament of Reconciliation

On the weekend students from many local schools attended St. Thomas More Church to take part in Reconciliation as part of their Sacramental Program journey. Leo and Sabrina took part in this as part of their Sacramental Program journey.

Through the process of Reconciliation, we recognise that we all make mistakes. Reconciliation is the celebration of forgiveness. Can we keep Sabrina, Leo and their families in our prayers as they continue their learning journey in term 3 in preparation to celebrate the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist.

St Mary Magdalene's School is more than a place for young families, we have been a part of the Elizabeth Grove community since 1957 and have played an important role in the lives of Playford and Salisbury families for generations.