Hello and welcome to the 2026 school year!

Despite the hot weather, it was lovely to see our students come through the gates with big smiles on their faces and eager to see their teachers and friends. We welcome all returning families to our school community and extend a special welcome to our new students and their families. We hope that you find St Mary Magdalene’s to be a community that is based on genuine care and support.

Hot Weather

What a hot start to the year we are experiencing. As the temperature spikes please make sure your child comes to school with plenty of water. Chilled water is available for refilling drink bottles throughout the day. Students should not bring cordial or other sugary drinks to school. A reminder of our school’s Hot Weather Policy. If the temperature exceeds 36 degrees our students will not go outside for play breaks or Physical Education lessons. Students will remain supervised in class by our teaching staff and co-educators. All our classrooms are equipped with refrigerated air conditioning to keep your child comfortable throughout the day.

Absences

This year we are asking all families to report student absence directly to the Front Office. We have found that at times information may not be making its way from the classroom to the office due to the busy nature of the school day. If your child is sick or away for another reason, please call the Front Office to let us know. You can also report your child’s absence directly via our website by clicking the tab at the top of the screen. Please avoid using the SeeSaw app to report your child’s absence.

The yard access gate closes at 8:45am each day. Students who are late need to enter the school via the Front Office, collect a “late” pass and be signed in by a parent or guardian (if available). The gate will re-open at approximately 2:50pm each afternoon.

Parent Information Evening

Our Parent Information Evening will be on Tuesday of Week 3. This evening provides a wonderful opportunity for you to meet your child’s 2026 teacher and find out a little bit more about the year ahead. More information about this evening will be circulated soon but for now please take note of this date.

Opening School Liturgy

You are most welcome to join us for our Opening School Liturgy (insert date). This is our first major event of the year and an opportunity to welcome everyone back together. It also provides an opportunity to introduce our 2026 theme of “Be You”. Please see Mrs Tullio’s reflection on this theme in her APRIM address below.

Uniform Expectations

The majority of our students are looking very smart in their uniforms. Please ensure that your child is wearing the appropriate uniform each day. It is important that all school items are labelled to avoid ending up in our Lost Property tub. Throughout Term 1, all staff and students must wear a hat for outdoor activities. The link below clearly outlines our uniform guidelines. Uniform and Presentation – St Mary Magdalene’s School

Communication

Throughout 2026, you will notice some new forms of communication from our school. From time to time you will receive a “Broadcast Email” about upcoming events or important information relating to your child’s school experience. The majority of announcements will now come to you this way and as such we do need you most up to date email address. If you have changed your email recently, please let the front office know.

Your class teacher will still use the Seesaw app for sharing and celebrating your child’s learning. A gentle reminder that Seesaw is not a platform for ongoing conversation with teachers. Please seek a face to face meeting where required.

Traffic and safe parking

We ask that families take extra care when dropping or picking up children each day. As you are aware children can be unpredictable near roads. Please remain observant on our roads and adhere to the speed limit, particularly around our road crossing. There are some parking restrictions on Harvey Road and this area is often monitored by our local council. Please also be aware that new legislation regarding speed limits around schools is imminent, restricting speed to 40km/hr. Once this is in place you will see new signage around the streets

Fruit Fly Restrictions

As communicated with you at the beginning of this week, there is a current Fruit Fly Outbreak in our neighbourhoods. Please take this opportunity to familiarise yourselves with the information contained in this letter. If you have any further questions, contact our Front Office.

Children’s University

After a very successful first year, our school is pleased to once again offer the Children’s University program to students in 2026. Children in Years 3 to 6 are eligible to take part. On Monday afternoon, Kathy Keough from St Mary Magdalene’s will be joined by Luca from the Children’s University program to run an information session for students who would like to learn more. Parents and caregivers are warmly invited to attend as well.

If you would like to find out more about the program and what is involved, please join us on Monday, 2 February at 2pm in the Hall. If you cannot attend and would like to request more information, please contact our Front Office in the first instance: 8287 7900 info@smm.catholic.edu.au.

Sharing of Information

In the early days of this term your there will be a range of forms for you to sign and look over. These important documents help us know who to contact throughout the day if required. We also require permission for students to appear in published photos or on our social media pages. Please keep an eye out for when this information is circulated.

Let’s do this!

We are very much looking forward to an exciting and enriching year ahead. Our Leadership Team is now very much immersed in our community, and we look forward to greeting you each day as you drop your child off. Please never hesitate to come over for a chat. We are all looking forward to the year ahead and ‘shaping our future together’.

Best wishes,
Belinda and Gareth