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Newsletter, Week 10, Term 3 2025

Dear Families,

It is hard to believe we are here at the end of Term 3. It has been a very busy term with much to celebrate. Our students have been blessed with a range of engaging learning experiences both in and out of the classroom. We give thanks for the opportunity to learn, have fun and thrive within our little school community. We are grateful for the holiday period which provides us all the opportunity to rest, recharge and spend time with loved ones.

Last weekend, we joyfully celebrated with members of our school and parish community the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist. These sacred moments mark the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith, and we hold these students and their families in our prayers as they take this important step.

The Holy Spirit is at the heart of each of these sacraments — guiding, strengthening, and nourishing us. In Baptism, we are welcomed into God’s family. In Confirmation, we are empowered to live out our faith with courage and conviction. And in the Eucharist, we are united with Christ and one another in a profound way.

As a school community, we reflect on the presence of the Holy Spirit in our own lives. May we be open to the Spirit’s guidance, especially as we approach the final term of the year. Let us walk together in faith, supporting one another and celebrating the grace that flows through these sacred rites.

Come, Holy Spirit — renew us, guide us, and remain with us always.

Staff Movement…

We extend our warmest wishes to Mrs Leah Dickson as she begins her Maternity Leave. Leah is a vibrant and enthusiastic member of our staff whose dedication and care for her students never go unnoticed. Her presence will be missed, and we look forward to hearing her exciting news in the months ahead.

We’re pleased to welcome Ms Eldi Yzel, who has already made a wonderful start and will be teaching Year 3/4 for the remainder of the year. We’re confident she will continue to build strong connections with students and families alike.

It’s also lovely to welcome back Mrs Michelle Menadue from her Long Service Leave. We hope her travels were enriching and restorative, and we know she’s excited to reconnect with everyone.

A heartfelt thank you to Mrs Tullio, who stepped into the Leader of Learning role this term with exceptional professionalism and care. Her contributions have been greatly appreciated.

Good Luck…

We extend our best wishes to our talented choir students as they take to the stage this Wednesday at the Convention Centre, with our friends from St Thomas More, at the Catholic Schools Music Festival. After months of dedicated rehearsals under the expert guidance of Mrs Villano, they are ready to shine and share their voices with the wider community.

A special congratulations to Angelina Hatangimana, who will be performing a solo on both Wednesday and Thursday evening — an incredible achievement and a testament to her hard work and passion.

We are so proud of each and every student involved and know they will represent our school with grace, enthusiasm, and musical excellence.

Sun Safety Reminder for Term 4

As we head into Term 4, we’d like to remind families that all students are required to wear hats during outdoor activities — no exceptions. Even on overcast days, UV levels can be dangerously high, and sun protection remains essential.

To support our sun safety practices:

· Hats must be worn during recess, lunch, PE lessons, and any outdoor learning.

· Sunscreen is readily available in classrooms and can be reapplied throughout the day.

· We strongly encourage families to apply sunscreen at home each morning, especially on PE days or when students will be outside for extended periods.

Thank you for helping us keep our students safe and sun-smart. If your child needs a new hat or you’re unsure about our uniform guidelines, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Lost Property…

As always our lost property box is overflowing. Please feel free to have a look through to see if you can locate any missing items. It is important that all jackets and hats are labelled so we can easily return them to their owner if they are left in and around our school environment.

Planning for 2026

As we enter the final term of the year, we recognise that this period can bring a mix of emotions for students — excitement, curiosity, and at times, a little uncertainty about what lies ahead. Change can be challenging, especially for young learners, and we remain committed to supporting them through this transition with care and intention.

Our focus in Term 4 will be on helping students stay present, celebrate their growth, and finish the year with confidence. For those who may need additional time or support to prepare for 2026, we will ensure thoughtful and appropriate transition processes are in place.

We also understand that families naturally begin to wonder about class placements and teachers for the coming year. As we begin early planning for 2026, we look forward to engaging in meaningful conversations with you and gaining valuable insights to help guide our decisions. Thank you for the trust you place in us — we are dedicated to making choices that reflect the needs and strengths of every child.

Thank you…

Thank you for your support and care this term. Term 3 can often be quite overwhelming with many events for families outside of school as well as the changes in season which can alsoimpact health and wellbeing. We have certainly had our fair share of illness within our community. Thank you for always letting us know when your child is absent. We look forward to starting fresh on Monday October 13th and working together in Term 4.

As Term 3 comes to a close, we hope the upcoming break offers everyone a chance to slow down, recharge, and enjoy some well-deserved rest. Whether you’re travelling, spending time with loved ones, or simply enjoying quiet moments at home, may it be a time of renewal and joy.

We look forward to welcoming our students back refreshed and ready for the final chapter of the year — Term 4 promises to be full of learning, celebration, and growth.

Mercy Cup

At St Mary Magdalene’s, we were excited to launch our new token system for our Mercy up, which encourages students to demonstrate our six Mercy Values of Compassion, Courage, Hospitality, Justice, Respect, and Service. In this first round of awards, a total of 502 Mercy Value tokens were collected across our three Houses – a fantastic achievement! We are delighted to announce McAuley House as the inaugural winners. To celebrate their success, McAuley students enjoyed a special ice cream treat at lunchtime. Congratulations to McAuley and well done to all students for embracing our new system and showing our Mercy Values in action.

I hope you all take a well deserved break and have a safe and happy holiday!

Take care and see you soon!

Shaping our future together,

Belinda and Gareth

 

Term 4 Diary Dates …

We know that Term 4 is traditionally a busy term and often flies by. Please be aware of the below dates and events that may be of importance to you and your family. For many, this may require you to book time off work if you would like to attend. For our Year 6 families, specific information for end of year events will be communicated early next term.

Wednesday 12th November – Andrew Chinn Concert (2pm – 3pm). ALL WELCOME.

Tuesday 18th November – SMM Christmas Carols Event (1:30pm – 3pm)

Wednesday 19th November – New Reception Transition Morning – Details TBA

Tuesday 25th November – Whole School End of Year Mass (time to be confirmed)

Wednesday 26th November – New Reception Transition Morning – Details TBA

Wednesday 3rd December – New Reception Transition Morning – Details TBA

Wednesday 3rd December – Year 6 Graduation Dinner 6.30pm – Midway Tavern

Friday 5th December – Reception/Year 1 Nativity Liturgy (2:15pm)

Monday 8th December – Farewell Assembly (2:15pm)

Tuesday 9th December – Year 6 Graduation Liturgy and Ceremony (7pm)

Wednesday 10th December – Last day of the school year for Reception to Year 5 (3pm finish)

Thursday 11th December – Pupil Free Day

Friday 12th December – Pupil Friday

From the APRIM

SACRAMENT PROGRAM 2025

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the students who have recently completed the Sacraments of Initiation program. This important journey—through Baptism, (Reconciliation), Confirmation, and Eucharist—marks a profound step in their spiritual growth and commitment to faith. We also thank their families who have journeyed through the program with them this year. As a school community, we celebrate their achievement and pray that the light of Christ continues to guide and strengthen them in all aspects of life.

 

 

Congratulations to:

Adriane | Memenyas | Laura | Makaela | Jackynzie | Orlando | Mary Jo | Amara Gabrielle | Amara Isabelle | Vihann | Chloe

Ordinary Time

In 2015, Pope Francis established the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation for the Catholic Church. He also encouraged the broader celebration of the full season in 2019. This season begins on September the 1st and ends on the Feast of St Francis of Assisi.

The purpose of this Season of Creation is a time for Christians to pray and take action to care for the Earth. It’s an ecumenical movement, meaning it brings together different Christian traditions to unite in prayer and commitment to their common home. The season aims to foster a renewed relationship with the Creator and all creation, while also acknowledging how we have not cared for our world as we should.

MERCY DAY 2025

Mercy Day celebrates the anniversary of the opening of the very first ‘House of Mercy’ in Dublin, Ireland in 1827 and is celebrated each year on September 24. As a school founded in the Mercy tradition, this celebration each year reminds us of the legacy of Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy,

Each year we choose a different mercy charity to support and this year we chose Sister Janet Mead’s The Adelaide Day Centre for Homeless People. Founded in 1985, Sister Janet’s Adelaide Day Centre was created to serve those experiencing homelessness and social isolation in Adelaide.

The centre was established by Sisters Janet Mead and Anne Gregory from the Sisters of Mercy, who envisioned a place of care, dignity and purpose. From its beginnings, the centre has provided food, companionship, and meaningful activities to those in need, fostering a sense of community and belonging.‍

This year we gathered as a school community for a liturgy led by students from across year levels, dressed in out Mercy Colours and donated cans of non-perishable food items which will be delivered to Sister Janet Mead’s The Adelaide Day Centre for Homeless People.

SACRAMENT PROGRAM 2026

The Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist form the Sacraments of Christian Initiation. If your child is 8 years of age (or older) and you would like them to be involved in the program for 2026, please contact Amiee Tullio or Edna Dumbrell at the Elizabeth Catholic Parish.

ELIZABETH CATHOLIC PARISH

Please click on the link below to access the parish bulletin to find out about events happening within the Elizabeth Catholic Parish.

Bulletin – Elizabeth Catholic Parish

Transition Dates for New Receptions

SMM Reception Transition Visits – letters to be sent to families in early Term 4:

  • Wednesday, 19 November 2025 – 9.15am – 10.45am (children and parents/caregivers required)
  • Wednesday, 26 November 2025 – 9.15am – 11.45am (children only)
  • Wednesday, 3 December 2025 – 9.15am – 11.45am (children only)

News from OSHC

Hello Families!

We made it to the end of Term! What a wonderful term we have had.

Please note a few things before we enter Term 4.

During Term 4 we will enter our summer season and will have many more warm and sunny days. Due to this children and young people re required to be SunSmart in their attire and wear a hat and sunscreen when outdoors.

Please ensure your child has a hat for OSHC. This does not have to be a school hat but a sun smart hat that is clearly labelled with their name. If your child has any allergies or sensitivities to sunscreen, you may provide your own. This must be clearly labelled with your child’s name.

Lastly, you may be aware that we are transitioning software to Xplor and you may have received communication about this. If you have not received this communication please see the attached letter from Catholic Education regarding this change.

 

 

3/4 Lenswood Excursion

Our Year 3/4 students recently enjoyed a wonderful excursion to Lenswood Apple Orchard. The visit gave students the opportunity to explore the orchard and discover more about the life cycle of the apple, from tiny blossom through to the delicious fruit we see in the supermarket. They learned about the many steps involved in growing, harvesting, and preparing apples for sale, gaining a new appreciation for the journey from farm to table.

A highlight of the day was exploring a fascinating collection of farm machinery—both from the past and present. Students were amazed to see how technology has changed over time and how it supports the work of farmers today.
It was a fun, hands-on learning experience that deepened students’ understanding of food production, farming, and history.
Year 3/4 Teachers
Tara Haylock and Leah Dickson
St Mary Magdalene’s School

Thriving People Event Excursion

On Thursday our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enjoyed a day excursion to the Living Kaurna Centre to take part in a Thriving People Event.

The weather was beautiful and it was a wonderful day where the students immersed themselves in a wide range of activities.
The students experienced some cultural dance, explored the local waterways and identified water creatures, painted clapping sticks and made tents (wodli). What a marvellous day we had.

Write a Book in a Day with Mr Richards

Write a Book in a Day – Young Authors at St Mary Magdalene’s

On Thursday, September 11, eleven students from our Year 5–6 class proudly took part in the Write a Book in a Day challenge. This national event raises funds for the Kids’ Cancer Project while giving students the opportunity to work as a team, think creatively, and produce a complete illustrated book—all within just eight hours, from 8am to 5pm!

Throughout the day, the Year 5–6 students showed wonderful teamwork as they brainstormed ideas, wrote their story, illustrated pages, and edited their final draft. Between bursts of creativity, they also enjoyed some well-earned treats, including biscuits, hot chocolate, and other snacks to keep their energy up.

The students’ completed book will be donated to children’s hospitals across Australia to bring joy to young readers undergoing treatment. We are so proud of our Year 5–6 budding authors for their hard work, imagination, and enthusiasm, and the way they represented our school community. Congratulations to them on this amazing achievement!

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