May 21, 2026

Newsletter, Week 4, T2, 2026

Welcome to Week 4. We are noticing a clear change in the weather and the environment around us now that the cooler weather has set in. As we begin preparing for the colder months ahead, we will continue encouraging students to persevere through challenges, support one another and seek help and guidance from trusted teachers, friends and family members whenever needed. The care, kindness and sense of community evident across our school continue to be strengths we are incredibly proud of.

Catholic Education Week

Catholic Education Week is celebrated across South Australia from 18 May to 24 May. This special week provides an opportunity to reflect on what makes our school unique and to celebrate the many strengths of our community. At St Mary Magdalene’s School, we look forward to celebrating what we value most. We are proud of our strong sense of faith, belonging, and commitment to our community. We are excited to celebrate with our students, staff, and families.

We look forward to seeing you at planned activities on Friday commencing with our Special Person’s Liturgy. We encourage our ‘special people’ to be part of this important celebration and visit classrooms afterwards. Tea, coffee and a light snack will be available at the conclusion of this event. More information is contained in Amiee Tullio’s APRIM Report below .

Special Events | Walk Safely to School Day & Anything but a School Bag Day!

Thank you so much for supporting both of these recent events. What an amazing turnout we had for Walk Safely to School Day with over 100 students participating. We love getting out and about in the community.

What a funny old day we had yesterday without any school bags on site. We loved seeing the creativity of everyone. Our Students Leaders did a wonderful job of promoting both of these days. Gold coin donations collected from yesterday will go towards our new Community Hub. Check out some of our photos below…

Congratulations Jacinta!

We were so excited to see Ms Nye return to school today after her wedding on the weekend. We wish Jacinta and Emmanuel all the best for a lifetime of happiness. We know her students were so happy to welcome her back into the classroom this morning.

Mother’s Day Celebrations

Our school community recently gathered for a Mother’s and Special Women Liturgy, a beautiful celebration honouring the love, strength, and guidance of the incredible women in our lives. After the celebration, families enjoyed a relaxed morning tea together, sharing a morning tea that added an extra touch of delight to the morning. It was a joyful reminder of the important role these special women play in our school and in the lives of our students.

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2026 is All In, a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day. Our students have been busy working on an art gallery for our community to view. Why not pop in next week and have a look at the famous Indigenous Australians we have been learning about. You may also hear some new school bells. Can you guess the theme?

Student Free Day

A reminder that NEXT Friday (May 29) is a Student Free Day. On this day all staff will be engaged in professional learning. Please make OSHC arrangements if this is something that your family requires.

Farewell Shannon

We are sad to inform our community that our student counsellor Shannon O’Toole will complete her time with us at the end of this term. Shannon has been a much-loved staff member for the last 5 years and has supported countless students and families along the way. We will miss the gentle and kind way she goes about her work and the support she has offered to us all. Join us in wishing Shannon all the best for her future endeavours.

Dental Visit

Next week the School Dental Van will be on site. Thank you to those families who have returned forms and booked appointments. Teaching children about oral hygiene and how to care for their teeth is very important. If you would like to still book an appointment, please see Lisa at the Front Desk for a form.

School Board 2026

Our Term 2 School Board will meet on Monday of week 6. We are appreciative of the time and support our school board provides, and we look forward to a great year ahead. Your School Board representatives are:

Jess Wallis – Chairperson
Shawn Williamson– Deputy Chairperson
Paul Hammond
Emma Casey
Kerryn Chambers

If you are interested in joining our School Board please see Gareth or Belinda.

Keeping Warm

A timely reminder to make sure your child is warm enough at school each day. Please check to make sure your child has a SMM jacket to wear each day. At the moment we are seeing quite a few jumpers that are not a part of our uniform. A reminder that umbrellas are not to be used by students throughout the day as they can be hazardous. If the rain is substantial our students have supervised play indoors. If your child uses an umbrella to get to and from school the teacher will ask to look after it or we would prefer you take it home with you.

We look forward to seeing you all tomorrow.

Shaping our future together,
Belinda and Gareth

News from the APRIM

Gospel Reflection – John 20:19–23

In this Gospel, the disciples are gathered feeling afraid and unsure about what will happen next. Even though the doors are locked, Jesus comes and stands among them and gently says, “Peace be with you.”

Jesus doesn’t wait until they feel brave or confident. He meets them exactly as they are and offers them peace and reassurance.

He then gives them a special mission—to share God’s love, forgiveness, and kindness with others. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, they are reminded that they are never alone.

This Gospel reminds us that God’s peace is always available to us, especially in times of worry or uncertainty. Just like the disciples, we are invited to trust in God, accept His peace, and share it with those around us through our words and actions.

Wondering Questions

I wonder… when have I felt worried or unsure, and how did I find peace?
I wonder… how I can bring calm, kindness, or reassurance to others this week?
I wonder… how God might be gently guiding me, even when I feel uncertain?

Catholic Education Week 2026: Shine with Open Hearts

During Catholic Education Week, we come together as a faith-filled community to celebrate what makes our school so special—our shared mission of learning, faith, and connection. This year’s theme, “Shine with Open Hearts,” invites us to live with compassion, kindness, and openness to others. It calls us to shine God’s love in all that we do—welcoming others, caring for our wellbeing, and taking responsibility for our world.

Throughout the week, students and staff will engage in meaningful experiences centred on belonging, wellbeing, and stewardship, bringing this beautiful theme to life.

✨ Highlights of Our Week

Laudato Si’ Prayer Walk – Wednesday to Friday
Across the week, Parents, families and classes will be invited to participate in a reflective Laudato Si’ Prayer Walk. This provides and opportunity to pause, pray, and reflect on our call to care for our common home, opening their hearts to God’s creation and considering how their actions can make a positive difference. See below for more information.

Grandfriends & Special Persons Liturgy – Friday 22nd May at 9:15am
We warmly invite our Grandfriends and Special Persons to join us for a beautiful liturgy let by Year 3 Petersen, celebrating the gift of relationships and community. Together, we will shine with open hearts as we give thanks for the love, wisdom, and support they bring to our lives.

Following the liturgy, visitors are welcome to spend time in classrooms, sharing in learning alongside students. The morning will conclude with a relaxed gathering over coffee, tea, and biscuits, providing an opportunity to connect and celebrate our vibrant community.

Be You Launch
We are excited to launch our Be You initiative, supporting the mental health and wellbeing of all students, staff and families. The year 5/6 will lead this launch focussing on various be You themes and have our R – 4 Students rotate through these activities. These activities encourages each child to celebrate their uniqueness, build positive relationships, and feel a strong sense of belonging as they shine with open hearts in our school community.

A Week of Connection and Celebration

Catholic Education Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate faith, learning, and the strong partnerships between school, family, and community. We look forward to sharing this special week together, as we continue to shine with open hearts in all that we do.

Laudato Si week

This year, our school will celebrate Laudato Si Week from Sunday 17th May to Sunday 24th May, with the theme “Hope to Action.”

Laudato Si is a special letter written by Pope Francis in 2015. It reminds us of the importance of caring for our world and one another. The title means “Praise be to you” and comes from a prayer by St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of the environment.

During this week, we will explore important ideas with the children, such as:

Caring for the Earth, our shared home
Finding ways to reduce waste and look after our environment
Showing care and compassion for those in need
Living simply and thoughtfully
Recognising creation as a gift from God

Students will take part in a range of meaningful and engaging activities throughout the week to help bring these ideas to life.

We also invite families to join in this special time at home. Below are some simple, practical ways you can celebrate Laudato Si Week together.

LIVING MERCY AT SMM

Students across the school have been finding simple, meaningful ways to live mercy each day, showing that service isn’t just something we talk about — it’s something we do. Whether it was helping a classmate who was struggling, offering kind words to someone who needed encouragement, or volunteering to tidy shared spaces without being asked, our students demonstrated that small acts of service can make a big difference. Their thoughtful words and generous actions reflected a genuine commitment to caring for others and building a community where everyone feels supported and valued.

SACRAMENT PROGRAM 2026

Our students took an exciting first step in their Sacrament Program this week as they gathered for their opening session, focusing on the Sacrament of Baptism. Through stories, discussion, and hands‑on activities, the children explored the symbols of Baptism and learned how this special sacrament welcomes us into God’s family. It was a joyful beginning to their preparation journey, filled with curiosity, reverence, and a growing sense of belonging

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