Term 3, Week 10, 2026

We are delighted to warmly welcome Mr Luke Ferguson to our school community.

Mr Ferguson joins us while Mr M is on leave, and we are very pleased to have him with us. Many members of our community may recognise Mr Ferguson as a familiar face, having previously worked at our school several years ago. We are fortunate to welcome him back and know that his experience, enthusiasm and commitment to supporting students will make him a wonderful addition to our team during this time.

We encourage our students, families and staff to extend a warm Mercy welcome to Mr Ferguson and help him feel at home as he reconnects with our community. We look forward to working alongside him and wish him every success in his time with us.

The Catholic Schools Music Festival was a wonderful celebration of the musical talents of our students alongside students from across our Catholic school communities. Throughout the year, our choir students demonstrated outstanding commitment as they learnt and refined a challenging repertoire of songs and choreography. Through regular rehearsals, practice, and perseverance, they developed their musical abilities, confidence, teamwork, and performance skills.

Last night, our students proudly showcased the results of their hard work at the Entertainment Centre. The performance was a culmination of months of dedication and effort, providing students with the opportunity to celebrate their achievements and share their talents with family, friends, and the wider community. We were incredibly proud of the enthusiasm, commitment, and professionalism displayed by all students, who represented our school with pride and excellence on stage.

Congratulations to our school choir members.

As we look ahead to the start of next term, excitement is already building for our much-anticipated Colour Run on Friday of Week 1.

This event promises to be a joyful celebration of fun, friendship and community spirit but the Colour Run is more than just a fun-filled event. It is an opportunity for our school community to unite in support of a shared purpose while celebrating the values that make our school such a special place. We encourage all students and families to get involved and embrace the energy, enthusiasm and sense of connection that the day will bring.

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.

All families should now have received a request to confirm their enrolment intentions for 2027. We kindly ask that all families respond to this request, particularly if your child will not be returning to our school next year.

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

Throughout Term 4, our focus will be on helping students remain engaged in their learning, celebrate their achievements and finish the year with confidence. For students who may require additional support to prepare for the transition to 2027, we will implement thoughtful and appropriate transition processes to ensure they feel safe, supported and ready for the year ahead.

As we begin planning for 2027 class placements, we invite families to share any information about their child that they believe may assist us in creating positive and successful learning environments.

If there is information you would like us to consider, please provide this in writing to a member of the Leadership Team. To ensure a fair and equitable process for all students, requests for specific teachers or staff members will not be considered.

While all information received will be carefully reviewed and taken into consideration, please note that we are unable to guarantee that every request or preference can be accommodated. We appreciate your understanding and support as we work to make the best possible placement decisions for all students.

Please note that unlike most other Catholic schools, St Mary Magdalene’s School does not charge our families any tuition fees. We do, however, have a Resource Levy of $250 that goes towards each students stationery and books required for their year of learning. It is necessary that this levy be paid each year that your child is at SMM. Our finance team is happy to speak with you to discuss payment plans for this Levy, and can be contact via the Front Office.

CONNECTING WITH THE SUNDAY GOSPEL READING:

In this Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 21:28-32), Jesus reminds us that what matters most is not just what we say, but what we do. The first son initially refused his father’s request but later changed his mind and acted. The second son said he would help but did not follow through. Jesus teaches us that God values hearts that are open to change, growth and living out His message through our actions.

As a family, we are invited to reflect on how we can put our faith into action each day through kindness, forgiveness, honesty and service to others. God is always ready to welcome us when we choose to follow Him, even if we have made mistakes along the way.

WONDERING QUESTIONS

1. When have I changed my mind and chosen to do the right thing, even when it was difficult?
2. How can I show my love for God through my actions, not just my words, this week?
3. Is there something God might be inviting me to do differently so that I can better care for others?

FAMILY CHALLENGE

This week, choose one act of kindness that you can do together as a family. At the end of the week, share how your actions helped someone and how it made you feel.

JOINING US FOR 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.

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

As a school community, we congratulate Theresa, Maria, Kamsi and Kosi on completing their Sacramental Journey through the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. We extend our sincere thanks to the Sacramental Team, Fr Santosh, and Vicar General Fr Dean Marin for co-celebrating these beautiful and significant occasions with our students and their families. We keep these students and their families in our prayers as they continue to grow in faith and deepen their relationship with God.

LIVING MERCY AT SMM

We continue to have a focus on the mercy value Service. This continues to shine through the everyday actions of our students. Each day, students look for opportunities to support one another in the classroom by working collaboratively, encouraging their peers, and sharing their gifts to help others learn and grow. In the school yard, small acts of kindness, inclusion, and friendship help create a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and cared for. Across the wider school community, students continue to embrace service through leadership roles, fundraising initiatives, outreach projects, and their commitment to making a positive difference for others. Whether through a helping hand, a kind word, or a willingness to serve those in need, our students faithfully put Mercy into action. Through their compassion, generosity, and everyday choices, they reflect the Mercy tradition and inspire others to live with open hearts in service of the common good.

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

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA)

Elizabeth Catholic Parish is pleased to announce that our Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) programme will commence on 11 October 2026.

The programme is for:

• Adults who are interested in becoming Catholic; and
• Baptised Catholics aged 14 and above who have not yet received the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation.

We will also be holding a “Come and See” information session on Sunday 27th September at St Thomas More Church at 11:30am to provide more details about the programme and to answer any questions participants may have.

If you, a family member, a staff member, or someone you know may be interested in participating, please contact the Parish Office at reception@elizabethcatholicparish.com.au.

MERCY DAY CELEBRATIONS WITH A COLOUR FUN RUN

Week 1 Friday, 16^th October we are bringing the excitement with a Monty the Monstar Fun Run, all while raising funds for Catherine House and St Janet Mead’s Day Centre. Getting involved is super easy! Just head to myprofilepage.com.au, set up a profile, and share it with family and friends for online donations. Kids can earn awesome prizes and collect Monty Coins as they go! Make sure you grab a white T. shirt for the day!

Raise just $10 to unlock your first prize. The more you raise, the more prizes you can mix, match, and choose! You can even donate your fundraising to one of six great causes.

Happy Fundraising!

Our School and Community Hub have been chosen to have a Street Library!

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

Week 1

• Friday 16^th October | Mercy Day Colour Run

Week 4

• Monday 2^nd November | Children’s University Graduation (evening)

Week 6

• New Reception Transitions commence

Week 7

• Spirit of Christmas End of Year Carols Celebration | Whole School 9.00am

Week 8

• Wednesday 2^nd December | Year 6 Graduation Dinner 5.30pm – Midway Tavern
• Thursday 3rd December | Nativity Liturgy 9.00am
• Friday 4^th December | End of Year Mass 12pm

Week 9

• Monday 7^th December | End of Year Assembly and Farewells (last Day Year 6’s)
• Tuesday 8^th December | Meet the Teacher (R-5)
• Tuesday 8^th December | Year 6 Graduation Ceremony – 6pm
• Wednesday 9^th December | Last Day All Students (R-5)