August 13, 2026

Term 3, Week 4, 2026

SMM Newsletter, Term 3, Week 4

As the term continues to fly by our school has been a hive of excitement and enthusiasm. Term 3 traditionally has a lot of school events, some of which have already been and gone. We thank you for the way you prepared your children for school photos and for your attendance at our Parent Teacher Interviews. Our mid-year Receptions have settled in nicely and it has been lovely seeing our older students supporting them in the yard.

Staffing…

There will be some movement over the next few weeks as various staff take leave. We wish Michelle Menadue well as she takes some leave for the remainder of this term. Amiee Tullio will move into the Leader of Learning role coinciding with her existing APRIM position. Ms Eldi will teach the Year 5/6 class full time for last part of Term 3. We also farewell Shantelle Barker-Osbourne at the end of this week as she begins her maternity leave. Shantelle has been a valuable co-educator over the last 18 months supporting many of our upper primary students. Finally, we welcome Mr Paul Bennett to our school community. Paul will assist with the care, maintenance and management of our school grounds. Paul has already been busy doing a range of odd jobs, sometimes with the help of our students.

NAPLAN….

NAPLAN Individual Student Reports were sent home with students last week for all students in Years 3 and 5. If you have not yet seen your child’s report, we encourage you to check school bags and discuss the results together as a family. These reports provide a snapshot of student achievement in Reading, Writing, Numeracy, Grammar and Punctuation, and Spelling at a particular point in time. While NAPLAN is just one measure of learning, it can provide valuable information about a student’s strengths and areas for further growth. While we celebrate these successes, we also recognise that NAPLAN is just one tool we use to determine achievement and provides valuable information that helps us continue to refine our teaching programs and support every student to achieve growth and success.

Assembly….

Our first Assembly of the term is tomorrow, hosted by Year 3 Petersen. Please note that Assembly is now scheduled for Fridays and will always occur first thing in the morning. Please keep an eye out for when your child’s class is hosting.

Bullying No Way Week…

Next week is Bullying No Way Week. The theme for 2026 is “Small Acts: Big Impact”. This year’s theme reminds us that actions don’t need to be big to change someone’s world. Small actions – like including someone, speaking up or showing kindness – can create meaningful change. 

Bullying can come in many forms and sadly can sometimes be a part of school life – but it is never OK. This week there will be a focus in our classrooms about understanding the difference between what a ‘mean moment’ is and what is bullying. We will engage in a whole school activity to promote kindness and the power of “getting happiness out of making someone else happy”. We value working in partnership with families to create an environment where your child can flourish.

Pupil Free Day…

Next Monday (August 17th) is a Pupil Free Day while our staff gather for their retreat day. This special day is an opportunity for our staff to connect with the other Mercy schools in our region, explore our faith and enrich ourselves in reflective learning.

Book Week…

Book Week is always a special day on our school calendar. Friday (Week 6) our school community will celebrate Book Week with our Whole School Parade. We invite students to come to school dressed as their favourite character from any book or to embrace the 2026 theme of “Symphony of Stories”. All families are welcome to attend the parade on Friday of Week 6 commencing at 9:15am in the Yarning Place. Time to get those costumes sorted.

2027…

It is strange to think that some early planning for 2027 is already underway. If your family circumstances are changing, please inform the Front Office so we can factor this into our future planning. Planning for a new school year takes many months and there is a lot to consider. With a growing school and some exciting new developments, we do expect there to be significant interest in joining our community. If you have younger children due to start or know people who are thinking about enrolling their children please encourage them to make contact in the near future.

Wishing you all the best for the weeks ahead and we look forward to seeing you in and around our school.

Shaping our future together,

Belinda & Gareth

APRIM News!

CONNECTING WITH THE SUNDAY GOSPEL READING

Matthew 15:21–28 | The Faith of the Canaanite Woman

In this week’s Gospel, we meet a woman who comes to Jesus seeking help for her daughter. Although she faces challenges and is initially ignored, she does not give up. She trusts that Jesus will listen to her and continues to ask for his help with courage and humility. Jesus recognises her great faith and grants her request, healing her daughter.

This Gospel reminds us that faith means trusting in God, even when things are difficult or when answers do not come straight away. Like the Canaanite woman, we are encouraged to bring our worries, hopes and prayers to Jesus, believing that he hears us and cares for us. Her persistence teaches us the importance of never giving up on prayer and always trusting in God’s love and mercy.

As a family, this Gospel invites us to reflect on how we can show faith, perseverance and compassion in our daily lives. It reminds us that God’s love is for everyone and that we are called to welcome and care for all people with kindness and respect.

Wondering Questions

I wonder when I have had to keep trying, even when something was difficult?

I wonder how I can show trust in God when my prayers are not answered in the way I expect?

I wonder who might need my kindness, encouragement or support this week?

CELEBRATING THE FEAST OF THE AUSSUMPTION OF MARY

On 15 August, the Church celebrates the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, one of the most significant feasts in the Catholic calendar. This special day commemorates our belief that Mary, having completed her earthly life, was taken body and soul into heavenly glory.

The Assumption reminds us of Mary’s unwavering faith, her trust in God’s plan, and her wholehearted “yes” to God’s call. Throughout her life, Mary modelled courage, humility and love, inspiring generations of Christians to follow Christ with the same commitment.

For us as a faith-filled school community, the Assumption is a celebration of hope. Mary’s Assumption points to the promise of eternal life and reminds us that God calls each of us to holiness and a deep relationship with Him. It encourages us to live with faith, compassion and service to others, knowing that God’s love accompanies us on our journey.

As we celebrate this feast, may we take time to reflect on Mary’s example and ask for her intercession. May we, like Mary, be open to God’s call in our daily lives and strive to bring Christ’s love and hope to those around us.

You are warmly invited to join us for Mass in the Yarning Place at 12.00 pm on Friday 14 August as we gather as a community to celebrate this wonderful feast. We look forward to sharing this special occasion with students, families and staff.

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.” (Luke 1:46-47)

May the Feast of the Assumption be a blessing for all members of our school community.

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.

We warmly invite all families to join us for these sacred celebrations, as your presence enriches our community and strengthens the partnership between home, school and parish in fostering a living faith.

LIVING MERCY AT STM

This term we will have a ‘Mercy Value of the Month’. This month we will focus on Hospitality. Hospitality is one of our cherished Mercy values and calls us to create welcoming, inclusive, and caring communities wherever we are. Hospitality means noticing others, making people feel valued, and ensuring everyone has a place where they belong. In the classroom, this might look like including others in activities, listening respectfully, and encouraging classmates who need support. In the schoolyard, hospitality can be shown by inviting someone to join a game, using kind words, and looking out for those who may feel lonely. At home, hospitality is demonstrated through helping family members, showing gratitude, and creating a loving environment where everyone feels respected and cared for. In our wider community, we live out hospitality by welcoming newcomers, showing compassion to those in need, and treating every person with dignity. As a Mercy community, we are called to follow the example of Jesus by opening our hearts to others and making hospitality a part of our daily actions.

SACRAMENT PROGRAM 2026

We are looking forward to an important and enriching time ahead in our Sacramental Program as our children and families prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Over the coming weeks, families will participate in our Reconciliation Workshop, providing

an opportunity to deepen their understanding of God’s unconditional love, mercy and forgiveness.

Through prayer, reflection and learning, our children will be supported in recognising the loving presence of God in their lives and the importance of seeking forgiveness and reconciliation. These experiences will help prepare them to celebrate this special sacrament with confidence and faith.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a significant milestone in the faith journey of our children, inviting them to encounter God’s mercy in a personal and meaningful way. We keep all of our candidates and their families in our prayers as they prepare to receive this sacrament and continue to grow in their relationship with God and our parish community.

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

MERCY DAY CELEBRATIONS WITH A COLOUR FUN RUN

Due to a number of other events and commitments in the school calendar, our Colour Fun Run has been rescheduled. We are excited to announce that the event will now take place as part of our Mercy Day celebrations in Term 4, Week 1 on Friday.

This promises to be a fun-filled day for our students, with plenty of colour, laughter and school spirit as we come together to celebrate the Mercy values of compassion, joy and community. The Colour Fun Run will be a wonderful opportunity for students to participate in a vibrant and memorable celebration with their peers.

Families are encouraged to keep an eye on Seesaw and EdSmart over the coming weeks, as important information about the event, including what students will need and any parent information, will be shared through these platforms.

We appreciate your understanding regarding this change of date and look forward to celebrating Mercy Day together with a colourful and exciting Fun Run.