St Mary's eNews
Term 1, Week 9
Community News
Williamstown Tigers Netball -NetSetGO in Term 2.
WCEC Newsletter
We would also like to thank Mayde Homes for their continuous support to St Mary's Altona.
Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage
GRIP Student Leadership Conference
GRIP stands for Generosity, Responsibility, Integrity and People, which were the key themes of the day. The conference highlighted the importance of being a leader with a clear vision while also recognising and nurturing the strengths of others.
Throughout the day, students participated in a range of engaging games and videos that reinforced key leadership concepts. These interactive experiences encouraged teamwork, problem-solving and effective communication, while also giving students the chance to connect and build new friendships.
A key message of the conference was that leadership is not about seeking attention, but about supporting and inspiring others to succeed. Students explored ways to encourage their peers and contribute to a positive, inclusive school culture.
By the end of the day, students left with a stronger understanding of what it means to be a leader, along with practical strategies to help them grow as confident, compassionate leaders within our school and wider community. It was a memorable experience that has motivated them to embrace future opportunities with enthusiasm.
Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage
Child safe Standard two & three
At St Mary's we adhere to the Child Safe Standards, to ensure all children feel safe, valued and respected in our school environment.
The Child Safe Standards are a set of 11 requirements that organisations must follow to create a culture and environment that is safe for children. These standards aim to prevent, respond to, and report child abuse by requiring organisations to implement policies, procedures, and practices that put children’s safety and well-being first. They were developed in response to inquiries and recommendations from Royal Commissions and aim to drive cultural change within organisations that provide services or facilities for children.
Each month, staff will revisit each standard to ensure our existing practices are aligned with the expectations outlined within each. We will also be sharing information about each of these Standards with the parent community via the newsletter in a monthly article.
Linked is the information for Child Safe Standard 2 and 3.
Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage
Good Friday Appeal
Scarlet, Owen, Logan & Kristy along with their amazing students at Jeongsin Taekwondo will KICK the 10km from Maidstone to RCH to raise money and awareness for the appeal.
As you may know the event came about when Harlen became a regular patient of the hospital and the support they gave our family pre and still post transplant. This is our way of giving back.
If you are in a position to donate some money, please use the link below.
We are also supporting this fundraiser, as it is being organised by one of the donors to our trivia night.
Good Friday Gala by the Bay
Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the Good Friday Gala by the Bay! Join us in person for a night filled with great vibes, stunning views, and amazing company.
It's the perfect way to kick off your Easter weekend with friends and family, while supporting the Good Friday Appeal. The evening will feature entertainment, Guest Speakers, silent auctions, raffles, and, of course, dancing. Included in the evening is a 3-course “Good Friday friendly” meal and drinks*.
See you there!
Dress Code: Cocktail Attire
All proceeds made from this event will be donated to the Good Friday Appeal
When: Friday 3rd April 2026
Where: Seaview Williamstown
Time: 6pm to 11.30pm
Cost: $155 each (Table of 10 $1,450)
Get your Tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/good-friday-gala-by-the-bay-tickets-1983910063405
Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage
Easter Raffle
- Easter eggs
- Easter themed crafts/activities.
- Baskets, gift bags, cellophane or anything that will help us bundle our prizes together.
Donations can be given to your child's classroom or at the office.
Thank you, Parents & Friends Committee
Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage
End of Term 1- 1.30pm Finish
Students will finish on Thursday 2nd April at 1.30pm
School resume on Monday 20th April at 8.45am
Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage
MSJ- Open day & Mornings
Please use the links below to register your interest.
Attached is the Open Day flyer, which includes a QR code for registration, or you may use the following link: https://www.msj.vic.edu.
Attached is the Open Morning flyer, which also contains a QR code for registration, or you may use this link: https://www.msj.vic.edu.
Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage
Indulgent day out in the Yarra Valley
Date: Saturday the 30th May
Tickets will include visits to 3 wineries, tastings, a private bus, and a two-course gourmet lunch with a glass of Prosecco.
We finish with a cheese tasting at Yarra Valley Dairy.
Return transfers to Altona.
$190 per person (subject to numbers)
$170 per person for non-drinkers
Full details on the booking page www.trybooking.com/
This event is coordinated by the Parents and Friends Committee.
Funds raised go towards St Mary's Ninja Course.
Event hosted by local Altona Business Gauci and Co Wine Tours.
Follow Gauci and Co Wine Tours.
Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage
Calendar Events Changes for Mass and Assembly
Due to changes in availability, we have needed to make alterations to the class mass and assembly dates. Listed here are the new dates for assembly and mass for the remainder of term one and the first month of term two. These are now updated on the School calendar which appears on the newsletter and the nforma app.
Week 10
Thursday 2nd April 9am: Holy Week Liturgy 1
Thursday 2nd April 11:30am: Holy Week Liturgy 2
Term 2
Week 1
Monday 20th April: Assembly -School Captains
Friday 24th April: Class Mass 5/6KW
Week 2
Monday 27th April: Assembly -Social Justice Leaders
Friday 1st May: Class Mass 5/6H
Week 1
Monday 4th May: Assembly -1/2S
Thursday 7th May: Mother's Day Mass
Victorian Premiers' Reading Challenge
The Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is now open, and we’re excited to be taking part!
All students from Prep to Year 6 are welcome to join in.
This year’s Challenge theme is ‘Stories to discover. Stories to tell’. Stories can inspire and challenge us, and help us grow. They open our eyes to new worlds and new ways of thinking.
It is not a competition; it is a personal challenge for children to read a set number of books by 4 September 2026.
Children from Prep to Year 2 are encouraged to read or ‘experience’ 30 books with their parents and teachers. Children from Year 3 to Year 10 are challenged to read 15 books.
The number of books read can be varied for everyone's needs.
All children who complete the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and former premiers.
To learn more about the Challenge, visit Premiers' Reading Challenge | vic.gov.au
To register your child, please email me with your child's name, year level and class name at blycke@smaltona.catholic.edu.au
Happy reading!
Thanks
Brenda lycke
Literacy Leader
Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage