Last Day of Term

Dear St Mary's families,

As we come to the end of another wonderful term, we would like to thank our students and families for your ongoing support and for making this such a positive and successful term. It has been a pleasure to see our students learning, growing and living out our school values each day.

A reminder that today is the last day of term, with students finishing at 1:30 pm.

We wish all of our families a safe, restful and enjoyable holiday break. We hope everyone has the opportunity to relax, spend time with loved ones and return refreshed for the new term.

We look forward to welcoming all students back to school on Monday 13 July.

Thank you once again for a fantastic term. Have a wonderful holiday!

Kind regards,

St Mary's staff

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Key dates & Pupil Free Days for Term 3

 PUPIL FREE DAYS

Monday 3rd August - Year 3/4 ONLY Pupil Free Day

Monday 10th August - Whole School Pupil Free Day

Friday 18th September - Whole School 1:30 Finish Time (End of Term)



KEY SCHOOL DATES

Friday 28th August - Book Week Dress Up

Friday 4th September - Fathers Day Afternoon Tea

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This article includes:

- Link to the online family information session (For those that missed it)
- How to enrol
- Customer Service contact information

Introducing MACSEYE: Your new before and after school care provider.


Online information session:
https://youtu.be/jg0C4kgrHW4


How to enrol:

1. Visit our dedicated MACSEYE OSHC webpage:
https://macseye.vic.edu.au/oshc/oshc-locations/st-marys-oshc-altona/

This web page contains all the key information needed to get started, including:
• Session times
• Fees
• Enrolment information
• Enrolment form link

We encourage all families to complete your enrolment by the end of this term, even if you are still thinking about when you might need care. That way you can book as soon as you are ready.
All children must be enrolled with MACSEYE to attend.

For more information, you can also please refer to the attached MACSEYE brochure.


2. Click the green 'Enrol Now' button and complete the online enrolment form.


Contact MACSEYE - Customer Service
If you need support with enrolment or have any questions, the Customer Service Team is available to assist, Monday to Friday between 9am – 5pm (AEST):
1300 501 029
enrolments@macseye.vic.edu.au

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This week in Community News:

• MSJ - Applications Closing
• Free First Aid Sessions
• Altona Beach Short Film Festival
• Bluefit Swimming
• Shoto Karate
• Winter Glimmers
• Church Bulletin

MOUNT ST JOSEPH GIRLS COLLEGE - APPLICATIONS CLOSING



This is a friendly reminder that applications for Year 7 2028 at Mount St Joseph Girls' College are closing on Friday, 14 August 2026.

Families can submit their application directly via our online enrolment portal:
https://msjgc-au-vic-393.app.digistorm.com/forms/enrolment-application/start



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FREE FIRST AID SESSIONS FOR PARENTS & CARERS

 

 

Hobsons Bay City Council Early Years, in partnership with Ambulance Victoria, is offering 2 free first aid sessions for parents and carers of children aged 0 – 6 years.

To make it easier to attend, the sessions have been scheduled to follow our regular library programs, running alongside Storytime and Babytime at Altona Meadows Library & Learning Centre.

Please see attached flyer for full details and register here: https://events.humanitix.com/learn-first-aid-for-parents-and-carers-of-young-children

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ALTONA BEACH SHORT FILM FESTIVAL

 

This is our twelfth year of showcasing short films by filmmakers from Altona and around the world.

 

We welcome participants of all ages and abilities to use their cameras, phones or tablets to create a short film no longer than 7 minutes in keeping with this year's theme "Home". Entrants' short films will then be shown at our Festival Gala Screening & Awards Night and go in the running to win cash prizes in the following categories:

 

Best In Festival
Special Recognition
President's Encouragement Award
Best Pre-Teen
Best Young Adult
People's Choice

 

Awards 1 - 5 will be decided by a panel of esteemed judges from the community. The People's Choice Award, however, will be decided by the audience on the night, so make sure your students bring as many of their friends and family as they can to ensure a higher chance of winning!

In past editions of our festival our junior entrants have truly had their moments to shine, with children taking away wins in many of our non-age-related categories several times.

 

Entries into this year's festival are currently open from now until 31 August 2026 at www.altonabeachfilmfestival.com.au

We will be contacting all participants to confirm their place in the lineup by no later than 01 September 2026.

 

This year's ABFF Film Screening & Gala Awards Night will be held on Saturday 19 September 2026 at the Altona Sports Club - 11 Altona Road, Altona VIC 3018.

Tickets are available at reception at the club for $5 per child, $10 per adult, or $20 per family (2x adults + 2 children).

 

We can't wait to see you there!

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BLUEFIT SWIMMING

 

At BlueFit Swimming, we’re passionate about helping children stay safe and have fun in the water. That’s why we’re offering your first 2 lessons free to give your child a head start on their swimming journey!

More information:
https://www.bluefitswimming.com.au/bluefit-swimming-2-free-lessons?utm_source=2lf&utm_campaign=2_lessons_free&utm_content=card

 

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SHOTO KARATE

 

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AN INITIATIVE BY 'BUILT LIKE ME OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST'

 

Small moments matter —

Small things that make us smile, the little things that make us feel connected, calm, and part of something bigger.

That’s why #WinterGlimmers is happening from June 21.
Pop up some fairy lights, step outside, and share a tiny spark of joy with your neighbourhood.

Don’t forget to tag @builtlikemeot so your glimmer shines with the rest 

 

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CHURCH BULLETIN

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Thank you from the P&F for a successful School Disco & Cookie Fundraiser.

We have shared photo's of these events, as well as Pyjama Day.

THE SCHOOL DISCO!

The St Mary's School Disco was a huge success, with students enjoying an evening of music, dancing and plenty of fun.

A sincere thank you to our amazing Parent Committee for organising such a fantastic event. We also extend our appreciation to our teachers and the many parent volunteers who generously gave their time on the night to ensure everything ran smoothly.

A special mention must go to our Grade 6 Leaders and School Captains, who enthusiastically spent part of their lunch break helping to set up before the event. Their willingness to pitch in and lead by example was greatly appreciated. Disco fever was well and truly in the air long before the first song began!

Thanks to the incredible support of our school community, the evening raised just under $2,000. These funds will go directly towards supporting the cost of our new Ninja Playground.

While the event was a great success, we're already reflecting on the valuable feedback we've received. We're committed to continually improving the logistics and overall experience, ensuring each school disco is even better than the last.

COOKIE DOUGH FUNDRAISER

Our very first Cookie Dough Fundraiser was a fantastic success!

Thanks to the incredible support of our St Mary's community, we sold more than 249 tubs of cookie dough, raising over $1,000 towards our new Ninja Playground.

A huge thank you to everyone who purchased, promoted and supported the fundraiser. 

We hope your freezers are stocked and your kitchens are about to be filled with the smell of freshly baked cookies over the school holidays. Happy baking, and thank you once again for helping make our first cookie dough fundraiser such a sweet success!



PYJAMA DAY!

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We love capturing and sharing the special moments that make our school community so vibrant. If you have photos or videos from school events that you'd like to share, please send them to ecross@smaltona.catholic.edu.au

To help protect the privacy of all students and families, we kindly ask that photos and videos from school events are not shared on personal social media accounts or other public platforms.

Please note that any images or videos shared through the school will only be published in accordance with your child's current photography consent agreement. If you would like to update your child's photography permissions or are unsure what consent is currently in place, please contact the school office - We are happy to assist.

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BOOK WEEK DRESS UP DAY: Friday, August 28th.

We will have a costume parade at 9:00 am.

There will be lots of other exciting activities planned for Book Week next term, from August 20th to August 28th.

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How can you help?

There are two simple ways to support our school through the scheme:

Option 1: Donate Your Refund at Collection Points

• When you visit a CDS Vic return point, you’ll be asked if you want to donate your refund.
  
  
• Simply download the app and enter our donation code (2000063591) or search for our school name on the app.
  
  
• All your refunds will be transferred directly to our school account!
  
  

Our donation code is: C2000063591

You can find your nearest return point at: https://cdsvic.org.au/locations 

Option 2: Send Eligible Containers to School

• We will be setting up a collection bin at school next to 3/4W so students and families can bring in eligible containers.
  
  
• Please make sure containers are:
  
  
• Empty and not crushed
  
  
• Have the 10c eligible label
  
  
• Not broken or overly dirty
  
  

We’ll return them in bulk, and the refunds will go straight to our school for our ‘Recycle and Grow’ fundraiser. All funds raised through container deposits will go directly towards keeping our outdoor environment thriving.

Thank you for supporting our school and the environment. Let’s turn trash into treasure and make this initiative a big success!

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BOOK NOW! 

We still have some tables available!

 


Thank you to our gold sponsor xynergy

Thank you to our silver sponsor Loaram Constructions

Book your babysitter and get ready for a dazzling evening of trivia, prizes, raffles, and games - All Las Vegas theme.
Gather your friends, plan your Vegas-inspired outfit, and enjoy a night of laughter, friendly competition and fun!

When: Friday, 14th August.
Venue: Altona Sports Club- Waterfront Room
Arrive: 6.30 pm for a 7 pm trivia start. DJ from 10 pm - 11 pm
Tickets: $30 pp [Adults only] or $55 for 2 pp.

You can book in groups by selecting a table name and advising everyone in your group.
Tables of 10-12 people. Don't worry if you don't have a group, book under 'parents trivia' and we will allocate. Friends and extended family of St Mary's are welcome.

Please note:
ALL Drinks are purchased at the bar.
NO KIDS event. Strictly NO BYO FOOD.
You can order meals at the Bistro and bring them into the event space.

Whether you channel casino glamour, Elvis, showgirl sparkle, or classic Vegas style, this is your chance to go all out. Book the babysitter, lock it into your calendar, and get ready for a night to remember! 

Dress to impress IDEAS; Embrace glitz, glamour, Sequined Dresses, High roller suits, Showgirl, Dealer, Granny Gamblers, Old Vegas/Rat Pack, Elvis, today's artists in residence, Queen of Hearts/Card Suits. Vegas Bride, movie characters in Vegas and more or smart casual. 

Prizes for best dressed!

BOOK NOW

https://www.trybooking.com/DNCGZ

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SAVE THE DATE

Would you like to know more about ADHD?

On Tuesday August 18 from 6:30 - 8pm we have psychologist, Stewart D’Silva, running a workshop for parents to explore ADHD and how this can present in people.

He will talk about the challenges that people can face and suggest strategies that can be used to support them.

Stewart is a passionate and dynamic speaker who has lots of valuable information and experiences to share.

Please feel free to bring along anyone you know who might find this information useful.

We will be able to provide babysitting if required. I will be sending more information regarding this via nForma where you can RSVP.

Cathy Sims

Learning Diversity Leader

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