Dear families,

It’s been an exciting Book Week at St Mary’s, culminating in this morning’s Book Week Parade.

Thank you to Ms Lycke for organising some fantastic activities each lunch time for the students, as well as a Family Book Club evening, where we celebrated the book Leo and Ralph by Peter Carnavas. Children and families shared a sausage sizzle, looked at the moon through a telescope, completed a book review and created their own aliens. The evening was very well received. We are planning another later in the year. 

This time of year always brings out such a range of media coverage, usually critical. It’s disappointing that an event that is focused on the love of reading is met with such negativity.

I’m thrilled that our families get behind this week at St Mary’s every year. 

District Athletics

We’ve had close to 20 students make it through to the Divisional Finals, which will take place next month. You can read more about it in the article in this week's eNews.

Before and after school parking

We have noticed some unsafe parking occurring around the school. Please do not double park and let children alight unless you are properly parked and stopped.

The council have also re-marked the parking spots alongside McBain Street. For safety, and to avoid expensive fines, please make sure you are not parking outside of these spaces, particularly avoiding parking across the school driveway/gates. This may mean you need to go around the perimeter a few times; it's a small price to pay for our students' safety.

Have your say

MACSSIS

The yearly MACSSIS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic School Improvement Survey) window opens on Monday 31st August. Families will receive their unique code and access to the survey this afternoon via email.

We take the results of these surveys seriously and explore them with staff each year. This helps us set goals for the following year. We encourage you to take the time to complete this. The survey window runs until the last day of this term, Friday 18th September.

If you have any difficulties accessing the survey, please contact Mr Hein (jhein@smaltona.catholic.edu.au). If you do not receive your survey this afternoon, please let us know. You may want to check in with your spouse/partner, as it may have gone to them. 

Melbourne Synod

Our school community is invited to contribute to the Melbourne Synod 2026, an important process of listening and discernment that will help shape the future evangelical and missionary priorities of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.

The Synod invites people across Melbourne to reflect on three themes – Young Discipleship, Missionary Leadership, and Formation and Participation – and share their experiences, ideas and hopes for the future of our Church.

As a Catholic school community, this is an opportunity for our students, families, staff and broader community to have a voice in this important conversation.

You can participate individually by reading one or more of the Synod theme papers and responding to the reflection questions through the relevant online form.

We particularly encourage young people and families to share their voices and perspectives as the Archdiocese considers how to strengthen faith, belonging, participation and missionary discipleship for the future.

Feedback for this stage of consultation closes at 5.00 pm on Saturday 5 September 2026.

For more information:
Melbourne Synod 2026

Provide feedback on the three themes:

Young Discipleship

Missionary Leadership

Formation and Participation

Catholic Education in the news

You will have noticed a lot of information (and quite possibly, misinformation) circling about Catholic Education funding and costs due to the upcoming wage increases. I encourage you to come and see me or email me with any questions or concerns you may have regarding what you’re hearing.

I will keep families informed regarding staffing, budgets and fees as this information is finalised in the coming months.

Have a great weekend,

Kind  Safe  Responsible

 PUPIL FREE DAYS / EARLY FINISHES

Friday 18th September - All Students 1:30pm Finish time (End of Term)



KEY SCHOOL DATES

Thursday 10th September - R U OK Day
Wear a splash of Yellow!

Kind  Safe  Responsible

Trivia Night Success!

Our Trivia Night was a huge success, with plenty of laughs, fun and friendly competition throughout the evening!

Thanks to everyone who came along and helped make the evening such a fantastic success. Together, we raised just short of $3,000 on the night alone.

A big thank you again to our major sponsors, Xynergy Realty and Loaram Construction.

Kind  Safe  Responsible

Our very first Family Book Club was a wonderful and memorable evening!

Families came together to celebrate the book Leo and Ralph, a story about friendship and embracing what makes everyone different, with a night full of activities including:

An out of this world game of Bounce the Moon with balloons
Dreaming up and naming our very own aliens and their planets
A sausage sizzle 
Sharing our best book reviews and favourite parts from the story
Gazing through a telescope and spotting the moon in the night sky

A huge thank you to all the families who joined us and to our amazing staff who helped make this such a special community event.

Kind  Safe  Responsible

We would like to congratulate all of our students who represented our school at District Athletics Day! It was a fantastic day filled with determination, enthusiasm and plenty of school spirit.

Our students did an amazing job, giving their best effort across a range of track and field events. We were incredibly proud to see them challenge themselves, support their teammates and celebrate the achievements of others.

What stood out most was the exceptional behaviour and sportsmanship displayed throughout the day. Our students represented our school with pride, showing respect towards competitors, officials and teachers. They encouraged one another, demonstrated good manners and were gracious whether they won, came close or simply gave something new a go.

A huge congratulations to everyone who participated. Your effort, positive attitudes, behaviour and sportsmanship made us extremely proud.

Well done to all of our District Athletics representatives, you were wonderful ambassadors for our school! 

Photo's of the day will be shared on the See-Saw app.

This Thursday 10th September - Wear a splash of yellow.

This Thursday 10 September, our students will be recognising R U OK? Day, a day that reminds us that a conversation can make a real difference to someone who may be struggling.

Students are invited to wear a splash of yellow to help brighten our school and show support for the message of the day:

“I’m here, let’s talk.”

R U OK? Day encourages us to check in with the people around us, not just on one day, but throughout the year. We want our students to know that it is okay to ask, “Are you OK?”, to listen without judgement, and to seek support when they or someone they know needs it.

We encourage families to continue the conversation at home by checking in with one another and reminding children that they are never alone and there are people who care and are ready to listen.

A splash of yellow, a simple question, and a caring conversation can make a difference.

This week in Community News:

• Church bulletin
• Deborah Barrese, upcoming show

CHURCH BULLETIN

https://www.smaltona.catholic.edu.au/source/BULLETIN%2006-09-26%20with%20ad.pdf


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DEBORAH BARRESE LIVE SHOW

Details below for Deborah's next live show.

Deborah is a parent of our school community.




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SIMONDS CATHOLIC COLLEGE




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MAGIC BASKETBALL

 

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WESTERN BULLDOGS AFLW ALL GIRLS AUSKICK AND SUPERKICK PRE-GAME CLINICS

 

Calling all future Bulldogs!

 

Girls aged 4–12 are invited to join our AFLW All Girls Pre-Game Clinics at Mission Whitten Oval. Each clinic will take place two hours before every Western Bulldogs AFLW home game.

 

 Perfect for girls of all skill levels!

 

•  Auskick (Ages 4–7) – Learn the basics through fun games and activities.
•  Superkick (Ages 7–12) – Build skills and confidence in a game-based environment.

 Location: Mission Whitten Oval

 Clinic Dates:

• Saturday 22 August vs Richmond
• Saturday 5 September vs Sydney
• Saturday 3 October vs St Kilda
• Friday 9 October vs Essendon

 Only $55 for the program

 

 

 Special Offer: Use promo code FCB008C6 at checkout to receive $20 off registration.

 

 Register now:

 Auskick (Ages 4–7): https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/9dd463

 Superkick (Ages 7–12): https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/251cd8

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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!

Kind  Safe  Responsible

We have some wonderful businesses run by the families within our school community.

Take a look and show your support!

We have some wonderful businesses run by the families within our school community. 
Take a look and show your support!

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Wilson & Co. Projects

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John Jones Electrical Services

Inner West & Surrounds

0412 547 060

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Altona Pines Dental

19 Harrington Square, Altona

03 8330 5999

www.altonapinesdental.com.au

10% discount on Comprehensive Check-Up and Clean for St Mary’s families

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Fudge & Coal Dog Grooming (Mobile)

Call Alistair- 0414 611 080

20% off first groom for St Mary’s families

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New Season Doula Care

Birth & postpartum doula & childbirth educator

0481 847 569

www.newseasondoulacare.com.au

10% discount on any standard package for St Mary's families

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New Season Doula Care

Birth & postpartum doula & childbirth educator

0481 847 569

www.newseasondoulacare.com.au

10% discount on any standard package for St Mary's families

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Pool Rescue

Swimming Pool and Spa Service

Call Tyson- 0407 272 758

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Fudge Gifts in Forest Hill

Call Sarah- 0432 481 259

www.fudgegifts.com.au

Get 15% off first order on full priced items for St Mary’s families when you sign up to our newsletter.

Free delivery to school for St Mary’s families – when you check out, choose ‘click and collect’ and write your child’s classroom as the location in the order notes.

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Jeongsin Taekwondo

www.jeongsintaekwondo.com.au

0400 103 122

7 day FREE trial for St Mary’s families

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Jim’s Specialised Kitchens and Cabinets

Call Joe- 0421 568 956

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Sundara Room

20 Sargood Street, Altona

www.sundararoom.com.au

10% discount code available to St Mary’s families

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Jim’s Mowing Group Altona Meadows West

Landscaping and Gardening Services

0481 948 669

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Laundry Chute

78 Railway Street, Altona

www.laundrychute.au

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Want to promote your business? Email ecross@smaltona.catholic.edu.au with your business name, location, contact number, website, and any discounts or promotions for the St Mary’s community.

Kind  Safe  Responsible

The School Advisory Council has created a link on its page where parents can ask questions or share suggestions for discussion by its members.

If you have anything you’d like to share or ask, you can access the form here.

Many thanks.

If your child is registered, please ensure their reading progress is being recorded in the online portal. Meeting the book targets is essential for successfully completing the challenge:

• Prep to Grade 2: Read at least 30 books

• Grade 3 to Grade 6: Read at least 15 books

All students who complete the challenge will receive an official certificate signed by the Premier of Victoria. In addition, students who read the most books in each age category (Junior, Middle, and Senior) will receive a special prize!

Let’s continue to encourage and support our students to achieve their reading goals and celebrate their love of books!

If you have any questions or need help with the online portal, please feel free to contact me at blycke@smaltona.catholic.edu.au 

Happy reading!

Kind  Safe  Responsible

We are still collecting eligible containers to raise money for our environmental projects.

Our fundraising title is 'Recycle and Grow'

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!

Kind  Safe  Responsible

Our wonderful LSO's are selling bags of chips in Term 3 for $1 each.

Every lunchtime from Monday to Friday. 

All profits are going towards our school.

Thank you for your support in helping us make this fundraiser a success and for giving our students an exciting winter snack this term.

Kind  Safe  Responsible