Dear families,

We’ve had a most wonderful afternoon celebrating our fathers and special men in our lives. We began by celebrating prayer together as a Catholic community, before dads had the chance to catch up over afternoon tea. Finally, they had the opportunity to visit classrooms and spend some time with their children.

We wish all our dads and male role models a very special Father’s Day this Sunday.

Last Friday, each family received an email inviting their participation in the MACSSIS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Improvement Survey).

We take these survey results very seriously and review them with staff each year. The School Advisory Council also looks at these results and this year, have decided to use the results to focus on areas for improvement in the coming 12 months. More than ever, your opinion matters, and we encourage you to have your say on how we’re doing.

If you didn’t receive your link, please check that your partner hasn’t received it. (We use the primary email address in your child’s enrolment documentation.

Please contact me if you are unable to locate the email and I can re-send the survey to the email address of your choice.

The survey window closes on the last day of this term, Friday 18th September.

Please keep the morning of Friday 9th October free, as we will be celebrating Fr Michael before his retirement on Monday 12th.

More details to follow.

You are also welcome to come along to his last Parish Mass on Sunday 11th October at 10:30 am. Feel free to bring along a plate to share.

I will be taking some leave from Friday 11th September until Thursday 8th October. In my absence, John and the members of the leadership team will be available.

Happy Father’s Day to all our dads,

Sonia

 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

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

It was a beautiful day celebrating our Dads and Father Figures at our school today!

A big thank you to all the wonderful dads and father figures who joined us today. We hope you felt just as celebrated and appreciated as you truly are! 

Enjoy the photo's!

National Child Protection Week (NCPW) brings Australians together to focus on how we can all help keep children and young people safe, supported and heard.

This year, the theme “Every Conversation Matters” reminds us of the important role that open, respectful and supportive conversations can play in helping children and young people feel safe and connected.

National Child Protection Week is an opportunity to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect, share information and practical resources, amplify the voices of children and young people, and promote actions that strengthen families and communities and help prevent harm before it occurs.

Every conversation matters. A simple conversation can give a child the confidence to speak up, ask for help or share something that is worrying them. By creating opportunities for children to talk and by listening carefully to what they have to say, we can help children feel valued, respected and heard.

At St. Mary's, we are committed to creating a child-safe environment where every child feels safe, supported, respected and listened to. We encourage our students to speak with a trusted adult if they have a worry or concern and remind them that their voice matters.

Protecting children is everyone's business. Parents, carers, educators, family members, community members and other trusted adults all have a role to play in creating safe and supportive environments for children and young people.

This National Child Protection Week, we encourage families to make time for meaningful conversations with their children. Ask questions, listen without judgement and let children know that they can always talk to a trusted adult.

Every Conversation Matters

Together, by listening to children and young people and turning conversations into action, we can help create communities where every child is safe, valued, respected and able to thrive.

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.

Over the last week, our students have been getting creative in their Art classes, drawing their very own faces to be included in a unique whole-school tea towel. Every child will have the opportunity to create their own masterpiece, which will then be brought together to celebrate our wonderful school community.

These tea towels will make a beautiful keepsake for families and a wonderful way to remember your child's time at St Mary’s. They would also make a fantastic Christmas gift for grandparents, family and friends — a special present featuring all those familiar little faces!

Next term an nForma will be sent to families with information about how to order your tea towels.

We can't wait to see all the creative faces come together to create a very special keepsake for our school community!

Thank you for supporting our school fundraising efforts!

We’re excited to introduce Pure Pops to our canteen menu in Term 4!

Pure Pops are a delicious, all-natural frozen treat made with real ingredients, giving our families a healthier alternative for their children to purchase along side our usual zooper doopers and chip packets.

Pure Pops will be sold for $1 each, the same price as our zooper doopers and chips, at lunch time from Term 4 onwards.

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.

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

• Link to the online family information session
• 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

Kind  Safe  Responsible