Dear Families,

We have had another busy and productive week at St Mary’s, with our teachers engaging in Big Picture Planning. This provides our staff with an important opportunity to reflect on the learning that has taken place throughout Term 3 and look ahead to Term 4. Our teachers have been planning across all curriculum areas to ensure we finish the year strongly and provide our students with a wonderful final term of learning and growth.

Our staff and students also came together to recognise R U OK? Day, with everyone encouraged to wear a splash of yellow. Our Student Wellbeing Leaders, supported by Mrs West, did a fantastic job promoting the importance of positive conversations and encouraging our community to check in with and support one another. It was wonderful to see our students embracing the opportunity to spread kindness and strengthen connections across our school.

More than 20 St Mary’s students represented our school at Divisional Athletics this week. We were thrilled with the many outstanding results, with a special congratulations to Austin in Year 4, who won the High Jump and will now represent St Mary’s at the Regional Finals in Term 4. Mr Hertz was extremely proud of all our athletes and their efforts on the day. Perhaps even more impressive, however, was the outstanding behaviour demonstrated by our representative students. They were wonderful ambassadors for St Mary’s and should be very proud of the way they represented our school.

A reminder to all families to participate in the MACSSIS (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Improvement Survey). A link to the survey has been emailed to families. We take this feedback very seriously, as it provides valuable information that helps us identify our strengths and areas for growth and informs our planning and priorities for the next 12 months. We greatly appreciate your time and support in completing the survey.

As we approach the final week of Term 3, we are looking forward to a number of exciting activities. We will begin the week with our School Assembly, led by 1/2K, where we look forward to sharing our school news, learning and achievements with our community.

We will finish the week with our Footy Fun Day, led by our School and House Captains. The students have been working hard to prepare a memorable day of fun, physical activity and footy-themed celebrations for all St Mary’s students. We are looking forward to seeing our school community come together to finish the term on a high.

Finally, we wish Sonia a relaxing and well deserved break as she begins her Long Service Leave. We look forward to welcoming Sonia back onsite in Week 2 of the new term.

John Hein
Deputy Principal

 PUPIL FREE DAYS

Monday 2nd November - School Closure Day

Tuesday 3rd November - Public Holiday (No school)

Friday 4th December - School Closure Day



KEY SCHOOL DATES

Monday 5th October - Term 4 Commences for all students

7-9th October - Book Fair (8:30-8:45am & 3:00-3:30pm)

Sunday 11th October - Fr Michael's Farewell Mass

Friday 20th November - Colour Fun Run

Tuesday 24th November - St Mary's Sports Day

Thursday 3rd December - St Mary's Christmas Carols

Friday 11th December - Step Up Day

Tuesday 15th December - All Students 3:15pm Finish Time (End of Term)

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This week in Community News:

• Net Set Go

CHURCH BULLETIN

https://www.smaltona.catholic.edu.au/source/BULLETIN%2013-09-26%20with%20ad.pdf


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NET SET GO

The Willi Tigers NetSetGO program is a fantastic introduction to netball, designed specifically for young players (5-10 years) to learn and have fun.

Here’s a quick overview of what NetSetGO offers: 

Skill Development: Focuses on fundamental netball skills including passing, catching, and shooting. 

Fun and Inclusive: Games and activities are tailored to be enjoyable and engaging for all skill levels. 

Social Interaction: Encourages teamwork and making new friends in a supportive environment. 

Physical Fitness: Helps children develop coordination, agility, and overall fitness. 

Experienced Head Coach and Junior coaches: Sessions are run by the NetSetGO Coordinator, Naomi McCurry who is experienced in working with young players. Naomi is supported by Junior coaches, who also play netball with Willi Tigers. 

Day: Commencing Saturday 10 October for 8 weeks (No session on the Melbourne Cup weekend) 

Time: 9.30am - 10.30am 

Where: Outdoor netball courts, Bayside Secondary College, Corner Bayview Street & Kororoit Creek Road, Williamstown.

Cost: $150 - For new participants, this covers: 

• 8 NetSetGO sessions
• $99 Netball Victoria Registration Fee for NetSetGO participants (5 to 10 years) and $51 Willi Tigers Club fee 
• Participation Pack for NetSetGO-ers! 

NetSetGOer's returning from Term 3 will only pay $51.

You can register here.

If you have any questions, please email us at nsg@willitigers.com.au. 

Thank you for helping us promote the NetSetGO program.

Kind Regards,

 

Naomi McCurry

Willi Tigers NetSetGO Coordinator

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

At St. Mary’s, creating a child-safe environment is a shared responsibility. Child Safe Standard 8 focuses on ensuring that staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities for keeping children safe and are supported to recognise, respond to and prevent harm.

All staff and volunteers at our school play an important role in creating an environment where every child feels safe, respected, valued and heard. This includes:

• Understanding their responsibilities for child safety and wellbeing.
• Knowing how to identify and respond to concerns about the safety or wellbeing of a child.
• Following our school’s child safety policies, procedures and expectations.
• Maintaining professional and respectful relationships with students.
• Creating an environment where children feel comfortable speaking up and asking for help.
• Working together to ensure concerns are taken seriously and responded to appropriately.

At St. Mary’s, we regularly provide staff with opportunities to build their knowledge and confidence in child safety through training, professional learning and ongoing conversations. Our staff are expected to understand the importance of listening to children, responding to concerns and taking appropriate action when a child may be at risk of harm.

We also recognise that child safety is everyone’s responsibility. Families can support this work by talking with children about what it means to feel safe, who they can talk to when something is worrying them, and the importance of speaking up when they need help.

Together, through strong relationships, open communication and a shared commitment to child safety, we can help ensure that every child at St. Mary’s feels safe, supported and empowered to speak up.

Protecting children is everyone’s business.

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 in the canteen from Term 4 onwards.

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 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.

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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.

• 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

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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