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STM NEWS | Term 3, Week 10, 2025

Dear Families,

As Term 3 draws to a close, we reflect on a season filled with growth, achievement, and community spirit. From classroom milestones to personal triumphs, our students have embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm and resilience. Whether it was tackling new challenges in learning, participating in school events, or simply supporting one another, this term has been a testament to the vibrant culture we continue to build together.

Last weekend, we joyfully celebrated with members of our school and parish community the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist. These sacred moments mark the beginning of a lifelong journey of faith, and we hold these students and their families in our prayers as they take this important step.

The Holy Spirit is at the heart of each of these sacraments — guiding, strengthening, and nourishing us. In Baptism, we are welcomed into God’s family. In Confirmation, we are empowered to live out our faith with courage and conviction. And in the Eucharist, we are united with Christ and one another in a profound way.

As a school community, we reflect on the presence of the Holy Spirit in our own lives. May we be open to the Spirit’s guidance, especially as we approach the final term of the year. Let us walk together in faith, supporting one another and celebrating the grace that flows through these sacred rites. Come, Holy Spirit — renew us, guide us, and remain with us always.

Thank you!

Thank you for your support and care this term. Term 3 can often be quite overwhelming with many events for families outside of school as well as the changes in season which can also impact health and wellbeing. We have certainly had our fair share of illness within our community. Thank you for always letting us know when your child is absent. We look forward to starting fresh on Monday October 13th and working together in Term 4.

We hope the upcoming break offers everyone a chance to slow down, recharge, and enjoy some well-deserved rest. Whether you’re travelling, spending time with loved ones, or simply enjoying quiet moments at home, may it be a time of renewal and joy. We look forward to welcoming our students back refreshed and ready for the final chapter of the year — Term 4 promises to be full of learning, celebration, and growth.

Take care and see you soon!
Shaping our future together,
The Leadership Team

Planning for 2026

As we enter the final term of the year, we recognise that this period can bring a mix of emotions for students — excitement, curiosity, and at times, a little uncertainty about what lies ahead. Change can be challenging, especially for young learners, and we remain committed to supporting them through this transition with care and intention.

Our focus in Term 4 will be on helping students stay present, celebrate their growth, and finish the year with confidence. For those who may need additional time or support to prepare for 2026, we will ensure thoughtful and appropriate transition processes are in place.

We also understand that families naturally begin to wonder about class placements and teachers for the coming year. As we begin early planning for 2026, we look forward to engaging in meaningful conversations with you and gaining valuable insights to help guide our decisions. Thank you for the trust you place in us — we are dedicated to making choices that reflect the needs and strengths of every child.

Welcome to Our New Team Members!

We’re thrilled to introduce two wonderful additions to our school community!

Welcome Erin O’Connell to the Front Office Team! Erin brings a wealth of experience from her time working in schools, where her warmth, dedication, and genuine care for students and families have always shone through. Her calm presence and kind heart make her a perfect fit for our front office, and we know she’ll be a reassuring and friendly face for everyone who walks through our doors.

Welcome Mr Anthony Filpi, Our New Business Manager! We’re also delighted to welcome Mr Anthony Filpi, who joins us as our new Business Manager. Anthony brings strong expertise in finance and operations, along with a collaborative spirit and a deep commitment to supporting educational environments. His strategic thinking and approachable nature make him a fantastic asset to our leadership team. Families are warmly invited to reach out and connect with Anthony—he’s looking forward to getting to know our community and working together to ensure our school continues to thrive.

Please join us in giving both a very warm and heartfelt welcome!

It's a Wrap! Catholic Schools Music Festival

Our talented choir students took to the stage this Wednesday at the Convention Centre, with our friends from St Mary Magdalene’s, at the Catholic Schools Music Festival. After months of dedicated rehearsals under the expert guidance of Mrs Villano, they are ready to shine and share their voices with the wider community. A special congratulations to Angelina (SMM), who was chosen to perform a solo on both Wednesday and Thursday evening performances.

We are so proud of each and every student involved and know they will represent our schools with grace, enthusiasm, and musical excellence. Photos to come soon!

Mercy Value Cup Winners

Our Mercy Value Cup encourages students to live out our six Mercy Values of Compassion, Courage, Hospitality, Justice, Respect, and Service. Over the past fortnight, just over 1,000 Mercy Values were awarded across our four Houses – a marvellous effort by all students! Congratulations to Barry House, who came out on top with 316 Mercy Value tokens and will celebrate with a well-deserved ice cream treat. The previous fortnight’s winners, Coolock House, also achieved a similar total and enjoyed a delicious hot chocolate with marshmallows as their reward. Well done to everyone for showing our Mercy Values in action and contributing to such a wonderful community spirit.

Class Update | 1M Term Highlights

This term in 1MA, we’ve been diving deeper into our Literacy lessons through the InitiaLit program, making great progress with the Year 1 content. In Mathematics, students have been exploring patterns and skip counting, which led to some creative fun with tangram designs. We’re also continuing to build our writing skills, with a strong focus on crafting complete sentences.

 

Touch Football Carnival Highlights

We’d like to formally congratulate our Year 3 – 6 Students who participated in the Touch Football Carnival at Touch SA Headquarters on Tuesday 2nd of September. Our students did an excellent job competing in some great conditions. The day was filled with lots of games with a mixture of wins and losses. The teams played well together, achieving more cohesiveness as the day went on demonstrating fantastic sportspersonship throughout the day and enjoyed themselves immensely. All our participants did our school very proud. A big thanks to Miss Bush, Miss Trimboli and Miller also to our volunteer Renee Van Hout who helped to organise and manage teams on the day. . Our students are already looking forward to next year’s carnival.

Shaping our future together,
Cristian Morgado
Sports Coordinator

A Word from Our APRIM

Liturgical Calendar Information

In 2015, Pope Francis established the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. The season begins on September 1st and ends on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The purpose of this season of creation is a time for Christians to pray and take action to care for the Earth. It’s an ecumenical movement, meaning it brings together different Christian traditions to unite in prayer and commitment to their common home. The season aims to foster a renewed relationship with God the Creator and all creation.

Mercy Day 2025

Mercy Day celebrates the anniversary of the opening of the very first ‘House of Mercy’ in Dublin, Ireland in 1827 and is celebrated each year on September 24. As a school founded in the Mercy tradition, this celebration each year reminds us of the legacy of Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy. Each year we choose a different mercy charity to support and this year we chose Sister Janet Mead’s The Adelaide Day Centre for Homeless People. Founded in 1985, Sister Janet’s Adelaide Day Centre was created to serve those experiencing homelessness and social isolation in Adelaide. The centre was established by Sisters Janet Mead and Anne Gregory from the Sisters of Mercy, who envisioned a place of care, dignity and purpose. From its beginnings, the centre has provided food, companionship, and meaningful activities to those in need, fostering a sense of community and belonging.‍

This year we gathered as a school community for a liturgy led by our community group student leaders from year 5/6. Classes then worked in their buddy pairs to focus on activities based on our six mercy values as well as visiting the hub to add their food cans to our whole school collection. Together, our school community raised over 583 cans (…and counting) – smashing our target of 500! Well done to everyone!

Sacarament Program 2025 / 2026

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the students who have recently completed the Sacraments of Initiation program. Adrian in Yr 2 MM and Molly from 5/6 MT. This important journey—through Baptism, (Reconciliation), Confirmation, and Eucharist—marks a profound step in their spiritual growth and commitment to faith. We also thank their families who have journeyed through the program with them this year. As a school community, we celebrate their achievement and pray that the light of Christ continues to guide and strengthen them in all aspects of life.

Looking forward to 2026 | The Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist form the Sacraments of Christian Initiation. If your child is 8 years of age (or older) and you would like them to be involved in the program for 2026, please contact Melissa Musolino or Edna Dumbrell at the Elizabeth Catholic Parish.

Elizabeth Catholic Parish

Please click on the link below to access the parish bulletin to find out about events happening within the Elizabeth Catholic Parish. Bulletin – Elizabeth Catholic Parish

Religious Education in the Classroom

Year 1 Carter | In Year 1/2 students have been learning about the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. The Fruits of the Holy Spirit are qualities or virtues that grow in us when we live in harmony with God’s Spirit. They help us become more loving, kind, and faithful in our everyday lives. The fruits are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness. In Year 1 CC Blessing has reflected on some of the fruits in his writing and says:

‘Goodness is when you listen to the teacher. Kindness is when you help someone. Love is when my mum gives me a hug. Joy is when I’m playing with my friends. Patience is when I am waiting for my mum to make breakfast.’ – Blessing Year 1 CC

Year 3 Grist | I have enjoyed working with Ms Grist and the Year 3 students this term in Religion. We have been exploring the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church with a specific focus on learning more about the sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist. This week students are creating a mini booklet to share their understanding of the symbols and rituals involved in the sacraments of Confirmation and First Communion.

Sun Safety Reminder for Term 4

This is a friendly reminder for families that all students are required to wear hats during outdoor activities in Term 4 — no exceptions. Even on overcast days, UV levels can be dangerously high, and sun protection remains essential.

To support our sun safety practices:

  • Hats must be worn during recess, lunch, PE lessons, and any outdoor learning.
  • Sunscreen is readily available in classrooms and can be reapplied throughout the day.
  • We strongly encourage families to apply sunscreen at home each morning, especially on PE days or when students will be outside for extended periods.

Thank you for helping us keep our students safe and sun-smart. If your child needs a new hat or you’re unsure about our uniform guidelines, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Important Dates | Term 4

We know that Term 4 is traditionally a busy term and often flies by. Please be aware of the below dates and events that may be of importance to you and your family. For many, this may require you to book time off work if you would like to attend. For our Year 6 families, specific information for end of year events will be communicated early next term.

Week 5

  • Tuesday 11th November – Andrew Chinn Concert (2pm – 3pm). ALL WELCOME.
  • Tuesday 11th November – Children’s University Graduation (evening)

Week 7

  • Friday 28th November – STM Christmas Carols Event (6pm)

Week 8

  • Thursday 4th December – Year 6 Graduation Dinner 6.30pm – Midway Tavern
  • Friday 5th December – End of Year Assembly

Week 9

  • Monday 8th December – Yr 6 Graduation Liturgy and Ceremony 7pm (Last Day)
  • Tuesday 9th December – Meet the Teacher (R-5)
  • Wednesday 10th December – Last Day All Students (R-5)

Be sure to keep an eye on our School Calendar during the term for any updates.

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