STM NEWS | Term 3, Week 10, 2026

A heartfelt thank you to our students, families, staff and wider school community for your incredible support of the Monty the Monstar Fun Run. Friday was a joyful and vibrant celebration filled with fun, laughter and community spirit, creating many special memories for all involved.

We are delighted to share that, through the generosity and commitment of our families, we raised an outstanding $10,513 for our chosen charities. This remarkable achievement reflects the compassion, service and generosity that are at the heart of our school community. Your support will make a meaningful difference to those in need, and we are deeply grateful for every contribution.

A very special thank you to Melissa Musolino for her outstanding organisation and coordination of the Colour Fun Run, as well as the many wonderful activities throughout the day. Her dedication ensured that students experienced a fun-filled and memorable Mercy Day celebration.

While the day was filled with excitement and colour, it also provided an important opportunity for students to reflect on the true meaning of Mercy Day. We hope our students left with a deeper understanding of how they can live out our Mercy values of Respect, Compassion, Courage, Justice, Hospitality and Service in their everyday lives.

Thank you also to our staff for their enthusiasm, support and contributions in creating such a positive and meaningful experience for our students. Together, we demonstrated the power of community and the impact we can have when we work together in service of others. The success of this event is a wonderful reminder that when families, students and staff come together with a shared purpose, we can achieve great things while bringing our Mercy values to life.

The Catholic Schools Music Festival was a wonderful celebration of the musical talents of our students alongside students from across our Catholic school communities.

Throughout the year, our choir students demonstrated outstanding commitment as they learnt and refined a challenging repertoire of songs and choreography. Through regular rehearsals, practice, and perseverance, they developed their musical abilities, confidence, teamwork, and performance skills.

Last night, our students proudly showcased the results of their hard work at the Entertainment Centre. The performance was a culmination of months of dedication and effort, providing students with the opportunity to celebrate their achievements and share their talents with family, friends, and the wider community. We were incredibly proud of the enthusiasm, commitment, and professionalism displayed by all students, who represented our school with pride and excellence on stage.

Congratulations to our school choir members.

On Wednesday, our students enjoyed a fantastic PBIS celebration disco, recognising their commitment to achieving the behaviour goals they have worked so hard towards throughout the term.

Our Reception to Year 2 students danced the morning away, while our Year 3 to 6 students enjoyed their disco after. The discos were a student-choice reward, making the celebration even more meaningful as students recognised the positive choices and behaviours that led to this opportunity. It was wonderful to see so many students having fun, celebrating with friends, and showing off their dance moves in a positive and inclusive environment.

A very special thank you to Nathan Craill for providing the lighting and creating an amazing atmosphere, and to Tarah Edwards for putting together the music playlist that kept everyone on the dance floor.

The discos were a wonderful way to celebrate student achievement and acknowledge the positive behaviours that contribute to making our school such a supportive and respectful learning community. Congratulations to all students on their efforts and achievements!

Where Do I Come From?

The students of Reception D had a fantastic time on Mercy Day last week.

In the morning we attended the Liturgy and then went back to class to design our own Mercy crosses. We have been learning about the six Mercy Values of Respect, Justice, Compassion, Hospitality, Service and Courage, all year. We know how to show these Mercy Values and demonstrated our learning by designing our own Mercy crosses. The students did an amazing job and their crosses are beautiful!

As we head into Term 4, we’d like to remind families that all students are required to wear hats during outdoor activities! 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.

All families should now have received a request to confirm their enrolment intentions for 2027.

We kindly ask that all families respond to this request, particularly if your child will not be returning to our school next year. As we enter the final term of the year, we recognise that this period can bring a range of emotions for students, including excitement, curiosity and, at times, some uncertainty about what lies ahead. Change can be challenging, especially for young learners, and we remain committed to supporting all students through this transition with care, understanding and purpose.

Throughout Term 4, our focus will be on helping students remain engaged in their learning, celebrate their achievements and finish the year with confidence. For students who may require additional support to prepare for the transition to 2027, we will implement thoughtful and appropriate transition processes to ensure they feel safe, supported and ready for the year ahead.

As we begin planning for 2027 class placements, we invite families to share any information about their child that they believe may assist us in creating positive and successful learning environments.

If there is information you would like us to consider, please provide this in writing to a member of the Leadership Team. To ensure a fair and equitable process for all students, requests for specific teachers or staff members will not be considered.

While all information received will be carefully reviewed and taken into consideration, please note that we are unable to guarantee that every request or preference can be accommodated. We appreciate your understanding and support as we work to make the best possible placement decisions for all students.

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 2

• Tuesday, 20 October | Twilight Tour (Register online today!)

Week 4

• Monday 2^nd November | Children’s University Graduation (evening)

Week 6

• New Reception Transitions commence

Week 7

• Swimming Week R-2

Week 8

• Tuesday 1^st December | End of Year Mass 12pm
• Thursday 3rd December | Year 6 Graduation Dinner 6.30pm – Midway Tavern
• Friday 5^th December | End of Year Assembly 9.00am

Week 9

• Monday 7^th December | Yr 6 Graduation Liturgy and Ceremony 6pm (Last Day for Year 6’s)
• Tuesday 8^th December | Meet the Teacher (R-5)
• Wednesday 9^th December | Last Day All Students (R-5)
• Thursday 10th and Friday 11th | Pupil Free Days (please book in to OSHC if required)

Connecting with the Sunday Gospel Reading: Matthew 21:28-32

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that what matters most is not just what we say, but what we do. The first son initially refused his father’s request but later changed his mind and acted. The second son said he would help but did not follow through. Jesus teaches us that God values hearts that are open to change, growth and living out His message through our actions.

As a family, we are invited to reflect on how we can put our faith into action each day through kindness, forgiveness, honesty and service to others. God is always ready to welcome us when we choose to follow Him, even if we have made mistakes along the way.

Joining us for prayer, liturgy, and the celebration of mass.

Prayer, liturgy and the celebration of Mass are at the heart of life in a Catholic school, nurturing the spiritual growth of our students and strengthening our community in faith. Through daily prayer and shared liturgical experiences, students are invited to develop a personal relationship with God, reflect on Gospel values, and grow in compassion, gratitude and service. The celebration of Mass brings us together as one body in Christ, reminding us of the presence of Jesus in our lives and guiding us to live out our faith in meaningful ways.

Sacramental Program

As a school community, we congratulate Bryiesha and Jai on completing their Sacramental Journey through the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. We extend our sincere thanks to the Sacramental Team, Fr Santosh, and Vicar General Fr Dean Marin for co-celebrating these beautiful and significant occasions with our students and their families. We keep these students and their families in our prayers as they continue to grow in faith and deepen their relationship with God.

Living Mercy at STM

We continue to have a focus on the mercy value Service. This continues to shine through the everyday actions of our students. Each day, students look for opportunities to support one another in the classroom by working collaboratively, encouraging their peers, and sharing their gifts to help others learn and grow. In the school yard, small acts of kindness, inclusion, and friendship help create a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and cared for. Across the wider school community, students continue to embrace service through leadership roles, fundraising initiatives, outreach projects, and their commitment to making a positive difference for others. Whether through a helping hand, a kind word, or a willingness to serve those in need, our students faithfully put Mercy into action. Through their compassion, generosity, and everyday choices, they reflect the Mercy tradition and inspire others to live with open hearts in service of the common good.

Mercy Day Celebrations and Colour Fun Run

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful school families for your incredible support of this year’s Colour Fun Run. Thanks to your generosity and enthusiasm, we raised an outstanding amount of $10, 515 to support our chosen charities – Catherine House and The Adelaide Day Centre for Homeless People. Your support not only helped make the event a great success but also demonstrated the spirit of community and service that is at the heart of our Mercy tradition.

Mercy Day was filled with joy, laughter, and opportunities to come together as a school community. Throughout the day, students and staff reflected on the life and legacy of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy, whose example of compassion, hospitality, and service continues to inspire us. We enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities in the beautiful sunshine, celebrating friendship, teamwork, and the many gifts that make our community so special.

The highlight of the day was, of course, the Colour Fun Run! Students and staff embraced the occasion with excitement and enthusiasm, creating a vibrant and memorable celebration filled with colour, energy, and smiles. It was wonderful to see everyone having so much fun while also supporting such a worthy cause.

Thank you once again to our families for your generosity, encouragement, and ongoing partnership. Together, we continue to bring the Mercy values to life and make a positive difference in the lives of others.

We hope that, beyond the fun and festivities, students walked away with a deeper understanding of the purpose of Mercy Day and what it means to live out the values of respect, compassion, courage, justice, hospitality and service in their everyday lives.

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

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

Elizabeth Catholic Parish is pleased to announce that the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) programme will commence on 11 October 2026. The programme is for:

• Adults who are interested in becoming Catholic; and
• Baptised Catholics aged 14 and above who have not yet received the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation.

We will also be holding a “Come and See” information session on Sunday 27th September at St Thomas More Church at 11:30am to provide more details about the programme and to answer any questions participants may have.

If you, a family member, a staff member, or someone you know may be interested in participating, please contact the Parish Office at reception@elizabethcatholicparish.com.au.