Dear Families,
Since our last newsletter we have heard news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, after whom our wonderful city of Elizabeth was named. No matter our view on the Monarchy vs Republic debate, the story and impact of Queen Elizabeth II on the world is simply remarkable. To reign for so long and to be in the spotlight every day for all that time would have been simply demanding and draining. Yet she always struck me as a person of wisdom, integrity and respect, without really showing any sign of the demanding nature of her work. For the past two weeks her story has dominated the media and we have learnt so much about her that we probably didn’t know previously. One of our school’s Mercy values is that of Service and the Queen certainly lived a life of service which was clearly visible for us to admire, acknowledge and reflect upon. It raises the questions for me of ‘what service am I being called to’ and ‘how will I be remembered?’.
On Tuesday of this week we enjoyed the Science Bubble show organised by Mrs Tullio. The children had a great time observing and learning all about the science of making bubbles of different sizes. This was followed up with our Science Experiment Day on Friday. Thank you to our Year 5/6s for making this a great day for everyone.
Today the NAPLAN results for our Year 3 and Year 5 students arrived and have been sent home with the children. These tests are conducted annually for Year 3, 5 7 and 9 students across the country and provide some useful information for our students, families and teachers about student learning. Good luck to our Year 4 students who are completing the reLAT (Religious Education Literacy Assessment Test) this week.
This Monday night, 26 September, some of our senior students will sing at the Festival Theatre as a part of the annual Catholic Schools Music Festival. This is a showcase of the various music programs that happen in our South Australian Catholic Schools. Besides the 400 students on stage as a part of the Festival Choir, there are many other students doing solos or playing various musical instruments. It is an excellent show and we wish Chelsey, Deakin, Lisa, Maddie, Ruby, Teresa and Taeylor all the very best for this exciting and special occasion.
Next Wedneday we will celebrate ‘Mercy Day’. This is when we acknowledge the work and ‘charism’ of the Sisters of Mercy who founded St Mary Magdalene’s and St Thomas More Schools. They provide us with the important values of Compassion, Courage, Hospitality, Justice, Respect and Service that we hold dear and reflect upon regularly within our school.
Last week Esther Feast, our OSHC Director, accepted a new position in the south east of the state and will be taking leave from St Mary Magdalene’s School for 12 months. While sad for us it, is a great opportunity for Esther and her family and we wish them well as they make this change to country living. Jen Firth will be Acting Director during Term 4.
I would like to wish Lisa Daniele all the best as she takes some leave to travel. We welcome Charli back on to the front desk in Lisa’s absence. Lisa will be away from school for the last week of this term and the first three weeks of next term.
I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday. I hope you are able to have some quality family time together. Please remember that school resumes on Tuesday 18 October as the Monday is a Pupil Free Day due to the staff being engaged in their annual ‘Staff Reflection Day’.
Working in Partnership
Peter Mercer
Head of Campus
‘A community in which this universal charity reigns, is capable of surmounting all difficulties.’
~ Catherine McAuley
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