From the Principal 

Dear Families 

Yesterday we gathered as a whole school for Ash Wednesday as we enter the Lenten season. This is a time for self reflection, prayer and ways in which we can help and support those around us. The children and staff thoroughly enjoyed Shrove Tuesday. We thank the P&F helpers who prepared, cooked and served all of us delicious pancakes. I really enjoyed popping into the Welcome Drinks on Friday 21st February. I could hear everyone before I could see them, which sums up  a night of great fun, new and current friendships renewed and made, in our St Mary’s way. It was wonderful having some of our Prep families join us too. 

Our Preps had their first Wednesday at school yesterday, as they transition to full weeks at school. Last Friday morning we had our Prep class Mass and it was lovely having some of our families join us. Father Jerome set the challenge before Mass of how many times do we bless ourselves at Mass and the Preps were up to the challenge. After Mass Father Jerome answered many questions about himself, Jesus and our Church from the students. We are blessed to work in partnership with Father Jerome as we all (students, staff and families) deepen our relationship with Jesus. 

Our St Mary's Community 

Thank you to Mrs Perri, our Art Teacher,  involving everyone in the magnificent art display in the Flexi Space.

Division for HOLT, Swimming

We congratulate the following students for making it to the next round of Division for HOLT, swimming tomorrow. We wish them all the best.

Anna T - 50m fly & 50 m Free 

Mia H - 50 m Breast 

Samuel- 50 m Back 

Chris - 50m Free 

We also congratulate Sunday for her outstanding achievement on Friday evening. She participates in the Elwood SLSC Nippers program every year and their final meet of the season was the Junior Club Championship. In her age group, the Under 8s, compete in four events: beach flags, a 25m wade race, 100m and 250m beach sprints. She placed first for all except the flags where she came third and was the overall Junior Club Champion for the U8 girls 2025 season. We are  proud of her achievement and thank her for sharing it with us. 

Their Care - Out of School Care 

Their Care will continue to be our before and after school provider for the remainder of this year and semester one of 2026. We thank Pannya for the care she gives our students and the environment she provides.  

Year 6 Student Leadership 

Sustainability Leaders 

We congratulate Sebastian, Christina and Willem for their work with Miss Raffaele and Miss Tovey. Our community garden is green and thriving! We look forward to hearing and experiencing some of their initiatives from their Stand Up meeting this week. 

Community Leaders 

At assembly last week our Community Leaders explicitly taught us how to use a drink tap safely, how to go to the bathroom if needed and line up before the bell, to ensure we are ready to learn after recess and lunch. 

Working with our assembly hosts is always a weekly highlight

St Mary’s Promotional video 

Last Thursday we worked with Tserlin and Mark from School Presence, as we presented all that our wonderful school has to offer for perspective families. This has been the culmination of work by Mrs Borgese and we congratulate her for all that she brings to our community to help us shine. Miss Raffaele was a wonderful support and both worked hard. I received an email from Tserlin congratulating us for our amazing children, our learning spaces and our collaboration between students, staff and families. We can’t wait to see  the end product.

Staff Conference 2025  - Thursday 6th March & Friday 7th March 

Thank you for supporting our student free days today and tomorrow. These days are essential to gather as a whole staff to provide our students with the best evidence based education we can offer. 

Today our focus was on reviewing the five spheres of the MACS School Improvement Framework. The five spheres are: Education in Faith, Leadership and Management, Learning and Teaching, Student Wellbeing and Community. Tomorrow we work with a Student Well Being consultant from Southern Region MACS to support our Positive Behaviour for Learning, behaviour management approach at St Mary’s. 

P&F - Update 

Please read the P & F section for updates as they are working hard for our community. Tuesday mornings 9:00am-9:45am are now open in the P&F Community Corner for a coffee (there is now a machine) and a catch up with or without babies and/or toddlers. They are preparing for our Easter Egg raffle on the last day of Term Friday 4th April. Please read to see how you can become involved. Our raffle is always a highlight for the children.

Staff news 

Introducing Thomas Mensen who arrived recently. Mum, Dad and Thomas are doing well.

Our prayers and thoughts are with Miss Jacquie Fleming, our much loved Year 2 teacher, who sadly lost her beautiful mother Patricia recently. Miss Jacquie is most appreciative of everyone's support and care. 

Take care and wishing God's blessings and peace upon each of you. 

Mrs Cathy Ferrari