Principals News

Dear Parents,

This will be the last newsletter for Term 3. The term will conclude on Friday 20th September at 1:00pm and school resumes in Term Four on Monday 7th  October at 8:45am. The coming holidays are a great time to rest and recuperate in preparation for a busy Term Four. Many of us are tired after the Winter illnesses and a rest will do students, staff and parents good. If your family will be travelling during the break, we wish you a very safe and relaxing trip.

Thank you to all of the parents for their efforts and organisation of our Father’s Day celebrations. The mums have worked tirelessly to ensure the stall was stocked with gifts, and catering for the dad’s breakfast! These events are always a highlight for the children and once again we had an excellent turn out of dads on the day. We do appreciate all the dads making the effort. We cannot underestimate the importance of these special days where our community has the chance to come together and celebrate the significant people in our children's lives. Thank you for your commitment and community spirit.

Last week was a wonderful week for the school community with two fabulous nights of the school production at St Bede’s College. I think we are all in awe of the magnificent performance the children did showing their dedication and hard work along with the tremendous commitment from the staff and parents.  Our school has so much to be proud of after the stellar performances over the two nights. I don't think I can adequately put into words just how amazing ‘Frozen’ was and how proud I am of our incredible students, staff and school community. Both nights were absolutely superb and all the children were superstars. The children looked great, sounded great and were great. After 6 months of auditions and rehearsals, the performances ran like a well-oiled machine and it was awe-inspiring to watch our students shine on stage. The performances, choreography, costumes, makeup, props, sets, lights, music/sound and program all came together to celebrate what makes St Mary’s so fabulous - our incredible students. I would like to make special mention of our main cast who have done a wonderful job. I am amazed at how they have stepped up into their roles as time has progressed and we should all be very proud of them. I think one of the most special outcomes of this entire process is the way in which students worked together.

As I said after each performance, we are very lucky to have such a talented Performing Arts teacher in Veronica Del Castillo who is such a professional in this area. The children love their time working with Veronica. She has a beautiful manner with the children and in all the time she has been working with the children she does it with a sense of calm and the children respect this.I think you saw from the performances that the children love their participation in the shows and love having their family and friends along to watch them perform.

Of course although Veronica is the director of the show she is ably assisted by many of the school community and I would like to thank all the parents and grandparents who have assisted in so many ways. Quite simply we couldn’t do it without them. The staff give so much to these types of events  and go out of their way to assist in so many ways. I would like to point out the work of Daliah McLoughney who was in charge of the costumes. Never before over many years have I seen the children look so great on stage and this was due to the work of Daliah and her helpers. 

The school production is one event we do every second year and already the Year 3s and 4s are starting to talk about 'their turn' to audition for main parts in 2026 and everyone wants to know what the next production will be. I suggest we all recover from this one before we start talking about the next one! Well done everyone!!

Recording of School Production

As corresponded to families the school production was recorded and families have the chance to purchase a copy of the show. I must say the show has been captured so well and families are still able to purchase a copy even at this stage. The link will be sent home to those families who have purchased a copy in the coming days. Please contact Renae in the office if you need further information. 

Principal Appointment Process

The process for the appointment of the new principal for St. Mary’s has commenced. The position has been advertised over the month of September.

The principal appointment panel who is discharged with this responsibility has been decided and they have met for the first time.

The panel members are:

• Father Martin Tanti (Parish Priest)
• Richard Jacques (Principal Rep – Richard is the principal of OLA Cheltenham)
• Katie Slade (School Advisory Council Parent Rep)
• Rachel Imbesi (School Advisory Council Parent Rep)
• Simon Fitzpatrick (Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Rep)

All panel members have signed confidentiality agreements. It is important as a community we respect that position of the panel members. The successful candidate will commence in Term 1 2025.

Staff Leave

Evelyn Whatmore will be on Long Service Leave for the remainder of this term as she has travelled to Europe to meet up with family and friends. We trust that Evelyn has a well deserved break with her family and friends. 

Sacrament of Confirmation

Congratulations to our Year 6s, who celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation On Saturday 30th August. The celebrant for the service, Bishop Tony Ireland, was impressed with how prepared the students were, and the manner in which the St Mary’s community acknowledged the sacredness of this occasion. Proudly supported by their families and staff, the afternoon was a beautiful celebration for our Year 6s. We sincerely thank Sam Sullivan and Max Reid for preparing the students so well, and to Bishop Tony for celebrating the Mass, supported by Father Martin. 

MACSIS Parent Survey

I remind all families that they have the opportunity to complete the MACS Survey, which was emailed out to families last week. The link was sent out using Evelyn Whatmore’s’ email address ehatmore@smhampton.catholic.edu.au. If you cannot find your email please check your junk mail. Unfortunately, at this stage, only 18 families have completed their survey. I remind parents to please complete the parent survey online by Friday 20th September. I thank those parents who have already taken the time to complete these surveys. Survey results will be reported to parents next term.

Star of the Sea 2025 Leaders

Congratulations to  Camilla Spriggs who has been elected as School Captain at Star of the Sea for 2025. I know that Camilla will be a wonderful ambassador for Star, and I’m sure, St Mary’s as a past student. Lola Martinico, was elected as Nagle House captain. Congratulations to both Camilla and Lola. 

School Fees

Despite the school making several attempts to communicate with parents who owe more than a term's school fees there are a few families where the response has been very slow. At the end of this term I have directed Renae that if the school has not heard from these families the school will engage a debt collector to sort out the payment. This will only be families who do not respond to phone calls and letters from the school. I would ask that all families make sure they are up to date with the payment of their school fees and levies. 

Footy Colours Day

Our Footy Colours day on the last day of Term Three  is always an exciting one and the children have the chance to dress up in their favourite football team’s colours. The Year 6 sports captains will be assisting with the organisation and running of the day. The timetable will be: 

8.30am - 9.30am- Coffee cart parked at the door

9.00am - 9.30am- Footy Parade (families on oval)

9.30am - 10.00am- Speaker panel (oval)

10.00am - 11.15am- Footy Day activities organised by Year 6 leaders

11.15am - 12.15pm- Sausage sizzle and lunch play - start with prep and work upwards

12.15pm-1.00pm- Classroom - pack up and tidy up of classroom

1pm- Dismissal

Summer Uniform

The children may begin to wear their summer uniform from the beginning of Term 4. During the first few weeks of Term 4, the children may wear either summer or winter uniforms until Cup Weekend, after which they are expected to wear their summer uniform. Hats are compulsory in Term Four.

Tony McMahon

Principal