YEAR 8
Building Strong Connections
Clare Robertson
Head of Year 8
YEAR 8 KEY INFORMATION: WEEK 2
It was wonderful to welcome our Year 8s back to the College on Wednesday and witness their excitement for the year ahead. Congratulations to our students for wearing their uniforms with pride and serving as excellent role models for our incoming Year 7s.
Year 8 Pastoral Mentors
I would like to introduce our Year 8 Pastoral Mentors, who are the first point of contact for student wellbeing. We welcome both ongoing and new staff to the team, and are fortunate to have a wealth of experience amongst our mentors:
- 8 Cahill 1 - Mr John Cahill
- 8 Cahill 2 - Mrs Margaret Marton
- 8 Heavey 1 - Mr Brent Van Dam
- 8 Heavey 2 - Mr Joseph Morzone
- 8 Hutchinson 1 - Mrs Jenna Murrary (Monday & Friday) and Mrs Cherise Elliot (Tuesday - Thursday)
- 8 Hutchinson 2 - Mrs Carole Whitmore
- 8 Murray 1 - Mr Giovanni Penaflorida
- 8 Murray 2 - Mrs Donna Curtin
Year 8 Assembly
At our first-year level assembly, we discussed our 5 non-negotiables for a successful year. With high expectations and the right support, we can ensure our students are setting themselves up for the best possible academic outcomes and developing strong habits for the future:
- Non-negotiable #1 - Wearing the complete, correct College uniform at all times (Guiding Principle - Dignity)
- Non-negotiable #2 - Be on time (Guiding Principle - Empathy)
- Non-negotiable #3 - Respectful language and behaviour at all times (Guiding Principle - Dialogue)
- Non-negotiable #4 - Attendance (Guiding Principle - Community)
- Non-negotiable #5 - Give your best in all aspects of the College (Guiding Principle - Perseverance)
Diary Signature
This year, our students will be using their diaries every lesson to record homework and improve organisation. This is particularly pertinent as we move to a 10-day timetable. Parents are required to please sign student diaries every week, for checking on TUESDAY MORNING IN PASTORAL GROUP. Pastoral mentors will also be signing diaries every Tuesday morning. These processes will ensure consistent and ongoing use of this valuable organisational tool.
Mobile Phones and the Tuckshop
Please note that in line with the school mobile phone policy, students are not allowed to take their phones to the Tuckshop to pay for items. All payments should be made by cash or card; alternatively, orders can be placed and paid for through the My School Connect App.
Library Information
Please be advised that the Library is no longer able to loan laptop chargers to students. You must be organised and bring a fully charged device with you to school each day, along with your own charger in case you need it.
The Library will not be loaning calculators to students. It is a requirement that students have one; they are available for purchase from the Uniform Shop.
UNIFORM SCHEDULE: WEEK B
Sport Information - Week 2
Welcome to St Mary’s College Sport!
2026 will be an exciting year full of opportunities for our students. Please find below some very important information for Week 2.
TCS TRIAL DATES FOR WEEK 2:
Wednesday 4 February
BOYS & GIRLS
13-15 Years Football (Soccer)
16-19 Years Football (Soccer)
Thursday 5 February
GIRLS
13-15 Years Netball
16-19 Years Netball
PENINSULA PAPERWORK
Students wishing to trial for TCS must complete the Peninsula paperwork before they can trial. This can be downloaded from the Sports Canvas page, or a printed copy can be collected from the leaflet box outside the Sports Office (near the Sports Mailbox).
PAPERWORK PROCESS:
- Parent/carer must fill in Peninsula Paperwork
- Students must return completed paperwork to the Sports Mailbox.
- The Sports Department will seek the relevant approvals.
- Students can collect the Peninsula Paperwork from the Sports Office at lunch on Fridays.
Students must take the approved paperwork to the TCS trial.
Further information regarding all TCS & Peninsula Trials, including Calendars, will be communicated to all parents next week.
WHOLE-OF-COLLEGE NOTICES
It was wonderful to see all the students return with enthusiasm. Thank you to all families who have supported their smooth transition by preparing and adhering to uniform standards. We also welcomed new students and families into our school community, and hope you are settling in well.
It is my pleasure to introduce our school leaders below. They will be formally recognised at upcoming assemblies and our Welcome Mass.
2026 College Leaders
St Mary’s Guidance Counsellors in 2026
St Mary’s has three experienced guidance counsellors available to support students' wellbeing and mental health: Mrs Daniela Rizzato, Mrs Jana Aksamitova, and Mr Mick Oates.
The team also works closely with the school’s pastoral team, Heads of Year, Assistant Principals of the Junior and Senior schools, and the Diversity and Inclusion team to support students' learning and engagement.
Adolescence is a time of significant change for students and their families, with new horizons and challenges constantly emerging and old ways of doing and being ending. The team is passionate about helping young people grow toward adulthood and invites students and families to reach out when needed.
The team can assist students and their families in navigating these changes through counselling support, information and guidance, and referrals to external or specialist services.
Confidentiality and student safeguarding provisions apply to the guidance counselling space, and these can be discussed with a member of the team or accessed through the St Mary’s parent portal.
The team can be reached via the College switch 40 444200, through your child’s pastoral mentor, or email us directly:
jaksamitov@cns.catholic.edu.au
Welcome Mass
Wednesday, February 11 2026 | 8:30 am for a 9:00 am start
We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating the Welcome Mass.
This special occasion marks the official welcome of our new Year 7 students and the commissioning of Senior Student Leaders for the 2026 academic year.
Following Mass, invited guests are welcome to join Principal Kerry Manders,
the College Leadership Team and Staff for Morning Tea.
Please note that the front office will be closed from 9:00 am to 10:30 am for this special occasion, as all staff will be attending the Welcome Mass.
Please register via the following link: https://www.trybooking.com/DICQM
Commemoration Mass and Morning Tea
Sunday, March 8 2026, 10:00 am
We warmly invite you to join us for St Mary's Catholic College Commemoration Mass. This special occasion marks 40 years since the commemoration of the opening of the College. Following Mass, morning tea will be provided.
Please register via the following link: https://www.trybooking.com/DIYHJ
Introducing My School Connect
We are excited to introduce My School Connect, our new online provider for tuckshop and uniform ordering.
Please keep an eye on your inbox for an email from My School Connect with instructions on setting up your account.
If you have any account-related questions, please visit the My School Connect Help Desk for support.
Thank you for your support as we make this transition as smooth and positive as possible. We appreciate the trust you place in St Mary’s Catholic College, and we look forward to continuing to provide exceptional services to our school community.
COLLEGE WEBSITE - For the latest information and guidance relevant to both staff and families, please refer regularly to our St Mary's Catholic College Website.
KEY DATES - Please note that all key dates are listed in the College Calendar. This can be accessed via the MyCE Parent App and synced with your personal calendar.
Leah McBryde
Assistant Principal
Junior Secondary (Years 7 to 9)
On behalf of the College Leadership Team
College Leadership Team
College Pastoral Team
