Principal's News

Week 3, Term 2, 2026

Congratulations to Miss Kalkbrenner!

We are so excited to share that Saskia and her partner Austin are excited to announce the arrival of their beautiful baby girl, Alice Alain on the 25th March. The family is settling in well to life as a family of three and enjoying this special time together. We all look forward to meeting baby Alice soon. 

ANZAC day march

We were proud to see many St Mary’s families, students and staff join the Hastings ANZAC Day March and Ceremony. It was a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together in remembrance and gratitude for all those who have served, and continue to serve, our country.

Thank you to everyone who represented St Mary’s with such respect and pride. Lest we forget.

AFLW Footy Clinic

On Thursday, our whole school had the exciting opportunity to take part in an AFL/W clinic with the St Kilda Football Club. Students were fully engaged as they developed their skills, teamwork and confidence through a range of fun and active drills.

It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm and participation across all year levels, with many students inspired by the experience.

A big thank you to Mrs Kirkpatrick for organising this fantastic opportunity, and to the St Kilda AFL/W team for spending the day with us and sharing their passion for the game.

Communication at St Mary’s – Working Together in Partnership

At St Mary’s, we value strong, respectful partnerships between home and school. Open communication is essential in supporting every child’s learning, wellbeing and sense of belonging. To help ensure your questions, feedback or concerns are addressed in a timely and effective way, we follow a clear and supportive communication process.

1. Classroom Teacher – Your First Point of Contact

Your child’s classroom teacher is always the best place to start. They know your child well and are best placed to support you with any questions or concerns. We encourage families to email the teacher to arrange a suitable time to speak, either in person or over the phone. Providing a brief outline of your query helps teachers prepare and ensures a more productive conversation. Please allow time for a response, as teachers are often in class during the day.

2. Additional Support – Learning or Wellbeing

If your enquiry relates to a specific area, we have dedicated leaders available to support you further:

• Learning and Teaching: For curriculum, learning progress, or additional academic support, you may contact Emma Strom (estrom@smhastings.catholic.edu.au)
• Wellbeing or Learning Diversity: For wellbeing, behavioural concerns, or support related to diagnosed needs, you can reach out to Angela Aldag or Naomi Corfield (aaldag@smhastings.catholic.edu.au or/and ncorfield@smhastings.catholic.edu.au)

These team members work closely with classroom teachers to ensure a coordinated and supportive approach for every student.

3. Principal

If you feel your concern has not been resolved, or if you would like further support, you are always welcome to contact me directly. Please know that I am kept informed of matters as they arise, and I am here to support our families. In situations involving child safety or significant wellbeing concerns, please contact me.

We are proud of the strong sense of community at St Mary’s and deeply value the trust and partnership we share with our families. By working together with openness, respect and a shared commitment to our students, we can ensure the best outcomes for every child.