From the Principal 

Dear Families

I must say that all those who returned from camp yesterday would have a new appreciation for their family, home cooking and their own bed!  We are so proud of our Year 3 and 4 students as they embraced all the opportunities that the Anglesea YMCA Camp presented.  I often wish families could see their children participating on camp, I know they would be amazed.  It starts from carrying luggage off the bus and into their cabins, moving in and preparing for the camp introduction.  Having a go with the challenge of choice activities such as the giant swing, riding mountain bikes, skateboarding, archery, orienteering and much more.  In the weeks ahead we will hear more about camp, but each one should be so proud of what they achieved. 

Our St Mary’s Primary School tradition of staff receiving a camp care pack, is so wonderful and this thank you from the families is much appreciated.  Taking children on camp is an enormous responsibility and we thank Mrs Maureen McDonald for leading our camp and the organisation involved.  Thank you to Miss McGuinness for supporting this organisation and being in charge of first aid.  Thank you to Mrs Abiad and Mrs Botwood, our Learning Support Officers who go above and beyond to support the students in their care.  We are so fortunate to have these staff members who do the quiet, incidental, behind the scenes support that ensures each student can participate on camp and feel comfortable doing so.  

Como House Excursion 

On Tuesday our students from Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 visited Como House and explored the surrounding gardens.  The students were involved in many activities to support their history Inquiry Unit, this Term.  We look forward to hearing more about their amazing day. Thank you to Miss Jacquie for organising this excursion, supported by Mrs Borgese, Miss Raffaele and Ms Katherine. 

M Cubed - Marvellous Magnificent Minds - Sustainability Agenda 

We congratulate Mia, Olivia, Isaac, Samuel and Jay for attending this day at St Bede’s College and thank Mrs Catherine Le Hunt, our Maths Leader, for the opportunity.  I have a very interesting creation in my office and we look forward to learning about its design and purpose at assembly next Friday. 

Prospective Parents Information Evening 2026/2027 

Last Tuesday new families from our local Kinders and Early Learning Centre's had the opportunity to attend a highly informative evening.  Thank you to Mrs Daniela Borgese for sharing a St Mary’s Prep experience with the families and how to prepare their child for school.  Thank you to Mrs Angela Mason and Mr Anthony Speranza for attending the evening and sharing their areas of expertise with the families as well.  The families then had the opportunity for a school tour.  We look forward to many of these families joining our school community in the next few years. 

Movie Night 

Thank you to Charmaine and Liz with the support of Katie, Cath, Trinity, Kasia, Hannah and Anoushka for last Thursday’s Movie Night.  The children had a ball!  Thank you also to the staff who attended in the various ‘movie theatres’ across the school; Mrs Daniela Borghese, Miss Naomi Raffael, Miss Jacquie, Mrs Rosemary Perri and Mr Anthony Speranza. 

Reading is Magic

Book Week and the Book Fair lived up to all expectations and more, and was enjoyed by all.  Thank you to our Literacy Leaders; Mrs Angela Mason and Mrs Daniela Borgese for leading a week full of activities, culminating in the student led Curriculum Leader’s Book Week Parade. Thanks to Tim, Huy, Lolita and Anna.  Thank you to many of you for your generosity in purchasing books from the Book Fair, which allows Ms Katherine Reade to purchase books for our library.  We congratulate Katherine for organising the Book Fair this year. 

Year 6 Sacrament of Confirmation

Last Sunday many of our Year 6 students made their Sacrament of Confirmation at the 10:30 am Mass, celebrated by Bishop Tony Ireland.  We congratulate each of them.  It is always a pleasure to be working with Bishop Tony and the rapport he builds with the students.  He spoke about choice and commitment and how important commitment was to our lives and our well being.  Commitment to our faith is central to us all within the St Mary’s school and parish community. 

Father’s Day/Special Friend’s Day Breakfast and Mass - Friday 30th August 

We look forward to seeing you all bright and early, at our Parents and Friends led breakfast tomorrow morning, followed by 9:15am Mass afterwards.  We thank these men in our lives and acknowledge the important role that they play. 

The Arts Show starting Monday 9th September 

Please mark this important week in your calendar.  We are really excited about celebrating the Arts at St Mary’s Primary School and sharing our creativity and many talents with our community.  Prepare to be amazed! 

Bianca Loiacono @ _bspace continues to work on our gardening project. It looks so good.

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

Mrs Cathy Ferrari