Principal's News

Dear Parents,

This week is set to be a wonderful week at St Mary’s with our Book Week celebrations. The theme for 2023 is Read, Grow, Inspire which are wonderful things to focus on through the lens of literature. It is a time to celebrate books, authors and illustrators. Book Week is a time to highlight the importance of reading every day and the amazing learning we all celebrate through reading books.

Our day on Friday will commence on the basketball court for the red carpet walk and then students will engage in Book Week activities. At 2.30pm, the Disco will commence in the hall and I am sure students will have a great day all round. A reminder that treat bags can be purchased for $5.00. Parents are most welcome to come along at 3.30pm to have a dance and join in. The disco will finish at 4pm.

There is so much to celebrate in our wonderful school and together we partner to ensure the highest of standards and conditions for every student. We have so many students who present every day with their best selves in the way they dress in their uniform, speak to each other and generally use a kind heart.

This Tuesday, the Mini Vinnies' students and parents, along with Mini Vinnies from the other two Parish schools, are gathering at Padua College, Tyabb for a community cook up led by our wonderful chef, Matt DeMarte. The food will be distributed to the three schools for use in our communities.

We are continuously striving to be the best we can be at St Mary’s and follow in the footsteps of Jesus in our daily lives and actions. This includes the way we wear our uniform, and the way we show respect to ourselves, others and our beautiful school environment. 

We will not tolerate students showing disrespect, swearing, putting others down, being physical and not wearing the correct uniform. At present, we are focusing on the damaging effects of put downs, both in person and on line. Put downs have a profound impact on the mental health of others and we have a zero tolerance to put downs in our school. 

The faith and wellbeing focus this week is about being resilient and standing up against any actions that are not in line with our school values. We are asking our students to focus on living with a kind heart and to live with our three actions of being respectful, compassionate and inspiring. Please read the slideshow and speak to your child about how they can make a positive difference each day.

I urge parents to be diligent in supervising their children online and to keep standing strong against allowing their children to be on social media platforms that are not recommended until the age of 13. There are so many damaging effects occurring for our students who are on TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat and are being adversely affected by inappropriate comments and actions from others. This is having a profound impact on their relationships with friends at school and their mental health.

Yours in Partnership,

Gab