Principal's Update
Dear Parents and Carers,
WELLBEING WEEK
Next week we will celebrate Wellbeing Week, with time set aside each day for activities that support the social and emotional wellbeing of our students. Across the week, students will explore kindness and gratitude, what bullying means and how it differs from unkind behaviour, ways to check in with and understand their emotions, and strategies they can use when feeling worried, stressed or overwhelmed. Students will also develop age appropriate stress management plans, identifying people they can turn to for help and strategies that help them feel calm and ready to learn. Most importantly, the week is about giving students time to connect, have fun and build practical skills to support their wellbeing.
Dear Lord,
We welcome this Wellbeing Week with joyful hearts.
Thank you for making each of us special, unique, and loved just as we are.
Send Your Holy Spirit to guide us this and every week.
Teach us to look after our minds, our bodies, and each other,
so we can grow in your light.
Amen.
BOOK WEEK
Next week we will also celebrate Book Week, with students enjoying a range of the nominated books and activities throughout the week. Celebrations will finish with our Book Week Parade on Friday. Families are most welcome to join us on the courts for the parade at 8:55am. We look forward to seeing everyone’s wonderful costumes! A reminder that Year 1 Abbey’s Prayer Gathering will be held on Thursday next week instead of Friday, due to our Book Week Parade taking place on Friday.
CULTURE DAY
A wonderful Culture Day was held at St Mary’s, an initiative developed and led by our Year 6 students, with the support and guidance of Maegan Potter. It was a great example of student voice in action, with students taking ownership of an idea and bringing it to life across the school. Families were invited to share and celebrate their cultures with us, and we were fortunate to learn more about Vietnam, the Philippines, Iran, Scotland and Italy. A big thank you to the families who generously shared their culture, traditions and experiences with our students.
SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
The countdown is on for our 2026 School Performance, Forward to the Past! Students have been busy rehearsing and are very excited to share their performances with families. The show will be held at Trinity College’s Jubilee Centre on Thursday 10 September, with performances at 12.15pm and 6.00pm. Stay tuned for ticketing information coming soon!
MICK VISIT
Mick popped in for a visit this week as he settles into his new role as an Educational Consultant. It was wonderful to see him back at St Mary’s, with both staff and students very happy to see him. We look forward to Mick popping in and out over the next few weeks as he continues in his new role.
SCHOOL HATS
A reminder that from 1st September, hats are required to be worn outside again. Please make sure your child’s school hat is returned to school in their bag ready for the beginning of September.
TERM 4 CLOSURE DAYS
The first two days of Term 4, Monday 5th October and Tuesday 6th October, will be School Closure Days. Staff from St Mary’s, Sacred Heart and St Brendan’s will come together for two days of professional learning and collaboration. This work forms part of the DOBCEL 2035 Strategy, with a focus on strengthening our Catholic identity and building greater collaboration across our three schools. These days will provide valuable opportunities for staff to work together, share practice and strengthen connections across year levels and school communities.
There will also be two School Closure Days in November, Monday 2nd November and Wednesday 4th November, either side of the Melbourne Cup public holiday. These will be curriculum focused days for St Mary’s staff, providing dedicated time for professional learning, planning and continued development of our teaching and learning practices.
Paula Parish, Jodie Hassett and Judy Carr
(Acting Principals)