Principal's News
Dear SMCM Community, Wominjeka!
Welcome to the 2026 School Year!
A very warm welcome to the 2026 school year at SMCM. We extend a special welcome to our 90 Prep students and all the new families joining our school community this year. We are delighted to have you with us.
We have enjoyed a wonderful first week with our 620 students as they settle into new homegroups and routines, reconnect with friends, meet new teachers and share plenty of holiday stories. There has been a real sense of joy and optimism across the school as we begin the year together.
2026 School Theme – With Courage, We Grow
In 2026, our school community embraces the theme “With Courage, We Grow.” Building on last year’s call to Be Calm and Full of Hope, this theme reminds us that hope invites us into action. Growth often requires courage – the courage to try something new, to persist when learning feels challenging and to trust that God walks with us every step of the way.
In Scripture we hear,“Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
St Mary MacKillop lived this courage through her faith, determination and deep commitment to education and service, particularly for those most in need.
For our students, courage means having a go, learning from mistakes and building resilience. For staff and families, it means taking brave steps together, supporting one another and working in partnership so that our whole community can flourish in faith, learning and love.
As we begin the 2026 school year, we step forward with Jesus and St Mary MacKillop by our side.
The Rise Building
Over the school holidays, we completed the final stage of retrofitting our open-plan learning spaces in The Rise Building. Glass dividing walls and sliding doors have been installed to create more flexible learning environments that support students to engage in focused learning while still remaining connected and collaborative.
These improvements allow staff to adjust spaces to meet the needs of learners throughout the day, reducing noise and visual distractions while maintaining the benefits of shared learning communities. This work reflects our ongoing commitment to providing learning environments that support engagement, wellbeing and high-quality teaching and learning for all students.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Tony, Rose, Jesse (Disciples Homegroup) and their family on the sad passing of Tony's mother.
Congratulations to the following families who welcomed a new baby over the school holidays!
Congratulations to Wesley, Laura, Mikaela (Redding Homegroup) and Mathias (Marram Homegroup) on the birth of your new baby brother Mateo!
Congratulations to Michael, Millicent and Belle (Dairy Homegroup) on the birth of you new little sister Aria!
Please continue to share your family news with us so we can celebrate or acknowledge this with our community.
This week's newsletter contains a lot of important information. Please ensure you read each section so you are informed.
I look forward to another year together as we continue to grow as a strong, faith-filled learning community.
Claire
Principal
claire.pitcher@smcmeppingnth.catholic.edu.au
