Principal's Panorama

Dear Families of SMOTA, 

Welcome to Week 4 Term 4.  Thank you to Libby and the wonderful team of SHA who ensured that St Mary of the Angels continued its focus on wellbeing and learning during my leave.

We have incredible skilled helpful adults who call SMOTA home.  All of our educators work to support our school community to serve the good of all.

Defending, promoting and implementing human dignity, solidarity and subsidiarity. 

Working together through our parent feedback nights, so that all of us as a school community are able to 'remove' the blinkers so that we are all working towards being on the same page.

Thank you to the School Advisory Council and to the parents who attended our final session for 2025 last Tuesday. 

Our ES1 and S1 night (Taco 'bout it)  was another great opportunity to hear what has been occurring for our school community through the lens of our ES1 and S1 families.. and although there are always learnings, it was wonderful to have really positive feedback. 

To hear that what 'we' are doing as a school is on track and to hear how parents are looking forward to building a supportive 'community' culture was eye opening.

“You can’t change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails to always reach your destination” – Jimmy Dean

Celebrating Our Amazing Teachers!

On Friday 31st October 2025, we proudly celebrated World Teachers’ Day, taking the time to recognise the dedication, passion, and tireless work of our incredible educators. Our teachers inspire curiosity, nurture growth, and go above and beyond every day to support our students—inside and outside the classroom. From early mornings to late evenings, lesson planning to one-on-one guidance, their impact is felt in every corner of our school.

Thank you to all our teachers for your unwavering commitment and for shaping the minds, hearts, and futures of our students!

Thank you to the Admin and Leadership Team for putting together a morning tea for our educators and to Marni Turner, Jo Cruickshank and Wendy Warner for their beautiful contribution of coffee and cake!!! A lovely and unexpected gesture.

School Advisory Council

As previously advertised, we are inviting parents to join our School Advisory Council! The advisory council plays an important role in supporting the leadership of our school by providing advice, sharing ideas, and helping strengthen the partnership between home, school, and parish. It’s a great way to have a voice in our school community and contribute to the continued growth and success of our students. If you’re interested in joining or would like to know more, please contact the school office.

Real Talk

On Wednesday 29th October 2025, our Stage 2 and Stage 3 students participated in the Real Talk program, an engaging initiative designed to promote respectful relationships, positive communication, and personal wellbeing. Through interactive sessions and discussions, students explored important topics such as empathy, decision-making, and resilience. It was inspiring to see our students actively engaging, sharing their thoughts, and building skills that will help them navigate everyday challenges with confidence and respect.

Have a look at out UNE Discovery day in 'The Learning Zone'.. it was a great day and thank you to our Parents and Friends for some contribution to the cost of the day!

I hope you all have a gentle week and tackle the next fortnight with gusto, kindness and compassion... only 52 days until Christmas.

Until next time,

Zoe

Principal