From the Deputy Principal

Welcome back to Term 4

Students and staff have enjoyed a smooth start to the term as they ease back into school routines. Looking ahead, there is a great deal to achieve with a number of key events on the horizon.

There is something incredibly special about this time of the year. On the one hand, we welcome the 2025 Kindergarten students, parents and carers to the College in readiness for their transition to school. On the other hand, we gather to farewell the Year 12 students with a Graduation Mass next Thursday 31 October, followed by their final assembly on Friday 1 November. It is an opportunity to celebrate their many contributions to St Mary’s College, culminating in the Belling Out on Friday 1 November at 2.40pm.

Examinations will take centre stage for the Year 11 and 12 students, with the Music, Drama and Theatre Performance classes completing exams this week. Similarly, the Year 10 students are finishing their final assessments and will begin their exam preparation in the coming weeks. It is always a challenging and stressful time for students, but I am confident that their hard work and dedication to their studies will allow them to face examinations with confidence.

Cyber Security Awareness Month

Cyber Security Awareness Month is celebrated in October, with the 2024 theme being ‘Cyber security is everyone’s business’. It is an opportunity to talk about cyber security with your students, families, friends and colleagues, and to take the necessary action.

As we frequently read in the media, cybercrime reports are increasing, and malicious cyber activity continues to pose a risk to all of us.

There are four simple steps you can take to improve your cyber security:

• Turn on multi-factor authentication
• Keep your devices and software up to date
• Use strong and unique passwords, such as a passphrase
• Recognise and report phishing.

For additional advice and guidance, visit cyber.gov.au, or view the Cyber Security Awareness Month video here.

SchoolTV

On this note, I would once again like to remind parents and carers to access the many resources available on the SchoolTV platform. In today’s digital world, 90 per cent of a child’s socialisation occurs online. As the range of social media platforms grows, so too does the opportunity for bullying and stalking. Often, parents have no idea their young person is a victim, and children are unlikely to report it for fear of losing access to their technology, which to them, is the equivalent of 'social death'.

Teens are often unaware that their words or photos can sometimes find their way to an unexpected audience with undesirable consequences. The key is not to fear technology, but to embrace it. In this series, parents can learn how to keep their children safe from online predators.

SchoolTV cyber safety topics: 

• Online gambling and addiction
• Cyberbullying
• Managing screen time
• Digital reputation
• Online pornography 
• Internet addiction
• Sexting

Visit the link below to access the cyber safety series on the College website.

School uniform 

As we look forward to Senior School Prize Giving on Thursday 12 December, students are encouraged to check their uniforms. All students are expected to wear their formal uniforms to school, including the College blazer. Dresses and skirts are to be worn just above or at the knee. The sports uniform is to be worn only on days when students have scheduled PE lessons or other classes requiring the uniform.

In the final weeks of Term 3, students were reminded of hair and jewellery expectations. Clear consequences will be enforced for students who breach the Uniform Guidelines.

Sun hats are also to be worn at recess and lunchtime. Students will be directed to sit in the shade if they do not have a hat. I thank you for your support in reinforcing unform expectations on the home front. 

With gratitude 

Friday 25 October marks World Teachers' Day. On behalf of the College community, thank you to all teachers and learning support officers who work incredibly hard to support, guide and teach our students.