Principals Report

This morning, we gathered as a school community to honour the incredible women in our lives with a heartfelt Mother’s Day celebration. We began with a warm and welcoming grazing platter breakfast, where families came together to share food, conversation, and laughter and had their picture taken. Following breakfast, we joined in a beautiful liturgy, where students led prayers and reflections dedicated to mothers, grandmothers, and the many women who serve as loving role models in our children’s lives. We gave thanks to God for their unwavering love, strength, and care, and we prayed that they continue to be blessed with joy, peace, and good health.   

One of the most touching moments of the day was seeing our students and the special women in their lives working together to create candles—a symbol of love, light, and guidance. This hands-on activity was not only a creative experience but also a meaningful way for children to honour the women who support them each day.

It was truly wonderful to see so many mothers, grandmothers, aunties, and special guests filling our school with warmth and gratitude. Your presence made the morning incredibly special for our students and staff alike.

On behalf of the St Mary’s community, we wish all mothers and female role models a very happy and blessed Mother’s Day this Sunday. Thank you for the countless ways you inspire, nurture, and support the children in our care.

This week, we also celebrate Catholic Education Week across the Sandhurst Diocese, a special time to recognise the rich tradition and vibrant future of Catholic education. At St Mary’s, we marked the occasion with a variety of activities that brought faith and learning to life for our students. We began the week with a Year 5/6 Leadership Day, which was a fantastic opportunity for our senior students to grow in confidence and teamwork. You can read more about this inspiring event in the Student Leadership News section.

Throughout the week, our students also:

• Participated in Sandhurst Switches Off, promoting care for our environment.
• Explored the Conclave process to understand how a new Pope is elected,
• Promoted our school for next week's visitors during Open Week and upcoming transition activities.

We encourage all families to share their experiences at St Mary’s with friends and within the wider community. Sharing our story helps to grow our school and welcome new families who are looking for a place where children thrive academically, spiritually, and socially.

Thank you to Illona, Ally and Mara who volunteered to be on video and share their experience at St Mary's. Take a look at the wonderful testimonials in the video below.

Staff Professional Learning – Term 2 Update for Families

At the beginning of Term 2, our staff engaged in three days of rich professional learning through Catholic Education Sandhurst's (CESL) initiative, led by renowned education expert Dr Jared Cooney Horvath and leading educator Ollie Lovell. This learning was designed to deepen our understanding of how students learn best and how we as teachers can create the most effective classroom environments.

Staff explored the Science of Learning—a research-based approach to teaching that focuses on how the brain learns. We examined:

• How student attention, memory, and stress impact learning.
• The importance of feedback, making learning visible, and creating a “culture of errors” where students feel safe to make mistakes and grow.
• Practical ways to help students stay engaged and process new knowledge effectively.
• The critical role of strong teacher-student relationships and how they support learning and wellbeing.

We also explored how to rehearse and refine teaching strategies using feedback and coaching—a method we’ll be putting into practice through regular professional learning meetings. I have summed up the three days into four practical elements of how this will positively impact your child. 

• Improved Learning Strategies: Teachers will be using evidence-based methods to enhance focus, memory, and understanding, tailoring lessons to how the brain actually works.

• Safe and Supportive Classrooms: By promoting a culture where errors are part of the learning process, students are encouraged to take risks, ask questions, and reflect.

• Stronger Relationships: A key part of daily practice will be emphasising the importance of knowing each student well and supporting their individual learning journeys.

• Consistent and Clear Instruction: Students will benefit from clear routines, regular feedback, and high expectations that foster confidence and growth.