Dear Parent and Carers,

Anam Cara – ‘soul friend’

Do we have such a person in our life?

John O’Donohue the Irish poet and philosopher writes:

What is an anam cara – soul friend?

A soul friend is a solid friend. They know your sorrows and elations and insecurities and hold them tenderly. A soul friend makes you feel safe and seen in the world. They get excited with you, cry and laugh with you even about ridiculous things.

A soul friend is a whole lot of fun. Joy is important. The hallmark of a soul friend is you can be fully yourself around - and at different times in your life, this may be different people.

The common thread is that a soul friend is someone who has weathered life with you and is still there.

With your soul friend, you can share your innermost self – what you are thinking in your mind and heart. You are joined in an ancient and eternal way. This belonging awakened and fostered a deep and special companionship. You are understood as you are without mask or pretension. You can be as you really are.

May we all be blessed with Anam Cara - soul friend.

Coldplay - When I Need A Friend (Live in Jordan)

💫 Secondary Teacher Appointments 2026

We welcome to St Mary’s next year, Forest Nichols and Lachlan Rutherford moving to fulltime. And we will welcome experienced teachers Claudia Stow, (Emmaus College Burwood), Sam Hubbard (Assumption College) and Tenaya Laird Richards (Latrobe Secondary College Tasmania). In 2026 we have four long serving colleagues moving into retirement after decades of wonderful and dedicated service to St Mary’s. We have three teachers moving interstate due to Defence Force movement and three teachers on 12 months leave to travel. Teaching positions will be advertised this week.

💫 TEAM TEACH FRAMEWORK - Professional Development Day Monday 6th October

All staff on the first day of Term 4 will complete the Team Teach program. The MACS Student Engagement Team have broadened their partnership with Team Teach, which is an accredited training framework to enhance capabilities in behaviour support and promote a safe, inclusive and cohesive environment. Team Teach is a MACS wide approach being introduced in all regions of the archdiocese. Please note in your calendars that on Monday 6th October there is no school for students.

💫 Father’s Day

The annual Father’s Day Breakfast is on Friday 5th September. Two of the prizes may please Hawthorn and Geelong supporters. The College Community team have preparations in hand. The breakfast is well organised, and the College is conscious of dads needing to go to work. The P&F are running a stall for the children.

💫 Stage 1 and Stage 2

The VCE Centre will be a wonderful addition to St Mary’s present and future. The Monsignor Toms Science Centre will look very different to its current architectural space. It will also bring a new dimension to the study of the Sciences and STEM with a dedicated student 3D printing room in a building that will inspire wonder and academic achievement for our future engineers; scientists and students keen to work in the science fields. The immediate areas outside the Multi-Purpose Hall, VCE Centre and Science building will be landscaped with seating pathways and shaded areas. An outdoor volleyball court will be added near the cricket nets. Expressions of interest have been advertised for Stage 2 closing 15th September. St Mary’s is grateful for the support of MACS who have seen the need and working with the College to improve our facilities to meet contemporary educational requirements.

When Stage 1 is completed there will be an open morning for the parent and parish to walk through. The same opportunity will happen for Stage 2.

💫 Art Show

60 framed student artworks will be on display at the Old Courthouse Gallery from Friday 5th September to Tuesday 16th September. The gallery is open weekdays from 10.00am-4.00pm and weekends from 9.30am – 2.00pm. Our College Art team are keen to showcase our students’ talent and there is no better way to do so than an exhibition.

On Tuesday morning our College prayed for the Victoria Police family, the Officers who lost their lives in violent circumstances and the officer injured in the line of duty. There are many things we take for granted in our world of contrasts – coming home from school or work is one of them.

Beatitudes

Blessed are they who know their spiritual poverty,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

Matthew 5:2-9

Police Ode

Go gently this weekend

As the sun surely sets:

Dawn will see it arise,

For service, above self,

Demands its own prize.

You have fought the good fight:

Life’s race has been run,

And peace, your reward,

For eternity begun.

And we that are left,

Shall never forget,

Rest in peace friend and colleague For the sun has now set.

We will remember.

We will remember.

Hasten the dawn.

Best wishes

Wayne Smith

Principal

DipEd (ACU) DipREd (ACU) Bed (ACU) GradCertEdAdmin (Edith Cowan)

GradDipREd (ACU) MEdAdmin (Charles Sturt) MTheoStudies (BBITAITE)

Primary Learning Centre