YEAR 7
Starting Well
In preparation for next week, please find below all the essential information required for Year 7 families to succeed in Week 3:
Narelle Brooke - Head of Year 7 nbrooke@cns.catholic.edu.au
WEEK 2 ROUND-UP:
Year 7 students continue to impress as they settle into the school routine. This week, we came together as a cohort for the Year 7 Formation Day. This event enlightens students about the life of 'Mary' and how she guides and inspires our actions and interactions here at the College. Students also participated in a session on the 24 personal character strengths. All students were asked to identify their top 5 strengths, and I invite you to consider your child's character strengths and how these will support their learning and development at St Mary's.
WEEK 3: UNIFORM SCHEDULE & KEY INFORMATION
TEXTBOOKS:
On the first day of school, students were issued with textbooks for Mathematics and Humanities. Both resources have online or PDF versions that students can access at home when completing homework. Textbooks are a vital resource for students and must be kept in good condition by those using them. If textbooks are returned in poor condition at the end of the year, families can expect to incur the cost of replacement.
SUBJECT SPOTLIGHT - ENGLISH:
Year 7 English students are focusing on the persuasive genre this term and will perform a persuasive speech for their assessment. For this unit, we recommend practicing public speaking skills by encouraging conversations at home, focusing on fluency and clarity.
For any concerns or queries, please get in touch with our Head of English, Saripha Curro, scurro@cns.catholic.edu.au
BIG NIGHT OUT:
Week 4, Thursday, 20 February, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Year 11 Mentors will put on the annual Big Night Out for Year 7 students. Held in the HOB, students can expect an evening of socialising, dancing, and fun. Further information will be sent out via Ed Smart next week.
WELCOME MASS & MORNING TEA:
Invitations to our traditional Welcome Mass and Morning Tea were sent to all Year 7 families during the week. This special occasion marks the official welcome of our new Year 7 students and the commissioning of Senior Student Leaders for the 2025 academic year. All Year 7 families are strongly encouraged to attend this milestone event!
FOR CATERING PURPOSES, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO RSVP
YEAR 7 WELCOME EVENING:
Week 5, Thursday, 27 February, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Parents and Carers are warmly invited to join us for canapés at the Year 7 Welcome Evening. This event provides a fantastic opportunity to learn more about what lies ahead for Year 7 students in 2025. Following addresses from Principal Kerry Manders, Assistant Principal – Junior Secondary Leah McBryde, and Head of Year 7 Narelle Brooke, families will have the chance to meet their child's Pastoral Mentor and connect with other new families in our College community.
FOR CATERING PURPOSES, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO RSVP
WHOLE OF COLLEGE REMINDERS:
Ms Leah McBryde
Assistant Principal - Junior Secondary
(Years 7 to 9)
THANKS TO ALL FAMILIES
We thank all families for your support in achieving such a positive start to the school year! While the exceptionally wet weather has impacted many in our community, your understanding has been greatly appreciated. Please don't hesitate to contact our College staff with any questions or concerns regarding weather-related absences.
TIMETABLE CHANGE:
To accommodate our Welcome Mass on Wednesday morning, we have adjusted the regular timetable: students will attend their regular Wednesday periods 1 & 2 classes on Tuesday instead, with the Welcome Mass taking their place on Wednesday morning. PLEASE CHECK THE UNIFORM SCHEDULE LISTED ABOVE!
SCHOOL PHOTOS UNIFORM
School photos are fast approaching in Week 4. Families are asked to ensure students wear their best formal uniforms for this event on Monday, 17 February, and Tuesday, 18 February. Jewellery and Personal Grooming expectations must be met on the day.
LEAVING SCHOOL EARLY:
If your child needs to leave school early, please provide the office with adequate advanced notice via email, phone, parent portal or MyCE app and advise the date, time, and reason for leaving.
Students must wait at the front office to be collected by a parent/carer.
To maintain our duty of care, students are not permitted to be collected from the front of the school or Bakery car park.
THURSDAY EARLY FINISH PROCEDURE:
When students finish school on Thursday at 1:30 pm, the College Library is available for supervision to complete homework or additional schoolwork from 1:30 to 4:30 pm. Students are ONLY to be in the library or waiting at the front of the College during this time. Students who choose to depart the College during this time will not be permitted back on the College grounds (this includes visiting McDonald's or friends' homes.)
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
St Mary's Catholic College welcomes employment applications from those who share our mission to provide a stimulating and challenging curriculum and enhance students' dignity, self-esteem, and integrity.
Please follow the link to our current vacancies: St Mary's Careers
