From the Principal

Lent: a time to pause, refocus and prepare

As we move through Lent and into the joy of Easter, our College community is invited to slow down and make space for reflection, prayer and purposeful action. Lent reminds us that growth – spiritual, personal and academic –often comes through small, consistent choices: showing kindness when it would be easier to walk past, persisting when learning feels challenging, and making time to listen to one another. These are the habits that shape young people of character, and they sit at the heart of who we are at St Mary’s College.

St Mary’s College Open Morning 

A wonderful example of community in action was our Open Morning on Thursday 19 March. It was a privilege to welcome prospective families and share what makes our College such a special place to learn and belong. 

I particularly want to acknowledge the leadership shown by our Junior School and Senior School students who guided tours with warmth and confidence, speaking honestly about their experience of St Mary’s College.  They were outstanding ambassadors, and their pride in the College was evident to everyone who visited.

Senior School Generations Connect Program 

Today also marked the conclusion of our Generations Connect program, an eight-week partnership between St Mary’s College students and residents at Southern Cross Care Tasmania – Rivulet Residential Care. Throughout the program, students have shown compassion, maturity and genuine curiosity as they spent time listening to stories, sharing conversation and building relationships across generations. The connections formed have been meaningful for everyone involved, and I congratulate our students on the respectful way they represented our College through this important community engagement.

Feast of the Annunciation

We also recently marked the Feast of the Annunciation with a liturgy in the Cathedral for our Junior School, followed by Mass for our Senior School alongside members of the Presentation Sisters. Celebrations such as these connect our students to the rich tradition and story of our faith, and to the women who have shaped our College’s spirit and mission across generations. It was made even more meaningful as we then celebrated Sr Barbara’s 95th birthday – an uplifting moment of gratitude, joy and shared history.

CET School Effectiveness Survey

Finally, a friendly reminder that our CET School Effectiveness Survey closes on Friday 3 April. If you haven’t already completed the survey, there is still time to share your feedback. Your voice helps inform our ongoing improvement and planning.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support and partnership as we continue to nurture a community where every student can grow and thrive.