From the Principal...
Newsletter 13 March 2026
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NAPLAN 📝
This week our students have been participating in NAPLAN testing, completing the Writing and Reading assessments.
You may have seen in the media that there were some technical issues across the system during the Year 5 Writing test, with a temporary shutdown preventing students from accessing the testing site. While situations like this can be frustrating and potentially stressful, we were incredibly proud of the way our students responded. They showed great resilience, patience, and maturity while staff worked through the situation.
The technical problem was resolved and testing has continued this week with the Writing and Reading assessments.
Next week students will complete the Language Conventions (Wednesday) and Mathematics (Thursday) tests.
It is important to remember that NAPLAN is just one form of assessment. Our teachers are continually gathering information about student learning through classroom work, observations, and a range of assessments throughout the year. This ongoing assessment gives teachers a deep understanding of each student’s strengths, progress, and areas for growth.
NAPLAN provides only a snapshot of student learning at a particular point in time, and is just one of many tools we use to support and guide student learning.
We thank our students for the positive way they have approached the testing and wish them well as they complete the remaining assessments next week. 🌟
Ride to School Day
A Message from the School Advisory Council...
We are delighted to announce that St Mary’s Thornbury will be celebrating Ride to School Day on Friday March 20! This special event encourages students and families to choose active travel, such as riding, scooting, or walking to school. Ride to School Day is all about promoting healthy habits, building confidence, reducing traffic congestion, and supporting a more sustainable environment. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our students to start the day feeling energised, independent, and proud.
To make the day even more exciting, we are thrilled to share that Northcote MP Kat Theophanous will be visiting our school to meet and greet our students, staff, and families. As our local Member for Northcote, Kat has long been an advocate for strong, vibrant community connections and accessible, sustainable transport options. Her visit is an exciting moment for our school community. It gives our students the chance to meet a local leader who is actively involved in supporting families, education, and community wellbeing. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to showcase the enthusiasm and spirit of our St Mary’s students as they participate in this healthy and environmentally friendly initiative.
The celebrations continue the following week, when St Mary’s will recognise Harmony Day, a national day dedicated to celebrating Australia’s cultural diversity. Harmony Day reminds us of the importance of inclusiveness, respect, and belonging for everyone. It’s an opportunity for our students to learn about different cultures, share their own stories, and reflect on the values that make our school a welcoming and vibrant community.
We look forward to seeing bikes, scooters, and smiles everywhere on Ride to School Day, Friday March 20, 2026. Thank you for supporting this fun, active, and meaningful event - we can’t wait to celebrate together!
Harmony Day is important because it encourages empathy, understanding, and kindness - values that sit at the heart of our mission at St Mary’s. By celebrating the many cultures within our school, we continue to build a community where every child feels seen, valued, and connected.
School Tours - Prep 2027
Michelle and I have recently commenced our school tours for Prep 2027, and it has been wonderful to begin welcoming prospective families into our school community.
If you have family members, friends, or neighbours with children who will be starting school in 2027, we warmly encourage them to come along for a personal school tour. Tours are a great opportunity to see our learning spaces, experience the atmosphere of the school, and learn more about the programs and opportunities we offer our students.
We are always proud to showcase our school and the fantastic learning that happens here every day. 🌟
If you know someone who may be interested, please encourage them to contact the school to arrange a tour. We look forward to meeting many new families over the coming months!
New School Promotional Materials
Our School Advisory Council (SAC) has been busy distributing new flyers throughout the local area to help spread the word about St Mary’s. Over the past few weeks, SAC members have been visiting local businesses and community centres to promote our school.
SAC members have also purchased 20 “Rock Posters” that will be displayed around Thornbury from 18 April for two weeks. In addition, real estate enrolment boards will be going up around the community from 15 March. —so keep an eye out for them!
A huge thank you to our SAC members for their generous support in purchasing these posters and for their commitment to raising the profile of our school and promoting the St Mary’s brand in the community. We are deeply appreciative of their ongoing support.
🎵Mad on Music🎵
We are excited to share that Mad on Music will be commencing at St Mary’s in term two.
We warmly encourage families to consider enrolling their children in this fantastic programme. Whether students are beginners or already learning an instrument, Mad on Music provides a supportive and inspiring environment to develop their musical abilities.
Mad on Music offers formal music lessons designed to help students build strong musical skills, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation of music. As part of the programme, students will work towards graded music examinations, providing clear goals and recognised achievement as they progress.
We look forward to seeing our young musicians grow in confidence and creativity through this engaging and fun program! 🎶
Colour Run Coming Soon! 🌈🏃♂️
Get ready for one of the most exciting events of the year – our St Mary’s Colour Run! This fun-filled event is a fantastic opportunity for students to be active, celebrate school spirit, and raise funds for our school.
During the run, students will make their way around a course while being showered with bright bursts of colourful powder at different stations along the way. By the end of the course, everyone will be covered in vibrant colours and big smiles!
SAVE THE DATE!!
Updated Policies
Please see the updated Student Behaviour Support Policy and Attendance Policy. The revised policies reflect our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, respectful, and supportive learning environment for all students. We encourage families to review the updated documents, which are also available on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the school.
Student Behaviour Support Policy
Attendance Policy
Please see the Parish News Section of this Newsletter...
Please take the time read some important information from our combined Parishes about the Earthcare Working Group. The article aims to help families understand how to determine whether the chocolate eggs they are purchasing are ethically sourced.
They have also attached a poster titled “A Sweet Solution,” which outlines practical steps families can take to purchase ethical chocolate.