From the Principal 

Dear Families 

Whilst the Term has flown past and it feels unbelievable that we are finishing Term One tomorrow, so much has been achieved, experienced, learnt with lots of laughter and fun along the way.  I am well underway with enrolments for our Prep 2026 class and when I ask the families why they have chosen our school the answer is always; the community feel of the school.  As one family said “it feels like a warm country school in the city”. For these reasons St Mary’s Primary School is the unique place that it is.  Our close knit community working together to give our students the best that we can, is evident in all that we do. 

I would like to thank Jeremy, Holly and Mel and the P&F team for their tireless work in organising the Welcome Drinks at the start of Term to our amazing Easter Egg Raffle tomorrow.  If you haven't bought some tickets yet, hop into it....

The P & F’s  energy and enthusiasm is extraordinary. They are planning an exciting whole school event on Saturday 15th November please read the P&F page for more information. We also need lots of hands to help us with our St Mary's Democracy Sausage Sizzle on Saturday 3rd May, again read on for further clarification.  

It has been wonderful having Mr Millane, Miss Tovey and Miss Beciric join our team and we thank them for all that they have brought to our community this Term.

On Wednesday the 19th March the Chair of our School Advisory Council, Jacqui attended a dinner at the Catholic Leadership Centre in East Melbourne. We thank her for her work as Chair and the support she gives our St Mary’s family. 

I was lucky enough to be invited to attend the MACS annual School Advisory Council chair dinner, at the beautiful Catholic Leadership Centre, along with the other SAC chairs around the state.   We were treated to canapes whilst viewing the Creative Arts Exhibition. I was very excited to spot the incredible artwork of two of our grade 3 students, Arabella and Josh (and made sure to vote for them in the people's choice awards!). 

During dinner we heard from multiple speakers focusing on the MACS strategic vision that every student is inspired and enabled to flourish and enrich the world.  I was inspired by research that was presented from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, a longitudinal study of 17000 Australians that highlighted some significant benefits of Catholic education in securing future employment, higher wages, being more likely to work in an industry that benefits the public, higher life satisfaction, better general health and charitable donations. 

The highlight for me however, was hearing from Most Reverend Thinh Nguyen DD whose kind, funny outlook on life, as an immigrant in Australia, was a delight to hear. 

On Friday 21st March, in the rain myself, Mr Millane, Jay, Davide, Olivia, Zelie, Zoey, Anna, Isaac and Mia set off for the St Patrick’s Day MACS event with Mass celebrated in the Cathedral and then some fun in Treasury Gardens afterwards. There were many schools in attendance as well as the Archbishop, Bishops, Priests and parliamentarians. It was a lovely surprise to see Davide and Olivia in a photo next to Archbishop Comensoli bearing our school banner! 

Last Friday our youngest members of the community presented at assembly.  We thank Prep for sharing their learning with us and each speaking so confidently into the microphone. We had a special visit at assembly, baby Rosie and Ezra received a special gift to celebrate being a wonderful big brother, as well as an amazing Prep student! To see the learning in a Term and a year always astounds me and how much these minds grow in our St Mary’s learning environment. 

Our Year 6 assembly hosts Siena and Sheihka led our assembly confidently, informatively and with a bit of fun. We had to guess Miss Tovey’s two truths and a fib! 

A visit from WAFL & AFL St Kilda footy players 

Our community loved hearing about St Kilda on Thursday, especially Miss Raffaele and Mr Millane. 

Please note that there are three days to start Term 2, Tuesday 22nd April to Thursday 24th April. If you are taking an extended holiday please let your teacher or myself know by email and we can update the class roll.

Transition to Winter Uniform 

For the first three weeks of next Term the students will be able to wear full summer uniform or full winter uniform depending on the Autumn weather. The Second hand Uniform shop will be  open on Tuesday 22nd April and Tuesday 29th April 3:00 - 3:30pm from the Community Room. 

Beginning the fourth week of Term,  Monday 12th May all students are expected to be in full Winter uniform.  

Wishing each of you the best for the Lenten season and a happy Easter Sunday in a few weeks. Thank you for an action packed Term and rest up for an exciting Term 2. We congratulate our Prep families for their first Term at school and wish them routine free days and slow starting mornings for the holidays. I would like to wish the parents and carers time to put their feet up and relax but alas, you can dream of this. 

Reminding everyone  school finishes at 1pm tomorrow 

Take care and wishing God's blessings and peace upon each of you. 

Mrs Cathy Ferrari