From the Principal...

Chess Club Coming to St Mary’s

We are excited to announce that a Chess Club will commence at St Mary’s in Term 3 for students in Grades Prep to Six. This new opportunity will provide students with the chance to develop their skills, challenge their thinking and enjoy the game of chess in a supportive and engaging environment.

Chess is a wonderful activity that encourages students to develop a range of valuable skills, including problem-solving, strategic thinking, concentration, patience and decision-making. It also supports students to think ahead, consider different possibilities and learn the importance of perseverance and resilience.

Beyond the game itself, Chess Club provides an opportunity for students to connect with others, build friendships and participate in a positive and inclusive learning experience. Whether students are new to chess or already developing their skills, all levels of experience are welcome.

We look forward to seeing our students embrace this new opportunity and enjoy the many benefits that chess can bring.

Semester One Reports

As we approach the end of Semester One, our teachers are busy finalising student reports. These reports provide an important opportunity to reflect on each child’s learning growth, achievements and areas for continued development.

Throughout the semester, teachers have been gathering and analysing a wide range of evidence to build a comprehensive understanding of student progress. This includes data from formal assessments, learning tasks, work samples, anecdotal records, classroom observations and ongoing conversations with students.

By triangulating this information, teachers are able to develop a balanced and accurate picture of each student’s learning journey. Reports are not simply a reflection of one assessment or moment in time; they capture the progress students have made, the skills they have developed, and the ways they continue to grow as learners.

We thank our teachers for the care, professionalism and dedication they bring to this important process. We look forward to sharing these reflections with families and celebrating the achievements of our students across Semester One.

Reports will go live on nForma on Thursday 25th June.

Cross Country Success

Congratulations to Liam M who proudly represented St Mary’s at the Divisional Cross Country Championships last week. Despite the challenging conditions of rain, wind, cold temperatures and plenty of puddles, he showed tremendous determination and resilience.

Liam achieved an excellent ninth-place finish and has qualified for the Regional Championships – just one step away from the State Championships. This is a wonderful achievement and a testament to Liam’s athletic prowess!  We are incredibly proud of the way you represented our school and the courage and perseverance you displayed in such difficult conditions. Well done!

Winter has arrived...

With winter now upon us, we are reminded of the importance of supporting the health and wellbeing of our school community. The colder months often bring an increase in seasonal illnesses, and we ask families to be mindful of the signs of illness and help reduce the spread of infections.

If your child is unwell, the best place for them is at home where they can rest, recover and return to school when they are feeling better. Attending school while unwell can make it more difficult for children to learn and can also contribute to the spread of illness among classmates and staff.

We encourage all families to continue practising good hygiene habits, including regular handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and keeping children home when they are not well.

We appreciate your support in helping to minimise the spread of illness and ensuring our learning environments remain safe, healthy and positive places for everyone.

A reminder about our school beanies

With winter now upon us, we are reminded of the importance of keeping our students warm and comfortable throughout the colder months. School beanies are available for purchase from the school office and provide a practical way for students to stay warm while maintaining our school uniform expectations.

Wearing the official school beanie helps students feel connected to our school community, promotes a sense of pride and belonging, and ensures consistency in our uniform presentation.

I appreciate your support in ensuring our students are warm, comfortable and proudly representing our school community throughout the winter months.

Thank You to Our P&F

A very special thank you to our Parents and Friends (P&F) Committee for organising another wonderful special lunch day for our students this term.

Our Hot Dog Day was a great success, with students enjoying a delicious hot dog and a doughnut treat. These special events are always eagerly anticipated by our students and provide a wonderful opportunity to build community and create memorable experiences for our children.

We extend our sincere appreciation to all the parents who generously gave their time to prepare, organise and serve the lunches. Your enthusiasm, commitment and willingness to volunteer make these events possible and contribute so much to the life of our school.

Thank you, P&F, for everything you do to support our students and strengthen our school community.

Principal's Conference

This week I attended the North East Zone Principals’ Conference and was be away from Wednesday afternoon until Friday. The conference brings together principals from schools across the North East Zone and provides an important opportunity for collaboration and professional learning. 

This year’s conference will focus on the wellbeing of school leaders and staff, along with strategies to promote positive school cultures and thriving learning communities. I look forward to sharing the insights and ideas gained with our staff on my return.

MACSEYE...Winter wonderland holiday fun is here! 

Looking for something fun these school holidays? 

MACSEYE’s Winter Wonderland Holiday Program, held at St Anthony's Alphington, is now open for bookings!

Children can enjoy:

 A movie excursion to see Minions & Monsters

 Creative winter crafts – making their own snow globes and penguin plushies

 Snow slime and bath bomb making

 Cookie decorating

 Sports and active play including a soccer world cup challenge

 Dance parties and karaoke

Our holiday program is a great way for children to stay active, build confidence, make new friends and try something new in a safe and supportive environment.

Booking information

Below is the program outlining the full activity schedule and fees.