Acting Principal

Understanding the Sacred Heart of Jesus

This week, our school community celebrates the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which falls on Friday, 12 June 2026. In the Catholic Church, this significant day of devotion always takes place on the Friday following the second Sunday after Pentecost (the Friday after the Solemnity of Corpus Christi).

In the Catholic tradition, the "Sacred Heart" is a powerful symbol of God's boundless, unconditional love and compassion for all humanity. Usually depicted as a heart glowing with light, it reminds us that at the very center of our faith is a call to love others deeply, forgive generously, and offer comfort to those in need. No matter your family's faith background, this special day serves as a beautiful reminder for our entire school community to lead with kindness, empathy, and open hearts.

Living Our Values: Positive Behaviour Commendations

The message of the Sacred Heart, leading with kindness, compassion, and open hearts, is something we see come to life every day through our focus on Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL). Children are not born with inherent values or attitudes toward others; it is within the home that the foundation is built. Parents and families play a crucial role in teaching their children kindness, and we are incredibly grateful for your partnership in nurturing these traits before reinforcing them at school through our core values of Excellence, Respect, and Integrity.

In our Primary School, these positive choices are celebrated at our regular assemblies, where students proudly receive paper tickets for their efforts. In the Secondary School, teachers log these commendations online to acknowledge and celebrate students who consistently stand out for doing the right thing.

Interestingly, these expectations mirror more than just our school philosophy; they connect deeply to our broader community. Given our close connection to Puckapunyal and the Australian Defence Force, we are proud to note how closely our school values align with the unified values of the ADF: Service, Courage, Respect, Integrity, and Excellence. Whether at home, school, or in the wider world, these principles guide good decision-making and strong character.

We would like to formally acknowledge and thank the following students in each Secondary year level who have achieved the highest number of commendations so far. Thank you for actively living out the "St Mary’s Way" in your education and daily life:

• Year 7: Mia Farley & Hudson Watling 
• Year 8: Audrey Warburton & Matthew Jensen 
• Year 9: Maya McIntyre & Lukas Dougherty
• Year 10: Ruth Reilly & Hunter Watling 
• Year 11: Maya Cronk & Hamish Melville 

• Year 12: Oliver Fulton & Lara Quillinan/ Keisha Jennings 

   

Congratulations to these students and thank you to the families and students who continue to make St Mary's a respectful and excellent place to learn.

Every Day Counts: The Ripple Effect of Attendance

As the graphic below highlights, consistent school attendance is a collaborative journey that builds a foundation for success far beyond the classroom walls. When a student is here, they engage in hundreds of verbal interactions, hear and read thousands of new words, and build vital social connections that simply cannot be replicated at home. Every single day your child is at school, they are building the strong routines, academic achievements, and mental well-being that prepare them to confidently step out into the wider community.

Whether it is solving a complex problem in the classroom, collaborating on a group project, participating in sports, playing music, or simply sharing a laugh in the schoolyard, every moment at our College shapes their growth. Thank you for your continued partnership in ensuring your child is here to experience, learn, and connect through every part of the school day.

Source 

Groves, O., Lu, L., Mannes, R., Williams, L., & Kim, S. (2025). School attendance: New insights from AERO. Australian Education Research Organisation. https://www.edresearch.edu.au/summariesexplainers/explainers/school-attendance-new-insights-aero

Our College grounds have been a hive of activity this week, with various tradespeople and materials arriving as work continues on our latest projects; a full update on these exciting developments will be provided in the next edition of the Marian.

Mrs Genevieve Gordon

Acting Principal

genevieve.gordan@smseymour.catholic.edu.au