Principal News
Dear Parents & Friends,
Thank you for taking the time to read this weeks newsletter.
What a beautiful evening of faith and community we shared at last night’s Sacrament of Confirmation. Our students represented the school with great pride, reverence, and a deep sense of commitment. We are incredibly fortunate to have Father Martin guiding our school in faith, and thanks to Bishop Tony Ireland for leading such an inclusive and uplifting celebration. A special thank you goes to Veronica del Castillo, Sam Sullivan, Michelle Perpina, Ev Whatmore, and Dan for the immense effort and dedication you put into preparing for this significant occasion.
Last week, I had the privilege of attending the South Central Principals Conference in the Kimberley. We explored faith, culture, and community through an Indigenous lens, spending time in local communities and schools. We visited Holy Rosary in Derby and Sacred Heart in Beagle Bay. While the landscapes and settings were unique, I was struck by the shared focus on vibrant learning environments and student wellbeing - something we also value at St Mary's. A standout moment was attending Mass in Beagle Bay’s historic Mother of Pearl Church, where Elder Mena Stemm shared powerful memories of her time at the Catholic Mission. Her story deeply moved us. The conference was also a great opportunity to connect with other passionate principals, sharing ideas and building a strong support network.
Thank you to Ev Whatmore with the support of all staff for leading the school in my absence.
SchoolTV Launch (Wellbeing)
Our school has partnered with SchoolTV – a trusted resource that prioritises student mental health and wellbeing. Because parenting doesn’t come with instructions, SchoolTV is now accessible through our school to help you navigate some of the more complex issues young people face. It provides practical strategies and trusted guidance to support your child.
Parenting is a learning journey, and with a little help from SchoolTV, you can engage in meaningful conversations with your child on topics that may sometimes feel awkward or difficult to address.
SchoolTV covers a vast range of topics, each featuring interviews with leading global experts and a carefully curated selection of resources from key organisations.
We encourage you to explore and utilise this platform, as it serves as a valuable tool in building relationships, fostering connections, and deepening understanding. By breaking down barriers, it helps pave the way towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people.
To stay informed about the latest topics, we also recommend signing up for ‘Get Alerts’. This feature ensures you receive updates as new content becomes available, and you can easily register through the link provided within each topic.
Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in shaping a young person’s life, and SchoolTV is here to support you in nurturing confident and informed parenting.
A Special Report: Wellbeing Barometer Survey - 2025
The Wellbeing Barometer survey is an invaluable tool for schools, providing critical insights into the mental health and wellbeing of young people. This annual survey identifies areas of concern, highlights resilience and adaptability in students, and emphasises the importance of preventative strategies to promote positive outcomes.
Participation in this survey is strongly encouraged, as it offers a comprehensive view of students' experiences, challenges, and achievements.
By capturing a detailed understanding of young people's experiences, the survey supports a tailored approach to enhancing their mental, emotional, and social wellbeing. It helps to identify strengths and areas for improvement, as well as pinpoint opportunities for early intervention.
The survey is part of an ongoing longitudinal study, and we encourage you to take a few moments to complete the survey for each of your children. Responses remain anonymous and should be based on your observations over the last 12 months. By working together, we can reduce the long-term impact of mental illness and make a meaningful difference to the lives of our young people for a brighter future.
We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Please take the time to complete our wellbeing survey to help us target the needs of our students and families:
https://smhampton.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-wellbeing-barometer-2025-au
St. Mary's Casino Royale P&F Event
Join us on Saturday 26th July, 7:00–11:30 PM at the Hampton Rovers Clubhouse for a night of glamour, entertainment, and community spirit. Tickets are $105 and include casino-style games (with fun chips), drinks, canapés, a DJ, photo booth, and exciting live and silent auctions.
This signature event supports our 2025 School Fundraising Goal and is a wonderful way to connect with friends old and new.
DONATIONS NEEDED
We’re also calling on each year group to help source auction items—ranging from smaller gifts to major experience packages—to ensure the night is a great success.
Head over to the P&F page of the newsletter for more details.
St Mary's Playgroup
A reminder that the St Mary’s Playgroup runs every Friday from 9:00am to 10:30am. Last week, we were thrilled to welcome over 10 families, all of whom spoke so positively about the program and the warm, welcoming atmosphere of our school.
A big thank you to Georgie Benvenuto for running the playgroup so beautifully — your care and creativity help make it such a special experience for our youngest learners and their families.
School Closure Days
A reminder that the school will be closed next Thursday 5th and Friday 6th June. During these days, staff will be participating in professional learning sessions led by Glen Pearsall. Glen is highly regarded for his work in positive behaviour, feedback and questioning, differentiation, coaching and leadership, and reducing teacher workload. We are fortunate to have him working with our team. Staff will also take part in a range of wellbeing activities.
MACSEYE will be operating their service as usual on both days.
Parent Teacher Interviews
Information about how to book a time for Parent Teacher Interviews will be sent out next week. Please note that on interview days, students will remain at school until 3:15pm as normal.
If you have an interview scheduled before 3:15pm, you’re welcome to collect your child from the school hall following your meeting.
Parent Teacher Interviews are a valuable opportunity to discuss your child’s progress, review their formal school report, and explore how we can continue to work together to support their learning for the remainder of the year.
Staff Farewells & Thank yous!
We extend our best wishes to Ally Mullany, who is beginning parental leave as she prepares to welcome her second child.
Next week, we also farewell Vanessa Gooden, who will be starting her parental leave to welcome her second child as well.
We are excited for both families and look forward to meeting the newest members of the St Mary’s community. We can’t wait to welcome Ally and Vanessa back in 2026!
We also thank Aoibhinn McGoldrick for her work in Year 3 whilst Fergal has been away for his brothers wedding in Ireland. Mr Mc Geough returns next week. We wish Aoibhinn all the best and we are sure we will see her about St Mary's again soon!
Assembly Schedule
We’re looking forward to another wonderful round of school assemblies, and we’d love to see you there! Our assemblies are always well attended by parents and friends!
Assemblies are held at 2:30pm on Wednesdays in the school hall. Here are the upcoming dates:
- Wednesday 4 June – Year 2
- Wednesday 11 June – Year 1
- Wednesday 18 June – Prep
- Wednesday 25 June – Year 6
- Wednesday 2 July – General Assembly
We hope you can join us to celebrate the achievements and talents of our students!
Skills & Expertise Needed
We’re reaching out to our wonderful school community as we look to complete some small but meaningful improvement projects around the school. These are weekend-style jobs - perfect for a few hours of your time and talent!
If you have skills in carpentry, painting, interior design, or any other handy expertise, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re a professional or a passionate DIYer, your help could make a big difference to our learning environment.
If you're keen to lend a hand, please get in touch with me - principal@smhampton.catholic.edu.au
Thanks
Steele