From the Director of Junior School 

Dear Junior School Families,

As we come to the end of another term, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the learning experiences our students have engaged in both inside and outside of the classroom. From the curiosity sparked through classroom learning to the joy of excursions, special events and celebrations, our students have continued to grow not only in knowledge, but also in confidence and connection with each other.

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Teaching Matters Summit hosted by Catholic Education Tasmania. This conference reaffirmed for me the importance of providing our students with a supportive, structured and welcoming environment in which to learn. One of the key messages I took away was that when students feel a strong sense of belonging and connection to their school, they are better able to engage deeply in their learning.

At St Mary’s, I feel incredibly privileged to work alongside teachers, learning support officers and administrative staff who go above and beyond to place the wellbeing of our students at the heart of all they do. It is this shared commitment that creates the environment where our students can flourish academically, socially and spiritually.

I would like to thank you, our families, for your ongoing support and partnership in your child’s education. We look forward to another exciting term of learning ahead.

Uniform reminders

• Hats: Please ensure your child has an SMC hat for outdoor play next term. If a new hat is needed, these can be purchased from our uniform provider, Midford.
• Uniform guidelines (Years 3–6): As the weather warms up, we ask that students wear the correct uniform combinations. For example, the dress must be worn with short brown socks only, not with stockings. The skirt and shirt may be worn with either short brown socks or stockings.
• Blazers: Blazers are a compulsory uniform item to and from school when wearing the formal uniform.
• Sports uniform: For Years 3–6, the sports uniform should only be worn on designated PE days, in line with our uniform policy available on the school website.
• Nail colour, stickers and extensions: As we approach the holidays, please ensure students return to school with nail colour limited to nude or French tones. Acrylic nail extensions longer than a natural length will need to be filed down. No nail stickers are permitted. We appreciate your support in upholding these expectations.

Our four school values 

We are so proud of the number of students who are demonstrating our four R's – Responsibility, Respect, Resilience and connection through their Relationships – across all aspects of their learning at the College. Congratulations to the following Year 3–6 students who have achieved certificates at our past line-ups and assembly: 

Congratulations to the following Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 students who received certificates in our Early Years Assembly in Week 8 for reflecting the 4R’s inside and outside the classroom: