Community Wellness
Attendance
What a fantastic term it’s been so far at St Mary’s! There’s been so much happening, and it’s been brilliant to see our learners showing up, joining in, and making the most of every opportunity.
We’ve had our Whole School Athletics Day, Learning Conversation Day where students learned all about how their brains work, Jeans for Genes Day, Masses, assemblies, the Australian Maths Competition and that’s just the start! There’s always something happening, and every single day brings new chances to learn, connect and grow.
Being at school every day really does matter. It’s where friendships are built, confidence grows, and learning comes to life. Thanks to all our families for your efforts in getting kids here each day, it makes a huge difference.
Behaviour Curriculum
There’s a really positive buzz at school at the moment. Our days feel calm, focused and full of energy, and we can see that the work we’ve done around behaviour and expectations is making a big impact.
Because our routines are strong and consistent, learners know what to expect and what’s expected of them. That’s meant smoother transitions, calmer classrooms and more time spent on learning. It’s also helping learners feel more confident and connected, which shows in the way they support each other and settle into the day.
We’ve had lots of great whole school moments this term, like assemblies and Masses, Jeans for Genes Day and Athletics. These gatherings are running so well because learners understand what we expect.
Restorative Practices
We are always learning at St. Mary’s, and that includes the adults too. In Week 5, we’re excited to again welcome Kirsty Lush from Real Schools, who will be working alongside us as we continue to grow our understanding and use of Restorative Practices.
Kirsty is a highly experienced educator and presenter, and she’ll be spending time in classrooms throughout the day, observing and connecting with staff and students. She’ll also be leading our staff meeting, giving us the chance to reflect on what’s working well and explore some new, contemporary ideas that are being used in schools across the country.
This is a great opportunity for us to build on the strong foundations already in place. Restorative Practices are already part of our daily routines and our culture, but there’s always more to learn. Having Kirsty on site means we can ask questions, refine our approach and make sure we’re using the most effective tools to support our learners.
School TV - Positive Parenting
In this edition you will find lots of short videos such as ‘Can we bully-proof children?’, ‘Do kids need constant stimulation or can they sometimes be bored?’’ and ‘What are the common mistakes parents make with young children?’. There is also a range of articles and fact sheets as further reading.
One of the specialists in this edition is Dr Michael Carr-Gregg who is one of Australia's highest profile psychologists, author, broadcaster and specialist in mental health, parenting, children and adolescents.
Overview of this edition
The mental health of today’s young people is at an all-time low. Depression, anxiety and self-harm are sadly on the rise. Unfortunately, there are more risk factors than protective factors, facing young people growing up. To parent effectively, it is simply not enough to avoid the obvious dangers like abuse, neglect and overindulgence. Parents therefore, need to arm themselves with practical skills, knowledge and strategies when it comes to raising children. Numerous studies suggest that the best-adjusted children are reared by parents who find a way to combine warmth and sensitivity with clear behavioural expectations.
School TV - Positive Parenting
Bullying No Way week of action
Next week, we’ll be taking part in Bullying No Way Week, a national initiative that helps schools like ours take action against bullying and build a culture of respect and inclusion. The theme this year is Be Bold. Be Kind. Speak Up., and it reminds us that small, everyday actions can make a big difference.
Throughout the week, we’ll be exploring what it means to stand up for others, how kindness builds stronger friendships, and why speaking up matters. Learners will create posters, take on a kindness challenge, and reflect on how our words, online and in person, can impact those around us. Our goal is to give every learner the tools and confidence to help make St Mary’s a safe and supportive place for everyone.
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Thanks to St. Mary’s ongoing commitment to supporting youth wellbeing through our partnership with SchoolTV, we would like to invite parents, carers, grandparents, educators and school leaders to attend an exclusive webinar supporting primary and secondary students.
This exclusive, one-off event is fast approaching and we’d love to see our families benefit from the insights of two of Australia’s leading experts, Susan McLean and Dr Michael Carr-Gregg.
They will share invaluable insights on how to empower young people to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.
WEBINAR: Digital Media Literacy & Safety (Part III)
DATE: Wednesday, 3 September 2025 TIME: 7:30 pm
Topics in this webinar include:
New Social Media Regulations Digital Footprint and Reputation Screen Time and Brain Development Parental Controls
**** IMPORTANT ****
This webinar will not be available to replay later.
