Principal's Panorama

Dear Families of SMOTA, 

What a beautiful beginning we have had to the 2026 school year.

Across all of our classrooms there has been a calm, focused energy that speaks volumes about our students and staff. 

Routines have been quickly re-established, expectations are clear, and there is a shared commitment to learning well. 

It has been a joy to walk through each room and see students settled, engaged and proud of their work. The tone across the school reflects our shared belief that every child can flourish when they feel safe, known and supported.

Our playgrounds have also been alive with laughter and connection. There is something special about the start of a new year — friendships forming, older students stepping naturally into leadership, and younger students gaining confidence each day. The joy has been unmistakable. We are seeing our values lived out in simple but powerful ways: kindness offered, games shared, and gratitude expressed.

As a Catholic school community, we begin this year grounded in faith and hope. We pray that 2026 will be a year of growth — in learning, in friendship and in spirit — for every child entrusted to our care.

Uniform

A reminder that the new uniform is available to purchase through Alinta online.  Our young people look incredible and very proud to be all decked out and wearing a 'rich' uniform (Kayden's words).  We additionally love the pressed open collars for formal summer, that will easily transition to being able to wear a tie for our winter uniform.  

Thank you to a parent for their question regarding uniform at our recent Parent Information Night, asking about whether there is a requirement to purchase the sports pants and shorts with the logo. 

As part of our commitment to Living Well, Learning Well, our uniform plays an important role in fostering belonging, dignity and pride within our community of care. 

A vital aspect of our uniform was to keep costs down for our community.  Alinta has provided our school with high-quality garments designed for durability and consistency across the student body.  Whilst it is understood that a number of our families will choose to shop for their navy formal uniform bottoms at larger department stores (hence the decision for no logo on the formal pants and shorts), our expectation remains clear: our young people are to be in the complete new uniform by 2027. This includes the sports uniform with the logo.

A consistent, gender-neutral uniform supports equity, collegiality and shared identity. 

When students wear the uniform with pride, they demonstrate respect for themselves, for one another, and for the community to which they belong. We appreciate your support as we continue this transition and work together to strengthen our shared identity as a school.

Swimming Carnival

Last Friday...what a highlight our Swimming Carnival was. What a fantastic day! The spirit of participation, encouragement and house pride was evident from start to finish. Whether students were racing competitively, trying an event for the first time, or cheering enthusiastically from the sidelines, every child contributed to the success of the day. Events like these remind us that education is about the whole child — building resilience, teamwork, courage and joy alongside academic growth.

I would like to sincerely thank Libby for organising another great carnival, our staff for their organisation and care, our past students (Bella and George) for their help, our parent community for their support, and most importantly our students for the way they have embraced the carnival with such positivity.

Seasons for Growth

Last week, Mrs Phelps and I were blessed to be included in fully funded training spots for Seasons of Growth (SOG). The funding was provided through the Australian Government Disaster Ready Fund (DRF).  The DRF is an initiative for strengthening national resilience against natural hazards that has been running from 2023, this initiative supports projects that mitigate risks, enhance community safety, and reduce long-term recovery burdens. 

Having previously trained as a Companion in the program it was a delight to see the continuity in the main aspects of the program and to see the incredible work that Mackillop Family Services has done to further support the delivery of their incredible support programs. 

Seasons for Growth is an evidence-based program that supports 'companions' to provide a safe space for children, young people and adults to learn knowledge, skills and attitudes to understand,  respond and to practice new ways of thinking and responding to the change and loss that has occurred in their lives.

Armidale and District National Servicemen’s Association Inc Commemoration 

School Captain, Ned joined Mrs Nugent and Mrs Newberry at the annual Armidale and District National Servicemen’s Association Inc Commemoration service at the National Servicemen’s monument in Central Park Armidale on Sunday the 15th February.

The service is in remembrance of the National Servicemen (conscripts) who were killed in action during WW2 and Vietnam, who died during their service and those who have passed away since completing their military obligations as well those who served Australia, in four different schemes from 1911 to 1972.

Thank you Ned for representing the school in memory of our National Servicemen.

Blessings until next time!

Zoe Nugent

Principal