Principal

Dear Parents and Carers,

💫 Capital Works Funding

With the announcement of Stage 2 funding to extend the Monsignor Toms Science Centre and the construction of Stage 1 VCE & Senior Learning Centre to begin later this year, St Mary’s students present, and future will benefit from the new building additions to the College. A sizeable number of companies has expressed interest for the construction of Stage 1.  2025 promises to be a year of activity.

💫 Courage to Care Incursion

Recently members from the Melbourne Holocaust Museum visited St Mary’s for a Year 5 & 6 Courage to Care incursion. The program is run and led by volunteers who visits schools to promote three core principles: 

▪️ Learn: Learn about the dangers of racism, prejudice, discrimination and bullying.

▪️ Advocate: Advocate acceptance and inclusion within our society.

▪️ Transform: Transform bystander behaviour into Upstander action.

Courage to Care is about transforming bystander behaviour into ‘Upstander’ action. Our students today are the adults of tomorrow. They will shape our future society – their values will influence the world we live in.

Courage to Care state, ‘every day we’re surrounded by people of diverse faiths, cultures and beliefs. Sadly, we still see instances of discrimination, racism and hate speech throughout our communities. Living in a cohesive and peaceful society requires understanding, acceptance and inclusion'.

Year 6 teacher, Mrs Grant refection on the visit from Courage to Care:

‘On Wednesday 31st July, our Year 5 and 6 students took part in the "Courage to Care" incursion. They participated in activities, asked thoughtful questions, and listened to inspiring stories from Holocaust Survivor Speakers. The program focuses on the importance of standing up against prejudice, discrimination, and bullying, turning bystanders into upstanders. We are proud of our students for their active participation and commitment to making a positive difference. The presenters were very impressed with how respectful and engaged our students were, stating that they were "divine" and how they wanted to "package" our students up! They were also incredibly impressed with all the children's thoughtful questions and the respect shown to the speakers.’

💫 Staffing Appointment 2025

Following recent online interviews, it is pleasing to announce, Jacob Davey a teaching graduate from New Zealand has accepted a teaching position at St Mary’s as from 2025. Jacob lives at Pahiatua, a small rural town in the south-east region of the North Island. Pahiatua has a population of 2, 840. 

Jacob has life experience having worked in various workplaces before and during his university studies: Food and Hospitality; Manufacturing - Logistics/Storeman; Team Leader in a Child-Minding Centre and at a Youth Centre as a volunteer supporting young people through leading mentoring programs. Jacob studied at Massey University Palmerston North - Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Diploma Teaching & Learning Secondary. He also has a Certificate III in Youth Leadership and was a student leader in his senior school years.

Like many New Zealander’s Jacob enjoys his sport with Rugby Union (understandably) very high on the list, as a player and junior coach. We look forward to welcoming Jacob to St Mary’s when he relocates to Seymour in January 2025. 

💫 Email Communication

Our College staff value close communication and working together with parents.  At times, which is not often, emails to our staff can be inappropriate. Emails that I have no doubt that with hindsight would not have been sent to a staff member using inappropriate language or implication. 

When a student is enrolled at St Mary’s, parents agree that they will accept the Parent Code of Conduct. Employees in MACS schools are no different in that we are expected to follow a Code of Conduct. 

I am a parent of adult children, and I understand and remember when Lauren, Isaac, Beth or Molly were young and times when they came home upset over a school incident. It can be upsetting for both child and parent and parents want to know, what is the school  going to do about it.’  As difficult as it can be, it is important not jump to conclusions and allow for some time to obtain factual information from the College about an incident.

The College Wellbeing team from the premise is that it’s not the person but the behaviour that requires change. The same can be said of we adults (be it a teacher or parent), we all can have those moments that in reflection may not have been ‘our finest hour.’  What is important is that mistakes are acknowledged, and restoration takes places. If a behaviour is serious then, if need be, it requires the appropriate response. 

Incidents that require the College Behaviour Management Policy (BMP) involvement also require a process to be followed to ensure the facts are known. St Mary’s has a good and sensible BMP in place. The policy is deliberately written to be succinct and not lengthy. 

Our College Wellbeing team has done a lot of work on behaviour management and on developing positive behaviour for learning. Affirming students (and we have many) who do great things, is critical in any workplace and school.

A Behaviour Management Policy (BMP) that is restorative in nature but equally has its roots in, Tough Love – student have rights, and student have responsibilities. 

The BMP has 5 levels with each level giving examples of inappropriate behaviours; Staff involvement and responsibility; and possible/likely responses to the behaviour. 

A Positive Behavior Learning (PBL) Matrix for primary and secondary levels.

PBL practices consistent practices for classrooms.

Secondary House Mentors with siblings in the same mentor group so parents have a clear pathway of communication at St Mary’s. 

Our teachers are professional and caring. Are we perfect, of course not. If a parent raises a concern in relation to a staff member, the colleague is informed and if required a meeting is arranged, so that all the facts are known. 

Contact to and from home is so important. It informs the appropriate pastoral leader if an issue outside of the College environment is impacting a child. Communication from teacher to parent(s) is of the same importance. We value connection and positive teacher and parent relationships. 

Thankyou for understanding that it is better to ensure the facts are known rather than a knee jerk reaction. We know at St Mary’s that our pastoral care and focus positive relationships mean so much for all connected to our wonderful college community.

Best wishes

Wayne Smith

Principal

DipEd (ACU) DipREd (ACU) Bed (ACU) GradCertEdAdmin (Edith Cowan) 

GradDipREd (ACU) MEdAdmin (Charles Sturt) MTheoStudies (BBITAITE)