From the Principal...

Newsletter 07 August 2026

Don’t forget to follow St Mary's on our social media platforms to keep up to date with the wonderful things happening across our school community. Our socials are a great way to see highlights of student learning, special events, celebrations, and the many achievements of our students.

A message from Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS)

Some of you may have heard recent media reports regarding school closures and the financial position of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS). I want to reassure our St Mary's community that to date, I have had no communication or conversations that would suggest St Mary's is at risk of closing.

MACS has provided the following information to share with our communities.

Currently, all Catholic schools are working through planning and budgeting activities for 2027 to ensure we are well placed to support our staff, students and school communities in the coming year. This includes looking at how we can accommodate the changes likely to flow from a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) with school staff.

We recognise the significant financial pressures many households are facing, and we are making a conscious effort to ensure these costs are not passed on through significant fee increases.

We will continue to keep our parent community informed throughout this process. As always, our focus remains on maintaining strong school communities and continuing to deliver a high-quality Catholic education for every student.

Grandparents' /Special Friends Day

Our Grandparents' Day celebration was a tremendous success, with an outstanding turnout from our school community. It was wonderful to welcome so many grandparents and special visitors into our school to share in this special occasion.

The celebration began with a beautiful Mass, and it was heartening to see the church filled with such a large number of our families. The day provided a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the invaluable role grandparents play in the lives of our children and to strengthen the intergenerational connections that enrich our community. Seeing our students proudly sharing their learning and completing a special activity with their grandparents/special friends was truly heartwarming.

Thank you to all of our grandparents and special guests for joining us, and to our staff and students for making the day so welcoming and memorable. It was a wonderful celebration of family, faith and community.

Thank you also to all our parents who contributed to the AMAZING morning tea. The spread was simply outstanding and was thoroughly enjoyed by our grandparents, families (and staff!). Special thanks to Angela, Houda, Ed, Helen, Natasha, Ogi, Kathryn for the organisation on the d

VISIT MY CLASSROOM

SAVE THE DATE! August 13th

Families are invited to visit their child’s classroom and see their amazing artwork. This term we will showcase ART

both in the classroom and around the school. Visit your child’s classroom then walk around the school to see all the wonderful art on show. Join us for a cuppa in the staffroom before you head off to start your day.

We look forward to seeing you on August 13th at 8.45am

Yarning Conference

Next term, our Year 5 students will once again have the exciting opportunity to attend Darebin Council's Yarning Conference, where they will join students from schools across Darebin to learn about and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and perspectives.

The conference provides a valuable opportunity for students to engage in meaningful conversations, listen to First Nations voices, and deepen their understanding of culture, connection and reconciliation. Through a range of interactive workshops and activities, students will be encouraged to reflect on the importance of respect, inclusion and caring for Country.

As a preliminary learning experience, our Year 5 students recently participated in a special incursion together with the Year 5 students from St Joseph's. The incursion provided an important foundation for their upcoming participation in Darebin Council's Yarning Conference.

The students travelled to St Joseph's for this incursion and were immersed in engaging activities and discussions. They began exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and perspectives, developing a deeper understanding of the significance of storytelling, connection to Country and reconciliation. Learning alongside their peers from St Joseph's was a wonderful opportunity to build new connections while sharing in this rich educational experience.

Student Reflection:

Last Friday, 31st July, the Year 5s travelled by tram to St Joseph’s in Northcote to learn about the history of Indigenous culture. We met their Year 5s in the art room and listened to two speakers, Uncle Chris and Aunty Sara.

After recess, we returned to the room to play two traditional games. Through these activities, Uncle Chris and Aunty Sara taught us about respect and shared lots of interesting information about Indigenous culture.

One of the games we played was Barangaroo, which everyone found exciting and fun. The ball we used was made from possum fur, and we learnt that possum fur is the third warmest fur in the world!

After the games, we said our goodbyes and headed back to St Mary’s. It was a fantastic experience and everyone really enjoyed it.

Rossmoyne Rummage

Preparations are well underway for our annual Rossmoyne Rummage, and we are once again seeking donations from our school community. If you have good-quality books, toys, jigsaw puzzles, board games etc, we would greatly appreciate your support.

The Rossmoyne Rummage is not only a fantastic fundraiser for St Mary's, but also a wonderful opportunity to showcase our school and strengthen our presence within the local community. Each year, the event attracts many visitors, providing an opportunity for families to experience the welcoming spirit of St Mary's and learn more about our school.

Thank you in advance for your generosity. Every donation, no matter how big or small, helps make this event a success. We encourage you to start setting aside your unwanted treasures and keep an eye out for information regarding donation drop-off times and event details.

Please see the Parents & Friends section of this newsletter for more details.

🎵 Music Programme & Annual Concert 🎵

Our music programme with Mad On Music is well underway at St Mary's, and it has been wonderful to see our students enthusiastically developing their musical talents and confidence.

All families are warmly invited to Mad on Music's Annual Music Concert on Tuesday, 1 September. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the hard work and progress of our young musicians, while cheering them on as they perform for family and friends.

If you've ever considered music lessons or singing for your child, the concert is also a great chance to see the Mad On Music programme in action and experience the many benefits it offers. See the flyer below for details.

Mad on Music Concert.pdf

Free Parent Webinar: Balancing Life & Technology

Raising children in a digital world requires more than setting screen time limits - it means helping them develop healthy, balanced relationships with technology.

Parents and carers are invited to join this free live webinar, presented by the Cyber Safety Project in partnership with Catholic Network Australia. Developed specifically for Australian Catholic education, this practical session will explore evidence-informed strategies to help children develop healthy, balanced relationships with technology.

Topics include: