A message from Denis

Dear Parents and Carers,

Term 1 is quickly moving along, with the halfway mark now being surpassed.  It has been a great term of learning, connecting and growing at St Mary’s.  Our new Foundation students begin their first full week of school next week, having settled in exceptionally well to our school environment.

We are bracing for the first full week of school for Zadie too, though she is continuing to love going.  Update on the puppy:  he is getting there!   He has put on 5 kg in 4 weeks, so that has been interesting.  But he is getting better with the training and learning not to bite everything and everyone in sight.

Build Update:

We have now delivered and opened our 2 grade one classrooms, much to our grade one students’ delight.  I have been touched by the beautiful thank yous from our lovely year one cohort as they enjoy their newly refurbished spaces.  The level of manners and gratitude exhibited by these students is a credit to you as families.  The classrooms are looking terrific and are yet to have their cabinets installed.  I even jumped on the tools with the wonderful Bernie Crowley our maintenance officer (a huge thank you!)  to help get the pinboards up in the room, so we could move the students in on time.  We have also moved 2B into their classroom, with only 2W remaining and hopefully ready to move in by the end of next week.

This build continues to throw up challenges, but stage 2; the Admin space, First Aid, meeting and office block will hopefully have its concrete slab installed in the next few weeks.  I am very pleased with this as being relegated to the back of the hall is starting to lose its allure!

Open Days

We have had our first Enrolment Open Day today with a great turnout of prospective enrolments.  It is always great to be able to speak to a new cohort of people about our school, our pedagogy and direction.

We received great feedback and it is looking like another year of great enrollment numbers.  If you have a child who you are looking to have begin at St Mary’s in 2026, could you please get the enrolment in ASAP.

Science of Reading with Dr Lorraine Hammond @ SMAV

On Monday St Mary’s had the pleasure of hosting 110 educators from St Mary’s, St Margaret’s, St Vincent’s and St Francis De Sales to join in a day of professional learning from Science of Reading expert Dr Lorraine Hammond.

The day was both affirming of our practice and thought provoking of how we could further improve our pedagogical approach in reading.  Dr Lorraine Hammond has had great success in implementing these approaches in Canberra, Perth and even the Kimberly where extremely challenging circumstances occur.

We look forward to reflecting and implementing more pedagogical approaches from this valuable day.

Welcome to Country - Wurundjeri Man Colin Hunter Jnr Jnr

Last week we had the pleasure of inviting Wurundjeri man Colin Hunter Jnr Jnr to undertake a Welcome to Country for the St Mary’s Community.  This was a great opportunity to connect with the Indigenous people’s culture who have walked the lands around Ascot Vale for many years.

St Columbas Foxford Innovation Building Opening

I was honoured to attend the opening of St Columbas’ 30 million dollar Innovation Hub.  The building is a world class facility with Science Labs, Makers Spaces, Photography Studio, Amphitheatre and a Commercial Teaching Kitchen amongst other great facilities.  It is an amazing facility to help encourage the young women who attend their realise their STEAM aspirations.

I was delighted to be greeted by past students who welcomed me into the school and to the ceremony.  Young women who have grown into terrific humans who I’m sure will make a positive impact on our world.

Be The Light

My example of Be The Light this week comes from the many educators who joined together on Monday to try and help their own educator lights shine brighter and better so they could be brighter and better for their students.  When we seek to improve ourselves, so we can better help others, we help our own and other’s light shine brightly.

IMPORTANT reminder and information for new parents: Pickups and Drop offs

Last week I noticed parking inspectors fining cars in our drop off area.  Please ensure you are following the signs and parking appropriately.

Stay safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected,

Denis Johnstone

Principal