YEAR 8 

 Building Strong  Connections

Clare Robertson 

Head of Year 8

crobertson1@cns.catholic.edu.au 

YEAR 8 KEY INFORMATION: WEEK 3

On Tuesday, our College celebrated the academic successes of all students from Semester 2, 2025. Sincere congratulations to the Year 8 students who received an Academic Award. These awards do not just ‘fall’ into students’ laps by happenstance, and students are to be commended on the discipline, sacrifice and hard work they have demonstrated to show excellence in their academic pursuits. 

Student Laptop Bag Reminder

The Week 3 focus for our Year 8s is on ensuring they have the correct, school-issued black laptop bag to store and transport their laptops. This is required to maintain insurance coverage and is part of the laptop lease agreement with the College. Students who have lost or damaged their laptop bags can purchase a new one from the Library for $40. 

Year 8 ‘Wellio’ lesson in Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

In Week 2, students commenced their first ‘Wellio’ lesson in SEL, delivered by their HPE teacher. Students discussed the importance of strong friendships and how positive relationships can boost wellbeing and connectedness. This aligns with the Year 8 theme of ‘Building Connections’, which will be explored in many activities across the year. Discussions around positive experiences in friendships could be a great meal-time topic with your child this week!

Year 8 Information Evening

Tuesday, 17 February 2026 (Week 4), 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm

UNIFORM SCHEDULE: WEEK B

Due to the Welcome Mass, Tuesday Week A will swap with Wednesday Week A (Periods 1 & 2 only)

Sport Information - Week 3

It has been a busy start to the 2026 sporting year at St Mary’s College. 

My name is Mrs Tanya Draheim, and I am pleased to introduce myself as the new Sports Operations Manager at the College. I am delighted to be joining the St Mary’s community and its dedicated sports team. I look forward to getting to know our students and working alongside them and our staff to provide high-quality sporting programs that support participation, skill development, and personal growth. I am committed to ensuring all students have the opportunity to develop their abilities and reach their full potential through sport. 

Students are encouraged to regularly check the noticeboard and the CollegeBulletin for information about upcoming events and important updates.  Should you or your child have any questions regarding sporting activities, trials, or events, please feel free to contact me at any time. I look forward to working closely with our families to provide a positive and rewarding sporting experience for all students. 

TCS & Peninsula Trial Information

2026 TCS Calendar 

2026 TCS Sports Calendar 

2026 Peninsula Sports Calendar 

PENINSULA PAPERWORK 

Students wishing to trial for TCS must complete the Peninsula paperwork before they can trial. This can be downloaded from the Sports Canvas page, or a printed copy can be collected from the leaflet box outside the Sports Office (near the Sports Mailbox) 

 PAPERWORK PROCESS: 

• The parent/carer must complete the Peninsula Paperwork.
• Students must return completed paperwork to the Sports Mailbox. 
• The Sports Department will seek the relevant approvals. 
• Students can collect the Peninsula Paperwork from the Sports Office at lunch on Fridays.  
• Students must take approved paperwork with them to the TCS trial (unless it is paperless nominations) .
• If the nomination is paperless, parents must submit the paperwork via the link/QR code provided.  

Please complete the Peninsula Permission/Details Booklet: 

Peninsula School Sport Permission Booklet

WHOLE-OF-COLLEGE NOTICES

Assessment Calendars

Students have been emailed a copy of the Term 1 Assessment Planners. These will also be available to parents via the Parent Portal by Week 3. 

Thursday Early Finish Procedure

Students must remain in the Library until they are collected from the College on Thursdays, with a 1:45 pm finish time, if they cannot be collected before 3:00pm. This ensures students are supervised appropriately. Students are not to leave the College and return at any time, or access other areas of the College.  

Riding to School

We ask parents to support the College in reminding their child to meet the following College expectations when riding to and from the College:

• Wear a helmet (required by law)
• Walk bike/e-scooter in and out of the College grounds using the designated bike path
• Lock bike/e-scooter in the designated bike racks (unlocked bikes/e-scooters are parked at student's risk)
• Only 1 student per bike/e-scooter 

School Photos

Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 February 2026

The Uniform Shop

The Uniform Shop will be closed on Friday, 20 February 2026. 

Welcome Mass

Wednesday, February 11 2026 | 8:30 am for a 9:00 am start

We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating the Welcome Mass.

This special occasion marks the official welcome of our new Year 7 students and the commissioning of Senior Student Leaders for the 2026 academic year.

Following Mass, invited guests are welcome to join Principal Kerry Manders,

the College Leadership Team and Staff for Morning Tea.

Please note that the Front Office will be closed from 9:00am to 10:30am for this special occasion, as all staff will be attending the Welcome Mass.

Please register via the following link: https://www.trybooking.com/DICQM

Commemoration Mass and Morning Tea

Sunday, March 8 2026, 10:00 am 

We warmly invite you to join us for St Mary's Catholic College Commemoration Mass. This special occasion marks 40 years since the commemoration of the opening of the College. Following Mass, morning tea will be provided.

Please register via the following link: https://www.trybooking.com/DIYHJ

College Key Dates

Parish Support  - Our Lady Help of Christians

Dear Parents and Carers, your children attend school within our parish boundaries, and we warmly welcome your support. You can be a volunteer and/or contribute to the parish financially (one-off or regular donations). 

Our banking details are provided below:

Earlville Parish Account

BSB: 084352 

Account number: 000004441

Reference: Surname and initials of first name(s).

Please contact the parish office if you have any questions. 

Thank you for your support, Fr. Nathan. 

COLLEGE WEBSITE - For the latest information and guidance relevant to both staff and families, please refer regularly to our St Mary's Catholic College Website.

KEY DATES - Please note that all key dates are listed in the College Calendar. This can be accessed via the MyCE Parent App and synced with your personal calendar.

 

Leah McBryde

Assistant Principal

Junior Secondary (Years 7 to 9) 

lmcbryde@cns.catholic.edu.au

On behalf of the College Leadership Team

College Leadership Team

College Pastoral Team