YEAR 7

 Starting Well

Student

Narelle Brooke

Head of Year 7

nbrooke@cns.catholic.edu.au 

YEAR 7 KEY INFORMATION: WEEK 7

NAPLAN 2026 

In Weeks 7 and 8, all Year 7 students will be completing the 2026 NAPLAN assessments. They will begin on Monday with the practice test and proceed as per the schedule below.  Further information has previously been communicated with you via Ed Smart, however, kindly note the following: 

• All students require non-wireless headphones for the tests. Headphones used MUST be able to be plugged into the laptop. 
• Students who experience technical difficulties on the day will be given a device to complete the assessment with.
•  If you have concerns about your child participating in NAPLAN, please reach out to Head of Year Narelle Brooke, nbrooke@cns.catholic.edu.au or Curriculum Logistics John Cahill, jcahill@cns.catholic.edu.au .  

Organisation and Study Habits 

As we have moved into the second half of the term, now is a great time to check in on your child’s organisation and study habits. 

• Regular checking and signing of the College Diary encourages them to record homework, assessments, and important dates, keeping them on track during the upcoming assessment period.  
• Year 7 Assessment Planner: Year 7 Pastoral Mentors have been supporting students in recording their upcoming assessments in their College Diaries.
• Simple habits like packing their bag the night before and having a dedicated study space at home can significantly reduce stress and remain prepared for the school day. 
• If your child finds it challenging to keep up with their workload or needs help managing their time, their Pastoral Mentor or subject teachers are always happy to assist.  

Staff Spotlight – Guidance Counsellors 

An essential part of the St Mary's Pastoral Team are our school Guidance Counsellors. They focus on student wellbeing by fostering and promoting positive mental health practices. Guidance Counsellors can assist with study skills and time management, conflict resolution and social issues, as well as wider mental health concerns. Students and parents/carers can reach out for guidance counselling services directly, or through Pastoral Mentors and Heads of Year. 

• Michael Oates - moates@cns.catholic.edu.au  
• Jana Aksamitova -  jaksamitov@cns.catholic.edu.au  
• Daniela Rizzato - drizzato1@cns.catholic.edu.au  

UNIFORM SCHEDULE: WEEK  7

WHOLE-OF-COLLEGE NOTICES

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

School Fees and Levies - Term 1 2026

School fees and levies for Term 1 were issued on Wednesday, 18 February. The due date for payment was Wednesday, 4 March. 

If you are a fee payer and have not received your statement, please contact the Accounts Team. The Accounts Team is also available to assist families in setting up an approved payment plan for those who are unable to pay the full amount by the due date.

Thank you.

Accounts Team 

smw.accounts@cns.catholic.edu.au

Shoe Guide

At the College, students are required to adhere to the uniform and personal grooming guide. We want to support families, students, and teachers in understanding specific requirements, particularly for sports shoes. We know students are currently wearing shoes in the 'not suitable' section of the graphic below.

To provide clarity, we have listed the main shoes worn by students with their sports uniforms that require fixing and shoes must meet expectations for the start of Term 2. This provides you and your family time to make changes to comply with the uniform guideline outlined in the College Diary under Uniforms: Sport shoes - low cut, supportive, lace-up, all-purpose shoes for running with a suitable grip. Colour scheme should be discreet. Skate shoes and other flat-soled shoes are not acceptable.

The shoes shown in the graphic below are examples we frequently see; they are not the ONLY shoes not permitted. If you are unsure of the correct shoes, please send a picture or ask your child to speak with the Head of Year for clarification. Uniform infringement consequences will come into play at the commencement of Term 2. We appreciate your support in making it very clear what we expect regarding appropriate footwear at the College.

The Tuckshop

Rosies - Friends on the Street

College 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.

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.

 

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