Acting Principal

Dear St Mary’s College Community, 

As we draw near to the end of Term 3, time is certainly moving quickly! It has been another vibrant and rewarding stretch of the school year filled with learning, connection, and community spirit. 

Celebrating Our Dads and Father Figures 

It was wonderful to see our quadrangle bustling this morning as dads, grandparents, and special father figures gathered together to enjoy a delicious BBQ breakfast. This morning provided a wonderful opportunity to recognise and celebrate the important role dads and father figures play in the lives of our children. Dads really do matter. Children need fathers, just as they need mothers, to love them, take an interest in them, listen to them, and respond to their needs. These everyday moments help children feel valued, understood, and secure. As children grow, they often look to their dads in different ways, first as a safe haven, then as a hero, a playmate, a teacher, and an important role model for how to navigate the world. 

To all the dads, grandfathers, and father figures in our school community, thank you for the love, time, encouragement, and example you give your children, our students. We hope you enjoyed this special morning together, and most importantly, enjoyed the precious time with your kids. Happy Father’s Day!  

Book Week Story Trail 

This morning, I also had the pleasure of joining our VM & Ignite students as they conducted the Book Week Story Trail. It was a joy to see our Foundation to Year 2 students captivated by the delivery of picture storybooks presented by our senior students. Our seniors went to a lot of trouble to ensure their presentations were engaging, complete with props, costumes, a dancing giraffe, and even a special appearance from Spider-Man! Witnessing these meaningful cross-age interactions across St Mary's College was a true highlight of my week. 

MACSSIS School Improvement Survey (Win $100 Off School Fees) 

Families should have received an email regarding the MACSSIS school improvement survey. MACSSIS is an annual process where schools listen to the thoughts and feelings of students, families, and staff to help guide how our school can continue to grow. This survey informs ongoing improvements across the Archdiocese of Melbourne, helping us identify both our core strengths and key areas for development. 

At St Mary's, we strongly believe in encouraging families to have a voice in shaping our future. 

Survey Dates: Open online now through to Friday, 18 September 2026. 

Instructions: The survey can only be completed once per family. 

Incentive: Complete the survey by Friday, 18 September for a chance to win $100 off your school fees (one lucky family will be drawn). 

How to Enter: Take a screenshot of the survey’s final closing screen and email the photo to genevieve.gordon@smseymour.catholic.edu.au to enter the draw. 

School Fees & 2027 Enrolments 

The diverse programs offered by our College rely heavily on curriculum levies to fund student activities and operational costs. Prompt fee payments are vital to ensure we can continue providing high-quality educational opportunities for all students. Thank you to those families who are up to date with their payments, and we kindly ask that any outstanding balances be addressed as soon as possible. 

Additionally, limited vacancies remain across the College for 2027. If you or someone you know is keen to have children enrolled at St Mary's College, please act quickly to secure a place. 

Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week 

Finally, this week we celebrate Australian Teacher Aide Appreciation Week! 💙 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our incredible Education Support staff at St Mary’s College. A school is a true community, and whether working directly with students in the classroom or keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes, every single staff member plays a critical role in helping us thrive. 

Thank you to our Learning Support Officers, Education Assistants, Administration and Office staff, ICT, Canteen, and Maintenance teams for everything you do to ensure learning, safety, and operational success every day. Our team is incomplete without each of you. By embracing and building on one another's strengths, we create a space where everyone can learn, grow, and flourish. St Mary's is truly a special place because of your care, dedication, and effort. 

Finally, as we head into September, AFL finals fever has well and truly hit St Mary’s! Best of luck to all the families out there whose teams are progressing through the AFL finals series, may your weekends be full of victories and minimal stress! On a completely unrelated note (or perhaps strongly related to finals excitement), Mrs Gordon has generously offered to run lunchtime karaoke sessions for any students Foundation to Year 12 keen to master the Hawthorn theme song at top volume. Participation is strictly voluntary, though earplugs for surrounding staff members may not be! 🏉🎶 

Wishing all our families a wonderful weekend ahead! 

Warm regards, 

Genevieve  

Mrs Genevieve Gordon

Acting Principal

genevieve.gordan@smseymour.catholic.edu.au

BAppScPE (RMIT), BExScHons (UB), MEdWellbeing (ACU),  

GradDipCathStud (ACU)