Message from Leadership
It’s hard to believe we have only a week left of Term 1 when it feels like only a couple of weeks ago, we welcomed students back for the 2025 school year! It’s been a busy term, and we still have lots happening over the next week.
Catholic Education Week
Last week, St Mary’s celebrated Catholic Education Week, aligning with schools across the Archdiocese of Melbourne to honor our Catholic identity and the vital role we play in our community. This year's theme, ‘Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you’ (Isaiah 60:1), resonates deeply with the Jubilee Year’s motto, ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, inspiring us to be beacons of faith and hope.
A highlight of our celebrations was hosting Learning Walks for both current and prospective families. These guided tours offered an authentic glimpse into our classrooms and specialist classes, showcasing the dynamic and inclusive learning environments that define St Mary’s.
When asked to encapsulate learning at St Mary’s in a single word, parents shared that it was:
calm
clear
visible
inclusive
interactive
differentiated
engaging
respectful
collaborative
These reflections from families affirm our dedication to fostering a nurturing and effective environment for every student. I would like extend our heartfelt gratitude to all families who joined us in these celebrations and learning walks.
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program
Last week, some of our staff attended a Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program professional development session at Eaglehawk Primary School in Bendigo. This hands-on experience provided valuable insights into running engaging garden lessons at school.
🌿 We explored how to form student groups and creative ways to structure garden-based learning.🍽️ We cooked a meal together, just as we would with students, and enjoyed a shared lunch.🌱 We planned for autumn gardening—choosing what to plant and brainstorming activities for the cooler months.
This learning experience has inspired us, and we are excited to implement more hands-on gardening and cooking experiences with our students in the coming months.
Prep families - Parish dinner
Last week, our parish community, led by Fr Wahid, warmly welcomed our new Foundation families with a special shared dinner. This wonderful evening provided an opportunity for families to connect with one another and feel welcomed by the St Mary’s parish community.
Over a delicious meal, parents, staff, and parish members engaged in great conversation, sharing stories and experiences about the journey ahead in Catholic education. It was a lovely evening filled with warmth, hospitality, and a true sense of belonging.
We are incredibly grateful to Fr Wahid and the parish for their generosity in hosting this event and look forward to continuing to strengthen the relationship between our school and parish community.
Have a good weekend everyone,
Anushka Vaz
Principal