Principal

Mr Wayne Smith

Dear Parent and Carers,

Bus Travel

At St Mary’s we have very few bus issues with our students, but it is worth a reminder for us all that it is so easy to take for granted to and from school transport.

Every morning and afternoon many students catch one of the 13 buses to and from St Mary’s. Our students are reminded of the responsibility that the driver has to keep passengers safe and to be aware of changing conditions on country roads.

With the mix of different age groups and schools, drivers have much to focus on as they transport children safely. A reminder also from home on the importance of sensible behaviours will reinforce what children hear at St Mary’s.

Across Victoria every morning and afternoon there are hundreds of buses with thousands of students on the roads. Bus driver ‘s have an immense responsibility and home and school can assist by reinforcing what is expected. Reminders never hurt.

Landscaping

Landscaping along the side of the MPH, Scared Heart and the Monsignor Toms Science Centres will be completed mid-June. The area includes an outdoor stage, shade covers, outdoor volleyball court; seating and pathways. Outdoor landscaping is important for students and staff wellbeing. It will be an inviting space and the first stage in creating other areas around the College.

MACS Showcasing St Mary’s College

Danny Jaber the MACS Flourishing Learners Programs Lead | Education Strategy and Performance. Elizabeth Hockey Senior Learning Partner | Northern Region and Laura Ruddick, Senior Manager School Leadership | Secondary Education Excellence Northern Region visited to observe St Mary’s primary and secondary classroom practice. Vision for Instruction and Vision for Engagement are system wide approaches in learning and engagement and St Mary’s will be showcased across the archdiocese for best practice.

Vision for Instruction and Vision for Engagement are integral to the MACS 2030: Forming Lives to Enrich the World) strategy that is embedded for all MACS schools to be ‘the benchmark for excellence in teaching and learning, through a coherently integrated, academically competitive and distinctively Catholic educational offering’ (MACS 2030: Forming Lives to Enrich the World).

The Flourishing Learners pedagogy and strategy require a unified approach where high-quality teaching drives meaningful student engagement and recognises the impact of student engagement cannot be truly realized without ensuring that students are fully engaged.

Our college staff have been exceptionally well led by our skillful Director of Learning, Julia Wood, and our Primary Curriculum Leader, Donna Patterson‑Osborne, whose professionalism and expertise continue to elevate best classroom practice.

Mrs Holt

We wish Mrs Holt all the best for her maternity leave. Life will change for Jade and husband, Dom when they welcome their first child into this beautiful world of ours and there will be a very proud Ms Patterson (Nan) who will be glowing. All the best Jade!

At last week’s Primary District Cross Country, St Mary’s achieved the overall champion school three-peat 2024, 2025 and 2026. We also had 5 age champions. Thankyou to our students who represent St Mary’s, always with such pride and to Acting Sports Coordinator Grace Morganti and assistant, Laura Sommers. A great venue around the Seymour Racecourse and with terrific weather.

I am hearing more that we may be in for a green drought – reasonably green on top but very little moisture underground. Farmers have been burning the midnight oil already in sewing acre upon acre of crops to feed the masses.

May the St Mary’s Parish Prayer for Rain bring the rain that is needed so that crops and stock thrive.

Heavenly Father,

Maker of all things and protector of your people,

look upon us in your love and give us your help.

Open the heavens for us and give us the rain we need.

Teach us to live for you and to share your gifts with others.

Father hear us in our need,

for we come to you through,

Christ our Lord. AMEN

There but for the grace of God go we.

We pray for the repose of the soul of Elizabeth Solomon and for Christ to be with Elizabeth's family during this time.

Bib will be welcomed into the arms and the embrace of our Lord.