From the Deputy Principal

A very warm welcome to the 2026 College year. It is wonderful to see our returning students, families and staff, and we extend a special welcome to those joining St Mary’s College for the first time. Our year has begun smoothly, and the atmosphere across the College has been positive, affirming, respectful and caring.

Nano Nagle, the foundress of the Presentation Sisters, was a woman of welcome – always seeking opportunities to show generosity and compassion. In this spirit, I congratulate our Year 12 Prefects and Mentors for the thoughtful and enthusiastic way they have supported students throughout the first week, particularly our new Year 7 cohort.

College Calendar

Term 1 is always a vibrant and busy time. The Junior and Senior School Commissioning Liturgies have already taken place, and this Thursday evening, we look forward to welcoming Kinder–Year 7 families, along with new families, to our Information Evening and Welcome Families BBQ. 

On Friday 20 February, the Senior School Athletics Carnival will be held. Next week, Year 7 students will participate in their Pillars Experience, while the Year 3–6 Junior School Swimming Carnival will conclude Week 4. Parents and carers are encouraged to regularly check the College calendar, which is available on Connect. 

As the term progresses, students are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. Active participation fosters personal growth and strengthens our school culture, helping students feel connected and develop a strong sense of belonging. Research consistently shows that involvement in school activities positively influences academic achievement and social–emotional wellbeing.

Communication Flowcharts

A strong partnership between students, teachers and parents/carers is essential in nurturing motivated, engaged and responsible learners. St Mary’s staff are committed to ensuring every student has every opportunity to achieve their best. 

The College’s Communication Flowchart outlines who to contact for pastoral or learning matters. It is important that any concerns – academic or pastoral – are raised promptly with the Class Teacher (Junior School) or the Pastoral Care Teacher or Subject Teacher (Senior School).

Staff will read and respond to emails between 8.00am and 5.00pm during weekdays. Please allow 24–48 hours for a response. We appreciate your support in ensuring staff can disconnect outside these hours to spend time with family and attend to personal commitments.

All Year 3–12 students have received a College diary, which serves as an important tool for developing organisation and responsibility and outlines key College procedures and guidelines. Parents and carers are invited to use the diary as a communication record. Students, parents and carers are asked to sign the first page, and Pastoral Care and Class Teachers will follow up on this in the coming week.

Policies and protocols

As a Catholic Education Tasmania (CET) school, we follow all CET policies as well as the protocols specific to St Mary’s College. These documents— including all CET policies, the CET Feedback Portal and the St Mary’s College protocols — are available on our website at the link here. 

Parents and carers are encouraged to review these documents, and we appreciate your support in helping students meet our expectations. Upcoming Fountain newsletters will highlight specific policies and protocols, including the Student Behaviour and Wellbeing Policy and Student Code of Conduct, which commenced from 2 February 2026. 

CECT Policies listed below are currently under review. To provide feedback, please use the relevant link. 

• CECT Adult Behaviour Policy Access Policy – (Adult Behaviour Policy - Consultation Period now open)
• CECT School Fee Assistance Policy Access Policy (School Fee Assistance Policy - Consultation Period now open) 
• CECT Scholarship Policy Access Policy (Scholarships Policy - Consultation Period now open)

College uniform 

Thank you to parents and carers for ensuring students have begun the year wearing the correct St Mary’s College uniform. Wearing the uniform with pride reflects respect for oneself and for the College community.

Formal uniform: The uniform for students in Kindergarten to Year 2 is the College PE uniform. Students in Years 3–12 wear the full formal uniform to school. 

• The blazer must be worn as part of the formal uniform to and from school, on formal occasions, in the Cathedral and for assemblies.
• Skirts and dresses are to be just before or at the knee.
• Brown school shoes are to be worn with the formal uniform, and shoes should be clean and polished regularly.
• The blue bucket SMC hat must be worn when outside in the sun at lunchtime or during activities in Terms 1 and 4. Kindergarten students wear a red bucket hat.

• Scarves must be bottle green, sky blue or chocolate brown.

   

Sports uniform:The PE uniform is worn to school on PE days, specific classes (e.g. Outdoor Education), if the student has a Sports Pass, or when otherwise advised by the College.

• Shoes worn with the PE uniform must be sports shoes (no street shoes).
• If a student does not have the full PE uniform, then the full formal uniform must be worn to and from school.
• The half-zip sports jumper is part of the PE uniform and may be worn under the blazer to and from school.
• The soft-shell jacket is part of the PE uniform and may be worn over the blazer to and from school, weather permitting, with the College polo top. 

Hair: Hair should be off the face and tied back if it grows below the shoulder. It should be a natural colour without fashion extremes.

• Hair accessories include sky blue, chocolate brown or bottle green ribbons and hairbands. Fashion hair clips are not permitted. Hair should be a natural colour without fashion extremes. 

   

Jewellery and piercings: Students may wear a watch and two pairs of small plain metallic studs (max 5mm) or small plain metallic sleeper earrings worn parallel in the earlobes. No other piercings are permitted.

• Bracelets, bangles and necklaces are not permitted except for a gold or silver chain holding a cross which is not visible.

Makeup:Minimal makeup, natural nail or French nail polish are permitted. No makeup is to be worn by Junior School students.

Hoodies: Hoodies are not to be worn with the College uniform (formal and PE) unless advised by the College for specific events and times, e.g., rowing, musical and leavers' jumpers.

House Leaders, Year Level Coordinators, directors and teaching staff monitor students regularly to ensure that uniforms are worn correctly each day. When students are not doing so, a uniform infringement will be issued, with multiple infringements resulting in a lunchtime and/or after-school reflection. 

We encourage families to visit our Uniform Guidelines on our website. Detailed information about uniform requirements can be viewed in the Uniform Handbook.

SchoolTV

SchoolTV, accessible via the College website, offers a wide range of wellbeing resources for parents and carers. It supports families and schools in working together to promote positive wellbeing for all students, with each edition featuring expert insights and special reports.

First Special Report 2026: Transitions

Whether it is starting school for the first time, moving up to a higher grade or embarking on a journey through secondary school, there is no doubt that any school transition is a very exciting time for children and parents. It means your children are growing up!

However, transitioning is an ongoing process. It can continue long after students have entered their new environment and may encounter difficulties at a number of different stages. These stressors may appear as anxiety and frustration and result in negative or disruptive behaviours. Such behaviours can become problematic making the transitioning process even more difficult for children and parents.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn practical strategies to assist your young person during the transition process and reduce stress and anxiety levels.

 

Here is the link to your edition: https://smc.tas.schooltv.me/newsletter/school-transitions