Principal Report

2025 School Council Reflections

This week at School Council we reflected on how our school is progressing. Councillors were particularly pleased with the fundraising efforts achieved this year and are excited about the plans already forming for this to continue in 2026. They also expressed their appreciation for our dedicated staff, the consistency within our teaching team, and the high-quality professional learning staff have undertaken as part of our ongoing commitment to school improvement. We also noted how settled and happy both students and staff appear, which is a reflection of the strong sense of community across the school. Councillors are looking forward to seeing continued growth in key areas, including strengthening student connection to their house groups and expanding creative play spaces in the yard. While we acknowledged that some of our buildings are in need of a little attention, we also recognised how fortunate we are to have a school where children feel happy, connected, and excited to learn every day.

2026 Class Structure and Enrolments

As we move towards the end of the term, we continue to finalise our planning for 2026. As stated in last week’s newsletter, we are excited that all our existing staff will be continuing with us next year. With our student numbers remaining similar to this year, we will also be maintaining the same 13-grade structure along with our four specialist areas: Physical Education, Art, Music, and STEM.

Our enrolments currently sit at just under 300 students, bringing us close to our capacity of 325. Following direction from the Department, this means we have been advised to be mindful of accepting any new enrolments. As a result, some areas of the school are now at capacity and unable to accept further enrolments unless the family lives within our designated catchment or already has a sibling attending the school.

Kinetic Sand Recall

The Department of Education has advised schools to review any kinetic or coloured sand currently in use. We want to reassure families that our school has completed this process promptly and in full accordance with Department procedures. All identified sand products have been removed from the school and disposed of as advised by the Department.

Happening Next Week – Week 8

Transition Afternoon – Thursday 27th

Next Thursday afternoon marks our third and final Step-Up Afternoon before Statewide Transition Day on Tuesday, December 9th. We’ve loved seeing students and teachers begin to form new relationships for the year ahead. These sessions are helping develop the class formations for the year ahead and also helping students feel more conformable with next year changes, particularly those students who may be transitioning to a new area within the school.

Glenelg House BBQ 4 – Friday 28th

Next week will be the last of our House BBQS with Glenelg House finally having their turn. We are looking forward to adding more house activities that promote student connection with their house, and within their house next year. A current item on the agenda is a house walkathon to launch the year ahead of our Athletics Carnival.

Coming Up Soon

Saint Mary’s Xmas Parade – Friday December 5th
Xmas Casual Day – Friday December 5th
Statewide Transition Day – Tuesday December 9th
Graduation – Thursday December 11th
Final Assembly – Friday December 12th at 11:30am
Carols in the Garden – Friday December 12th

Friday 5th December	Casual Christmas Dress Up Day - Bring food item
Tuesday 9th December	Statewide Transition Day

Start date	Finish date
28th January 2025 (Staff start)	4th April 2025
22nd April 2025	4th July 2025
21st July 2025	19th September 2025
6th October 2025	19th December 2025

Dates to Remember

Student What's On

Term 4

Victorian School Term Dates For 2025