YEAR 8
Building Strong Connections
Mrs Christina Borzi
Head of Year 8
YEAR 8 KEY INFORMATION: WEEK 3
Year 9 2026 Subject Selection
Our Year 8 students attended an informative session with Mrs Ross (Assistant Principal – Learning) to begin the subject selection process for Year 9 in 2026. Students will meet with her again later this term to make their final selections. These choices will then be brought home to be reviewed and signed by a parent or guardian.
In the meantime, students are encouraged to explore the 2026 Subject Selection Handbook, available on the College website, to help guide their decision-making.
Classroom Preparedness – Basic Equipment Still Matters
Several teachers, including myself, have observed that many students arrive at class without even the most basic equipment, such as a pen or pencil case. In some cases, students only bring their laptops. While we acknowledge the importance of digital learning, students still need to bring essential stationery each day. Pens, pencils, rulers, and other basic tools remain essential components of classroom learning.
We appreciate your support in helping your child come to school properly equipped and ready to engage in all aspects of their learning.
Uniform Schedule: Week 3
WHOLE-OF-COLLEGE NOTICES:
School Fees and Levies for Term 3
School fees and levies for Term 3 will be issued to all account holders via email in
Week 3 – Tuesday, 29 July.
The due date for full payment is Tuesday 12 August, 2025.
If you are unable to pay in full by the due date, please contact the Accounts Team to arrange a payment plan that has been approved by the College.
Please disregard the payment in full date listed above if you currently have an approved payment plan in place.
Reminder: Out of Bounds Map
Please take a moment to review the Out of Bounds Map with your child, which highlights the location of the College boundary. During school hours, students are required to remain inside the blue boundary line at all times.
CatholicEducation Week Mass and Morning Tea
Sunday, 27 July, 8:00 am - 11:00 am, Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church,
18 Balaclava Road, Earlville
We’re proud to begin Catholic Education Week by celebrating Mass and sharing morning tea with our parish community, Our Lady Help of Christians. Students and families are warmly invited to join us for this special occasion.
Please register your attendance via the following link: https://bit.ly/CEWMassAndMorningTea
Catholic Education Week Activities and Free Dress Day
During Catholic Education Week, a range of activities will be available for students, culminating in a Free Dress Day for those who wish to participate.
Click on the following links to view the list of activities and sausage sizzle information.
Relay for Life
Saturday, 2 August, Barlow Park
We have two teams participating this year. St Mary’s has been involved in Relay for Life for many years, and this year is particularly poignant for our community. We are grateful to have staff and students supporting this cause.
Please consider donating and supporting our students in their fundraising efforts.
St Mary's Team 10 & 11
https://www.relayforlife.org.au/st/7100/74678
St Mary's Team 12
https://www.relayforlife.org.au/fundraisers/SMCCTeam12
NAIDOC Celebration Assembly
Tuesday, 5 August, 9:30 am for a 9:40 am start, Hugh O'Brien Centre
Please register your attendance via the following link: bit.ly/NAIDOCCelebationAssembly
Family Connect - Judith Locke Presentation
Family Connect proudly presents Clinical Psychologist Dr Judith Locke, who will be presenting a session exclusively for parents and carers of students in Years 7–12 at St Mary's. Drawing on the latest research and her clinical experience, Judith will share positive, practical, and effective strategies that parents can use to help their tweens and teens continue developing confidence and capability.
This is an educational and empowering session for parents and caregivers, covering key information they need to be aware of.
Tickets are free but essential!
To book, visit: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1441613
Family Connect Survey
President: Marina Dunstan | Secretary: Wendy Watters | Treasurer: Kristina Cannon
Family Connect is the parent and carer body that partners with the College to support family engagement in students’ education. We regularly consider funding requests from the College for events, equipment, or travel assistance to help reduce costs for students representing the College. This support is funded through levies included in the College fee structure and allocated by Family Connect.
We are also seeking ideas from parents, guardians, and carers about additional ways we might support you in engaging with your child and the school—whether socially, in terms of well-being, or educationally—and your preferences for how this support might be delivered.
Please share your feedback using the link below. To assist with planning for 2026, we kindly ask for responses by Sunday, 10 August.
Click on the following link for the Survey:https://forms.office.com/r/Yrsih0qwhV
If you would like to contact us directly, please email Family Connect at: smw.familyconnect@cnsstu.catholic.edu.au
COLLEGE WEBSITE - For the latest information and guidance relevant to both staff and families, please refer regularly to our St Mary's Catholic College Website.
KEY DATES - Please note that all key dates are listed in the College Calendar. This can be accessed via the MyCE Parent App and synced with your personal calendar.
Ms Leah McBryde - Assistant Principal - Junior Secondary (Years 7 to 9)
On behalf of the College Leadership Team
College Leadership Team
