Principal's News

Welcome Back to Term 3

Welcome back to Term 3! I hope all of our families had the opportunity to enjoy some quality time together over the school holidays and that everyone returns feeling refreshed and ready for another exciting term of learning.

Term 3 is always a busy and rewarding term at St Mary's, with many opportunities for our students to grow academically, socially and spiritually. Throughout the coming weeks, students will continue to build on their learning, participate in a range of sporting, cultural and faith-based experiences, and further develop the skills and confidence that help them flourish.

This term also brings an important opportunity for families and teachers to connect through our Parent-Teacher Interviews. These conversations are a valuable way to celebrate each child's progress, discuss learning goals and strengthen the partnership between home and school. Working together ensures we can provide the very best support for every student. (see details below)

As we continue our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) journey, our whole school will remain focused on living our values ofRespect, Responsibility and Safety. These values underpin everything we do and help create a welcoming, inclusive environment where every child feels safe, valued and ready to learn.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support, encouragement and partnership. It is a privilege to work alongside such a wonderful community, and I look forward to another fantastic term filled with learning, growth and celebration.

Attendance Matters at St Mary's

At St Mary's, we know that every school day counts. Regular attendance is one of the strongest predictors of a child's academic success, social development and overall wellbeing. Every day at school provides valuable opportunities for learning, building friendships and developing a strong sense of belonging within our community.

Under Victorian law, school attendance is compulsory for all children aged 6 to 17 years. Parents and carers have a legal responsibility to ensure their child attends school every day unless they have an approved reason for being absent. Families are also asked to notify the school promptly whenever their child is unable to attend. As of Term 3, we have strict mandates around the procedures school must follow in regards to attendance. This means we need parents to contact the school or use NForma when your child/ren is/are absent as soon as possible. 

Recording Attendance

To ensure the safety and wellbeing of every student, attendance is recorded twice each day in primary schools. This allows us to quickly identify unexplained absences and ensure all children are accounted for.

Supporting Students and Families

We understand that there are times when attendance can be challenging due to illness, family circumstances or other factors. Our approach is to work in partnership with families to identify any barriers and provide support wherever possible. Early communication between home and school allows us to put strategies in place to help students remain engaged in their learning and connected to our school community.

Unexplained Absences

If your child is absent and the school has not been notified, we will contact you on the day of the absence. If no contact can be made with a parent or listed contact, school is required to call the Police for a welfare check.

  Where there are ongoing unexplained absences, schools are required to follow the attendance procedures outlined by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) and the Department of Education (this policy can be found on our website (click button below)- Under "Care Safety & Welfare of Students"

Thank you for your ongoing partnership in supporting your child's education. By working together, we can ensure every child has the opportunity to flourish academically, socially and emotionally through regular school attendance.

Parent-Teacher Interviews

Parent-Teacher Interviews will be held on Tuesday 28th July and Wednesday 29th July 2026, from 3:45pm to 6:05pm.

These interviews provide a valuable opportunity to discuss your child's progress, celebrate their achievements, and work together to support their learning and wellbeing for the remainder of the year. Each interview will run for 10 minutes.

To Book click on the link below:

https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/code/e7hpv

Please note: If your child has already had a Personalised Support Group (PSG) meeting this term, there is no need to book a Parent-Teacher Interview, as your child's progress and goals will have already been discussed in detail.

We value the strong partnership between home and school and encourage all families to take this opportunity to meet with their child's teacher.