Principal

Dear Parent and Carers,

Today is the Feast of the Assumption. Mary was the ‘lowly handmaid’, the young mother who fought against adversity, criticism and at times was outcasted. Mary never gave up her loyalty and beliefs in the goodness of God. Mary was  a lady of strength, understanding and character. 

Prayer to Our Lady of the Assumption

O Mary, Mother of Love, We stand before you with our joys, our desire to love and to be loved. Here we are with the weight of our days, with our miseries, our violence and our wars. But love is stronger than all: we believe that it still exists, for love comes from God.

We pray to you: may our homes be filled with simple gestures of brotherhood and kindness, of trust, goodwill and generosity! May families and nations be open to sharing, forgiveness and reconciliation!

Mother of love, intercede for the human family, support the efforts of those who work for justice and peace. Grant us the grace to be faithful to the Gospeland to bear fruit that endures. Amen!

Our Lady of the Assumption, pray for us.

💫 Mitchell Shire

On Wednesday evening, I attended the Mitchell Shire Listening Tour at Kings Park, Seymour. Mitchell Shire Mayor, John Dougall and CEO Mary Agostini the Chief Executive Officer lead a team who manage the fastest growing Shire in Victoria. Mary’s facilitation during the meeting was excellent. The Listening tour heard concerns and suggestions from local citizens, and the group were shown the brief of the Stage 1 Project - Wellbeing Community Centre to be constructed on the site of the current library. Stage 1 will include a new library within the development. The Shire has set a busy Strategic Plan for the next 5 years and recognises the opportunities for the future of Seymour and the local region. I left the meeting impressed with the Shire representatives and Mary for her skilled dialogue in seeking comments and answering questions. Mitchell Shire representatives will soon be visiting St Mary’s to meet and discuss opportunities for our College. 

💫 McIntyre Street Underpass and Fencing along the Rail Lines.

Senior Sergeant Clayton Munro and I met with Vic Rail this week to discuss fencing the McIntyre side of the lines. We also discussed the regular flooding of the underpass, which closes the walkway to St Mary’s, to the Journey learning Centre and for general community access. Mitchell Shire have also been informed of the regular flooding issue. One of our St Mary’s senior students has been proactive and contacted the local media with the difficulty the flooding causes. 

💫 Staffing 2026

Positions for 2026 will be advertised next week. Two graduates and two experienced teachers currently in Catholic Colleges have been appointed to begin next year. Parents will be updated on more staffing news in the next Marian.

💫 Murray River Rainbow Fish

Our 2024 Yr 10 Ignite students started the project and this year’s Ignite class and Indonesian students worked collaboratively to share and continue the 2024 beginnings of a journey and breeding program that will benefit Rainbow fish regeneration. Lasty Friday the Indonesian Elective and Year 10 Ignite students had an online meeting with our St Mary’s Partner School in Singkawang - Indonesia to raise awareness of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal14. Protecting Life under Water. 

The student led presentation provided information on this endangered species and what is being done to revitalise the numbers.  St Mary’s is a member of the program through the Native Fish Australia Breeding program.  The goal is to breed the fish to a size to release into the Goulburn River. The program has been a combined effort with the maintenance team, Ignite students led by Mrs Maskelyne, the Indonesian Elective class and Mr Molinaro and the Science team led by Mrs Scollen.

💫 Stage 1

Stage 1 is progressing on time, and we look forward to the date Stage 2 drawings can be released along with the landscape design. Year 12 have 5 term weeks left before they begin final study and revision for the VCE statewide exams. Time has a habit of moving quickly.

Enjoy your weekend as we move closer to that one day in September!  I always told my son Isaac when he was younger and dreamed of playing for the once mighty Carlton Football Club, that the real AFL season begins in September. Hard to believe the two top form teams of the year are now sitting in dangerous ladder territory.  I’ll stick with early season tip - GWS.

Best wishes

Wayne Smith

Principal

DipEd (ACU) DipREd (ACU) Bed (ACU) GradCertEdAdmin (Edith Cowan) 

GradDipREd (ACU) MEdAdmin (Charles Sturt) MTheoStudies (BBITAITE)