Principals Report
Dear Parents, Families and Friends,
It's that time of year again where a letter will be sent home on Monday asking families to complete a survey, along with your unique access code. This annual survey is a valuable way for parents and carers to share feedback about our school. Your insights help us celebrate what’s working well and identify areas where we can improve, ensuring the best outcomes for our students.
Participation is voluntary, but we strongly encourage you to complete the survey so your voice is heard. Only one parent, carer or guardian per family is invited to take part. Simply follow the instructions in your letter to access the online survey.
Staff Spirituality Day
This week, staff took part in our annual Staff Spirituality Day, focusing on the Mystics tradition within our faith. It was a valuable opportunity for us to pause, reflect, and deepen our own spiritual connection, which in turn enriches the way we share our faith with our students.
Building Connections Through School Events
At St Mary’s, one of our key aims is to foster strong connections between families and the school. We do this in many ways – by hosting events, inviting parents to attend liturgies, assemblies, and celebrations, and creating opportunities for you to share in your child’s learning journey.
Your presence at school events sends a powerful message to your child, that their learning and achievements matter and that we celebrate these milestones together as a community.
As we move into the remainder of the term, we look forward to seeing more parents join us at our celebrations, liturgies, and learning events, so we can continue building a strong and connected St Mary’s family.
Jarod Cooney Horvath - Parent Session 2
Next Tuesday, we invite parents to take part in the second session with Jarod Cooney Horvath. This professional learning is giving us practical, brain-based strategies to enhance student learning. We are looking forward to building on what we explored in the first session and seeing how it continues to shape students' experiences.
Using Our Words
A key focus for our students at the moment is learning how to use their words to express their feelings, needs, and ideas. We know that big emotions can sometimes be tricky to manage, especially in busy playgrounds or group settings, so we are helping students practise the skills they need to pause, think, and communicate clearly.
This is a timely reminder that we are a Hands Off school. Physical actions such as pushing, grabbing, or hitting are never appropriate ways to solve a problem. Instead, we encourage students to:
- Stop and take a breath before responding.
- Use calm, clear words to explain what they need or how they feel.
- Listen respectfully to others, even if they disagree.
- Seek help from a teacher or staff member when needed.
By building these skills, our students are developing confidence in resolving conflicts respectfully and maintaining a safe and caring environment for everyone. These conversations are happening in classrooms, in the yard, and during wellbeing activities so that the message is consistent and reinforced.
We encourage families to continue these conversations at home, so children can see the value of using words instead of actions to solve problems in all areas of life.
Energy Breakthrough – Parent Meeting
Families involved in the Energy Breakthrough program are reminded that our upcoming parent meeting will be held soon. This is an important chance to discuss preparations and ensure everyone is ready for the event ahead.
Bullying Awareness Week
As part of Bullying Awareness Week, students have been involved in conversations and activities about respect, kindness, and standing up for one another. We continue to reinforce that our school is a safe place for everyone, and that together, we can create a community where everyone feels valued. Please see further information in the Pastoral Wellbeing section of this newsletter.
School Advisory Council
Our next School Advisory Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, 26th August, to discuss a number of important matters, including the Child Safe Standards review, Master Planning, and enrolment trends. We thank our Council members for their ongoing commitment and contribution to the life and direction of our school community.
Looking Ahead
We’re looking forward to a big week ahead with Playgroup, Book Week, and Jarod Cooney Horvath’s next visit. There’s plenty to be excited about as we continue to learn, grow, and celebrate together as a school community.
