St Mary's College Connect

Principal's Message

Wayne Wood

Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To our St Mary’s community

 

‘Through FAITH, HOPE and LOVE we make a difference in the world’ 

(St Mary’s Mission Statement)

 

Welcome to what promises to be an exciting and hope-filled year at St Mary’s. I would like to especially welcome those families who are new to our College. I look forward to working with you.

 

It really has been a positive start to the year for students and staff. During these first few weeks, I have enjoyed moving through our school grounds and seeing students and staff engaging in learning and getting to know each other. There is a strong sense of welcome that so proudly exists in our St Mary’s community. It is pleasing to especially see our new Year 7 students settling in well to school life. I hope that all those new to our College feel welcome and are confident in themselves as members of St Mary’s.

 

I look forward to working with you!

 

Communication 

I trust you are already receiving emails from your child’s teachers. Staff are encouraged to maintain strong communication with families, and I encourage you to do the same with our staff. A strong partnership between home and school can be an accelerating factor in a child’s development.

 

There are many forms of communication that are accessible to our community. Our newsletter will now be issued in Weeks 3, 7 and 10 of each term. Our Parent Portal continues to grow as a dominant resource for parents. We also use our Facebook Page, Instagram as well as regular text messages. Parents and carers can always contact our staff by email, phone or by meeting in person.

 

Year 7 Parents - Meet the Teachers

I invite parents of Year 7 to join us for a Meet & Greet on Thursday 25th February from 4pm-5:30pm. This will be a great opportunity to meet with your child’s teachers in an informal gathering. A link that allows you to register for this event has been sent to all parents of Year 7 students.

 

Family Connect

‘Family Connect’ (formerly known as Parents and Friends Association) is a fantastic way of getting involved in our school community and meeting other parents. Its purpose is quite simple:

 

  • to partner with the College; and
  • to promote parent engagement in their child’s learning.

 

You will notice the shift away from the “old mentality” of P&F being only about fundraising. This year, you will see Family Connect organise various ‘parent workshops/information sessions’ designed to assist parents better engage with their child’s learning. I encourage you to take up these opportunities.

 

‘Family Connect’ meet once a month. Our first meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 16th February, from 5:15pm. A reminder will be sent out via text message.

 

Drop-Off and Pick-Up

The safety of our students, staff and visitors is paramount. As such, it is important that all families observe the College processes for parking and student drop-off and pick-up:

 

  • Students should not be dropped off or picked up inside College grounds.
  • Students are to be dropped off and picked up in the stop-drop-and-go zone directly in front of St Mary’s and St Gerard Majella School.
  • Students must enter or exit the vehicle only when the car has stopped in the stop-drop-and-go zone (and not in front of the ‘Tee Pee’).
  • Parents are requested not to drive into the College grounds during the hours of 7:30am-9am and 2:30pm-4:00pm.
  • Parents having business with the College (i.e. school fees, interview, uniform shop etc) during those hours are welcome to enter the College grounds and park in the Staff Car Park.
  • Should a student be physically incapacitated or require special need, an application can be made to the Principal for a drop-off and pick-up permit.

 

On behalf on the College Leadership Team I take this opportunity to wish each of you the very best for the challenges and excitements of the year ahead. We are always here to support you and look forward to working with you throughout 2021.

 

God Bless