Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers, 

As we begin the mid-year holidays, it is a good time to reflect on the challenging and rewarding past couple of months. I would like to thank our staff who have impressed me with their capacity to deliver quality educational experiences to our students. I would like to also thank the Middle Leaders and school officers who have supported our students and staff and ensuring the College functions well.  

I extend my gratitude to our parents who have supported students to achieve success this semester. It is the family - school partnership, with our shared responsibility, that ensures the best outcomes for our young people to continue their growth to be the best they can be. I wish you many opportunities for family time over this break.  

Over the last few weeks, Year 11s have been speaking about leadership and this week we have conducted the interviews for 2024 College Captain candidates.  It is always one of my favourite things to do in schools as students speak about the values of the college in an impressive and heart felt way.  I want to commend those students who have taken a risk and put their hands up for leadership.  It is never an easy task to be interviewed by the College Leadership Team.  Yet, each student handled themselves with great dignity. 

In those interviews we asked about how they live out the college values.  And it was here that I could see the St Mary’s way of life imbued in them.  Students spoke about faith as having trust and confidence in something, having faith in others requires us to trust or believe that each person is good and can contribute positively to this wonderful college.  They also talked about faith as having an awareness of God’s presence and giving ourselves to a full life.  They described hope being an optimism for positive outcomes as well as knowing that we have the strength we need to overcome uncertainty, or tough times and using this strength.  And all of them talked about the love we have in our community –shown as respect, kindness and compassion. 

They also described their commitment and pride in our community, one where each person has clear choices to be a person of faith, optimism, courage, kindness, and compassion.  In their responses they described these as the characteristics that they see in others each day.  What a community, no wonder they are proud!   

As a newcomer, I was proud and honoured to be part of this community.  I am humbled when I see our amazing students who are navigating their teenage journey in this same faith, hope and love 

Staffing Update 

I would like to farewell Mrs Kate Lynam, Mrs Elizabeth Hickman and send them our very best wishes on their next journey. I would also like to send our best wishes to Mrs Wendy Martin who is retiring after more than 20 years at the College. We wish Mrs Margaret Marton our very best wishes as she takes well deserved Long Service Leave next term.  

I would like to thank those staff who have supported us in acting positions this term – Mrs Ross, Mr Brennan, Mr Neilsen, Mr Imhoff, and Mrs Byrnes. I wish them the very best for well-deserved and relaxing holiday.  

I would encourage you to spend some time enjoying our beautiful winter and some rest and rejuvenation over the holidays. I look forward to seeing staff and students on Monday July 10 when Term 3 begins.  

May the peace and love of Christ be with you always.  

God bless,

Ms Kerry Manders 

Principal 

smw.principal@cns.catholic.edu