Deputy Principal

James Roberts 

Deputy Principal

YEAR 12 – End of Year

This week the Year 12s marked the end of their 13 year journey of formal education and for many six years at St Mary’s as they completed their final exams and we celebrated their success at our Graduation Mass and Assembly. At this time we tend to get caught up focussing on celebrating the tangible successes, which is ok, but there are many other personal qualities and attributes that have been developed and have formed part of the last 13 years of learning.  They are hard to quantify but nonetheless it is vital that they are acknowledged as it is these qualities and attributes that will flavour their future successes. 

Our Graduate Expectations: Faithful to the mission of Jesus, we partner with families to empower our students to realise their full potential so that they can make a difference in our world.

At St Mary’s we grow to be:

• Discerning believers

• Reflective and creative thinkers

• Effective communicators

• Self-directed and life-long learners

• Collaborative contributors

• Caring family members

• Responsible citizens

So this is not the end of the story, only the end of the chapter… perhaps only the prelude. We wish all our graduating class and their families the very best in life and in everything that they do; keep working towards your true potential and make the most of the many opportunities that come your way.

Presentation Night

Our Presentation evening was held last Tuesday 8th November in our refurbished Hugh O’Brien Centre. Congratulations to all students who were recognised on the evening for their success in the areas of academic, sporting, performing arts and individual service. It was wonderful to see so many families in attendance to help recognise and celebrate their hard work.

Year Level Community Days

Recently our Year 11 students celebrated their year with a successful Community Day at Sugarworld. Next week will see our remaining year levels celebrate their Community Day - Year 10s on Tuesday, Year 9s on Thursday and Year 7 and 8s on Friday. Celebrating is very much part of our Catholic Identity, Jesus’ public ministry on earth is bookended by celebrations - The Wedding Feast of Cana and the Last Supper and there are many theological signposts that point to the significance of celebrating as a community.  I encourage all students to be in attendance at these events as we see them as important for strengthening who we are.

Farewell

At the end of each year we farewell many people from our community, notably our Year 12 students and families who will conclude their time at St Mary’s. We also farewell many other students and families who are moving on to pursue learning in other schools, cities, states and potentially even countries. I wish everyone every success in their future endeavours.  We will also farewell a number of staff who will move on to pursue their aspirations at new schools. I hope that your future endeavours both challenges you and brings you joy.  I would like to make mention of our Principal Wayne Wood who will finish his time at the end of the year after having brought us six years of joy, new learnings and leadership.  I am very happy that he is only moving up the road into head office where we will be able to continue to benefit from his guidance and for those “phone a friend” moments when we need assistance. Finally, I wish you all a happy and holy Christmas and as we embark upon our holidays I hope that you all have a fun filled and safe holiday that sees you return relaxed and ready for an amazing 2023.