For those of you who would have previously received our newsletters, you may have noticed this edition looks a little different to previous editions. This new look newsletter comes with the launch of our new website, which is full of fresh images and information about all the wonderful learning and extracurricular activities on offer through our College, along with loads of information on our policies and procedures. Our new website is accessible through https://smdeaf.vic.edu.au.

Term 1 is always an exciting time for our school community with new students commencing in many year levels, students transitioning into prep and into year 7 and excitement in reconnecting with friends, teachers and support staff. There are many fabulous programs on offer in term 1 such as swimming programs, camps, retreats, assemblies and athletic carnivals along with science experiments, creative designs and great books to explore. I commend all our students for the way they have participated in all aspects of school life since the start of the year and their positive approach to their learning.

In recognition that so much learning occurs at school through reading, our teachers of the deaf are currently focusing on finding and using the most impactful technique to improve reading in all our students. Reading is globally recognised as challenging for deaf and hard of hearing students and as such, our dedicated staff are determined not to let these difficulties get in the way of our students reaching their full potential. We look forward to sharing with you the learning success and strategies your child has developed in order to improve their reading comprehension over the coming months.

We have also welcomed two new principals to our community of partner schools, Mr Timothy Newcomb (Principal Marymede Catholic College) and Mr Adrian Scutt (Principal Holy Trinity Primary). Both Principals have expressed a commitment and willingness to embrace the partnership with St Mary’s College and a continuation of providing quality and inclusive learning opportunities for our students within their schools. Community is one of the four Pillars of the Dominican Charism, of which the Dominican tradition and our school is founded. The importance of community is one of the things that makes Catholic schools so special.

It is an exciting time for many of our partner schools including Salesian College Sunbury, Thomas Carr College and Marymede Catholic College who are undertaking new building projects which will provide exceptional learning spaces for our students. All schools have worked closely with St Mary’s to ensure optimal listening conditions and sound field equipment are in place in each new building.

Over the past couple of weeks, we also recognised Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. This period is a time of self-reflection, prayer and being mindful of supporting the needs of those who are suffering. For many of us, the people of Ukraine are currently in our minds and hearts as we pray for peace and compassion in our world.

I hope you enjoy our first newsletter for 2022.

February PBL Winners

Our classes are focusing on having visible learning intentions and success criteria so students can self-assess how their learning is progressing.

Our students are happy to be back onsite and eager to get stuck in to their learning. They have been vocal about how much better learning is face to face!

The Senior House swimming was a great way to create some House spirit. Well done especially to Miriam who swam in a number of races for her house and Araz who swam, not only for his year level, but the one above too and won the majority of his races!

Congratulations to our 2021 Year 12 students - Tess and Amber who graduated in style at the Graduation Dinner held at the Hyatt. Both girls achieved the entry requirements for their preferred TAFE course this year.

Our students are back into the swing of things. We are especially delighted to welcome our new Year 7 student, Jagan and to congratulate our Sunbury Campus Leader for 2022, Mykaela.

Our students have been busy with hands on learning, at school on camp and at TAFE. They are so excited to be back to face to face learning with human interaction.

The opportunity to perform in front of others is something our students have not been able to do for awhile. Great to see Mykaela performing at a lunchtime concert for staff and students. Mykaela is studying VET Music and VCE Music Performance this year, so this was great practice for her practical exam later this year.

St Mary's Year 12 student studying Italian, embraced the opportunity to join his classmates for an excursion to Lygon Street. The excursion provided a learning experience to embrace Italian culture in our community. They learned about the history of Italian immigration and the important contributions the Italian Australians made to culture in Melbourne. Now, which gelato will Janith choose?

Senior St Mary's student takes up the opportunity to join a co-curricular activity, cricket, with her Year 10 classmates. Pictured here is the team training in readiness for the interschool carnival at the end of the week. Lianna has a strong bowling arm!

Our senior St Mary's student will be one of about thirty boys who tried out for the senior boys' volleyball team. As the team has only eight spots, the competition was fierce but Janith performed outstandingly!

The annual swimming carnival was a fantastic day for our St Mary’s students to participate in a whole school event offered by our partner school. Zoubowa and Janith signed up and got involved in events and supported their peers wonderfully. A great day enjoyed by staff and students!

With the expertise of our staff, St Mary's can offer our partner school a lunchtime activity 'Auslan Club', which runs every Thursday. Lianna assisted Mr. O’Neill to teach the class some simple greetings using Auslan, Australian Sign Language. Lianna enjoyed leading an activity with staff and peers.

Camp experience creates an opportunity for St Mary's students to build upon their relationships with the people who will be their peers for the duration of their schooling years. Year 7 camp offered a three-day camp in Kyneton. There were lots of exciting activities provided during the camp and many students were able to venture out of their comfort zone and try something new. Zoubowa certainly enjoyed his time and made the most of it!

The swimming program is always a highlight among the primary students at St Mary’s College. Students engage in an essential water safety program, while having fun and developing confidence to participate in water activities. The smiles on their faces just says it all!

St Mary’s students enjoy participating in whole school activities offered by our partner schools. Athletics day is offered to students in Gr 3 - 6 and aims to promote health, fitness and student connectedness.

We welcome our new Prep students as they begin their educational journey with St Mary’s. As part of learning about the letter 'P', the Prep students had a special 'P' day. They were able to come dressed up as things that start with the letter 'P'. Check out our ‘Princesses’ ‘Pirates’ and ‘Pink and Purple’ outfits. We made pizzas for lunch, ate popcorn, painted with pom poms and ended the day with a special prayer. It was so much fun!

We are delighted to welcome several new staff this year to our community. Angela Maclean joins us as a Teacher of the Deaf at Ringwood, Beth Lauritsen as a Teacher of the Deaf at Wantirna South and Tanya Induni is now a Teacher of the Deaf at Dandenong. Angela Cowan joins us as an Learning Support Officer at Sunbury and Kathryn Harman as an Learning Support Officer at Wantirna South. We hope they enjoy their time with us.