Term 2 has been a long term, ending in a typically cold and wintery Melbourne way. I am sure many students are looking forward to being able to spend a little longer in bed in the morning if they are able.
Semester One Reports
St Mary’s College semester one reports have been published and are available to view on St Mary’s Parent Access Module (PAM). The report covers the curriculum and subjects taught by St Mary’s teachers as well as each child’s PLP with details of progress towards their learning goals. Semester one reports from curriculum and subjects taught through each of the partner schools are available through their online portals (PAM, SEQTA or Schoolbox). I encourage parents to discuss their child’s reports with them, celebrate achievements and consider goals for next semester.
If you need help accessing the reports, please don't hesitate to speak with your Head of Campus. Just a reminder that we need parents to acknowledge online that they have read the PLP reports. If you could do this at your earliest convenience, we would greatly appreciate it.
Principal Ireland & UK Study Tour
Earlier this term, I had an opportunity to travel to England and Ireland where I attended a conference titled “Diversity in Deaf Learners” before embarking on a study tour of 10 different specialist school settings for deaf students across both countries. This included stand-alone Schools for the Deaf, facilities located in mainstream schools and Schools for the Deaf working in partnership with mainstream schools like St Mary’s College does. Through this experience, I gained much new knowledge about ways to strengthen reading skill in students with hearing loss, how to get around the mental tiredness so many deaf and hard of hearing students experience each day at school and how to ensure that the difference in each and every deaf and hard of hearing child is recognised and planned for so that they can reach their full potential at school. There should never be a one-size-fits-all approach with our students.
The staff and students I met in both countries were welcoming and delightful and very keen to explore international connections between our students. The students in Ireland and England were particularly interested in what life was like in Australia and were keen to make new friendships with Australian primary or secondary students who were also deaf and hard of hearing. I had the privilege of visiting Emmaus Chapel in the heart of Deaf Village Ireland with it’s beautiful stained glass windows representing both the identity of the community as well as their faith. I look forward to using this new found knowledge to enhance the educational opportunities available to all our students at St Mary’s College as we enter into our period of review and school improvement planning next term.
Year 7 2026 Enrolments
Just a reminder that enrolments for Year 7 2026 will close on closing Friday 16 August 2024 (current grade 5 students). This is one year earlier than what happens in government schools. Places fill up very quickly and for many of our campuses, once that date has passed, an opportunity for a late enrolment can be rare. There is no cost associated with submitting an application.
Please visit the College website or contact our Registrar Lexie on 9800 2733 or admin@smdeaf.vic.edu.au for more information.
