Dear Families, friends and extended St Mary's community,
As we commence the season of Advent and the close of another year, I want to take a moment to reflect on the spirit of hope and joy that fills our school community. Advent is a time of preparation, anticipation, and reflection, and it reminds us of the importance of faith, kindness, and togetherness. We are truly blessed to work alongside such a dedicated group of students, families, and staff.
Advent Message
In this season of Advent, we celebrate the light of hope that comes into the world with the birth of Christ. This time offers us a chance to pause, reflect, and prepare our hearts for the promise of peace and joy. It’s a season of waiting, but also one of action—of giving, of caring for one another, and of spreading kindness. I encourage each of us to take time in the coming weeks to reflect on the blessings in our lives and to be a source of light and encouragement to others.
Best of Luck to Our Year 12 Graduates
I want to extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to our Year 12 graduates. You have worked so hard to reach this milestone, and we are incredibly proud of all you have accomplished during your time at St Mary’s College. As you move on to the next chapter in your lives, know that you carry with you the skills, values, and lessons that will guide you toward success. We wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavors, and we know you will continue to make us proud.
2024 Award Winners & Student Leaders
At our recent Year 12 graduation event, we celebrated the achievements of some of our students who have received awards this year. I would like to acknowledge Thomas Holden and Cleyara Warnakulasooriya, both worthy recipients of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Awards. Your hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed.
I would also like to thank our departing 2024 Student Leaders, Cleyara, Jack, Tanisha, Rosetta, Lianna and Ira for the support and leadership of fellow students demonstrated within each campuses over the year.
Farewell to Staff Leaving and Staff Movement
As we approach the end of the year, we unfortunately have to say farewell to several staff members who have been an integral part of our school community. While we are sad to see them go, we are grateful for the time, energy, and passion they have invested in our students. Corinne Cribbin, an integral part of Wantirna South campus for 25 years; Angela Cowan, part of the dynamic duo at Sunbury Campus, Stephanie Porteous who has been part of 3 campuses over her time with us, Dandenong, South Morang and Ringwood and Lauren Fisher who supported our new program at Tarneit campus—we wish you all the best in your future endeavors. You will be greatly missed, but your legacy will remain in the hearts of those whose lives you have touched. Earlier this semester, we also farewelled Ringwood teacher Angela Maclean and Dandenong teacher Larissa Storti who moved on to pursue other opportunities. We trust they are doing well in their new endeavors.
Rhiannon Ward, who has been teaching at our Wantirna Campus this year, will be moving to our Ringwood Campus in 2025 to teach our secondary students and Eve Asquith, our wonderful Speech Pathologists, will continue one day a week at South Morang and increase her time at Wantirna South campus next year which will be great.
Thank You to the School Advisory Council
A special thank you to our School Advisory Council for their tireless work and dedication this year. Your support, guidance, and insight have been invaluable as we work together to continue improving and growing our school. We appreciate your commitment to our mission and your willingness to collaborate with us in shaping the future of St Mary’s College.
School Improvement Plan Review 2020 - 2024
-"Staff expertise and commitment to DHH students and their needs is exemplary."
The end-of-cycle school review was conducted this term with the final report received in November. Overall, the report was positive with the reviewers, taking the time to visit each campus and get to know the unique context of our students and school. The recommendations will be used to inform future strategic direction and our next 4-year School Improvement Plan. The following strengths of the school were highlights of the review:
- Strong strategic vision for the future and instructional leadership that models and pursues best practice in DHH education.
- Staff know students and collaborate closely with families.
- Staff expertise and commitment to DHH students and their needs is exemplary.
- The quality of Tier 3 teaching strategies and liaison with partner schools in addressing the needs of DHH students.
- The commitment to wellbeing and its expression through the four Dominican pillars is at the core of all the college does.
- The range of support available to students through various allied health providers that work closely with SMC
Opportunities for improvement including creating stronger collaboration with our partner schools and building greater capacity within our students to develop confidence and persistence in their learning will be explored as we build a plan for the next 4-year cycle.
Wishing You All a Blessed Advent and Joyful Christmas
As we look forward to the Christmas break, I want to take this opportunity to wish each of you a peaceful and joyful holiday season. May this time of rest bring you closer to your loved ones and allow you to reflect on the many blessings of the year. Let us carry the spirit of Advent with us into the new year—full of hope, faith, and love.
With warm wishes for a Merry Christmas,
