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2025 Lumina Edition 11

24 July 2025

Principal's Report

Darren Atkinson

College Principal

4383

A warm welcome to Semester 2 as we reconnect, refocus, and continue building a flourishing community at St Mary’s College.

Welcome to Semester Two

Welcome back to school for Semester 2 and I hope that you had an enjoyable break as a family, and that Semester Two has started positively despite the cold week that has greeted us.

A special welcome to students joining the St Mary’s College community to commence Term 3 – Vaishali in Year 11; Lizabeth, Joshau, Naomi and Mackenzie in Year 10; Nylah and Miranda in Year 9; Max and Jasper in Year 8; and Mac in Year 7. We trust that you will find a home at St Mary’s where you feel like you belong and can flourish.

Japanese Student Visitors

We welcomed seven students from Taisei University High School in Osaka Japan over the last weekend. This is the first engagement with our sister school since the lockdown of Covid and it is a pleasure to see the partnership is healthy and ready to resume. Thank you to Mr Toshi Kitano, Principal, and Mr Ananda Perera (retired) who have kept the flame alive. The students will spend their mornings developing their English language skills and each afternoon will participate in an activity that introduces them to some of the sights of Melbourne and surrounds. Our Japanese students are here until July 30 and have presented the College with a thank you gift depicting a replica samurai helmet. Thank you to the host families who have agreed to accept our visitors into their home.

Staff Professional Learning Program

In a very full program on Monday, our staff participated in a workshop led by Liam Wood from Saints Knowledge Institute Workshop on the topic of establishing routines for the classroom that are consistent, predictable and reliable. We then moved into implementation of our RAISE Model for improving learning outcomes and academic culture. In due course, you will be informed of initiatives that are being considered to improve the learning experience for our young people. The afternoon ended with meetings in Learning Area Teams. Thank you for your support of these important workshops to focus on improving the quality of teaching and learning.

Whole School Assembly

We gathered on Tuesday morning as a school community to commence Term 3 with an assembly. MC’d by prefect, Thais Murray, our College Captains, Matilda and Jude, spoke about making every moment count as their year rapidly heads towards its culmination. Recognition was given to those who have excelled in ACC and CGSAV sport in Semester 1 and to those who have achieved more than five commendations for service to the community. As well as celebrating achievements from Term 2, we wanted to remind everyone of our high expectations for Term 3. I spoke to the students about the importance of developing good habits and pruning the bad ones and Mr Lancashire outlined some areas that need improvement at the College if we are going to be our best. We also welcome our visitors from Japan and the new students who have commenced with us this term. Thank you to all who contributed to the assembly.

EREA VSL Principal’s Meeting

Principals from our six EREA VSL Colleges and the Leadership Team will be visiting St Mary’s College next week for our regular term meeting. I look forward to showcasing our school as most will not have visited since we undertook the refurbishment and relocated to the Edmund Rice Campus. The members of EREA VSL are:

  • Mr Jeff Burn – Interim CEO
  • Mr Mark Aiello – Principal, Parade College, Bundoora and Preston
  • Ms Chloe Hand – Director, Saints Colleges
  • Mr Michael Davies – Principal, St Bernard’s College, Essendon
  • Mr Tony Paatsch – Principal, St Joseph’s College, Geelong
  • Mr Steven O’Connor – Principal, St Patrick’s College, Ballarat

Staffing News

We welcome back Mr Justin Paul after an extended break following surgery.

Primary School Principal’s Visit

We welcome Principals from some of our feeder primary schools next week for a tour of St Mary’s and a light lunch. We look to build on the partnerships with our Catholic Primary Schools and showcase what St Mary’s has to offer as a great option for families seeking Catholic co-education.

Annual Action Plan

We are sharing each of the priorities of our School Improvement Plan in Lumina and in this edition, it is our fourth:

SIP Priority 4 – Excellence in Learning

Goal: We strive for excellence in learning.

Intended Outcomes:

  1. Students exhibit learner agency and are well supported to determine their learning pathway.
  2. Teaching staff have a clearly articulated scope and sequence.

P&F Trivia Night

A reminder that the P&F are hosting a Trivia Night on August 2nd in Logue Hall and would greatly appreciate your support. 

Darren Atkinson 
Principal

Replica Samurai Helmet

Gifted by Mr Toshi Kitano, Principal of Taisei University High School in Osaka, Japan.

Deputy Principal

Shaun Lancashire

Deputy Principal

3966

Semester 2 brings a renewed focus on relational trust, academic standards, and respect.

Dear St Mary’s College Families,

Welcome to Term 3!

I hope all families and our students have had a restful and relaxing break and are now ready to move into semester two with energy and enthusiasm.

One of the important tasks in Term 3 in secondary schools is to equip families with the information they need to make considered and informed decisions about subject selections for the following year. This is most significant for current Year 10 students deciding firstly between the VCE or Vocational Major (VM) pathway, and then, which VCE subjects they will enrol in. It is, however, important at every year level. Whilst this can be a daunting process of discernment, the staff at the college are well equipped to provide advice and also to listen to the questions students and parents may have. Details around how this process will take place, and the deadlines around submission of selections will be communicated in the next few weeks.

At our start of semester assembly on Tuesday morning, amongst some brilliant musical performances from our symphonic band and the presentation of lots of sports awards and commendations, I took the opportunity to highlight three key focus areas / goals for our students and staff in semester 2, 2025.

Please see a snapshot below of what was covered:

Focus / Goal

Definition

Why Pursue This

Development of Relational Trust

Trust that develops because of relationships, often built over time, for mutual benefit.

So that every student deeply understands their time at school is spent in community with other people. The staff at the College will become increasingly connected to the strengths and weaknesses of the students they teach. If we achieve relational trust, respect is universal and never conditional.

Improved Academic Standards

Placing such value in the process of learning that steps are taken by all to preserve it.

So that punctual attendance every day and every period is never in question. Students will not passively accept not giving their best effort. Students will seek accountability for the standard of their work based on a cycle of feedback with their teachers. The ultimate outcome will be more motivated students that are fulfilled by learning and they know how to study.

Respect for Self and Others

Recognising and acting upon the inherent worth and dignity that you and all of humanity possess.

So that we continue to build a sense of community, pride and unity, which begins with wearing the uniform well, and requires the way we speak to each other to mirror our values. We need to respect school spaces. We need to respect each other so that learning and wellbeing may flourish.


As has been contained in my recent newsletter articles, where I highlight one of the child safe standards each fortnight, please see below the details regarding Child Safe Standard 6.

Child Safe Standard 6: Suitable staff and volunteers

This standard places child safety and wellbeing as the primary consideration in all decisions regarding recruitment of staff and engagement of volunteers. As part of this standard, schools are required to develop and implement policies and procedures for recruitment processes, as well as supervision, specific training and performance management of staff and volunteers to reduce the risk of child abuse. Staff and volunteers need to be supervised to ensure they are behaving in a way that is prioritising the safety of children, and so that they can receive feedback to improve.

At St Mary’s College, we work towards the implementation of Standard 6, by:

  • Recruitment of all positions to include the following components (includes recruitment of casual personnel, e.g. assistants, exam supervisors, etc.)
    • Child safe compliant advertising of positions
    • Child safe screening of all prospective staff, contractors, casuals and direct contact volunteers
    • Reference checking of all staff
    • Supervision – embedding a ‘line of sight’ culture
  • Induction of staff, contractors, casuals and direct contact volunteer.
  • Ongoing child safety training for all staff, contractors, casuals and direct contact volunteers
Shaun Lancashire
Deputy Principal

Introducing our Y10 Class Captains for 2025

Jen Howard

Director of Students

3242

Being a Class Captain is an exciting leadership opportunity that allows students to represent their class and contribute positively to the school community.

Being a Class Captain is an exciting leadership opportunity that allows students to represent their class and contribute positively to the school community. Class Captains are role models who demonstrate respect, responsibility, and teamwork in everything they do.

Selection Process

Class Captains are typically chosen through a nomination and voting process, where students put themselves forward and classmates vote for the peers they believe will best represent their class. This process encourages student voice and democratic decision-making.

Role of a Class Captain

The role involves:

  • Representing the class in school events and meetings
  • Assisting teachers in class organisation and communication
  • Promoting a positive, inclusive classroom culture
  • Supporting peers and encouraging good behaviour and participation
  • Leading initiatives or class projects

Significance for the Year Level

In Year 10, students begin stepping into more mature roles within the school community, and Class Captains play a key part in leading that transition. As senior students in the middle years, Year 10 Captains are expected to set high standards for behaviour, engagement, and effort. They act as a bridge between junior and senior year levels, often being looked up to by younger students and relied upon by teachers for leadership within the cohort.

Class Captains in Year 10 help foster a positive culture by supporting peers through the academic and social challenges of the year—especially as students start exploring pathways into VCE, VM, or other post-school options. Their leadership can contribute to building class cohesion, improving communication, and encouraging active participation in school life.

Planned Goals

Massimo Serritiello (10 Carroll) ‘This year my goal for class captain is to increase the communication within the year level to assist in reporting issues and ideas for improvement.’
Vivien Hoare (10 Ryan)‘For the remainder of 2025, I aim to ensure that all voices in my year level are heard, as the other class captains and I represent the grade with our insights and recommendations. I am hopeful that the actions I take will have a positive impact on our school during this transition period, aiming to create a comfortable environment for all.’
Ryder Poupard (10 Treacy) 
‘As part of my role as class captain my goal is to represent my peers with honesty and fairness helping everyone's voice be heard. I want my peers to know that it is a safe environment to be in and if they have any struggles, myself and the other class captains are going to be there to help. I aim to play my part in creating a positive and inclusive environment, where we support each other and work together to achieve both academic and personal growth.’
Maverick Yin (10 Walsh)‘As class captain in 2025, I would like to positively contribute to decision making that impacts both the students in the year level and the school community. I will do this by listening to student concerns and issues and contributing these as part of student voice.’


Jen Howard 
Director of Students

Year 10 Italian Excursion at the NGV

Rosario Genovese

Learning Leader - Languages

3057

Year 10 students immersed themselves in Italian language and culture at the NGV, exploring art, conversation, and career pathways.

On Thursday 26th June, our Year 10 Italian students attended an excursion at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). The Year 10 Italian Day Out is an event organized by the Victorian Association Teachers of Italian (VATI) to provide Year 10 Italian students with an engaging and enriching experience in the Italian language and culture.

The event encouraged students to continue studying the subject by immersing themselves in all things Italian. The day was filled with engaging activities, motivational speeches, inspiring videos and captivating art.

The event began in the Clemenger Auditorium with videos showcasing the exciting career prospects in Italy in such areas as tourism, finance, retail, business and information technology. Valentina Biguzzi, the Education and Culture Attaché at the Embassy of Italy in Canberra, addressed the cohort via a video call highlighting how learning another language offers a multitude of cognitive, social, and personal benefits. She explained that the subject enhances brain function, improves communication skills, fosters cultural awareness, and opens new opportunities. In addition, students heard from current Year 12 students and young adults talk about how learning another language enriched their education and career opportunities.

Students from the various schools were then divided into groups and each group rotated through different activities. The ‘Art Workshop’ encouraged students to use Italian to describe The Garden of Love, a fifteenth century Venetian painting. The ‘Video Workshop’ featured a short clip in which students answered comprehension questions and through discussion predicted the ending.

Students also participated in a ‘Speed Dating’ conversation activity with students from other schools during this session. By asking and answering questions, participants put their language skills to the test and engaged with students from various schools. The ‘NGV Workshop’ consisted of a guided tour of the art museum which allowed students the opportunity to learn more about various Renaissance paintings and their historical context.

As always, our students represented the college extremely well and showcased their Italian skills too

Rosario Genovese
Learning Leader - Languages

Sprouting Scientists Shine a Light on Sun Power!

Amy Fitzpatrick

Vocational Major Teacher

3263

With bean sprouts in hand (and soil under their fingernails), students set out to answer one big question: How important is sunlight for plant growth?

Just before the term break, three enthusiastic Year 7 science classes got their hands dirty—literally—as part of their unit on Resources. With bean sprouts in hand (and soil under their fingernails), students set out to answer one big question: How important is sunlight for plant growth?

Each student planted their own bean sprout and helped set up a simple but brilliant experiment. One pot went straight into the sun, another was tucked into a spot with just a little light, and the final unlucky pot was banished to the back of a dark cupboard (don’t worry, no beans were harmed—just challenged).

After two weeks of waiting and hoping, students returned to school with anticipation. The results? Let’s just say… the sun has never looked so good! The bean sprouts in full sunlight stood tall and proud, while the cupboard contenders looked more like pale spaghetti than plants.

This hands-on experiment not only gave students a chance to collect and analyse real data, but it also helped them appreciate just how powerful (and free!) the sun is as a natural resource.

Lesson learned? Don’t underestimate the magic of a little sunshine—and never trust a cupboard to grow your veggies. 

Amy Fitzpatrick
Teacher

Work Experience Week 2025

Mandy Ellwood

Careers Counsellor

5338

From surfboards to courtrooms, our students ventured into the world of work with curiosity, confidence, and a whole lot of enthusiasm.

Every time I despair at the paper warfare of Work Experience, the “week” arrives and visiting the students in their varied workplaces brings a complete change of heart. All the visiting teachers expressed surprise and delight at the excitement and engagement of the students they visited and at the enthusiasm of the host employers. So many of the employers set up wonderful and varied programs for the student in their care to ensure they gained a deep understanding of the industry.

Some sixty students ventured out in Work Experience week, with another ten or so completing it earlier or in their school holidays. A few students were keen enough to arrange two work experience placements and a couple even asked to extend their placement into the holidays as they were enjoying it so much!

Students worked in so many exciting workplaces and industries – it is impossible to mention them all. However, in the hope that our current Year 9 students will find some inspiration to start their Work Experience research soon (some placements open in October this year!), I will name a few: Accounting, Animal Care, Architecture, Automotive, Banking and Finance, Civil Construction, Criminal Law, Commercial Law, Commercial Real Estate, Design, Electrical, Education, Physiotherapy, Hospitality, IT, Mergers and Acquisitions, Patisserie, Physiotherapy, Plumbing, Sport Management, Sports Coaching, Surfboard Manufacture and Web Design. Quite a range!

One parent commented that her son was “thoroughly enjoying his work experience this week — I think he may have found his calling!” He asked to do an extra week!

One employer said: He was such a pleasure to have working with the teams. He worked across three different departments and his two supervisors could not speak more highly of him. He was confident, comfortable in himself and happy to participate. He showed great ability to work within a team dynamic, follow instructions, recreate/reproduce items once he was shown how…

I will let the students have the last words:

It was awesome!

There were so many things about the work that I did not know.

Do you think I could do another placement in the September holidays?

Mitchell at Cricket Victoria


Jack at an Architect's Studio


Chloe at Lune Croissants

Nate at Ticketmaster 

William at a Surfboard Studio 

Aiden at Unimelb Enviromental Science

Ryder at Hobsons Bay Physio

Joshua Macallister at Booran Motors 

Finn at Symal

Jacob at St Augustine's Primary School


Mandy Ellwood 
Careers Counsellor

Vocational Major VCE

Grant Godbold

Vocational Major Coordinator

2425

The Year 12 Vocational Major VCE Students have ben completing a sewing task creating their own T-Shirts.

The Year 12 Vocational Major VCE Students have ben completing a sewing task creating their own T-Shirts. This required numeracy skills of measurement as well as being an opportunity for students to explore personal branding through printing and sewing their own designs. Students had some success and were able to create clothing using an unfamiliar piece of equipment and develop new skills. The work extended students out of their comfort zone which helps them to realise that they can do anything if they put their minds too.


Grant Godbold
Vocational Major Learning Leader

ACC Basketball

Eddie Cavolo

Teacher

4241

A tough start to the season, but plenty of positives and promising performances to build on.

ACC Basketball

ACC Senior Basketball Round 1

Senior A Whitefriars 127 d St Mary's. 27

  • Matthew Bautista was absolutely outstanding, contributing nearly 75% of our total score. His skillset, competitiveness, and controlled aggression were all on full display.
  • Special mention to Xavier Beck, who remained disciplined and committed to his role for the entire game.
  • A huge shout out to Sam Scharper who filled in at the last minute demonstrating wonderful school spirit.

Points Bautista 20 Beck 5 and Gammon 2.


Senior B Whitefriars 67 d St Mary's. 34

  • The B team played with good intensity both on defense and offense. Jude Fitzgerald led the way with 12 points and 11 rebounds, He was ably supported by Kabir Singh and Will Stone both with 8 points.

Points Fitzgerald 12, Stone 8, Singh 8, Charlesworth 4 and Fraser 2.
Rebounds Fitzgerald 11, and Bentley 7.
"There’s a lot to learn from today’s game - hopefully we can show improvement next week against Mazenod."

Eddie Cavolo
Teacher

🏀 Intermediate A Basketball – St Mary’s Dominates at St Bernard’s

The Intermediate A team from St Mary’s College delivered an outstanding performance on the road, defeating St Bernard’s 48–15 in a commanding display.

From the opening tip-off, the boys played with energy, precision and teamwork. Their defensive intensity limited St Bernard’s scoring opportunities, while slick ball movement and accurate shooting gave St Mary’s a comfortable lead early on.

It was a true team effort, with every player contributing to the scoreboard and supporting each other on and off the court. The result is a testament to their focus and commitment throughout the season.

Well done to our Intermediate A team on a fantastic win!

Noah Deng - 14 points
Leo Bugden - 7 points
Isaac Reed - 7 points

🏀 Intermediate B Basketball – Tough Loss but Valuable Lessons

The Intermediate B team faced a strong St Bernard’s outfit and, despite their best efforts, were defeated 57–31.

Playing away from home, the team showed resilience and patches of strong play but were ultimately outmatched by a well-drilled opponent. There were promising moments of teamwork, hustle and solid shooting that the team will build on in future games.

The coaching staff were proud of the boys’ attitude and are confident the lessons from this match will strengthen their resolve for the rest of the season.

Keep working hard, team!

Jacob Fish -10 points
Eamon Dunne - 6 points

Coach - David Formosa

Ski Camp 2025

Eliza Jane Steward

HPE Learning Leader

4214

A sensational day on the slopes!

23 enthusiastic Year 10 and 11 students turned up to school on the last day of holidays, jumped on the bus and journeyed up to Mansfield. We were up at 5.30am on Saturday morning and back on the bus on the way to Mount Buller for a full day of skiing and snowboarding. Unfortunately, the weather was unkind. Windy and low visibility, but still the team got out there and persisted.

Sunday. Up at 5am to have a quick breakfast and pack up camp before heading back up the hill. The sun was shining and the whole mountain was open. It was a sensational day on the slopes! Back to the bus and home at 10pm. It was a very long day, but everyone had a sensational time.   

EJ Steward
Teacher

Ski camp was a once in a lifetime opportunity for many of us.
Despite the foggy, windy weather on the first day, we all managed to pick up the techniques and skills to eventually conquer the harder slopes on the second day.
I would not have enjoyed this experience if it wasn’t for the funny and adventurous group I was with, they made it the most memorable part.
I wish we had a longer time up in the mountains, I would go again next year! 

Dakira Nguyen
Student

Director of Music

Katie Thomas

Director of Music

2570

Term 3 kicked off on a high note!

Term 3 kicked off on a high note for the talented musicians of St Mary’s College, with the Symphonic Band delivering a standout performance at the whole school assembly. This impressive preview featured pieces that will be showcased at the upcoming ACC Accent on Music Concert, set to take place in September at Melbourne’s iconic Hamer Hall.

The event promises to be a memorable experience, as St Mary’s Bands, Choir, and Rock Bands join ensembles from 13 other ACC schools. Performing in the world-class Hamer Hall—located in Southbank and renowned for its acoustics and 2,000-seat capacity - is an exciting opportunity for our students to share their musical talents on a grand stage.

Katie Thomas 
Director of Music 

Parents & Friends - Starry Starry Trivia Night

David Formosa

Director of Development

1873

Save the date for a star studded night of trivia, music, and fun on 2 August!

Just a friendly reminder that our Starry Starry Night Trivia Night is fast approaching!

🗓 Date: Saturday 2 August
🕗 Time: Doors open at 6:45pm for a 7:00pm
📍 Venue: St Mary’s College – Logue Hall
🎟 Tickets: $40 per person or $350 for a table of 10 – Book now via this link

This fabulous Parents & Friends event promises a night of fun, trivia, dancing and live music, all while supporting our school community. You’ll have the chance to meet other families, win amazing raffle and auction prizes, and enjoy a relaxed evening of entertainment.

BYO drinks and nibbles. Dress in your starriest style!

If you’re unable to attend but would love to support the event, we are gratefully accepting prize donations – vouchers, experiences, or goods. Please email me at dformosa@stmaryscollege.vic.edu.au if you can assist.

We hope to see you there for a night to remember!


David Formosa
Director of Development 

Learn to Swim

David Formosa

Director of Development

2104

New opportunity for our students to participate in a Learn to Swim program weekly in Term 4.

Expressions of Interest: St Mary’s College Learn to Swim Program

We are pleased to announce a new opportunity for our students to participate in a Learn to Swim program weekly in Term 4, delivered by Swimable, a professional swim school that currently operates out of the St Mary’s College Pool.

The program will take place straight after school in the College Pool and is open exclusively to St Mary’s College students. This is not a squad training program but a Learn to Swim course, designed to support students in building their confidence and safety in the water.

Whether your child is just starting out or looking to improve their technique, this is a wonderful opportunity to develop essential swimming skills in a safe and familiar environment.

Please note: There will be a cost to participate.

If you are interested in enrolling your child, please email David Formosa at dformosa@stmaryscollege.vic.edu.au to register your expression of interest.

Spots may be limited depending on interest, so please respond promptly.

David Formosa
Director of Development

Expressions of Interest – Triathlon Academy

David Formosa

Director of Development

1869

St Mary’s College is exploring the launch of a Triathlon Academy.

Expressions of Interest – Triathlon Academy Coming to St Mary’s College!

We’re excited to announce that St Mary’s College is exploring the launch of a Triathlon Academy starting in Term 4!

The program will run before school from 7:15am to 8:15am, making use of our College pool and other facilities to help students build endurance, strength and skills across swimming, cycling (stationary), and running.

Whether your child is a seasoned athlete or simply looking to improve their fitness and try something new, this is a fantastic opportunity to develop discipline, goal-setting, and a healthy routine — all before the school day begins!

At this stage, we are seeking expressions of interest from students and families to gauge numbers and interest levels.

If your child is keen to be involved, or if you’d like to know more, please email:
📧 David Formosa – dformosa@stmaryscollege.vic.edu.au

David Formosa
Director of Development

St Mary's Snapshots

David Formosa

Director of Development

4490

Our School in Images

Liberations – Celebrating Semester 1 at St Mary’s

David Formosa

Director of Development

3587

Liberations – Celebrating Semester 1 at St Mary’s

We are delighted to share the latest edition of Liberations, our Semester 1 2025 magazine, which captures the spirit, growth, and achievements of our St Mary’s College community.

This beautifully curated publication highlights the heart of College life—from our commitment to the Edmund Rice Touchstones to special moments like the Ash Wednesday liturgy, the opening of the McCartney Wing, the outstanding success of our musical Mamma Mia!, and our growing Vocational Major program. You’ll also find reflections on academic achievement, vibrant student experiences, and how our RAISE Learning Model continues to shape purposeful, capable young people.

Whether you're a current family, alum, or friend of the College, we encourage you to explore Liberations and see the many ways our students are thriving.

David Formosa
Director of Development

2025 Lumina Edition 11 - 24 July 2025

Principal's Report

A warm welcome to Semester 2 as we reconnect, refocus, and continue building a flourishing community at St Mary’s College.

Deputy Principal

Introducing our Y10 Class Captains for 2025

Year 10 Italian Excursion at the NGV

Sprouting Scientists Shine a Light on Sun Power!

Work Experience Week 2025

Vocational Major VCE

ACC Basketball

Ski Camp 2025

Director of Music

Parents & Friends - Starry Starry Trivia Night

Learn to Swim

Expressions of Interest – Triathlon Academy

St Mary's Snapshots

Liberations – Celebrating Semester 1 at St Mary’s