1. Rock of Ages: A Celebration of Talent
It is a joy to witness the energy and creativity currently filling Logue Hall as we enjoy the 2026 production, Rock of Ages. The talent and commitment displayed by our young people on stage is a testament to their hard work and the vibrant performing arts culture at St Mary’s. Performances continue this week and conclude Saturday evening, 8 August. If you have not secured your tickets yet, don’t miss this opportunity. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Mr Brendan Tollit, Ms Katie Thomas, student Producer Mollie Andrews-Dodds and our dedicated staff for their tireless efforts and dedication in bringing this opportunity for our young people to perform to fruition.
2. Senior Subject Selection and Future Pathways
Last Thursday evening, Logue Hall was filled with Year 10 young people and their families for our Senior Studies Subject Selection Evening. This high attendance is an outstanding testament to the commitment our community has toward the success of our young people.
I encourage parents and carers to talk with their Year 10s about their own career experiences. Often, our young people are worried that they will make a mistake in their selections, and hearing about the strange and exciting turns of adult professional life can help alleviate that pressure.
To assist with your planning, please note the following key dates for the selection process:
Key Dates for Subject Selection
Key Activity |
Date |
Subject Selection Interviews |
4–12 August |
Online Subject Selection Opens |
14 August |
VET Applications Due |
21 August |
Online Subject Selection Closes |
21 August |
Should you have any specific questions regarding subjects or pathways, please contact Daniel Di Lisio, Director of Learning and Teaching.
3. Leadership and Governance Updates
The College recently hosted Mr Pat Murphy, the new CEO of EREA Victorian Schools Ltd. (VSL). We appreciated the visit from Pat in his first week in the chair, as it reflected a sincere desire to get his feet “on the ground” and connect directly with our school community. Mr Murphy met several of our young people as we toured the College and he asked each what they liked most about their school. He was impressed that all our students, Year 7 to Seniors, were so articulate in their description of the sense of belonging they felt at St Mary’s.
Furthermore, our School Advisory Council (SAC) met last Monday night. We are delighted to formally welcome our newest member, Ms Amanda Smart. Amanda is the mother of Audrey, our 2023 College Dux, and brings a valuable perspective to the Council. Amongst our standing items was a brief discussion of our NAPLAN results which continue to show that our work in literacy and numeracy is helping our young people to progress ahead of the national average.
4. International Partnership: Farewell to our visitors from Osaka
On Sunday, we bid a formal farewell to the visiting young people and staff, Mr Toshi Kitano and Ms Yoko Shimada, from our partner school in Osaka, Japan. The cultural exchange was a resounding success, and I would like to specifically thank Mr David Formosa, Mr George Baxas and Ms Annouk Thaddeus for their exceptional work in coordinating the programme and our very generous host families. One highlight of the visit was the beautiful Furoshiki gifts hand-crafted by Susan Lopez and the impressive artworks created by the visiting young people during their stay.
Mr Kitano, Principal of Taisei High School, complimented us on the high levels of interaction he witnessed between our young people because they were not on their phones like the students at his school. We continue to see a positive change in our classrooms and corridors following the update to our Mobile Phone and Wearable Devices Policy. To reinforce these expectations, we have launched the 'Don’t ruin your day, lock it away!' campaign and we thank our families for their cooperation in ensuring our school remains a focused and social environment for all young people.
We are proud to announce that we have signed a new three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), ensuring this valuable international partnership and cultural exchange continues to flourish well into the future. We intend to send a group of students to Japan next year for a cultural tour and will be seeking an expression of interest in coming weeks.
5. Celebrating Student Brilliance
Our assembly on Tuesday, 28 July, focused on the theme of “brilliance – inspiring one another.” It was a privilege to recognise the consistent effort and positive attitude displayed by so many of our young people throughout the first half of the year.
Semester 1 Commendations:
- 82 Bronze Badge recipients (5 commendations)
- 9 Silver Badge recipients (10 commendations)
While they may not always display it publicly, our young people should be privately proud of these achievements. As we move into Semester 2, commendation totals have reset, offering everyone a fresh start and a new opportunity to strive for a Gold Badge (15 commendations) by the end of the year.
6. Co-Curricular Spotlight: Senior Ski Trip
The College’s outdoor education programme continues to provide our young people with challenging and memorable experiences. Our Year 10 and 11 young people are departing tomorrow, Friday, 7 August, for the Senior Ski Camp at Mt Buller. Year 12 students will have their opportunity next weekend. We wish them a safe and rewarding trip. I would like to thank Ms Steward, Mr Baxas, and Ms Thaddeus for their dedication in making these significant co-curricular opportunities possible for our senior students.