Principal's Report

Welcome to the latest edition of Lumina. Please enjoy reading about life at the College as we begin Term 2 and the start to feel the cool, crisp mornings that autumn brings after a late summer burst over Easter. Term 2 also means that we are now in winter uniform.

ANZAC Day

Once again, our ANZAC Day celebration last Thursday at St Mary’s College was something of which we can feel rightly proud. Led by our Prefects, our young people demonstrated at our assembly that they understand the significance of the day and the sacrifice of those who have gone before by listening intently and with great respect. Members of our alumni joined us, some of them ex-servicemen, and each commented on how pleased they were to be invited back to such a reverent assembly.

In my speech, I referenced the passing of Pope Francis and his call for peace in our world. His Easter Message, effectively his last public statement, is profound and implores our world leaders to end hostilities in our war zones - in Ukraine, the Holy Land, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Myanmar. Mr Steedman, President of Caulfield RSL, addressed our gathering on the important role that young people play in keeping ANZAC Day alive.

To reinforce our strong connection with the RSL, the College Band and our drummers played a key role in the Dawn Service on Friday and were thanked emphatically by a large crowd in attendance. Thank you to Ms Katie Thomas, Director of Music, our instrumental teachers, and the parents who provided the transport to Caulfield RSL so that our young people could participate in this important event. 

Feast Day of Blessed Edmund Rice – Monday, May 5th.

Edmund Rice, founder of the Christian Brothers, was born in Ireland in 1762. We know very little of his childhood but celebrate his life and the contribution he made to education of young people and the marginalised each May 5th. This year, for the first time, we are combining our walkathon with our Feast Day activities on what we hope will be a busy but rewarding celebration of our identity. In combining these events we make a strong statement about our mission to be outward looking to those who are marginalised as well as a key component of our identity.

Thanks in advance to Mr Lancashire who has overseen the planning of the day with support from our Prefect Team and key members of staff. Specific details about the operation and expectations on the day will have come to your email from Mr Lancashire. If you have any further questions, please contact the College.

Mother’s Day Breakfast – Thursday, May 8th.

Our Mother’s Day Breakfast is a very popular annual event and will be taking place on Thursday in Logue Hall at the College. It is an opportunity to thank our mothers and acknowledged their invaluable role as the first educators and appreciate that we are indeed privileged to be able to partner in the formation of our young people. It is also important that we remember that our families look different, and that the mothering role is sometimes undertaken by a grandparent, or an aunt, or friend. We give thanks to those who nurture our young people and show us what it means to live with love and compassion. Please look out for further information from our Director of Development, David Formosa.

EREA School Renewal Panel Visit

This week we welcomed a School Renewal Panel at St Mary’s College to assist us in identifying our key achievements and areas for improvement as a school in the Edmund Rice Tradition. The panel was comprised of: Mr Ray Paxton - EREA National Director of Educational Strategy; Ms Rebecca Kirwan - EREA Director of Professional Practice; Mr Stephen Gough – Principal, Edmund Rice College, Wollongong; and Ms Laura Ruddick - Senior Manager, School Leadership MACS. Over a three-day period, the panel met with students, staff and other community members and observed the school in operation. From the panel visit, a report is published that will help identify commendations and recommendations to guide our next strategic plan. Thank you to all who contributed to this process.

Enrolment in Year 7 2026

Those who are not in Catholic Primary Schools are often unaware that offers are made during the Grade 5 year. From time to time, we hear from parents/carers who are worried that they may have missed out. Of course, we don’t want potential enrolments not to apply thinking that they have missed the deadline. As your word of mouth is extremely valuable, you can help us with spreading the word. Please advise your family and friends who may fit this description that St Mary’s keeps enrolments open at all year levels and that we would welcome an expression an interest.

Federal Election

The National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) has prepared an information sheet on school funding and a summary of the responses from the major parties to questions related to the priorities for Catholic Education. This is available here.

Darren Atkinson
College Principal

Edmund Rice Feast Day is here!

We look forward, first and foremost, to the presence of our students on Monday May 5. The opportunity to pray, reflect, and journey with one another (for approx. 10 km’s) before enjoying each others company in a relaxed environment back at school is one not to be missed. I encourage all families to access the walkathon donation page at the following link:

https://st-marys-college-2025-walkathon.raiselysite.com/donate

Our goal is $50 per student by the end of Term 2. Let’s work together to raise funds for local and global organisations that truly respond to those most in our community, our one global catholic family.

Over the next few months, I will present each of the 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards in my newsletter article. Within each article, I will also provide some commentary as to how we are or are planning to enact each of these standards at St Mary’s College.

Please find below a summary Child Safe Standard 1, which came into effect on July 1 2022, and a summary of our action plan for this standard.

Child Safe Standard 1: Culturally Safe Environments

Schools must establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children, young people and students are respected and valued

Aboriginal children and young people who don’t feel safe being themselves and expressing their individuality may be less willing to report abuse

Providing safe environments for children has positive, lifelong impacts that cannot be underestimated, and cultural safety is a key dimension of safety for Aboriginal children

By supporting Aboriginal children to feel strong in their identity schools also help them enjoy their cultural rights

Schools need to address all forms of racism and consider attitudes and practices that are a barrier to providing a culturally safe environment and addressing all forms of racism

At St Mary’s College, we are working towards the implementation of Standard 1, by:

Developing a College Reconciliation Action Plan.

Creation of a new Acknowledgement of Country for the commencement of all school meetings, assemblies, events, and displayed around the school and on the website.

Partnering with the local Aboriginal community in educating St Mary's College students and staff in Aboriginal history, language and culture to promote cultural inclusion.

Actively articulating the College's no tolerance for racism.

Embedding Aboriginal histories and cultures when planning curriculum for students (as demonstrated in the Victorian Curriculum F-10), including visits to Aboriginal cultural learning centres and the inclusion of Aboriginal texts, art and performance in curriculum.

Recognising First Nations Peoples key events and anniversaries.

Shaun Lancashire
Deputy Principal

Why Religious Education Matters at St Mary’s College

The recent passing of Pope Francis and the global attention surrounding the upcoming conclave has prompted many to reflect—not only on the role of the papacy, but on the enduring relevance of faith in the modern world. It has reminded me how Religious Education, often quietly present in the background of school life, is in fact a vital part of how we understand ourselves, each other, and the world we share. At a time when international headlines turn to the Church’s global presence and influence, I’ve found myself thinking more deeply about why RE remains a cornerstone of our curriculum at St Mary’s—and why it always will.

At St Mary’s College, Religious Education (RE) is not just another subject—it is foundational to our mission, identity, and curriculum. As a Catholic co-educational school, we hold high expectations for every student, knowing that their formation is not only academic but also spiritual, ethical, and personal. Religious Education is taught across all year levels because it speaks to the deepest questions of life: Who am I? What do I believe? What is my responsibility to others and the world?

In our context as an Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) school, RE is one way we live out our commitment to a liberating education—one that forms young people with hearts for justice, minds for truth, and a deep awareness of the presence of Christ in themselves and in others. Our Gospel-centred spirituality calls us to create a community where faith is not private or abstract, but lived, shared, and intellectually engaged.

RE nurtures our students’ capacity to see the dignity of all people, to engage in ethical reflection, and to respond with action—locally and globally. As Pope Francis reminds us, “The mission of schools is to develop a sense of truth, of what is good and beautiful.” This is not only the work of RE teachers—it is the shared vocation of our whole community.

St Mary’s College participates in the Catholic intellectual tradition—a 2,000-year history of thought that brings together faith and reason, belief and inquiry. This tradition includes—but is not limited to—the wisdom of women and men like St Augustine, St Thomas Aquinas, Edith Stein, and St Catherine of Siena. Our students learn within a tradition shaped by individuals like these: one that values questioning, reflection, dialogue, and the pursuit of truth.

Historically, theology was known as the “Queen of the Sciences”—not because it stood above all knowledge, but because it sought to integrate and illuminate it. That vision continues today in our classrooms, where Religious Education intersects meaningfully with all learning areas. Questions of ethics, human dignity, creation, justice, and purpose are woven through subjects like science, literature, and the humanities. Students come to see that faith is not separate from intellect—it deepens it.

In our diverse and global society, Religious Education also fosters respectful interreligious dialogue. At St Mary’s, we teach the Catholic faith with clarity and confidence while encouraging students to understand and engage with other faith traditions. This is not only about comparison, but about encounter—about recognising the image of God in others and learning how to build bridges of understanding.

Religious Education is one way that we place Christ at the centre of our college’s mission and ethos. We nurture a generation of students who are intellectually capable, spiritually grounded, and socially aware.

Daniel Di Lisio
Director of Teaching and Learning

Year 7 Class Captains

Congratulations to our newly appointed Year 7 Class Captains! Following a formal application process, three outstanding students were selected by the Director of Students to represent their Pastoral Care classes. They were proudly awarded their badges in front of the year level at the conclusion of Tuesday’s Pastoral Care lesson.

We are pleased to announce Gia Torres as the Class Captain for 7 Carroll, Jackson Caguioa as the Class Captain for 7 Treacy, and Mikayla Mu as the Class Captain for 7 Ryan.

Each Class Captain will work closely with the Director of Students, the Student Counsellor, and the Year 7 Pastoral Leader, and will also contribute to the Student Voice committee. Their role is vital in strengthening the connection between students and staff across the school.

Well done to our new leaders, we look forward to seeing all you achieve throughout the year!

Lucy Dickson
Year 7 Pastoral Leader

ANZAC School Service

The band and choir are proud to have represented St Mary's College at the recent Caulfield RSL ANZAC Dawn Service. The students all turned up at 5:30am to help set up for the service, and the teamwork displayed was great to see. The drumline began the procession from the top of the road and marched all the way down, leading the cadets and servicemen and women. The band and choir performed really well, and it was great to see such a large public turn out. A special thank you to the staff for helping out, in particular Miss Hemmes for leading the choir.

ANZAC service Caulfield RSL

The day before, the students had the opportunity to perform and sing for the whole school for the school's ANZAC own service, attended by school alumni and Caulfield RSL President James Steedman. It was wonderful to see so many past students returning to the school.

ACC Hamer Hall Concert rehearsal 2

On Monday the ACC music students attended their second rehearsal in the leadup to the much anticipated ACCent on Music concert in Hamer Hall in September. This time it was the guitars and strings rehearsing for the guitar ensemble and symphony orchestra. Well done and happy practicing!

Katie Thomas
Director of Music

Celebrating Student Achievement at St Mary’s College 🏀

We’re proud to share the outstanding achievements of our CGSAV basketball teams in Division 3. Our Senior Girls team were crowned champions, securing strong wins over Mercy and Killester Colleges. A special congratulations to Charlotte Ogier for being named Best Grand Final Player.

We also commend our Intermediate and Junior teams, who both made it through to the grand final and represented St Mary’s College with pride, determination and excellent sportsmanship.

These results are a testament to the growing strength of girls’ sport at our College and the spirit of participation, teamwork and confidence we encourage in all our students.

Senior Grand Final 

St Mary's College 23 defeated Killester College 10

Intermediate Grand Final

St Mary's College 9 defeated by Killester College 23

Junior Grand Final

St Mary's College 4 defeated by Mercy College 22

David Formosa
Director of Development

RSA Training 

On Thursday 24^th of April the Vocational Major Students attended William Angliss TAFE and completed a Responsible Service of Alcohol Course. This certificate will enable students to be able to work in licenced premises in the hospitality and service industry. It also has an added benefit of having students understand the dangers and risks associated with alcohol. 

Students learn how to handle conflict and resolve disputes in a calm manner and how to follow a set process to ensure a positive outcome for both business and consumers alike. These laws and regulations which employees in the hospitality industry have to follow are not too dissimilar to the regulations in other industries and will help to enable our students to understand workplace processes more broadly.

Grant Godbold
Vocational Major Coordinator

Mother's day Breakfast

We warmly invite you to join us for our Mother’s Day Breakfast to celebrate and honour the wonderful mothers and special women in our community.

📅 Date: Thursday, 8 May 2025
🕢 Time: 7:30am – 8:30am
📍 Location: Logue Hall, St Mary’s College (entry via Gate C)

Come and enjoy a delicious breakfast with your child before the school day begins — it’s a wonderful opportunity to come together and celebrate the special people who nurture and inspire us every day.

Bookings are essential. Please secure your spot by using the link below:
👉 Book Here

Please note:

• Entry to the event is via Gate C.
• Parking in Westbury Street is very limited, so we encourage families to plan accordingly.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

David Formosa
Director of Development

You're Invited: Mother’s Day Drinks with the St Mary’s College P&F

The St Mary’s College Parents & Friends Association warmly invites all mums and carers in our community to join us for a special Mother’s Day Gathering celebration.

Come and enjoy an afternoon of great company, delicious finger food, and warm conversation as we celebrate the incredible women who help shape our school community.

Event Details:
📅 Date: Friday, 16 May
🕒 Time: 3:00pm
📍 Venue: Bells Hotel, 157 Moray St, South Melbourne
💵 Cost: $35 per person – includes finger food (drinks available at bar prices)

There will also be a raffle on the day, so don’t forget to bring along a few coins for your chance to win!

Tickets are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
🎟️ RSVP by 9 May via: https://www.trybooking.com/DBLNM

We look forward to seeing many of our wonderful school mums and carers there!

David Formosa
Director of Development