Dear families,

Today, we remember our dear former student, Dario Dias, on the anniversary of his passing. Although his closest friends have moved on to secondary school in recent years, Dario remains fondly remembered within our community. 

We also ask God to bless his parents, Susana and Issac, and his older brother, Senan, today and always, as they continue to journey through life together.

We finished this week with a whole-school Clean Up Australia Day event, starting with our own backyard.

Charli and Jeremiah, our environmental leaders, were eager to set up something for this annual Australian event.

Classes were assigned a space on our school grounds to clean up this afternoon, and while our school usually looks clean, we could not believe the amount of rubbish collected. Unfortunately, teachers were too quick to dispose of the rubbish before I had the chance to take a photograph of the accumulation. 

On Monday, Ms Lycke will accompany a number of student volunteers who will make their way down to Altona Beach to continue our commitment to keeping our community clean.

Charli and Jeremiah will address the school at assembly on Monday afternoon with an update on our efforts.

At last week’s assembly, I reminded students of our Uniform policy and outlined specific items that require attention. 

In the last two years, when we transitioned from our old uniform to the new, we did not enforce our policy, as we did not want to place undue strain on parents. Now that this is the first year of our new uniform, this is a timely reminder.

I ask for your support in adherence to our policy, particularly around the following:

• If wearing runners as part of the school uniform, these must be completely black (Any other runners are suitable for sports days)
• The skort is only an option for sports days. On other days, students can choose to wear either the dress, shorts or skirt
• Jewellery: only a single-strand necklace with a single pendant, worn under the shirt/collar, is permissible; only simple studs or sleepers as earrings

I mentioned to students that following our school rules around uniform is very good practice for when they enter high school, where schools are very strict on this matter. While we don’t wish to follow such a punitive approach at St Mary’s, we do ask and expect your support in having your child in proper school uniform each day.

The policy in its entirety can be accessed here. If you have any questions about anything listed here, please contact us.

Last week, we gathered as a school community to celebrate Mass for the beginning of Lent, a sacred season of reflection, renewal and preparation for Easter. In his homily, Fr Michael invited us to think carefully about the small, everyday choices that shape who we are becoming. He drew our attention to the words of Pope Leo this season, who challenges us in a simple yet powerful way: to give up harsh words.

This invitation reminds us that Lent is not only about giving up material things, but also about transforming our hearts. Choosing patience over frustration, kindness over criticism, and encouragement over negativity can profoundly shape our relationships and our community. Words have the power to build up or to tear down, and this Lenten call encourages us to be people who speak with compassion, gentleness and love.

You can read Pope Leo’s full message here.

Wishing you a restful weekend,

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

 

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In this week’s community update, you’ll find information about the church bulletin& Williamstown Community & Education.

Church Bulletin

Williamstown Community & Education

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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Love reading? Looking for a new poster for your home? Join us at our Book Fair! This year, the Book Fair will be held in the Tri Centre.

Sales will be held on Thursday 5th March to Wednesday 11th of March, from 8:30 - 8.45am and 315pm - 4pm

The students will have a chance to walk through the book fair before hand to see if they like any books. 

See you there!

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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A Reflection offered from the Mary MacKillop Today organisation.

Why Lent Still Matters in a Fractured World

In a world marked by division, uncertainty and fatigue, Lent can feel like an outdated ritual – a quiet season of reflection in a noisy, fast-moving age. And yet, perhaps it has never been more relevant.

At its heart, Lent is not about deprivation for its own sake. It’s about choosing to pause, to reflect, and to ask deeper questions about how we live, what we value, and how we treat one another.

In a fractured world, that pause matters.

 

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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At St Mary's we adhere to the Child Safe Standards, to ensure all children feel safe, valued and respected in our school environment.

The Child Safe Standards are a set of 11 requirements that organisations must follow to create a culture and environment that is safe for children. These standards aim to prevent, respond to, and report child abuse by requiring organisations to implement policies, procedures, and practices that put children’s safety and well-being first. They were developed in response to inquiries and recommendations from Royal Commissions and aim to drive cultural change within organisations that provide services or facilities for children.

Each month, staff will revisit each standard to ensure our existing practices are aligned with the expectations outlined within each. We will also be sharing information about each of these Standards with the parent community via the newsletter in a monthly article.

Linked is the information for Child Safe Standard 2 and 3. 

 

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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2026 NAPLAN Assessment

As we embark on the academic challenges of the upcoming year, our year 3 and 5 students are preparing for the National Assessment Program – (NAPLAN), scheduled for March 11 to March 23. NAPLAN serves as a valuable tool, offering a snapshot of our students' proficiency in literacy and numeracy.

At St. Mary’s, we view NAPLAN not just as a test but as a catalyst for growth and improvement. It serves as a guide to tailor our teaching strategies, ensuring a dynamic and effective learning environment that caters to the unique needs of every student.

During this assessment period, our Year 3 and 5 students will engage in assessments covering Reading, Writing, Language Conventions, and Mathematics. This comprehensive approach aims to provide a holistic understanding of their academic progress.

We look forward to celebrating the upcoming growth and development of our students, in particular the improvements made between 2024 - 2026 by our year 5 students.

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

 

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We'll be watching a bit of footy, having a drink and a bite to eat if you want.

Food and drinks are available to purchase at the venue

Date: Friday 13th March 
Time: 7pm
Location: Altona Sports Club (Workies)

The Google Form link is below to RSVP :

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrJ4_AIjV6_SqaP-c2t_ZA98O9IS1vQvitViQ1qf8masrOXw/viewform

Hope to see you there!

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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Ladies of St Mary’s are warmly invited to save the date for our “Welcome 2026 Get Together.” Date Sunday 1st March

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PARISH RENEWAL PROGRAM – we would love all our parish school families to be involved! The Program provides us with a wonderful opportunity as individuals and as a community- to reflect on the importance of our faith and to embrace the exciting opportunities ahead. The Program runs for three weeks, covering themes central to parish life – FAITH, ENGAGEMENT and COMMITMENT. You will have the opportunity to hear how we all have a role to play in building a vibrant parish community, that meets the challenges of today and ensures a sustainable future for our children to enjoy in the years to come.

A special Program brochure has been provided for each parish school family – taken home with your eldest child. The brochure details where the parish is now and importantly what are our key priorities in the times ahead – mission, pastoral care and financial. ‘Soft copies’ of the brochure are also available through the link here.

THOUGHTS FOR REFLECTION:
“Why is our parish community important for my family?”
“Our parish school and our parish community have a special relationship – working together to provide the best Catholic education for our children. Providing an education underpinned by our shared faith and values. Laying strong faith foundations through the Sacramental Program and the celebration of our faith at school and class Masses. It is in the interests of
all our parish school families to ensure we have a vibrant, vital and viable parish community, so we can continue to support our children on their faith journey.”

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

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• Easter eggs
• Easter themed crafts/activities.
• Baskets, gift bags, cellophane or anything that will help us bundle our prizes together.

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In 2026, our school is embracing Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL),an evidence-based,whole-school framework that promotes a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

PBL focuses on building a shared understanding of expectations and equipping students with the social, emotional, and behavioural skills they need to thrive both in and beyond the classroom.

Through explicit teaching, students are guided to understand what positive behaviour looks like in different settings. Staff consistently model and reinforce these behaviours using encouragement and recognition, helping to strengthen positive choices. When challenges arise, responses are clear, calm, and consistent, ensuring fairness and supporting students to reflect, learn, and grow.

The benefits of PBL extend across the school community. Students experience greater clarity, confidence, and belonging, leading to improved wellbeing and engagement in learning. Classrooms become more focused and respectful, allowing teachers to dedicate more time to quality teaching and learning. Families also benefit from consistent language and expectations that strengthen the partnership between home and school.

The process will involve input from all stakeholders; staff, students and parents, throughout its implementation, so we encourage you to keep an eye out for updates and encourage you to have your say when the time comes.

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

 

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Fantastic News!
St Mary’s PS has been selected by Mayde Homes for a $2,000 sponsorship!
This generous contribution will go towards our exciting Ninja Warrior Course, set to arrive in 2026.

About Mayde Homes
Mayde Homes is passionate about helping first-home buyers across Victoria turn their dreams into reality by designing and building beautiful homes in the growing communities of Melbourne and Geelong.

While it might be your first time building a home, it’s a journey they’ve guided many families through before. Think of them as your trusted sidekick—making the process simple and enjoyable, with less stress and more pizza on your first night in your new home!

You can visit their display home at 9 Dandenong Way, Donnybrook, or learn more at maydehomes.com.au 

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Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage

 

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