It’s hard to believe we are nearing the end of Semester One! Thank you for the many ways you have supported our school community throughout Term 2. The strong partnership between families and the school is vital to each child’s success, and we are truly grateful for your ongoing involvement, encouragement and support. I would also like to thank our dedicated staff for their continued commitment and care. Every day, they work hard to create a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where each student can learn, grow, and thrive. The teachers have enjoyed the term and are looking forward to catching up with you during Parent–Teacher Interviews next week to discuss your child’s progress and development.

This week, we warmly welcome Mr David de Carvalho as the new Executive Director of Catholic Education. David is a highly respected and experienced leader in the education sector, bringing with him a deep knowledge of, and commitment to, our Catholic faith.

Upon his appointment, David shared, “I am very much looking forward to getting to know and working closely with the leaders and staff of our 56 schools and 9 early learning centres, and our parish priests, as we continue to offer the gift of Catholic education to all families living in the Archdiocese. Our Australian society has never been more in need of this gift, which offers not only excellent academic outcomes, but more importantly a Christ-centred vision of humanity, life and learning as oriented to all that is true and beautiful and good.”

David will begin visiting schools next week, and we look forward to welcoming him to our beautiful community in the near future.

Next week, we farewell Tim Smith, Performance and Development Leader from Catholic Education. Tim has dedicated nearly 40 years to Catholic Education and has worked closely with schools across the South Coast throughout his career. Tim has been an excellent leader and a strong advocate for St Mary’s. His commitment, wisdom, and support have made a significant and lasting impact on our school and broader community.

We thank Tim for all that he has given to Catholic Education and wish him every blessing and happiness in the next chapter of his life.

This Sunday, we congratulate and pray for our students who will be receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. It is a significant step in their faith journey, and we are delighted to welcome Archbishop Christopher Prowse, who will be confirming the children. We extend our thanks to Mrs Durnan, Ms Lock, Fr George, and all those who have been involved in preparing the students to receive this special sacrament.

Last weekend, Fr Richard Thompson celebrated Mass at Sacred Heart Church. His reflection on the Gospel reading—the feeding of the five thousand with loaves and fishes—was a powerful reminder of the gift we have as Catholics in being able to receive the Eucharist, and the importance of who we are and how we live as people of faith. Fr Richard encouraged us to be welcoming through our words and actions, so that others may feel invited to walk alongside us.

This is also my hope for St Mary’s—that every student, family member, and visitor feels welcomed, valued, and included from the moment they step through our gates. Together, through faith and community, we continue to grow.

School Uniform Update
Thank you to the many parents who have taken the time to provide feedback on our school uniform. Your input is greatly appreciated and plays an important role in helping us make informed decisions that reflect the needs of our school community.

We are currently working with Hip Pocket Batemans Bay and Moruya Coastal Workwear to ensure consistency in the supply and appearance of our uniform items. A number of parents who responded to the recent survey expressed interest in having an alternative to the bomber-style jacket. In response to this feedback, we will begin the process this year of sourcing another jacket option. We will keep families updated as this progresses.

From 2026, we will introduce a requirement for all students to wear black leather school shoes. These do not need to be formal leather shoes—all-black leather runners will also be acceptable. However, please note that shoes must be completely black, including soles and laces.

We appreciate your continued support in ensuring students wear the correct uniform each day. A consistent approach to uniform helps promote a sense of belonging, equality, and pride among our students as they represent St Mary’s.

Kindergarten 2026 enrolments
Kindergarten enrolments for 2026 are progressing rapidly and we are nearing capacity. Over the past two weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting many new and returning families as we welcome the youngest future members of the St Mary’s community.

If you have a sibling who will be starting Kindergarten in 2026 and you have not yet submitted your enrolment paperwork, we strongly encourage you to do so as soon as possible to secure a place.

Please don’t hesitate to contact the Front Office if you need an enrolment pack or have any questions.  

Carroll College Musical 
This week, I had the pleasure of attending the Carroll College Musical, We Will Rock You. It was a fantastic production, and I especially enjoyed seeing so many of our former St Mary’s and St Bernard’s students taking on lead roles and showcasing their incredible talent on stage. A huge congratulations to Carroll College on delivering such a wonderful show. Our students thoroughly enjoyed the performance and left feeling inspired!

Teaching and Learning
At St Mary’s, our staff are committed to providing your child with the highest quality education. Over the past two years, our whole staff has engaged in professional learning focusing on the Science of Learning and the Science of Reading. This evidence-based approach underpins our classroom practices and supports all students in achieving success.

Spelling Mastery has been implemented across Years 3–6 as a Tier 1 whole-school intervention strategy. All staff were trained in the program and now work collaboratively to deliver targeted spelling instruction each morning. As part of our consistent whole-school approach:

• Spelling Mastery is taught four days per week
• Lessons begin promptly at 8:50am and run for 20 minutes
• Students are grouped across year levels based on need

This structured and explicit teaching program has not only supported student growth, but has also provided staff with valuable professional development. Many of our teachers have shared their “light bulb” moments, as they see the direct impact this approach is having in the classroom.

Our teaching philosophy is grounded in explicit instruction, where teachers teach first, then ask—ensuring students have the knowledge and support needed before being asked to respond. We also use daily reviews across the curriculum to strengthen memory and reduce cognitive load. These strategies are making a real difference: students are thriving and experiencing real success in their learning.

This week, I also had the pleasure of listening to our Year 5 speeches. The students were confident, creative, and incredibly impressive. I was so proud of their efforts and the growth they have demonstrated. Congratulations to each of them!

NAIDOC Week Celebrations
We are working closely with St Bernard’s, Batemans Bay and Carroll College, Broulee to plan authentic and meaningful celebrations for NAIDOC Week.

In Week 1 of Term 3, we will participate in two significant events:

• Yuin Bunaan Cultural Day
• Thursday 24 July – All Aboriginal students and school leaders are invited to attend the regional NAIDOC Mass at St Patrick’s Church, Bega, beginning at 11:00am.

In Week 2, St Mary’s will host our own NAIDOC Week celebrations, with a range of activities planned for students across the week. A highlight will be our special cultural experiences designed to deepen students’ understanding and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.

These events are a valuable opportunity for our school community to celebrate, learn, and reflect on the rich traditions, contributions, and stories of our First Nations peoples.

School finishes for Term 2 for all students on Thursday 3 July.

I wish all families a safe and enjoyable break and we look forward to seeing you back for Term 3 on Tuesday 22 July.

Warm regards
Jo

Johanna Wain
Principal