Principal's Report

It is pleasing to see that so much has been achieved in a relatively short time and to be able to report with such optimism about the future.

Thanks for Term 1

This is the last Lumina for the term and a great opportunity to acknowledge a very encouraging start to the year. It is a term rich in activities and first-time experiences as we welcome new students, staff, and families to our community. We have celebrated our Welcome Liturgy and Excellence Assembly in Logue Hall; Athletics Carnival in a more suitable location in Newport and team building camps for Year 7s and 8s. Last week we conducted a very productive round of parent teacher interviews, and the feedback has been appreciated and overwhelmingly grateful for the opportunity to meet the classroom teachers. Each of these events brought our community closer together in one way or another.

I would like to thank our students for returning to school this year with a positive outlook and I appreciate that this mindset starts in the home with your encouragement and guidance. Thanks also to the St Mary’s College staff who continue to show that they are educators of the highest calibre.

Easter

For Christians, Easter is the most important festival in the liturgical calendar, as we rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the cornerstone of our tradition and the essential truth on which our belief is founded; that even in the darkest of times, suffering on the Cross, we are called forward into the light by the Risen Christ. Easter is a time of saying thanks for the year that has passed, asking forgiveness for the many times that we have failed to live up to our own expectations, and going forward with confidence that we are forgiven and loved. It is also an important time as a secular holiday for many families to capture a rare opportunity to come together and share a thanksgiving meal. Whatever Easter may mean for you, I hope that your family's celebration is rich and life-giving.

Change of Uniform

When we return from holidays, we move into a winter season for uniform. There are a variety of styles available in the winter range to suit the needs of your young person and these are described in our uniform brochure. It is worth noting that shorts are permitted as part of the winter uniform as this is not demonstrated in the infographic. We appreciate the support that we have received this year and have witnessed improvements in the wearing of the summer uniform as a sign of pride in our identity as St Mary’s College. I hope to see this improvement continue as we move into winter uniform.

EREA School Renewal

We continue the preparation for our school renewal panel visit early in Term 2 and have submitted the Principal Report this week. The report is structured in four sections: context statement; achievements since last renewal; key EREA policies and initiatives; and key challenges. Thanks, especially, to Shaun Lancashire, for his assistance in helping with my understanding of the journey since the last review in 2019 and to other members of the leadership team who were able to contribute about their own portfolios. It is pleasing to see that so much has been achieved in a relatively short time and to be able to report with such optimism about the future. Students have also been requested to provide feedback to the panel via a brief survey and parents / guardians will be invited to provide feedback to the panel via our committees.

Staffing News

Ms Cathryn Quigley and Mr Ananda Perera end lengthy periods of service at St Mary’s College / CBC this term. We give thanks for the contribution that they have made as educators over many years and the impact that they have had on countless young people and wish them every happiness in a well-earned retirement. Ms Isabella Russo will be replacing Ms Quigley as Maths Learning Area Leader.

Term 2 Dates

Students return for Term 2 on Tuesday, 22nd April. This first week will be short as we also have ANZAC Day on the Friday. The last day of Term 2 is Friday, 4th July.

Darren Atkinson
Principal 

Deputy Principal

Our students are proudly the product of their environment.

Dear St Mary’s College Families,

It is pleasing to reflect at the end of a very busy term, as is always the case with Term 1, on the achievements of our students and staff. Whether it be in co-curricular activities such as rehearsals for the college musical, on the sporting field in CGSAV or ACC competitions, or in one of the many daily interactions in a classroom, our students are proudly the product of their environment.

I would like to thank and acknowledge the work of the senior prefect team. They have certainly hit the ground running in their first term as leaders of the college. Their efforts in planning and preparing for the Edmund Rice Feast Day (May 5) has been exemplary. I look forward to this day coming together and being an important one of celebration for our community. I would also like to acknowledge the teaching and non-teaching staff who continue to ensure our students have access to high quality learning opportunities within and beyond the classroom. Finally, thank you to all students new and returning to the college for term 1, 2025. Your presence at school every day, alongside the staff and the parents that send their children here, is our community.

This week I include information about the fourth and final Edmund Rice Education Australia touchstone, Justice and Solidarity. We work diligently to ensure every student is exposed to curriculum and co-curricular opportunities that emphasise their role in shaping a better world for all humanity.

Justice & Solidarity

We are committed to local and global justice and peace, grounded in a spirituality of action and reflection, inspiring us to listen to, walk with and learn from all creation, especially those who experience powerlessness.

As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition we:

  • In the light of Gospel practices, participate in and lead prophetic advocacy for just causes.
  • Learn through a curriculum that integrates themes of justice and peace, underpinned by Catholic Social Teaching.
  • Participate in service and solidarity learning programs in partnership with those who experience unjust structures and systems.
  • Grow through local and global programs in which we form relationships, work with and learn, leading to mutual transformation.
  • Learn from the First Nations Peoples of Australia, through truth telling, fostering local relationships and advocating for justice, equity and healing.
  • Are actively involved in developing global partnerships through participation in Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders.
  • Demonstrate a deep reverence for the earth as both God’s work and our home, working towards a sustainable and regenerative future for all creation.
  • Recognise we are part of a global community and actively support the development of all humanity.
  • Nurture a culture of critical reflection and prayerful discernment in justice and peace issues.

Shaun Lancashire
Deputy Principal

Director of Students

Congratulations to our 2025 Class Captains!

Class Captains 2025

A Class Captain at St. Mary's College is a student leader who acts as a liaison between students and staff. They help organise events, assist teachers with tasks, and ensure clear communication within their class and year level. As an integral part of the student voice, the Class Captain represents their peers' views and concerns, helping to shape decisions that affect the student body. They play a key role in promoting school values, encouraging responsibility, and fostering a positive learning environment. As a role model, they inspire their peers to stay focused on academic and personal growth while contributing to a supportive and cohesive class community.

We are very pleased to announce the St Mary’s College, Class Captains for 2025 and we look forward to working with them in Term 2.

Charlie Andrews 12T
Zoe Pantazis 12C

Kara Villella 12R


Jahrielle McAlary 11T
Stella Ligudzinski 11C
Molly Andrews 11R
Maya Taifernopoulos 11W
Massimo Seritello 10C
Vivien Hoare10R
Ryder Poupard 10T
Maverick Yin 10W
Zac Holland 9C
Sophie Hoad 9R
Annie Graffeo 9T
Alex Piva 8M

Olivia Koutroulis 8E
Gia Torres 7C

Mikayla Mu 7R



Jackson Caguioa 7T



Jen Howard 
Director of Students

Director of Music

From rehearsals to rock bands, our music students are making the school come alive with sound and spirit.

The music students had a very exciting week attending their first ACC music rehearsal for the year at St Bernard's College. The students are working towards a big, combined concert of all 13 schools in the stunning Hamer Hall in September. We are very proud of all of the hard work they put in at the rehearsal day, and all the work they will continue to put in throughout the year.

Our Talk and Tour on Tuesday featured the talented Botao Power, who played some wonderful xylophone melodies accompanied by the piano for the parents. These performances really contribute to the atmosphere of the event, and the parents can see all the different instruments their children can learn!

We have had a series of Lunchtime concerts over the past few weeks, with performers including our guitar ensemble, our year 9/10 rock band, and finishing up this week with our year 8, year 10 and year 11/12 rock bands. Congratulations to all of the students involved in these, you have brought a special kind of atmosphere to the playground and have been enjoyed by all.

Katie Thomas
Director of Music

Students attending their first ACC music rehearsal for the year at St Bernard's College

Lunchtime concert

Vocational Major

Students gained an understanding of how the legal system works, how crimes are glorified by society and the real impact of crime against individuals throughout Melbourne’s history.

The year 12 Vocational Major Students attended the Old Melbourne Gaol, engaging in a courtroom drama re-enactment, being processed through the watch house there as well as a tour of the gaol itself. This was in line with the Crime and Justice unit that the students have been looking at in Literacy classes so far this year. Students gained an understanding of how the legal system works, how crimes are glorified by society and the real impact of crime against individuals throughout Melbourne’s history.

Grant Godbold
Vocational Major 

Students taking part in a courtroom drama re-enactment.

ACC Swimming Championships 2025

Congratulations to all our swimmers for their dedication and remarkable performances.

The St Mary’s ACC Swimming Team delivered an outstanding performance at this year’s competition, with all athletes competing to the best of their abilities. The highlight of the event was our Under 16 team’s remarkable victory, triumphing over strong competition from De La Salle, St Joseph’s Ferntree Gully, Mazenod, Emmanuel, and Simmonds.

A special mention must go to Milo Dressel-De Bruyn, who not only set a new school record but also shattered the ACC record in the 50m breaststroke with a phenomenal time of 31.08 seconds. Impressively, this was the fastest breaststroke time recorded at the event across all age groups.

Equally outstanding was Noah Chapple, who set multiple new school records. He recorded 2:02.41 in the Under 16 and Open 200m freestyle, 25.77 in the Under 16 50m freestyle, and his 31.08 in the backstroke broke a longstanding record set by Dale Collins in 1971.

Joe Charlesworth was another standout performer, posting the fastest 50m freestyle of the competition in the Under 17 age group with a time of 25.72. Like Milo and Noah, Joe won every event in which he competed, demonstrating his exceptional talent and dedication.

Our junior swimmers also made a significant contribution to the team’s success. Dan Komatsuzaki, Michael Tsaglas, Hugo Devine, and Lucas Kremzer all competed in four or five events each, amassing crucial points for the school. Their efforts were invaluable in ensuring a strong overall team performance.

In the Under 15 category, Nikolas Stroskos proved to be our most accomplished swimmer. His commitment to training, never missing a session, paid off as he delivered excellent results in his events.

The senior swimmers also rose to the occasion, led by team captains Colby Bryan and Nick Cook. Their leadership and teamwork were instrumental in the seniors securing second place in both the medley and freestyle relays.

Congratulations to all our swimmers for their dedication and remarkable performances. Their hard work, team spirit, and commitment to excellence were truly commendable, making this year’s ACC competition a memorable success for St Mary’s.

Coach Kaufman

Under 16's Relay Champions

St Mary’s students celebrating their impressive relay win at the ACC Swimming Carnival.

Milo Dressel-De Bruyn, Noah Chapple, Charles Steward and Jacob Fish

Year 11 Students on Ribbon Duty

Year 11 students proudly representing the College as ribbon presenters during the event.

Charlotte Ogier, Charlie Grenville & Maya Taifernopoulos

Produce garden - Stage 1

The once-empty planter box at the north end of the Plaza has been transformed into a thriving herb garden.

This term, students have used seasonal produce to make a variety of preserves, which have been sold to staff. The funds raised have allowed us to complete Stage One of our Produce Garden. With the help of some dedicated Year 9 Food Technology students, the once-empty planter box at the north end of the Plaza has been transformed into a thriving herb garden. Once established, it will provide Food Technology classes with a continuous supply of fresh herbs for years to come.


Sandie Saundry
Food Tech and Assistant

Uniform Shop Update – Get Ready for Term 2!

As we head into the new term, now is the perfect time to check that your child has everything they need for the school uniform.

Uniform Shop Update – Get Ready for Term 2!

As we head into the new term, now is the perfect time to check that your child has everything they need for the school uniform.

St Mary’s College has been working closely with students to improve the fit and comfort of our uniform, and we’re pleased to share that a new cut of the girls’ pants is now in stock. We thank the students who provided feedback and helped guide this update.

Both the Recycled Uniform Shop and Midford Uniform Shop will be open this Saturday, 5 April 2025, for families to top up their uniform supplies:

🔹 Recycled Uniform Shop10:30 am – 12:30 pm (Edmund Rice Campus, Entrance C)
🔹 Midford Uniform Shop9:00 am – 1:00 pm (11 Westbury Street, St Kilda East)

The Midford Uniform Shop will close for the school holidays at 1:00 pm on Saturday, 5 April and will reopen with extended holiday trading hours:

📅 Wednesday, 16 April – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
📅 Thursday, 17 April – 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Regular term trading hours will resume from Tuesday, 22 April, opening every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, plus the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

For added convenience, uniform orders can also be placed via the online store, with orders processed when the shop is next open.

Need a uniform fitting? Appointments are required and can be booked via the QR code available in the link below.

Thank you for your ongoing support in ensuring our students wear their uniform with pride!

HOLIDAY TRADING HOURS

David Formosa
Director of Development

Host Families Needed for Visiting Japanese Students

A wonderful opportunity for your family to experience cultural exchange.

Host Families Needed for Visiting Japanese Students

We are excited to announce that St Mary’s College will be hosting 14 Year 10 -12 students from Taisei Gakuin University High School in Osaka, Japan as part of an international exchange experience. To ensure these students have a warm and welcoming stay, we are seeking expressions of interest from families willing to host one or two students during their time in Australia.

Hosting a student is a wonderful opportunity for your family to experience cultural exchange, develop international friendships, and share the Australian way of life. Despite the students being in Years 10 -12, the invitation to be a host family, is open to all year levels.

The visiting students will be arriving in Melbourne on July 20 and departing on 6 August 2025. The students will be attending St Mary’s College each morning and visiting Melbourne's sites each afternoon. We hope that our host families can provide a supportive home environment, meals, weekend activities and some transportation. (Please note - some financial assistance will be provided to assist with out of pocket expenses).

If you are interested in becoming a host family or would like more information, please register your interest by Friday 4 April 2025 by contacting David Formosa at dformosa@stmaryscollege.vic.edu.au

As a special consideration, students from host families will receive priority when St Mary’s College students have the opportunity to visit Japan in 2026.

David Formosa
Director of Development


Need Help with PAM? A Handy Guide is Available!

Yes! Parents can download the SIMON Everywhere app for easy access to PAM on their mobile devices:

Need Help with PAM? A Handy Guide is Available!

We understand that navigating the Parent Access Module (PAM) can sometimes be challenging. Whether you're checking student reports, submitting absences, or accessing important school information, we want to ensure you have the support you need.

Yes! Parents can download the SIMON Everywhere app for easy access to PAM on their mobile devices:

📱 iOS (Apple) Download: App Store – SIMON Everywhere
📱 Android Download: Google Play – SIMON Everywhere

This app allows you to receive school notifications, check student timetables, submit absences, and more—all from your phone!

If you experience any issues with PAM, a help guide is available to assist you. Visit this link for step-by-step instructions on using PAM and the SIMON Everywhere app effectively.

Should you require further assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the College. We’re here to help!

David Formosa
Director of Development

Robogals App Development program

This is an exciting opportunity for girls to dive into the world of mobile app design and development using leading industry design tools.

App Development & Design 2-Day School Holiday Program (For Year 8 to 10 Students)

We stive to encourage more girls to participate in Technology related activities as there is a need for more girls and non-binary students to pursue a career in technology. There are great activities during the holidays and a great one that is also free is the Robogals App Development program for high school students of all genders at Monash University. This is an exciting opportunity for girls to dive into the world of mobile app design and development using leading industry design tools. Students will learn to design applications through low-fidelity and high-fidelity prototyping. The program is designed for students of all experience levels whether they are new to app development or already have experience. Students will gain hands-on experience in creating app designs, collaborating with peers, and presenting their creations.

If you have students in Yr 8 – 10 interested please to register as soon as possible in the link provided below

Program Details:

  • Dates: Monday 14th and Tuesday 15th April 2025 (2nd week of school holidays)
  • Time: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
  • Location: Level 4 Auditorium, Green Chemical Futures, Monash University, Clayton campus
  • Location Link: Click here
  • Eligibility: Open to students of all genders in Years 8 to 10
  • Cost: Free!
  • Important Note: Please ensure students bring lunch or prepare to purchase it, as no catering will be provided. Volunteers will be present to guide students to food vendors.
  • Sign-Up Link: Click here
  • Deadline: Please complete the form by 9th April 2025. The program is first-come, first-served, so apply soon
Sylvia Pastore
Teacher

    Opportunity to Influence the Alannah and Madeline Foundation

    Alannah and Madeline Foundation seeks youth voices to lead change.

    Opportunity to influence the Alannah & Madeline Foundation 

    In 2025, the Alannah & Madeline Foundation is launching its new Youth Engagement Program. This initiative will ensure that young people’s voices, experiences and ideas directly influence the work of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation and Dolly’s Dream. The program will empower young people to champion and strengthen their right to live free from violence and trauma and provide an online platform to positively shape the systems that affect them.

    We have been invited to ask students to participate in the brand new Alannah & Madeline Foundation’s Youth Engagement Program — giving young people the chance to directly influence the work of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation and Dolly’s Dream, shaping the future of child safety and wellbeing.

    This is an opportunity for young people aged 16 - 25 to:

    • Advocate for a world free from violence & trauma
    • Develop skills in digital citizenship, advocacy, media & more
    • Collaborate on real projects with industry experts
    • Make a lasting impact in your community

    They are not looking for any particular skillset or experience, but if there are any students aged from 16, passionate about child safety and ready to contribute, they want to hear from you!

    Participants will...

    • Join a nationwide network of young changemakers.
    • Virtual sessions every two months – informative & interactive.
    • Gain newfound skills and experience with opportunities to apply them.
    • Stay connected through our Alumni Network for future opportunities.
    • Receive a $50 honorarium for every session they attend as appreciation. (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander group members will be provided with a $100 honorarium.)

    If your child is interested please feel free to pass these on to any young people in your networks! Please note that applications are still open even though it says it is closed online.

    Sylvia Pastore 
    Teacher

    Exciting Parents and Friends Events – Save the Dates!

    The St Mary’s College Parents & Friends (P&F) Association is gearing up for a fantastic year of community events

    Exciting P&F Events – Save the Dates!

    The St Mary’s College Parents & Friends (P&F) Association is gearing up for a fantastic year of community events, and we’d love for you to be involved! These gatherings are a great way to connect with fellow families, support the College, and have some fun along the way.

    Here’s what’s coming up:

    📅 Feast Day & Walkathon BBQ HelpMonday, 5 May
    Join us as we fire up the BBQ to support our students on this special day. Volunteers always welcome!

    💐 Mothers’ Day CelebrationFriday, 16 May, 3:00 pm @ Bells Hotel, South Melbourne
    A wonderful opportunity for mums and mother figures to come together and celebrate.

    Trivia NightSaturday 2 August - Logue Hall
    Test your knowledge and enjoy a fun-filled night with the community. Details coming soon!

    🏌️‍♂️ Father’s Golf DayDate TBC
    A great way for dads and carers to celebrate Father’s Day with a round of golf. Stay tuned for more information.

    🌭 Bunnings BBQ FundraiserSunday, 26 October, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm @ Port Melbourne Store
    Come along, grab a snag, and support the College while enjoying a classic Bunnings BBQ.

    🎓 Annual Reunion Friday, 14 November, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
    Alumni are invited back for an evening of reconnecting and reminiscing.

    Mark your calendars, and keep an eye out for further details on how you can get involved. We can’t wait to see you there!

    David Formosa
    Director of Development

    Alumni of 2021 and Luke Destito

    We are very proud of Luke and hopefully we can see him take the next step and get a Victorian contract.

    Congratulations to Luke Destito who on the weekend played in St Kilda’s first XI premiership in Premier Cricket.
    St Kilda had Australian players such as Todd Murphy and Marcus Harris and upcoming sensation Harry Dixon.
    Luke has had an amazing season only debuting after round 10, taking 28 wickets at just over 9.
    Luke performed consistently with bat and ball for St Mary’s but more importantly he was a humble and fantastic captain who led the school to a thrilling premiership win in 2021 against St Bedes.
    We are very proud of Luke and hopefully we can see him take the next step and get Victorian contract.


    Eddie Cavolo
    Teacher

    St Mary's Snapshots

    Capturing our school in action!

    2025 Lumina Edition 05 - 04 Apr 2025