Dear Members of the St Mary’s Community,
Year 7 2024
Congratulations and thank you to everybody involved in the success of the Year 7 2024 Information Night. There was an extremely positive vibe among those attending and the quality of the presentations by the students would have been very reassuring for prospective families. Issues discussed were gender ratios, public transport, future developments of the Westbury site, the positive impact of co-education on academic achievement, collaborative problem solving and future workplace prospects.
Gender ratios were put to bed by the students who expressed the view that this was not their issue, and it wasn’t noticed. Just the same, I am delighted that there will be at least two female Pastoral Leaders next year and that the College has made an exciting appointment of a new Director of Students who is a female with extensive experience in co-education. These appointments were made from strong fields of interest and were not made because they are female but because they were excellent applicants. A happy outcome for the progress of St Mary’s.
VAPA Night
Everybody that attended Tuesday Night’s event would have been impressed with the extraordinarily high quality of student work in the visual arts, moving image and music. One parent complimented the College on the wide diversity of themes, materials and styles reflected in student work. This struck me also.
Thank you to the following people including, Raoul Chapman, Louisa Lawless, Michael Pye, Avril Martinelli, Sandie Saundry, Charlie Rooke, Sara Calia, Cameron Hayes, Brendan Tollit, Nick Whitlock, David Formosa, Kevin Wantrych, Michael Essing, Alex Keser and Susan Lopez.
All of these people are to be congratulated on a very successful evening of the Arts.
End of Lease Announcement
Thank you to the families and alumni who contacted the College supporting the decision to vacate the Presentation Campus and build the future of St Mary’s on the Westbury Street site. Last Friday’s Herald Sun printed an extremely favorable story about the decision which I commend to you. Several parents have contacted me with specific questions and each of those inquiries have been responded to by phone.
The College is fully engaged with the grant acquittal and tendering process and will be able to communicate a timeline for refurbishment and redevelopment early next year.
Campus Announcement St Mary's College
The Middle East Situation
Like most people, I understand Middle Eastern politics is a complex business and that there are a variety of legitimate and well-intentioned points of view. The news from last weekend involving the unbridled slaughtering of women and children, old people and other civilians is indefensible. Teachers have been requested that were matters relating to these events be raised in class by students that it be done so respectfully with a clear understanding that this school supports the dignity of every human being and condemns lawlessness and murder. The rule of law is paramount to any civilized society.
I have been in contact with members of the Jewish educational community to express my best wishes to them and their families, many of whom would have relatives, friends and alumni in Israel and who must be feeling vulnerable.
If the events in the Middle East are affecting any student in our community, I urge you to contact the school and/or to meet with our school councilor Catherine McMahon.
Our school is located in the heart of Melbourne’s Jewish community and although many of us do not live here, I am mindful of our neighbors’ friends and families.
Virtus Sola Nobilitas,
Michael Lee OAM
Acting Principal
