As we come to the end of another incredibly productive term, I am filled with gratitude for the energy, resilience, and spirit of community that defines St Mary’s. From breaking ground (and breaking old walls!) to putting our values into action, it has been a term to remember.
If you have been near the Wantirna South campus recently, you could hardly miss the action. Our major building project is well underway, and the demolition work has provided a massive wave of excitement (and quite a bit of entertainment) for our students!
To ensure continuity and stability, two key spaces have been carefully maintained:
- The Administration Offices at the front of the building.
- The Smaller Specialist Classrooms at the rear of the building.
The rest of the structure has now been almost safely demolished. This will clear the way for our next exciting chapter: the construction of beautifully, purposefully designed learning spaces tailored to new, inclusive education. Watching the old make way for the new is a wonderful physical reminder of how we are constantly growing and evolving to better serve our students.
Students Leading the Way
School tours have been taking place across our campuses, and we couldn’t be prouder of our student tour guides. Students from various campuses took the opportunity to step into leadership roles, guiding prospective parents and students through our learning environments. There is truly no better way to experience the heart of St Mary’s than through the eyes of our students. They spoke with confidence, shared genuine insights, and welcomed new families with open arms and authentic pride.
Living the Dominican Pillar of Service
Each term, our school community focuses on one of the foundational Dominican pillars of life. Throughout Term 2, our staff and students have reflected deeply on the pillar of Service, exploring how giving our time and energy to others brings genuine purpose, connection, belonging, and joy to a community.
Our students didn't just reflect on service in theory; they put it into action. Students from many of our campuses took the initiative to organize fantastic fundraising activities at their campus host schools. Through their hard work, significant funds were raised for vital organizations, including Caritas Australia.
Planning and participating in these types of outside-the-classroom activities provide invaluable benefits for our young people, including empathy & awareness, empowerment and real-world skills. Thank you to everyone who supported these student-led initiatives. You have helped our students see that true joy is found in lifting others up.
I wish all of our students, staff, network of school communities and families a safe, relaxing, and happy school holiday break. Whether you are heading away or enjoying a quiet staycation, I hope you find time to reconnect and recharge.
Amanda Purcell
Principal
