Principal's Message

Welcome to the St Mary's College Newsletter for Term 2...

Term 2 has been a long and busy period for all across our six campuses. Whilst being physically present is a challenge for me due to the distance between our campuses, I have confidence in my Heads of Campus to represent the school leaders daily and, of course, the Principals of our partner schools who lead those communities with heart, effort, and excellence. My role in planning and setting the direction for St Mary’s College and each campus helps me stay in the loop about the programs at each campus and the fantastic experiences and wins across the school.


Students Discover

Now that students have settled into the school year, it is a great time to learn through exploring. Senior students have been taking field trips outside the classroom and exploring them through a variety of activities. Year 10 have engaged in work experience and career exploration. Year 9 have been exploring our wonderful city and the art of driving, while our junior secondary students have explored science through experiments and projects. Our primary students explored the wonders of nature through Dreamtime art and cross-country runs, and experimented with mixing substances.


Staff Engage

Our school continues to support more teachers to get into the field of Deaf Education by offering fully funded Master’s placements. Three teachers at St Mary’s are in receipt of a John Patterson Bursary, building their knowledge in deaf education while working and developing professional growth in inclusive education through the University of Melbourne. We are incredibly proud of the growth culture that exists among our staff and their commitment to improvement as lifelong learners and contributors to student success. This year, we currently have:


- 5 Teachers studying Master of Inclusive Education (Deaf Education)

- 1 Teacher studying Master of Instructional Leadership

- 2 Learning Support Officers studying Cert IV in Education Support


We also have three teachers presenting at an international Conference for Educators of the Deaf in Rome during the July school break on the school’s PBL explicit instruction and student wellbeing.


Why enrol in St Mary’s College instead of my local school?


Parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (hearing impaired) often wonder about the best option for primary and secondary school for their child. Here is just one of the many advantages of being part of St Mary’s College in partnership with one of our local Catholic schools.


Reason #1: Reading

Recent research shows that thanks to better hearing aid technology, cochlear implants, and good early intervention, literacy levels for students who are deaf and hard of hearing have improved.

However, specific parts of reading required to decode new and unfamiliar words that students come across as they progress in their education are often mislearned in students with a hearing impairment due to the nature of hearing loss. This might make them read more slowly, struggle with understanding more complex books, or just find reading tiring and frustrating. Having a Teacher of the Deaf onsite, who works closely with students every day, means challenges like these can be spotted early throughout their school life. They will then quickly and expertly design tailored teaching plans to fix any gaps so students can keep up and succeed in all their subjects.


Enrolments

Limited places in Prep are available at our Wantirna South campus for 2026. Primary students have automatic entry into our secondary campuses, and financial scholarships are available for new primary enrolments.


Year 7 enrolments for 2027 are now open. Interested families can contact the administration office for a tour of one of our campuses and an enrolment pack. The closing date for Year 7 2027 applications is 15th August 2025.

Wishing everyone an enjoyable and safe term 2 break and hoping it provides you all with an opportunity for some quality time with family or friends.

Student Leadership News

Meet the students stepping up and leading the way!

Social Lunches:

Our student leaders have been busy this term organising special social lunches for St Mary’s students — and even the staff got to join in on the fun!

With pizza on the menu, students enjoyed a hot slice (or four!) while catching up with friends in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Some campus student leaders ran Kahootz quizzes to add a little extra fun. It was a great opportunity to strengthen connections and build community.

One student shared, "My pizza was so yum and I got to hang out with my friends at St Mary’s."

We’re already looking forward to the next one!

Next Term:

In Term 3, students will turn their focus to raising funds and awareness for the non-profit organisation Caritas.

They’ll be planning and running a variety of activities to raise money for this worthy cause.

Wantirna South Campus News

Take a look at the exciting learning happening at Wantirna South!

District Athletics Day

Our 5/6 students gave their all and successfully made it through to the district level of athletics, with many of our St. Mary’s students placing first or second in various track and field events.

We look forward to seeing their efforts at the regional athletics in the near future.

Mixing it Up!

As part of the 5/6 students' English Knowledge-Based Unit, students are learning about solutions and suspensions. Students had to predict what mixed substances would result in a solution or a suspension and then test their theories by mixing them.

We had some interesting concoctions with students mixing jelly and vinegar, as well as Milo and oil. Some of the results were surprising for some, yet predictable for others.

Extended Learning

Students at St. Mary’s College for the Deaf participate in extended literacy, numeracy, and wellbeing classes tailored to their academic and social needs.

Classes are designed with evidence-based practices at the forefront and will always follow the gradual release process. This involves the teacher explicitly teaching the content, followed by guided practice, and lastly, students independently practicing the concept to demonstrate their understanding.

Cross Country

Our students participated in their annual cross-country event, first running in the whole school event, then the top twelve of each age group, continuing on to the district level.

Congratulations to all of our students who challenged themselves to do their personal best.

Winter Sports

Our 5/6 students have the opportunity to participate in a winter lineup of sports, this season choosing soccer to showcase their talents.

Our students worked well and held their own by kicking several goals to take their teams into the finals.

Brain Breaks

Brain breaks are a part of our St. Mary’s lessons, allowing the students to stretch their bodies and minds.

Brain breaks help students reset and refocus, improving their attention, mood, and learning ability. They give the brain a short rest, which helps with memory, reduces stress, and supports overall wellbeing.

Student Awards

This term, students from St Mary’s College were recognised for their commitment to the TORCH values and their academic achievements at our whole school assembly, held in collaboration with our partner school, Holy Trinity.

The TORCH values — Tolerance, Optimism, Respect, Confidence, and Honesty — are at the heart of our school community. Congratulations to Marcus, Evie, and Bailee for their confidence, positive attitude, and outstanding efforts throughout the term. Your hard work and dedication set a wonderful example for your peers.

Dandenong Campus News

Discover the highlights from Dandenong’s vibrant Term 2!

Founder’s Day

In the life of our partner school Founder’s Day is an important celebration Day. The date starts with a Mass and then the students are involved in activities ending with a talent contest.

Thomas displayed his excellent leadership skills by carrying the St Mary’s banner at the Mass.

Sport Participation

St Mary's students at Dandenong showed their skills in the cross country in May. All students have the opportunity to participate and develop their running skills and fitness across a range of sports and activities.

Year 9 Excursion

The year 9 students visited the city and explored a range of places, learning more about the world around them through hands-on experiences. A highlight of the day was their visit to the Victorian College for the Deaf (VCD), impressed by the magnificent bluestone building, rich in history and character, which made the experience even more memorable.

AI

AI is becoming part of our everyday lives. Here, Shannyn is investigating an app that is specifically designed to support low vision.

Self Advocating

Thomas made these for his part time work to ensure people are aware of how to approach deaf people. This is an excellent idea that Thomas is modelling for younger students.

Presenting about Deafness

Amy taught her peers about what it was like to be deaf. Her classmates listened intently and asked a variety of thoughtful questions, showing genuine curiosity and respect.

Sharing her personal experiences not only helped others understand more about deafness, but also allowed Amy to take pride in her identity. Opportunities like this support students to build confidence, develop their voice, and feel empowered in their uniqueness.

St Mary's Connectedness

Students often use the wellbeing space as a chill out space and a time to chat with friends. Thomas as our student leader organised a pizza lunch this term to get everyone together to mix and enjoy activities.

Students have also been using the wellbeing space to enjoy learning new creative skills and everyday life skills that will benefit their future.

Behind the Badge:

Dandenong Police Visit Inspires Students

Our St Mary's Youth Worker recently organised a special visit from members of the Dandenong Police, giving students a valuable opportunity to learn more about the important work police officers do in our community.

The session was interactive and engaging, with students asking thoughtful questions, gaining insights into day-to-day responsibilities, and exploring the many career pathways within the police force. It was a fantastic way to build positive connections and inspire future ambitions.

Ringwood Campus News

See what our Ringwood students have been up to this term!

Hands on the Wheel, Eyes on the Future

Our year 9 students had a wonderful time testing their skills in the car. They learn about safety and driving skills and are then able to get behind the wheel.

Students also attend VET classes and learn many skills to transfer to job opportunities. Zara showed her wonderful skills at a nail makeover.

Inquiring Minds & Creative Hearts at Work

Students enjoy the practical activities in Science and engage with the experiments to discover more about our world.

Art and design encourages creative aspects of our students and Eadie’s talents are expertly displayed here.

Film and Media is another subject students enjoy and are able to utilise their creative skills as a team.

Year 12 Fun

For a Worthy Cause

Free dress day is always a fun day but more importantly raising money for important causes. The Year 12’s were able to do a fun dress up. Ethan decided to take inspiration from the Smurfs and Gretchen from Cinderella.

The school celebrated a Mass and Jack spoke eloquently in front of the whole school. He also proudly carried the St. Mary’s banner, modelling his leadership skills to others. Congratulations Jack.

Creative Recycling:

Year 8s Craft Keyrings

The year 8’s were making key rings in Design and Technology classes during the term by using recycled plastics.

By designing a logo of their interest on the computer they were able to print and cut a mold, and then heat the recycled plastic into it's shape. This helps them to learn the benefits of recycling whilst also making a useful product.

Towards the end of term 2, the Year 8s used their design skills to make a clear acrylic phone stand as their final project for the semester. They chose an image that they liked and used a program to digitalise it so that it could be reproduced on the acrylic. They then had to heat and bend the parts to make the shelf and to complete the stand.

Year 10 Photography

One of our year 10 students is learning about Commercial photography using a digital camera.

The set-up is crucial, with students able to experiment with different lighting and special effects resulting in the perfect shot.

Cross Country Run

The Year 7s - 9s competed in the annual cross country race on a warm winter's day. The sun was shining as each age group set off on the course covering the vast sports oval areas of the college.

Each House was awarded additional points if they could beat the teacher running with their group. Congratulations to all of our St. Mary's students who participated.

Cafe9

The Year 9s enjoyed their time and experience working in the Aquinas College Café. They had the opportunity to learn valuable hospitality and customer service skills in a real-world setting, from food preparation to working as part of a team.

Experiences like this help build confidence, communication, and responsibility—important life skills that support their personal growth and future pathway development.

Activities Week

The last week of term was filled with activities for students to enjoy and learn from new experiences.

Healesville Sanctuary (Year 7):

On arrival, the students headed off in small groups to explore the sanctuary. We all gathered for the Spirits of the Sky presentation where we were told about Australian birds of prey as they flew low over our heads. Another activity had students thinking about the design of nesting boxes that could be placed in trees to offer a safe place for small birds and animals. Throughout the day, students were given plenty to consider in regards to sustainable environments and the care and safety of our native wildlife.

Edendale Farm (Year 8):

Edendale is a community environment farm where students see a living example of sustainable living. Through a range of activities, students learnt about the importance of separating rubbish, food miles, and the best use and care of the land to provide optimal living for the animals on the farm. This hands-on experience included students feeding the farm chooks, sheep, alpacas and goats, and seeing worm farms and composting processes.

South Morang Campus News

From classrooms to excursions—see what’s new at South Morang!

Literacy activities

Our Prep students are enjoying being immersed in rich literature experiences. They have recently read Superworm by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, exploring focus vocabulary such as mope, mutter, and cunning.

They also enjoyed Farmer John’s Tractor by Sally Sutton, where they learnt new vocabulary like rusty and trusty. To extend their learning, the students followed a step-by-step drawing tutorial to draw and paint their own tractors. This creative task supported the development of their fine motor skills and ability to follow instructions.

Reconciliation

To begin Reconciliation Week, one of our Year 6 students performed with the school band at assembly. It was fantastic to see one of our students representing the college in this space!

Marketing Excursion

As part of their business unit, our Year 6 students visited Westfield Shopping Centre to investigate real-world marketing techniques used to promote products and services. Students explored promotional displays and advertising strategies to better understand how businesses attract customers.

This hands-on experience will support them as they now move on to designing and marketing their products back at school. We look forward to seeing their creative ideas come to life!

Learning First Aid

Our Primary students took part in a valuable First Aid incursion presented by St John Ambulance. They learned what to do in an emergency, how to recognise when someone is unresponsive, and the steps to take in response.

The students were introduced to the DRS acronym - Danger, Response, Send for help. They learnt how to call 000 in an emergency. To help remember the emergency number, they used a clever hand trick: making the “OK” symbol revealed the number 0 and three fingers, reminding them to dial 000 three times.

The presenter read a story about a boy named Freddy and how his friend Johnny helped him when he became unresponsive, helping students understand the importance of quick thinking and calm action.

Students also explored what belongs in a first aid kit, such as band-aids, gauze, bandages, and discussed situations when an ambulance might be needed.

Getting Fit and Being Active

Our Year 1 students had a fantastic time participating in the FunFit incursion, where they engaged in fun and active activities that encouraged them to get moving, develop coordination, and enjoy being active together.

Show and Tell

Our students have been developing their speaking skills through Show and Tell. This activity gives them the chance to stand in front of a small group and talk about something that interests them, helping to build important communication skills. It also encourages the use of descriptive language and supports children in retelling stories with growing confidence.

Careers and Job Exploration Using Minecraft

Year 9 students have been exploring how jobs have changed over time through the CareersCraft: Caernarfon Castle challenge in their Social Capabilities (Careers) class.

Using Minecraft Education, they travelled back to medieval Wales to meet characters in a virtual castle and uncover what their jobs were—then researched what modern-day careers would match those roles today.

The activity helped them develop critical thinking, research, and communication skills, while also reflecting on the evolution of gender roles and workplace change throughout history.

Getting Lost in the Dreamtime

The Year 1 students have been learning about the significance of Dreamtime in Aboriginal culture. They read the Dreamtime story Tiddalik the Frog and then went outside to collect natural materials to create their own Dreamtime inspired artwork based on the story.

Mid Year Exams

Our students have been engaging in visual ways to study for their exams including using images and mindmaps.

Well done to our students for their attitude towards these important assessment tool - getting to exams early, being prepared and using their special provisions to make sure they do the best they can.

Class Pet Presentations

Our Year 8 students completed an engaging research project on selecting a class pet. Each student explored different animal options—mammals, fish, reptiles and amphibians—examining key factors like habitat needs, cost, lifespan, care requirements, and suitability for the school environment.

The students honed their skills in research, collaboration and presentation, then pitched their top choice to a panel of teachers and the deputy principal! It was fantastic to see them apply critical thinking and take ownership of the decision-making process.

Getting Creative

Our Year 8 students have plunged into a creative journey, designing and painting their own skateboard decks! Beginning with brainstorming sessions and paper templates, they explored personal themes, bold colours, and graphic styles inspired by artists. After sanding and priming each deck, they sketched their designs on paper and brought them to life with acrylics practicing clean lines, shading, and layering techniques.

This hands-on project helped students develop their confidence in visual storytelling. Each skateboard is a unique reflection of its designer's voice!

Representing St Mary's College

On Saturday the 21st of June, a Year 9 representative from South Morang campus competed at the Victorian All School Cross Country.

He came 2nd in the U/17 boy's para race. A fantastic achievement!

Grade 6 Athletics Day

Grade 6 student, Arihant, had a fantastic time participating in Athletics Day, giving his best effort in every event. His favourite was the long jump, where he showed impressive skill and determination.

It was inspiring to see his enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and positive attitude throughout the day!

Secondary Years Athletics Day Fun!

What a fantastic day we had for Athletics! It was wonderful to see so many of our students getting involved—whether they were competing on the track or cheering from the sidelines, the school spirit was on full display.

A special highlight was watching the Year 12s in their creative costumes, bringing energy and fun to the day.

Marble Mania:

Where Teamwork Meets Engineering

Our Year 8 students recently worked in teams, to design and build their own marble run tracks.

This activity supported students to develop problem-solving abilities, creativity, and collaboration skills. The challenge encouraged perseverance and critical thinking, with students refining their designs through testing and experimentation. It was a fun and engaging way to bring science, technology, engineering, and maths together in a meaningful and memorable learning experience.

Sunbury Campus News

Catch up on all the fun and learning from Term 2 at Sunbury!

Savio & Bosco Feast Day

On Savio and Bosco Feast Day on May 23rd, our students took part in a range of activities that fostered collaboration, encouraged teamwork, and provided time to reflect on their faith. It was a meaningful day that celebrated community and our Salesian values.

Catching up with the Salesian College Principal

The principal of Salesian College, Mark Brockhus, had a valuable conversation with our Year 9 leader about her learning experiences and progress at school.

Birthdays and Social Times

Our SMC student leader, Arden, hosted a fantastic pizza lunch for the Sunbury Campus. It was a great opportunity for students to connect and enjoy a casual meal together.

We also took the chance to celebrate Charlie and Sam’s birthdays, happy birthday to both of them!

Fun in Science

Year 7 students really enjoyed the recent science experiment and learned how to identify different types of mixtures.

Meet Jessie the Lizard!

Say hello to Jessie, one of the beloved pet lizards at Retreat!

Students had the chance to hold Jessie and give her a gentle pat.

VPC Excursions

This term Jagan has been on many excursions with his VPC class.

The highlights were the Escape Room in the city, Star Wars Lego at Melbourne Museum and going to IMAX.

Work Experience

At the end of term Jagan spent two days completing a school based work experience at our partner school, Salesian, in the PE department.

He absolutely loved it and played an integral part in assisting the teachers and organisers at the SACCSS intermediate futsal competition and with the Year 7 Soccer team.

The last two weeks of Term 2, saw all our St. Mary’s students start Step Up for their Semester 2 classes.

Charlie has started Robotics and built a dancing robot for the class ‘Dance Off’!

Tarneit Campus News

Check out what our Tarneit campus has been up to!

VET

Ewan is thoroughly enjoying his learning at Gordon TAFE, East Geelong (Joinery and Cabinet Making). He passed his Prac after completing a handmade Oil and Stone Box.

His VET teacher is really pleased with his progress and commitment.

Auslan Club at Lunch Time


Year 11 student, Ewan, has been teaching his Thomas Carr College peers (and the Staff) Auslan. They have been diligently been learning the alphabet, numbers 1-10, greetings, and various everyday language.

Auslan Club is a student-led club and occurs every Thursday at Lunchtime at TN campus.

A big thank you to Ewan for his commitment and willingness to share his knowledge with the community!

Inclusive Education

Students participating in mainstream education with our partner school, Thomas Carr College, are engaging in a Year 11 Physics and Year 9 Mathematics class.

Representing SMC at the Thomas Carr College Open Day

St Mary’s College showcasing our Tarneit Campus and the support we offer students accessing an inclusive education.

Year 11 Chemistry Excursion to Ecolinc

As part of the Chemistry studies, the year 11’s participated in a program to develop their understanding of chemical concepts. The one-day program help establish the students understanding of the concepts in Unit 1 - AOS 2: How can the Diversity of Materials be Explained?

In this program students:

· Link the structure of plastics to their properties and functions

· Discover the origins of microplastics and their effect on the environment

· Learn some techniques for identifying different types of plastic

· Distinguish between plastic made from fossil fuels and plastic made from renewable feedstocks

· Understand the benefits to the environment of using compostable plastics

· Discover the principles of green chemistry and how these principles will help us move to a circular economy

Staff News

Latest news from the St Mary's staff...

Staff Movements

This term we welcomed two new staff - Kate Kenny (Teacher) to our Ringwood campus and Geneva Modica (Education Support) to our Wantirna Campus.


We farewelled Diana Mina who has worked with us as a Speech Pathologist for the past three years. We thank her for her collaboration with staff and the wonderful rapport she has built with the St Mary's students. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

Congratulations

We congratulate Sonal Vashisht on being awarded a Beth McLaren scholarship to pursue further studies in Educational Leadership.

This is a wonderful opportunity to build on her already invaluable teaching expertise, and we are proud of her dedication and commitment to education.

Staff Collaboration

This term our staff have worked together in cross-campus groups and use research to identify and trial the best practices to teach reading comprehension to deaf students.

Focus areas include phonological awareness and decoding which require targeted intervention for many of our students.

SMC Alumni News

See what our former students are up to beyond St Mary’s!

Recently we caught up with Yang Lim.

He first joined St Mary’s at our Ringwood Campus in Year 9 after beginning his education at a Language School.

A few years ago, he returned to St Mary’s to mentor a student at our Dandenong Campus — a wonderful example of giving back to the community.

Since completing his Accounting Degree, he has worked as a Credit Controller and been with the same company for the past eight years.

We’re also delighted to share that he was recently married! His wife recently moved to Australia after a long-distance relationship — a journey that wasn’t easy, but filled with love and perseverance. Now, they are finally enjoying this special time together.

Reminders & Notices

Important reminders, announcements and information...

Medical Updates on PAM

Can you please update your child's medical profile on PAM.

Conveyance Allowance

A reminder to parents to please send in your Conveyance Allowance Applications as soon as possible.

Change of Personal Details

Please contact Administration if you have any changes to your address, phone numbers, or other family circumstances.

Student Absences

A reminder to parents to please record your student absences on PAM (Parent Access Module), including late arrival and early leaving.

Student Absence Procedure

Other News

In other news...

Offer for Parents

Mathsonline are offering parents a free trial of their online math tutoring program. This might be tool you're looking for to help build on or extend your child's mathematic success.

Free Trail

MathsOnline


Deaf Children Australia Initiatives

Tarneit Campus News

Check out what our Tarneit campus has been up to!

Melissa Lucy

Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing & Engagement

769

VET

Ewan is thoroughly enjoying his learning at Gordon TAFE, East Geelong (Joinery and Cabinet Making). He passed his Prac after completing a handmade Oil and Stone Box.

His VET teacher is really pleased with his progress and commitment.

Auslan Club at Lunch Time


Year 11 student, Ewan, has been teaching his Thomas Carr College peers (and the Staff) Auslan. They have been diligently been learning the alphabet, numbers 1-10, greetings, and various everyday language.

Auslan Club is a student-led club and occurs every Thursday at Lunchtime at TN campus.

A big thank you to Ewan for his commitment and willingness to share his knowledge with the community!

Inclusive Education

Students participating in mainstream education with our partner school, Thomas Carr College, are engaging in a Year 11 Physics and Year 9 Mathematics class.

Representing SMC at the Thomas Carr College Open Day

St Mary’s College showcasing our Tarneit Campus and the support we offer students accessing an inclusive education.

Year 11 Chemistry Excursion to Ecolinc

As part of the Chemistry studies, the year 11’s participated in a program to develop their understanding of chemical concepts. The one-day program help establish the students understanding of the concepts in Unit 1 - AOS 2: How can the Diversity of Materials be Explained?

In this program students:

· Link the structure of plastics to their properties and functions

· Discover the origins of microplastics and their effect on the environment

· Learn some techniques for identifying different types of plastic

· Distinguish between plastic made from fossil fuels and plastic made from renewable feedstocks

· Understand the benefits to the environment of using compostable plastics

· Discover the principles of green chemistry and how these principles will help us move to a circular economy

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Year 7 Enrolments for 2027

Until August 15th this year we are taking enrolments for Year 7 in 2027 at Dandenong, South Morang, Tarneit, & Sunbury campuses.

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