Dear Parents and Carers,

In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus is asked, “Which is the greatest commandment?” His response is both simple and profound: to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself. Jesus teaches that these two commandments are more than just rules to follow; they are a way of life. He shows us that true faith is about relationships—our relationship with God and with one another. When we love God deeply, this love naturally extends to how we treat others, with kindness, patience, and understanding. I encourage our school community to embody these values in their interactions with others, especially during times of challenge.

As students grow, changes in friendships are natural, and sometimes these shifts bring about behaviours that are unacceptable at school. We have been discussing with students the importance of being respectful and caring for others, even when we are frustrated or hurt by relationship changes. Behaviours such as hands on, teasing, spreading rumours, yelling, or exclusion are never okay. Amid challenges, we can be strategic in how we respond, using these moments as opportunities to learn, grow, and show kindness. At St Mary’s, we are empowering students to grow in their faith, learning, and well-being, and with this comes the responsibility of learning to be compassionate towards everyone in our community.
As adults, the behaviours we model are powerful; children will mirror what they observe in us, especially in the later part of the year when things become busy, and children may require additional support and guidance. Please continue to model positive behaviours and ensure that you are a living example of responsibility in the school community by supporting the important routines such as being at school on time and wearing correct uniform. What you do makes a big difference in the lives of your children. Together, we can help them navigate our challenging world with respect and compassion. Let love in action always be our guide. 

Last Friday we enjoyed a wonderful day of celebration, firstly of our belated Feast Day to celebrate Stella Maris or St Mary Star of the Sea with a sausage sizzle and a birthday cake for Father Michael. The students then engaged in the making and praying of the Rosary, and finally the wonderful fun of the Colour Run. A huge thank you to all involved in the organisation of the day, to our Parents and Friends team, you are amazing at making events happen. Finally to our students for entering into the great excitement and for raising money for our school. 

I look forward to seeing you in our school next week, 

Yours in partnership 
Laurinda Nelson