Newsletter 06.25 - Friday 9 May 2025

Principal's Message

Journeying Forward with Hope

As a Catholic community, we find ourselves at a significant moment in the life of our Church. We warmly welcome Pope Leo XIV, who has now taken up the sacred responsibility of guiding the global Catholic community. Pope Leo brings with him a background rich in theological depth, a commitment to pastoral outreach, and a heart for inclusion. His early messages speak of continuity and courage, of embracing the challenges of our time with faith and a renewed focus on justice and mercy.

As we look to this new chapter under Pope Leo XIV, we also pause to give thanks for the incredible legacy of Pope Francis. His humility, advocacy for the marginalised, and emphasis on a Church that goes out to the peripheries have deeply shaped our faith and practice. Pope Francis remains in the hearts of many around the world, including ours at St Mary’s.

In this transition, we are reminded that our own journey as a Catholic school is one of continuity and hope. We walk forward together; staff, students, and families, grounded in the Gospel, inspired by those who have led us, and committed to being people of faith, love and service. We see hope not as a distant idea, but as a living force among us, a belief that something good is always possible for us, and for others, because of us.

Year 12 Retreat

Last week, I had the privilege of joining the second group of our Year 12 students on their retreat at the Benedict Retreat Centre in Grose Vale. A retreat is a significant milestone in the journey of our senior students. It’s a time of pause, of prayer, of reflection and a time to recognise that we are never truly alone.

Over these days, I was struck by the honesty, openness and thoughtfulness of our young people. It is a blessing to hear their stories, to learn about their hopes and challenges, and to witness the growth of their faith and character. Retreats invite us to see life through the lens of gratitude and grounded hope, a hope made real by the presence of family, friends, and our God who walks beside us in every moment. I thank the staff who accompanied them and helped create this meaningful experience.

Family and Community Engagement (FACE)

A reminder to all parents and carers that we are holding a FACE Online Information Session on Wednesday 4 June from 6:00pm–7:00pm. This session will provide insight into the ways we are nurturing student connection, deepening faith, and building a strong, inclusive community.

There will also be opportunities for consultation, feedback, and shared dialogue. You’ll hear briefly from our parent representatives, from myself, and from Father Tony Potts, our Parish Priest. Ahead of this session, we will be sending a short survey to all families to help shape the evening around your questions and interests. We warmly encourage your participation.

Student and Parent Administrative Matters

As our College continues to grow, it’s important that we strengthen our shared understanding of key administrative processes. From this edition onward, our newsletter will include a dedicated section outlining important student and parent administrative matters. We recognise how vital it is for parents and carers to be able to navigate and use Compass, as it remains our primary form of communication. It’s also essential that families communicate with the College when a child is absent or when there are matters that we need to be aware of, to best support your child. To assist with this, a simplified administration guide will soon be available, detailing key procedures around areas such as early departures, arrivals, and student collections. As our community grows, we are entering a phase where some procedures will need to evolve - your understanding and cooperation in these areas are greatly appreciated. Please remember, if you have any queries or need further clarification on something, please contact the College for assistance.

Mother’s Day

This morning we shared a truly beautiful liturgy and breakfast to honour our mothers, grandmothers, and all motherly figures. Under the theme of the ‘Circle of Life,’ we reflected on how these special women nurture and shape us - just as the seasons turn and bring new life, our mothers bring us love, strength, and wisdom through every season of our lives.

For some, Mother’s Day is a time of remembrance, as we hold dear those no longer with us. Their love remains a light in our hearts.

To all mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and special carers in our community, I wish you a joyful and blessed Mother’s Day this Sunday. May you feel the deep gratitude of those you love and the peace that comes from knowing how profoundly you are cherished.

Kind Regards,

Brett Donohoe - Principal

Mother's Day Liturgy and Breakfast

Key Dates

Two weeks at a glance

Ministry

A Blessing for Our New Pope: Pope Leo XIV

As a college community, we give thanks for the election of Pope Leo XIV.
May God bless him with wisdom to lead, courage to speak truth,
and a heart open to the needs of the People and our world.
May he walk in the footsteps of Christ with humility and strength,
and may Mary, Mother of the Church, guide him in his mission of service.

We pray that the Holy Spirit will be his constant companion,
renewing and inspiring the Church through his leadership.

Pope Leo XIV, we walk with you in prayer.
St Mary of the Annunciation, pray for us.
Mary of the Perpetual Succour, pray for him.

Celebrating Mothers and Journeying Together: A Reflection on Two Special Events

Over the past fortnight, our college community has had the privilege of coming together for two deeply meaningful experiences, the Mother’s Day and Carers’ Liturgy and the Year 12 Retreat.

Our Mother’s Day Liturgy, held with the theme “The Circle of Life,” offered a moment of stillness and gratitude as we honoured the love, strength, and guidance of the mothers and caregivers in our lives. Through Scripture, song, including the beautiful Gentle Woman, and reflection, the community acknowledged the seasons of a mother’s love, from the joy of new beginnings to the wisdom of later years. It was a powerful reminder of the sacred role these women play in shaping who we are.

In the same spirit of gratitude and reflection, our Year 12 students embarked on their Retreat at the Benedict Retreat Centre, journeying through a theme inspired by Micah 6:8:

“What does the Lord ask of you? To act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Throughout the week, students took time to step away from the busyness of school life to reflect on their relationships, with themselves, with others, and with God. Through prayer, small group sharing, creative expression, and personal reflection, the retreat provided a sacred space for students to grow in self-awareness, deepen their faith, and enjoy being in community with one another.

These two events reminded us that the strength of our college lies not only in what we do, but in how we journey together, with compassion, reflection, and support.

A sincere thank you to the staff who generously gave of their time, spending time away from their own families to accompany our Year 12s on retreat. Your presence, care, and guidance made a lasting impact. Thank you also to our staff at the College, who took on additional responsibilities to ensure the retreat could run smoothly.

It truly takes the whole community to create opportunities like these. We are blessed to be part of a school where people willingly go the extra mile to make a difference in the lives of our students.

DeAnna Addicoat - Ministry Coordinator

Assistant Principal - Learning & Teaching

Mathematics Class Changes Year 7 2025

Throughout Term One, the Mathematics Faculty has monitored student learning in the Mathematics classroom. They have administered class tasks as well as common tasks. From the demonstration of skills and knowledge, as well as achievements in these tasks, teachers have assessed each student. Based on observations and results, there will be some students changing classes, commencing from Monday May 12th, to allow them to be better placed in streamed classes. Please be assured that all students have the same opportunities as their peers in following the curriculum with a variety of strategies for each student to learn and progress.

Year 12 Mid-Course Reports

As we move into Term Two, it is a good time to reflect on the Reporting Policy set by the Diocese of Maitland Newcastle Catholic Schools . This policy supports a standards-referenced approach to reporting student achievement in NSW, focusing on providing meaningful feedback to enhance student learning. Reporting is seen as an integral part of the teaching and learning process.

At St Mary’s, our reporting process:

• Uses clear and simple language.
  
• Reflects our belief that every student can grow, progress, and succeed.
• Is valid and reliable, using evidence from a range of contexts to make balanced judgements.
• Includes comments about a student’s achievements across relevant Key Learning Areas, highlights areas where support may be needed, and suggests ways for improvement.
• Summarises a student’s progress, areas for growth, and attainment of syllabus outcomes at a specific point in time. This is based on a series of formal assessment tasks (sometimes called ‘summative assessment’) used to determine student rankings or grades.

In short, our reporting process is designed to give both students and parents clear insights into progress, areas for improvement, and achievements.

Year 12 Mid-Course Reports were published this week and they include information on Course Ranking, Percentage of Course Assessed, Achievement of Course Outcomes, and comments on attendance, uniform, and learning approaches. Teacher comments will provide constructive feedback and guidance for future learning.

We warmly invite parents and carers to attend the upcoming Year 12 Parent, Student & Teacher interviews on Monday, 19 May (Week 4), starting at 3:30 pm. Bookings can be made via Compass and the booking system is now open. This will be the final formal opportunity for parents to meet with teachers before the Trial and HSC Examinations. Your presence and involvement in your child's education are invaluable, and we encourage you to partner with us as we support our students' learning journeys.

We look forward to seeing you there!

2025 HSC Examination Timetable Released

Year 12 students are now able to access personalised timetables for the HSC Examinations via their studentsonline account. The full timetable can be accessed via the link below:

Assistant Principal - Wellbeing & Engagement

Upcoming information sessions and webinars for parents and carers

Parents and carers are the most important educators in their child’s life. To assist you in this important role, a list of upcoming webinars provided by reputable providers, free of charge, has been compiled and is available on the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle’s Catholic Schools webpage (see link below).

A snapshot of Term 2 webinars featured on the webpage is included below.

 Online safety-focused sessions:

• Understanding and using parental controls to help protect your child online, hosted by the eSafety Commissioner
• eSafety 101, hosted by the eSafety Commissioner
• Exploring the online experiences of boys and young men, hosted by the eSafety Commissioner
• Sexual extortion: What parents and carers need to know, hosted by the eSafety Commissioner
• The Social Media Guide: What Every Parent Needs to Know in 2025, hosted by The Cyber Safety Project

 Mental health-focused sessions:

• Anxiety and Depression in Children and Adolescents, hosted by Learning Links
• Teen Mental Health Matters, hosted by The BlackDog Institute

 Senior schooling years and post-school pathways sessions:

• Supporting your child through the HSC, hosted by CCSP NSW/ACT and Beyond
• A parent’s roadmap to careers and pathways, hosted by CCSP NSW/ACT and Beyond
• Navigating post-school pathways, hosted by MyFuture

 Parenting sessions

• What kids need now, before the teenage years, hosted by CCSP NSW/ACT and Michelle Mitchell

More information about these webinars, including registration links, can be found on the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle’s Catholic Schools webpage www.mn.catholic.edu.au/our-community/supporting-parents-and-carers/upcoming-parent-and-carer-information-sessions/

Please note that the webpage will be updated regularly with news of additional webinars, and you can visit the site at any time.  

Leader of Wellbeing - Year 12

Year 12 Retreat 2025 at the picturesque Benedict Centre Grose Vale was an amazing, shared experience by a unique and special group of young men and women. I don’t think you can put a value on how beneficial it is (in such a pivotal time of school life) to escape the day-to-day clutter of the HSC, recharge, refocus and re-connect. The 5 days allowed for our great group to reflect on where they are at spiritually and emotionally and reinforce a sense of purpose moving into the back end of Year 12.

As the Leader of Wellbeing, it was a tremendous privilege to participate in the Retreat and get to know Year 12 in a completely different setting. What was most evident was the growth in our kids since they first arrived at our College as Year 7 students. To see them interact in their small groups, modelling the values that we want to see in young adults was extremely rewarding. Not even a truckload of jagged pieces of metal on the M1 could dampen their enthusiasm!!

The Retreat means different things for different people, but what is fact is that the event cannot happen without the dedication and commitment of Mary’s staff. As a college we are absolutely blessed to have selfless teachers, willing not only to give up their valuable time, but also a piece of themselves and their own journey, so as our students can continue to grow.

A huge thankyou to all our small group leaders : Katrina Smith, Louise Henderson, John Hepworth, Britt Avery, Ellie Fletcher, Dan Houston, Ben Frize, Chelsea Iddon, Julia Calver, Celia Kemeny, Karenna Andrews, Michelle Lund, Andy Smith, Bec Morrice, Adele Weekes, Brett Donohoe, Ruth McCrae, Gabby Turnbull.

Also to our Ministry leaders Deanna Addicoat and Kyle Clarence and our Stage Coordinator, Jacqui McInherney. Their passion to give our students a memorable experience led to our time being such a success.

Daniel Beckett - Leader of Wellbeing & Engagement Year 12

Year 12 Retreat Reflections

We all came back with full bellies and hearts after a week connecting with each other. I was fortunate enough to attend with the first group who all participated with in each activity with openness and sense of enjoyment. My highlights were the many heartful conversations with students, the Just Dance night and seeing the many talents of students in the Games Night. Another memorable moment was participating in the student lead liturgy on the final night, which emphasised students’ willingness to step out of the comfort zone and lead by example. I am extremely proud of how each student embraced the experience to reconnect with themselves and each other and strengthen the bonds that will carry them through their final year.

Jacqui McInherny - Stage Coordinator

Last week we were fortunate enough to stay at Benedict XVI retreat centre for two nights, deepening our connection to faith as well as our peers. The response from students and teachers alike was overwhelmingly positive, regardless of transport complications at the end of retreat which assisted in providing more time to spend together. We are so thankful for the extremely kind and generous staff and chefs who fed us many delicious meals we were so excited for every day, even when they stayed longer than they were required just so we had some more food to eat while we waited to get home. And we thank the teachers who departed from their families to give us this memorable experience.

Being given the opportunity to connect with peers or teachers of whom we may not have known prior to this retreat was fantastic, learning about each other’s stories, thoughts and beliefs, as well as simply enjoying the company of those around us is something that we all have cherished. From heated trivia to late night songs by the fireplace and everything in between, those 3 days created shared memories that we will look back upon fondly for years to come.

Ben Breasley - College Leader

ANZAC Commemoration

On Anzac Day, a strong contingent of members from our college Student Pastoral Council not only participated in but played important roles during  the Anzac Service held at Charlestown Lions Park. The responsibility for, and pride shown on this day was seen again at our own  Anzac service, officiated over and led by the Student Pastoral Council.

We were honoured with personal reflections about the significance of Anzac Day from Year 11 students, Ariella Doyle and Angela Johnson as well as our guest, Mr John Flood, a Vietnam Veteran.

Our student body honoured the past and continuing roles that our armed forces have in both conflict and peace-keeping operations. We are blessed to be amongst young people who understand the importance of legacy and honour.

Marine Studies

Last weekend, I had the privilege of joining over 40 teachers from across the state at the annual NSW Marine Teachers AGM and Conference, held this year in the beautiful Port Stephens. Hosted by St Philip’s Anglican College in Salamander Bay, the event provided a valuable opportunity for professional learning and networking with fellow educators passionate about marine studies.

The conference commenced with a visit to the Department of Primary Industries, where Dr David Harasti presented his fascinating research into the restoration of the White Seahorse population in the bay using specially designed “seahorse hotels.” This innovative conservation project is the first of its kind and truly inspiring.

We then toured the Stella Maris Oyster Farm, one of the region’s largest suppliers. What I had previously assumed to be a straightforward industry turned out to be a complex operation rich in science and technology – a real eye-opener.

A visit to the Irukandji Shark & Ray Encounters centre followed. Already a student favourite, the facility proved just as engaging for teachers, offering hands-on learning and insights into marine species conservation. If you haven’t yet visited, it comes highly recommended.

The professional learning activities concluded with a beautiful lunch and guided tour of the Barramundi Farm at Bobs Farm, followed by an update from NESA on syllabus developments and a collaborative session developing and sharing resources. It was a highly enriching experience that will directly benefit our Marine Studies program and students.

Shane Abell - Marine Studies Teacher

Aboriginal Education

Junior AECG

Recently St Mary’s hosted the first combined school’s Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Meeting (AECG). Our Yr 10 Leaders, Hayley Cummings, Alex Croft, Chloe Mercieca, Ava Hungerford and Brodie Denovan, presided over a combined meeting involving our six ‘feeder’ Primary Schools to share and plan. Now we ‘have the ball rolling’, the next meeting will be held on 22 May.

Karawang Dance Group

This week 30 students joined with Roo for the first dance lesson of the year. Our dance group now has a name, ‘Karawang’, which is Awabakal for magpie. Students will meet again next Wednesday 14 May during first lunch and then the following week to prepare to dance at the Reconciliation Week Assembly. This will be here at school in the COLA on Wednesday 21 May at 11.10am. Students have also been invited to dance at some primary schools around NAIDOC Week later in the term.

National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June. During Religion time students across Years 7-10 will participate in two lessons. Year 8 have already completed their lessons. The aim is for students to ‘deepen’ their understanding of Reconciliation. In response all students will evaluate their own position and contribute to an artwork highlighting actions we may undertake.

Author in Residence

Congratulations to the five Year 7 students who travelled back to their primary school to participate in the ‘Author in Residence’ Picture Book creating project. This year’s story is based on ‘The Petrified Women of Swansea Heads.

Wollutuka Institute - University of Newcastle

Recently, Dominic Dates from the Wollutuka Institute at the University of Newcastle came to St Mary’s for a goal setting and careers session with Aboriginal students Yrs 7-12. One thing that came out of this session was how to seek a ‘Confirmation of Aboriginality’ Certificate to assist with future pathways. Please be in contact if you have any questions.

Paul McKay, Levi Briggs and Roo Faulkner - Aboriginal Education Team

Library Matters

And we are off and running for another term! Over the holidays our Year 7 girls book club members all took home their new book – All Fall Down, by Ally Carter. This action packed book is also being read by some girls at our neighbouring secondary college, Trinity Catholic College, Adamstown. The plan is that soon the two groups will catch up for a Book Chat to discuss the book. It will be great to share our insight across the group and the two schools.

The force was strong at St Mary’s Library on Monday when our Star Wars fans came together for a Trivia Khaoot competition. This was a lot of fun ending up with Daniel Anstee being our individual winner and Sam Dalby and Colby Barnes were our team winners. We thank Mr Abell for the amazing trophies he 3D printed for this year’s competition.

Mrs Rosalind Dunn - Teacher-Librarian

Finance Office

College Fees

Welcome back to Term 2. We hope you had a restful break and are ready for another great term ahead. It’s wonderful to see our students back, full of energy and excitement.

We’d also like to extend our thanks to all the families who have already paid their school fees. Your support plays a vital role in helping us provide the best possible environment for our students.

Your contributions directly strengthen our programs and help build the vibrant, supportive school community that we’re all proud to be part of.

For families who haven’t yet started making payments to their fees, this is a reminder that we are getting closer to the middle of year.

We request that you commence payments as soon as possible. If you have any questions or need support, please feel free to contact the school office we are happy to help you set up a payment plan.

Thank you again for your continued support.

Kind Regards

Debbie & April - 4944 4804 - finance@gatesheadsm.catholic.edu.au

Parent Talk

Please find below links to the Council of Catholic School Parents (CCSP) publications - Parent Talk. These publications provide you with the opportunity to learn more about the CCSP including free webinars and relevant news articles.

Fit for Life

75th Anniversary Celebration

Term 2 After Hours Study

Mothering Sunday