Our School
Principal’s
Welcome
On behalf of the St Mary’s community, I warmly welcome you. We are a caring learning community that aims to inspire every child to be the best they can be.
Relationships are at the heart of all we do. We are committed to providing a safe and harmonious environment where students feel supported, respected, and confident to learn. Positive social-emotional development is central to academic success, and we work hard to help every child thrive both personally and academically.
Our school motto, “Friends, Family, Community – Together we Grow,” reflects our approach. We value strong partnerships between students, staff, parents, and the wider community, creating a cooperative and purposeful environment where everyone can succeed.
As a Catholic school, St Mary’s warmly welcomes students of all faiths and beliefs. We celebrate our Catholic identity while respecting the diversity of our community, encouraging all students to explore values, ethics, and spirituality in a supportive environment.
At St Mary’s, we are committed to academic excellence and helping every student reach their full potential. Our explicit teaching approach, grounded in evidence-based programs, ensures that learning is structured, targeted, and effective. Each child receives support and challenge tailored to their individual needs, allowing them to make measurable growth. While our curriculum also engages students through the arts, sport, and digital and design technologies, these experiences complement a rigorous academic program designed to foster deep understanding, critical thinking, and a love of learning.
We see education as a partnership with families. By working together and sharing common goals, parents and teachers help children feel secure, purposeful, and ready to learn. Through participation in the St Mary’s Religious Education Program, students are encouraged to develop a positive self-concept and respect the values and beliefs of others.
Our dedicated teaching staff work collaboratively and pursue ongoing professional learning to provide the best opportunities for each student. It is a privilege to be part of the learning journey of every child and to lead a passionate and committed team focused on student growth and wellbeing.
I look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to our school community.
Mr Steele Anderson
Principal
Our Approach
At St Mary’s, our approach is simple — happy students learn best.
We know that when children feel safe, supported, and valued, they thrive. That’s why student wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. We focus on building positive relationships, creating a calm and welcoming environment, and helping every child feel a sense of belonging at school.
A growth mindset shapes our learning culture. We encourage students to be curious, to give new things a go, and to see mistakes as part of learning. Our students are supported to take risks, problem-solve, and develop resilience, skills that will serve them well beyond primary school.
Our teaching and learning program is built around an explicit teaching model: I do, we do, you do. This structure provides clear instruction, guided practice, and opportunities for independent learning. Every program we use is evidence-based, ensuring that our teaching reflects the most effective and proven approaches.
Learning at St Mary’s is individualised. We use data to identify each student’s strengths, challenges, and next steps, allowing teachers to tailor learning so every child is both supported and extended.
Beyond the classroom, students are given rich opportunities to explore their interests and passions. Our specialist programs include Physical Education, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, STEM, and Mandarin.
We are a strong sporting school with high participation and great success at local, regional, and state levels. At the same time, we place equal value on creativity and expression through music, drama, and art, giving every student the chance to shine.
At St Mary’s, we aim to develop confident, kind, and capable learners who are ready to take on the world.
Our Approach
At St Mary’s, our approach is simple — happy students learn best.
We know that when children feel safe, supported, and valued, they thrive. That’s why student wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. We focus on building positive relationships, creating a calm and welcoming environment, and helping every child feel a sense of belonging at school.
A growth mindset shapes our learning culture. We encourage students to be curious, to give new things a go, and to see mistakes as part of learning. Our students are supported to take risks, problem-solve, and develop resilience, skills that will serve them well beyond primary school.
Our teaching and learning program is built around an explicit teaching model: I do, we do, you do. This structure provides clear instruction, guided practice, and opportunities for independent learning. Every program we use is evidence-based, ensuring that our teaching reflects the most effective and proven approaches.
Learning at St Mary’s is individualised. We use data to identify each student’s strengths, challenges, and next steps, allowing teachers to tailor learning so every child is both supported and extended.
Beyond the classroom, students are given rich opportunities to explore their interests and passions. Our specialist programs include Physical Education, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, STEM, and Mandarin.
We are a strong sporting school with high participation and great success at local, regional, and state levels. At the same time, we place equal value on creativity and expression through music, drama, and art, giving every student the chance to shine.
At St Mary’s, we aim to develop confident, kind, and capable learners who are ready to take on the world.
Our Values
Respect
Treating others with consideration and regard, respecting another person’s point of view
Freedom for all to enjoy the rights and privileges of Australian citizenship, free from unnecessary interference or control
Standing up for and considering the rights of others
Pursuing and protecting the common good where all people are treated fairly for a just society.
Compassion
Care and compassion for self and others.
Being empathetic to the perspectives and needs of others.
Inclusion
Understanding, celebrating and accepting diversity within a democratic society
Being included and including others.
Honesty
Being honest, sincere and seeking the truth
Doing your best in seeking to accomplish something worthy and admirable, trying hard, pursuing excellence
Acting with integrity, with consistency between words and deeds
Being responsible and accountable for one’s actions, with a commitment to resolving conflict and differences restoratively, peacefully and respectfully
Contributing to and caring for the school, local and global community and environment.
Catholic Identity
At St Mary’s, we encourage students to explore and express their faith in authentic and meaningful ways, connecting the message of the Gospel to today’s multicultural, pluralistic, and globally connected world.
Our Religious Education (RE) curriculum provides structured learning experiences that support students’ spiritual growth and understanding. Daily prayer is an important part of our school life, helping students to reflect, give thanks, and grow in their relationship with God.
Students are also supported to live out their faith in practical ways, using their knowledge and skills to make a positive difference in local and global communities by:
Upholding the dignity of every person
Being responsible stewards of our natural world
Working for the common good
Building meaningful relationships as members of a local and global community
Our Sacramental Program is an integral part of faith formation:
Year 3: Reconciliation
Year 4: First Eucharist
Year 6: Confirmation
School Prayer
Loving God,
We thank you for this day,
For family, friends, our learning and play.
For school, for love, for the gifts we share,
For St Mary’s, a community full of care.
Help us grow in respect and grace,
To cherish each person, every place.
With compassion, honesty, and inclusion too,
We’ll shine your light in all we do.
Mother Mary, pray for us.
Catholic Identity
At St Mary’s, we encourage students to explore and express their faith in authentic and meaningful ways, connecting the message of the Gospel to today’s multicultural, pluralistic, and globally connected world.
Our Religious Education (RE) curriculum provides structured learning experiences that support students’ spiritual growth and understanding. Daily prayer is an important part of our school life, helping students to reflect, give thanks, and grow in their relationship with God.
Students are also supported to live out their faith in practical ways, using their knowledge and skills to make a positive difference in local and global communities by:
Upholding the dignity of every person
Being responsible stewards of our natural world
Working for the common good
Building meaningful relationships as members of a local and global community
Our Sacramental Program is an integral part of faith formation:
Year 3: Reconciliation
Year 4: First Eucharist
Year 6: Confirmation
School Prayer
Loving God,
We thank you for this day,
For family, friends, our learning and play.
For school, for love, for the gifts we share,
For St Mary’s, a community full of care.
Help us grow in respect and grace,
To cherish each person, every place.
With compassion, honesty, and inclusion too,
We’ll shine your light in all we do.
Mother Mary, pray for us.
Grounds and Facilities
St. Mary’s is located on Holyrood Street, a few minutes walk from the beautiful natural environment of Hampton Beach and Port Phillip Bay.
In 2018, St. Mary’s developed a masterplan for refurbishing our current buildings and grounds as a first step towards embarking on a building program.
We are well resourced with digital technology, including Chromebooks and iPads. All classrooms have a Digital TV or Interactive Whiteboard.
14 classrooms (two classes per year level)
Library and STEM Learning Hub
Art Room
Multi-Purpose Hall
Two large surfaced play areas
Basketball Court
Two adventure playground areas
Vegetable garden
Imagination garden and passive play areas
Outdoor seating
