Good afternoon families,

Welcome to Week 3

 Upcoming events and reminders

Mothers Day Breakfast and Mass- Friday 9th May

We warmly invite all our wonderful mums, grandmothers, and special women in our students’ lives to join us for our Mother's Day Mass and Breakfast on Friday, 9th May.

Details:

Breakfast

Time: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Mothers Day Mass

Time: 9:00am for a 9:15am start

Mass will begin at 9:15am and the children will start arriving at the church shortly after 9:00am. We ask that those attending the Mass be seated by 9:00am. Children are welcome to sit with their mums or special person if they are attending the Mass.

Open classrooms- Monday 12th May

We warmly invite parents and carers to join us for an Open Classroom Morning next Monday 12th May. Come and see the wonderful learning happening in our classrooms.

Time: 8:45 AM – 9:20 AMSpecial Focus – Spelling Mastery:
From 9:00 AM, we invite you to stay and observe a Spelling Mastery session in action. This is a great opportunity to see how our students develop their spelling skills through structured, evidence-based learning.

We look forward to welcoming you into our classrooms!

Upcoming school closure day- Monday 19th

On Monday 19th we have our next planned school closure day, the focus for the day is on professional development and learning for staff in the area of Mathematics.

On the topic of Maths, we have just enrolled all classes from Years 2-6 in the Times Table Rock Stars competition.

Get ready to put your multiplication skills to the test! Our Times Tables Challenge is on, and we’re looking for speedy, accurate maths champions in every class. Whether you're mastering your 2s or flying through your 12s, this is your chance to shine.

How does the competition work?

Between the 14th-16th May Students will answer as many multiplication and division questions correctly as they can. The winning school and class will be based on the highest average number of correct answers per pupil.

Which class will win bragging rights as the St Mary’s timetable rockstars?

Some exciting news from Mrs Cooke, on Sunday 27th April she safely welcomed Mr Harvey Darcy Cooke into the world. All at home doing well, she sends her love and we will share some photos in coming weeks.

Meet our Year 5/6 Teachers

Name: Danielle Sal

How long have you worked at St Mary’s?   This is my 6th year at St Mary’s. I started as a Year 2 teacher in 2020. After two years, I moved to Prep, and then last year I began teaching Year 5/6.

Photo:  My last trip to London.

What is your favourite thing about our school and especially teaching Year 5/6? The St Mary’s School community is unlike any other. The amount of respect, kindness and love that is shared amongst students, staff and families makes our school special. This is my second year in 5/6 and my favourite thing is the kids. They make me laugh every day and I am always so proud of their work ethic and general care for each other and our school.

What’s an interesting fact about you?  When I was in High School, I was involved in all of my school’s drama and musical productions. I’m also known for my incredible Pavlova baking ability!

Name: Connie Karangelis

How long have you worked at St Mary’s? This is my third year at St Mary’s!

Photo: My family at a wedding last weekend!

What is your favourite thing about our school and especially teaching Year 5/6? My favourite thing about teaching at our school is, of course, the wonderful students, families, and staff. It’s such a positive and welcoming community to be a part of and I’ve felt very fortunate during my time here. I love working in the 5/6 community—every day is an adventure shared with the best team and students. Their smiling faces make every day worth coming to work

What’s an interesting fact about you? Teaching wasn’t always my career path! Before becoming a teacher, I studied journalism and worked in various roles, including public relations, copywriting, and even television.

Name: Angela Pezzano

How long have you worked at St Mary’s? This is my 7th year teaching at St. Mary’s. I began as a specialist teacher for the Music/Performing Arts program, the Italian language program, the LifeLab Well-Being and Resilience Program and now as a classroom teacher in Year 5/6 Yellow with Mrs. Karangelis.

Photo: Visiting Sydney.

What is your favourite thing about our school and especially teaching Year 56? I like that our school is part of a Parish Community, which has caring staff and teams. I like that our students are willing to do their best and that they show kindness and respect.  I also really appreciate their sense of humour.

What are some interesting things about you? I have other jobs including working at the RCH, I play the organ and piano at church, I love using LEGO as a learning tool with my students, I enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles and going to see musicals,  live theatre and orchestras.

Name: Daryl Marmion

How long have you worked at St Mary’s? This is my 5th year. I took over from another Irish man half way through 2021 so that the students wouldn’t be confused about how I say ‘turty tree tousand’.

Photo: With family in Ireland

What is your favourite thing(s) about our school and especially teaching Year 5/6? The students. They are maturing and becoming the versions of themselves that they will carry into their teenage years and beyond. I love interschool sport, Canberra trips, poetry slams, Mini BOSS and water park adventures. The extras that the senior students are offered also stimulate me and make me so happy. Lastly, my wonderful team—they are the best!

What’s an interesting fact about you? I was nominated for a national radio station ‘Teacher of the year Award’ in Ireland by my year 12 students (I lost.)

What’s happening in Year 5/6:  This term in Literacy, we’re diving into the fascinating world of construction with our unit “How Things Are Built.” From the Burj Khalifa to the ancient pyramids and the Shard in London, we’re exploring the how and why behind some of the world’s most iconic buildings. As students learn technical vocabulary related to engineering and construction, they’re also developing their writing skills by crafting explanation texts. The unit will culminate in an expanded essay on how skyscrapers are built. To wrap up, we’ll research a famous Melbourne landmark and head off on an exciting excursion to learn about its history firsthand.

In Mathematics, we’re focusing on fractions. Our three targeted maths groups ensure every student is supported and challenged—whether they’re consolidating core concepts or extending their learning. This structure allows us to meet individual needs and celebrate growth at every level.

We also kicked off a major term-long project last Thursday with the Mini Boss incursion! Each Thursday this term, students will be working in teams to plan, design, and launch their very own product. The unit will conclude with a ‘Shark Tank’-style showcase—and who knows, maybe we’ll see one of their items on Kmart shelves in the near future. Watch this space!

Meet our Office Staff

Name: Madeleine Grace

How long have you worked at St Mary’s?  I started working here 27 years ago but my 3 children attended St Mary’s so as a parent I've been here since 1993.

Photo: This is a photo of my husband Michael and myself in The Netherlands last year visiting our son who lives in Utrecht.

What is your favourite thing about our school and especially working in the front office? I have met so many wonderful parents over the years, some I consider to be good friends. But the best part of my day is talking to the students, some that I've seen come through here are now parents at the school themselves! You'd be amazed at what I hear in sick bay. As they say 'out of the mouths of babes'. I'm also exteremely lucky to work with 2 people I call good friends, Gemma and Sherralee,

What’s an interesting fact about you? Probably not a secret but I've been a one eyed Carlton fan since birth, thanks Mum and Dad! I go to the games every week with my daughters, even some interstate. I also love the ballet. My other passion is travel and I've been lucky to see some wonderful things like the Pyramids, The Taj Mahal, Notre Dame to name a few. I'm also the proud Nanna to two beautiful grandaughters Sophie and Immy.

Name: Sherralee O'Reilly

How long have you worked at St Mary’s?  5 years

Photo: At a wedding in Italy

What is your favourite thing about our school and especially working in the front office?  Coming over the bridge each morning and feeling like I have just entered a small village.  It feels wonderful to be part of St Mary’s and Williamstown.

I am very blessed to be part of a team that makes the school run so smoothly and supports the whole community.  Madeleine and Gemma are superstars and amazing co-workers.

What’s an interesting fact about you?  I once worked as a Nanny for a Local GP, in a 6 storey Georgian house in Bath in the UK.  Boy, was I fit running up the stairs 100 times a day!

Name: Gemma Marshall

How long have you worked at St Mary’s?  I have been at St Mary’s for 6 years. Myself, my husband and my son moved to Melbourne from South Africa in 2019. My husband specialises in a product that a manufacturing company uses here in Australia. They offered him the job and the visa process took 3 years to finalise. It was a very long 3 years! Moving to Melbourne was the best family decision we ever made and we couldn't be happier. I joined St. Mary's in 2019, 2 months after we arrived. In my previous job, I managed an imports company that imported confectionery from the UK to South Africa for expats.  I worked there for 14 years. Moving into a reception job from that position wasn't an easy transition. There is a lot of energy in a school and I had to adapt quickly to the new environment. The friendliness from staff and parents made the transition very easy and I was very welcomed into the community. 

Photo: Sherralee, Madeleine and myself.

What is your favourite thing about our school and especially working in the office? My favourite thing about St. Mary's is the close community feel. I have become friends with colleagues and parents. This was a massive part of my transition. I get hugs from students daily and that really makes my day. No two days are the same in the office. Every day is unpredictable. 

Myself, Sherralee and Madeleine found a bond in music and we listen to music every day. Mostly the 80s.

What’s an interesting fact about you? I have been chased by an elephant who was in musth! I have also been bitten on the bum by a lion! #thisisafrica