Principal's Welcome
St Mary's was established in 1857 by the Good Samaritan Sisters. The Sisters brought Catholic education to Moruya and educated children from outlying farming districts, some of whom boarded at the convent. The school still bears the motto of the Good Samaritan Sisters, "In all things my God be glorified." This is at the heart of everything that happens at St Mary's. Our school expectations of 'I am Kind', 'I am safe', 'I am respectful and 'I am doing my best' are explicitly taught and reinforced, ensuring students become the best they can be for themselves and for those around them. St Mary's reputation as having a strong pastoral care program and student behaviour management practices is well deserved.
St Mary's is a well-resourced school that provides excellent opportunities for students to learn across all Key Learning Areas. It's Performing Arts Centre is well utilised for PDHPE and sporting activities, Creative and Performing Arts and Project Learning. Students have access to a broad range of technology and the Digital Technology Coordinator supports teachers to integrate digital tools into everyday learning. The students are supported academically by committed teachers and provided with opportunities to extend their thinking through Conceptual inquiry, Investigations and Project Learning. Literacy and Numeracy are explicitly taught every day with K-2 students learning English through Macquarie University's InitiaLIT program. Learning Support staff work alongside teachers to support students with additional needs. St Mary's has well developed Reading intervention programs; Minilit, Macqlit and BOOST to support students who are not yet reading at grade expectation. Aboriginal students and families are supported by two Aboriginal Education Workers.
Sport is a very important part of life at the school with students involved in a broad range of Gala Days and competitions at school, regional and Archdiocesan level. All students, Kinder - Year 6 participate in swimming instruction in Term 4 each year.
Parents, as the first educators of their children, are most welcome partners in education at St Mary's. Parents assist in the classroom, in the canteen, at sporting events and on special occasions. School Assemblies are held twice a term and many parents take this opportunity to support their children through their attendance.
If you require further information about St Mary's, please make an appointment with the Front Office staff to visit our school for a tour and speak with me.