Historic change: St Mary's College principal Wayne Smith, along with deputy principal of operations Genevieve Gordon (left) and VCE co-ordinator Simone McLaughlin, are excited that the college will soon again offer years 11 and 12.
Photo by
Murray Silby
There are big changes afoot at St Mary’s College in Seymour, and it would not be overstating it to say they are changes that will impact generations to come.
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From 2024, the college will offer Year 11 classes, progressing to Year 12 in 2025, meaning the 2022 Year 9 cohort will become the college’s first VCE graduates in 34 years.
Students who have previously had to leave the school after Year 10 will now be able to complete their education at St Mary’s right through from Foundation to Year 12.
“The parents want it, the students want it, the staff want it, Mitchell Shire wants it,” principal Wayne Smith said.
“Mitchell Shire wants it because they know families are moving out here. They want families to have options.”
Transition period: From 2024, St Mary's College will offer Year 11 classes, with Year 12 classes from 2025.
Photo by
Murray Silby
Simone McLaughlin, the recently appointed VCE co-ordinator, has the big job of overseeing the re-introduction of years 11 and 12.
Ms McLaughlin was at Sacred Heart in Yarrawonga when that college made the same transition.
“I think it's going to be a challenge, but a challenge the college needs and the community needs and it's a very big job,” she said.
Ms McLaughlin said parents would welcome having the option of their children receiving a Catholic education from Foundation to Year 12 wholly in Seymour.
“Catholic education, there's a roundedness that you get when you come through a Catholic school,” she said.
“I think going all the way through to Year 12 for people here with families will give them that reassurance that they've got these great options and they can stay together, rather than sending their children off on a bus somewhere to a different school that they're really unfamiliar with.”
Ms McLaughlin said students would also benefit from teachers’ familiarity with them.
“The teachers know that child's story from the very start. They also are usually aware of things that change and happen in their families. They can read where the child's going in terms of their own wellbeing, their own education and what their strengths and weaknesses are,” she said.
Open day: St Mary's College will open its gates on Monday, August 22, for prospective students and their parents to learn about the college.
Photo by
Murray Silby
Genevieve Gordon is St Mary’s deputy principal of operations and a former student at the college was one of the students who had to leave after Year 10.
“I did not want to go from St. Mary's. I felt comfortable here. I knew all the teachers here. The teachers knew how to challenge me. They knew my weaknesses,” she said.
Mrs Gordon said the current crop of students at St Mary’s were aware of the great change about to happen.
“Our Year 9 students understand what a wonderful position they are in, to be the first students to get to experience years 11 and 12 in 34 years,“ she said.
“So the day that we have a Year 12 graduation, it will be a huge celebration and a just reward for all our hard work.”
St Mary’s has its origins in the vision of Catherine McAuley, who founded the Sisters of Mercy in Ireland in 1831, but Mr Smith reminded the community that students did not have to be Catholic to attend St Mary’s.
“We have many students here who are non-Catholic. We have students from other faith denominations. If you want to be a part of St Mary's, that's great,” he said.
Mr Smith said the college encouraged students to be the best people they could be.
“St Mary's wants our students to go out there and change the world,” he said.
“We want students to make a difference in the lives of others.
“We also want students to think big about what they can do with their lives and how they can open up the doors of their mind and their opportunities, but certainly, we want our students to be change makers, to be leaders no matter what field they go into.”
St Mary’s College is holding an open day on Monday, August 22.
