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ODYSSEY

YEARBOOK 2025

REPORTS Principal ��2 Deputy Principal Operations ��3 Director Faith and Mission ��4 Director Learning and Teaching ��5 Director Wellbeing ��6 Parents and Friends ��7 Community Team ��8 Faith in Action ��9 Mother’s Day �� 10 Father’s Day �� 11 College Captains �� 12 Opening Masses and Liturgies �� 14 Reconciliation �� 16 Confirmation �� 17 Eucharist �� 18

Padua �� 54 Pastoral Care �� 54 7 Padua 1 �� 56 7 Padua 2 �� 57 8 Padua 1 �� 58 8 Padua 2 �� 59 9 Padua 1 �� 60 10 Padua 1 �� 61 11 Padua 1 �� 62 12 Padua 1 �� 63

LEARNING AND TEACHING

Colour Run �� 66 Indonesian �� 68 Careers �� 70 Primary Art �� 72 Secondary Art �� 74 Performing Arts �� 76 Materials Technology �� 78 Vocational Major �� 80 Agriculture Studies �� 82 Food Technology �� 84

Book Week �� 20 IGNITE Program �� 22 Primary Science �� 24 Secondary Science �� 26 Secondary STEM �� 27 Humanities �� 28 Primary STEM �� 29 PRIMARY Primary Pastoral Care �� 30 Foundation A �� 32 Foundation B �� 33 1-2A �� 34 1-2B �� 35 1-2C �� 36 3-4A �� 37 3-4B �� 38 3-4C �� 39 5A �� 40 5B �� 42 6A �� 43 6B �� 44 SECONDARY

VCE VCE �� 64 LEARNING AND TEACHING

CAMPS Year 5 & 6 Canberra Camp �� 86 Year 7 Halls Gap Camp �� 88 Year 9 Tasmania Camp �� 90 SPORT Sport Captains �� 92 Swimming Carnival �� 94 Cross Country �� 96 Athletics Carnival �� 98 Round Robins ��100 Interschool Sports ��102 AWARDS Year 6 Graduation ��104 Year 12 Graduation ��106 Awards ��108 STAFF 2025 Staff ��119

ODYSSEY 2025

McAuley �� 44 Pastoral Care �� 44 7 McAuley 1 �� 46 7 McAuley 2 �� 47 8 McAuley 1 �� 48 8 McAuley 2 �� 49 9 McAuley 1 �� 50 10 McAuley 1 �� 51 11 McAuley 1 �� 52 12 McAuley 1 �� 53

REPORTS

CONTENTS

PRINCIPAL 2025 was a momentous year in the history of St Mary’s College. “Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – St Franics of Assisi

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

2024 was the year of VCE preparation and 2025 was the year of return. To have Year 12 back at St Mary’s has been an enormous team effort, and our students can now aspire to open doors to many different career pathways. The VCE results for 2025 are testament to the College’s teaching standards. Xavier Sinkeler achieved Dux of St Mary’s with an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 92.75 and university entry for Biomedicine Studies. Students who applied for university received their preferences and students were successful in gaining apprenticeships and or further studies through other registered providers. A far wider breadth of career path options is now the reality for St Mary’ senior students.

The Sacred Heart Centre (with a large landscaping project) is nearing completion and will be operational during Term Two 2026. It is rare that buildings of this size finish on time due to the compliance hoops that have to be navigated, the Christmas break, hold ups with supply and weather events. The Sacred Heart Centre proudly takes its name from another era when there were St Mary’s Primary School and Sacred Heart Secondary College. Designing the extension to the Stage 2 Monsignor Toms Science Centre is well underway with the building scheduled to begin in Term 3 Semester 2026. The Stage 2 extension will embrace the needs of contemporary science education, broadening our students’

horizons on the varied science careers in research, health services, industry and agriculture. St Mary’s staff give our students enormous support in and out of the classroom. The Learning, Wellbeing and Curriculum teams do so through their discussions, planning and support so students can achieve. Our College Administration teams always give a hearty welcome and deal with many administration and financial aspects of working in a large MACS system. The Finance team have done a power of work this year for future strategic planning. Our College Advisory Council and P&F Association are so generous with their time and commitment to the common good of our College. The IT, Maintenance and Canteen staff provide skills, pride and commitment in service to students and staff. Father Ashkar proudly speaks of St Mary’s, and he is a valued and welcome presence at St Mary’s. Our students give sincere respect to the dignity of the Church during weekly Wednesday Mass, and this is one example of how our College community gives witness to the charism of Mercy Sisters and Catholic education and in Jesus Christ, the central figure in our College’s mission. St Mary’s is a part of the very large Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools education System. Our College has fully embraced MACS 2030 with the focus on instructional and engaging learning.

Thank you to all staff for their service to St Mary’s in 2025. In particular the College Executive who go above and beyond to make decisions for the common good of students and staff. OUR RETIREES Mary Tampion, Andrew Allen, Catherine Evans and Rochelle Gough have given so much to Catholic education during their vocational life. ‘Mother’ Mary, Andrew, Cath and Rochelle have educated thousands of students during their 140 plus years at St Mary’s College Seymour. During the final 2025 Assembly they left to a rousing guard of honour from College staff. Blessings on Mary, Andrew, Cath and Rochelle and may they enjoy good health and many happy times during their retirements. The commitment and support of parents to St Mary’s gives children assurance and confidence and nurtures a mature approach to life and relationships. Thank you for your support in 2025. It is about the students and for the students. At St Mary’s we ‘live in the present, respect tradition and create the future.’ (Pope Franics).

WAYNE SMITH

Principal, St Mary’s College Seymour DipEd (ACU) DipREd (ACU) BEd (ACU) GradCertEdAdmin (Edith Cowan) GradDipREd (ACU) MEdAdmin (Charles Sturt) MTheoStudies (BBITAITE)

A Historic Year of Momentum, Milestones, and Community at St Mary’s College The optimism, purpose, and great momentum generated throughout 2024 continued strongly into 2025, making this year one of historic significance for St Mary’s College. In 2025, we proudly celebrated the graduation of our first Year 12 VCE and VCE VM students in close to 40 years. This milestone represents the realisation of a long-held dream and the culmination of extraordinary commitment and hard work by many across our community. Standing at the beginning of the entrance procession and leading our Year 12 students into their Graduation Mass and Ceremony was an emotionally reflective moment, one that captured the magnitude of what had been achieved by our team and the journey taken to reach this point. While we are immensely proud of this growth and achievement, we do not rest on our success. We now look forward with intention and ambition, focused on continuous improvement and on strengthening St Mary’s College as the school of choice within our region.

This year, we farewell four highly respected staff members who have

St Mary’s is also fortunate to have a fabulous group of Casual Relief Teachers. We are sincerely grateful for the time they give to ensuring continuity of learning during staff absences and for the pastoral care they provide our students. They are warmly welcomed, genuinely appreciated, and contribute positively to the strong learning culture of our College. Our thanks are extended to the volunteers of the Parent and Friends Association, who always place the best interests of St Mary’s students at the heart of all they do. 2025 has been a particularly busy year for the P&F, highlighted by the highly successful 80s & 90s Trivia Night, Santa Photo Fundraiser, and the Colour Run for College Feast Day. Their generosity has also contributed to the funding of an outdoor BBQ area near the basketball court shelters, which we look forward to becoming a welcoming gathering space for our community. The College has continued to progress with capital works and master plan priorities, including the development of the VCE Centre and ongoing improvements to our College grounds.

I thank Nick, Nick, Shane, and Paul for their dedicated work in maintaining and enhancing our environment. Among the many highlights of the year were the Year 5/6 Canberra Camp, Year 7 Grampians Camp, and Year 9 Tasmania Camp—each offering students rich learning experiences beyond the classroom. The Art Exhibition was another standout event, where our students’ creativity shone brightly, particularly the exceptional work of our talented VCE Art students. Our end-of-year awards ceremonies provided clear evidence that we are doing something very right at St Mary’s College. We are immensely proud of our students, their character, resilience, and achievements. We stand behind them to have their back, in front of them to cheer them on, beside them so they are never walking alone, and with them as they continue their journeys. Thank you for trusting us with the education of your child, it is a true privilege to walk alongside them and your family on their learning journey. May we continue to let our actions speak, to be guiding lights for others, and to simply choose kindness, always.

GENEVIEVE GORDON

ODYSSEY 2025

I extend my sincere gratitude to our staff, who consistently go above and beyond for their students. We are blessed with a dedicated team whose guidance, high expectations, and unwavering belief in young people inspire students to strive for personal success in all aspects of College life. The holistic education offered at St Mary’s empowers our students to shape their own futures with confidence, purpose, and integrity.

journeyed with St Mary’s College over many years—Mary Tampion, Andrew Allen, Rochelle Gough, and Catherine Evans. Each of them is truly an institution within our College community. Current students and Old Collegians alike hold great respect for these educators and carry with them the fondest of memories shaped by their care, wisdom, and dedication. We wish them happiness and good health and sincerely thank them for their immeasurable contributions to St Mary’s College. They are four irreplaceable staff members who will be deeply missed.

REPORTS

DEPUTY PRINCIPAL OPERATIONS

DIRECTOR FAITH AND MISSION At St Mary’s College, faith and mercy are at the heart of all that we do. Guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ and inspired by the life of Catherine McAuley, we are committed to providing enriching and highquality learning experiences that nurture both the minds and the spirits of our students. We encourage our students to grow in their faith, develop a deep sense of compassion for those in need and live out the Mercy values of justice, hospitality, courage, respect and service in their daily lives.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

Our theme for the year was developed by our Year 12 Leadership team in consultation with the College Executive. The students chose the theme “Guided by Faith , Driven by Purpose” and reflects the call to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and strive to do the very best we can in all areas of our school life. The beautiful artwork that accompanies the theme was created by staff member Ms Kerrie Royals, depicting the unity, faith and Mercy values of St Mary’s.

2025 was a significant year in the history of St Mary’s College. As we welcomed the first Year 12 cohort in over 40 years, we also marked 125 years since 5 Mercy Sisters came to Seymour to establish Sacred Heart College. We acknowledged this significant milestone at our Opening Mass in February and recalled the wonderful growth of our school until the present day. This past year has been marked by significant sacramental events as our students have taken important steps in their faith journey. Our Year 6 students celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation, Year 4 had a joyous celebration of First Eucharist, while

our Year 3 students experienced the meaningful step of First Reconciliation. Each of these moments reflected the thoughtful preparation and support provided by our staff and parents and guided by our Parish priest Fr Eugene Ashkar. These sacraments form an integral part of our Faith Education program at St Mary’s. Our commitment to ‘Faith in Action’ has also been clearly demonstrated through a range of social justice initiatives. Students and staff participated in a range of actions such as Project Compassion, the St Vincent de Paul Winter and Christmas Appeals, and outreach programs that provided essential items and care packages for those in need. These initiatives have fostered a strong spirit of generosity and compassion while reinforcing the importance of putting our faith into action through service. All of these initiatives live in the foundation of the work and life of Catherine McAuley. The liturgical life of the college has continued to be a cornerstone of our school community. Throughout the year, Masses, liturgies and prayerful gatherings have brought students and staff together in moments of reflection and shared faith. From the Opening Liturgy that set the tone for the year, to our Easter Liturgy, ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day services,

and our Closing Liturgy, each of these major celebrations offered an opportunity to bring our extended school community together. Other occasions, such as Reconciliation Week, Sorry Day, Mission Week and Catholic Education Week, also provided an important time to reflect on justice, unity and our commitment to respect and understanding. Through these experiences and celebrations, we strive to foster an environment where students and staff are encouraged to follow the teachings of Christ and the wonderful example of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy. At St Mary’s College, we strive to put our faith into action every day and live out our College theme - Guided by Faith, Driven by Purpose.

ROCHELLE GOUGH

DIRECTOR LEARNING AND TEACHING Learning and teaching remain at the heart of all we do at St Mary’s College and 2025 has been a year marked by purposeful growth, collaboration and outstanding student achievement. Throughout the year, the College strengthened its commitment to the MACS Vision for Instruction (VFI), embedding explicit instructional practice as the norm across classrooms from Foundation to Year 12. Staff engaged in ongoing professional learning centred on cognitive science and the research behind how students learn, exploring the relationship between working memory, long-term memory and the factors that influence knowledge retention. This learning reinforced our focus on the explicit teaching of knowledge and skills, ensuring students are supported to achieve success. The St Mary’s College Lesson Sequence Model continued to provide a consistent framework for teaching and learning. Underpinned

by evidence-based strategies, lessons emphasised clarity, modelling, guided practice, independent application and review. Teachers regularly checked for understanding through targeted questioning, student discussion, mini whiteboards and other formative assessment techniques, enabling responsive teaching to maximise student progress. The MACS Vision for Instruction promotes high expectations, rigorous learning experiences and equitable access to challenging content for all students. Its impact has been evident across the College, contributing to strong literacy growth and excellent student outcomes in VCE, VCE VM and NAPLAN. St Mary’s College was also recognised beyond our community, with our instructional practices featured in case studies for the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership and the MultiLit program. Collaboration remains a cornerstone of our success. Teaching teams, Learning Support Officers and Learning Diversity staff work closely together to create engaging and

inclusive learning environments that foster creativity, critical thinking and a love of learning. Cross-curricular learning opportunities have continued to flourish, with students applying knowledge and skills in authentic contexts. From designing rockets and exploring scientific concepts through Mathematics and Physical Education, to producing high-quality works in the Arts and Technologies and examining their role as global citizens in English and Humanities, students have embraced opportunities to challenge themselves and deepen their understanding. The dedication and expertise of our staff, combined with the enthusiasm and perseverance of our students, have made 2025 a year of significant achievement. The continued focus on the Vision for Instruction, our Lesson Sequence Model and collaborative professional practice will ensure that St Mary’s College remains committed to providing an engaging, challenging and supportive learning environment.

JULIA WOOD

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DIRECTOR WELLBEING At St Mary’s College Seymour, student wellbeing remains at the heart of everything we do. Over the past year, our community has continued to strengthen its commitment to nurturing the social, emotional and physical wellbeing of every student, ensuring they feel supported, connected and empowered to thrive.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our key leaders who have worked tirelessly to support student wellbeing across the College. Thank you to Anne Spencer, F–2 Coordinator, and Amanda Stevens, 3–6 Coordinator, for their dedication to building strong foundations of wellbeing and emotional literacy in our youngest learners. I also wish to acknowledge Jo Kamp, House Leader for Padua (Years 7–10), and Vicki Hinks and Naomi McKeown, who shared the McAuley House Leader role (Years 7–10). Their leadership, care and commitment to pastoral support have had a significant and positive impact on our students.

This year, the Primary Wellbeing Team introduced the Life Skills GO program, an innovative wellbeing platform designed specifically for the F-6. Life Skills GO provides real-time and meaningful wellbeing data insights and reports, alongside evidence-based, trauma-informed and curriculum-aligned resources. This powerful platform enables teachers to make informed, data-driven decisions regarding both whole-school and individual student wellbeing. Most importantly, it ensures that every student is empowered and every teacher is equipped with the tools they need to provide timely and effective support. Uniquely, Life Skills GO also allows schools to measure the effectiveness of wellbeing programs, offering an

approach to continuous improvement and informed leadership decisionmaking. This has strengthened our ability to respond proactively to student needs and refine our wellbeing practices across the F-6. Dedicated Pastoral Care lessons across the College in 7-10 have further strengthened students’ social and emotional literacy. These lessons have provided valuable opportunities for reflection, skill development and meaningful conversations, while also allowing for cross-age activities that foster connection, leadership and a strong sense of community among students. We are also incredibly grateful to our dedicated school nurses, Lisa and Kath, who continue to work with compassion and professionalism to

support the health outcomes of all students. Their commitment plays a vital role in ensuring our students feel safe, cared for and supported in their daily school lives. Our College Counsellor, Tanya, has ensured students are provided with timely, professional and compassionate support, while also playing a vital role in connecting students and families with appropriate internal and external support services. At St Mary’s College Seymour, wellbeing is a shared responsibility. I thank all staff, students and families for their ongoing partnership and support as we continue to build a caring, inclusive and resilient school community where every student can flourish.

ALLISON MOORE

PARENTS AND FRIENDS What another wonderful year it has been for the St Mary’s Parents and Friends Association! Our committee has been busy throughout the year bringing the school community together through a number of fun events and fundraising activities. Our much-loved Mother’s Day and Father’s Day stalls were again a highlight, with students enjoying the opportunity to choose special gifts for the important people in their lives. These stalls always bring plenty of excitement and smiles as children carefully pick something meaningful to take home. This year we also introduced Santa Photos, which quickly became a festive favourite for many families. It was lovely to see so many students and siblings getting into the Christmas spirit while capturing a special memory to take home. One of the biggest highlights of the year was our Trivia Night fundraiser. It was a fantastic evening filled with

laughter, friendly competition and great community spirit. Events like this are always a wonderful reminder of how supportive and connected our school community is.

ongoing support and look forward to another fantastic year ahead.

PARENTS AND FRIENDS COMMITTEE

We also had the pleasure of supporting the school’s Feast Day celebrations by running the Colour Run. It was a vibrant and energetic event that had students covered in colour and smiles from start to finish, and it was wonderful to see so much enthusiasm from everyone involved. None of this would be possible without the support of our amazing volunteers, families and friends who generously give their time to help make these events happen. Every bit of support helps strengthen our school community and allows the P&F to continue contributing to initiatives that benefit our students. Thank you to our committee members and to all the families who support our fundraisers throughout the year. We are incredibly grateful for your

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COMMUNITY TEAM St Mary’s has a long and proud tradition of building community and bringing our families into the College as much as possible. This year all St Mary’s mothers and special people were invited to a delicious breakfast in the MPH. The students ensured their mums and special people were well looked after and Year 10’s assisted with serving the breakfast. The choir entertained our visitors and the Foundation video of Why we love our mums was the highlight as it is every year. Thank you to Rivergum Florist, Wildflower Florist and Araminta’s Cafe for their generous raffle donations. St Mary’s Parents and Friends once again provided a wonderful Mother’s Day stall for our students. An active Parents and Friends Association raises significant funds for the College community and provides social connections for our families

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

Later in the year the fabulous Father’s Day Breakfast was held on a cool sunny morning in September. Over 200 Dads and father figures gathered

in the quadrangle for a BBQ breakfast. There were lucky raffle prizes and an opportunity for our Dads and special people to have breakfast with their child. These special community events are a great way for our college families to gather and enhance the feeling of community at St Mary’s. The Community team organised and coordinated many different community events. Our Year 12 leaders and Class Captains, were a group of enthusiastic students who worked tirelessly to create better opportunities for our students and community groups. We would like to especially acknowledge our Learning support officers who are so generous with their time no matter what event is being held- we could not run all the community events we have at St Mary’s without their continual support. Community is key at St Mary’s. Thank you to our wider community for their support during 2025.

FAITH IN ACTION Putting Our Faith into Action Throughout the year, students across all year levels have taken meaningful action to support those in need, reflecting our shared values of kindness, generosity, and social justice. One of the ways our community supports others is through food donations collected for St Vincent de Paul. During winter and again at Christmas, students and families generously donated non-perishable food items to help support individuals and families experiencing hardship. These collections remind us of the importance of caring for others, especially during times of increased need. Students also showed their commitment to helping others

through fundraising efforts for Project Compassion and My Room, a children’s cancer support organisation. Through various activities and initiatives, students raised both funds and awareness, learning that even small actions can make a big difference in the lives of others. In the lead-up to Christmas, secondary students prepared Christmas care packages that were distributed to local businesses and families in need. These thoughtfully prepared packages were a simple but powerful way of spreading hope, gratitude, and festive cheer within our local community. Building relationships across generations was another important focus. Year 11 students visited Barrabill House, where they spent time connecting with residents, sharing stories, and offering

companionship. These visits fostered mutual respect and understanding, highlighting the value of human connection and empathy. Meanwhile, Year 6 students continued their ongoing commitment to caring for the Seymour Pioneer Park Cemetery. By cleaning up and maintaining the grounds, students demonstrated respect for local history while putting stewardship and service into practice. Through these acts of service, our students learn that faith is lived through action—by standing with others, caring for our community, and responding with compassion. Together, we continue to grow not only as learners, but as people who strive to make a positive difference in the world.

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MOTHER’S DAY St Mary’s has a long and proud tradition of building community and bringing our families into the College as much as possible This year all St Mary’s mothers and special people were invited to a delicious breakfast in the MPH. The students ensured their mums and special people were well looked after and Year 10’s assisted with serving the breakfast. The choir entertained our visitors and the Foundation video of Why we love our mums was the highlight as it is every year.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

Thank you to Rivergum Florist, Wildflower Florist and Araminta’s Cafe for their generous raffle donations. St Mary’s Parents and Friends once again provided a wonderful Mother’s Day stall for our students. An active Parents and Friends Association raises significant funds for the College community and provides social connections for our families.

FATHER’S DAY Later in the year the fabulous Father’s Day Breakfast was held on a cool sunny morning in September. Over 200 Dads and father figures gathered in the quadrangle for a BBQ breakfast. There were lucky raffle prizes and an opportunity for our Dads and special people to have breakfast with their child. These special community events are a great way for our college families to gather and enhance the feeling of community at St Mary’s. The Community team organised and coordinated many different community events. Our Year 12 leaders and Class Captains, were a group of enthusiastic students who worked tirelessly to create better opportunities for our students and community groups. We would like to especially acknowledge our Learning support officers who are so generous with their time no matter what event is being held- we could not run all the community events we have at St Mary’s without their continual support. Community is key at St Mary’s. Thank you to our wider community for their support during 2025.

ODYSSEY 2025 11

COLLEGE CAPTAINS On behalf of the Class of 2025, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the staff at St Mary’s College. Over my ten years here, I’ve had the privilege of learning from many teachers. What has remained constant, however, is the exceptional care, dedication, and support shown by each and every one of them. You have given me countless opportunities and helped shape me into the person I am today. In particular, I would like to thank Ms McLaughlin, Mrs Gordon, Mrs Moore, and Mrs Pankhurst. The knowledge, wisdom, and guidance you have shared with me will stay with me for life. Each of you supported me through the challenges of this year and taught me lessons that extend far beyond the classroom. More than anything, I will miss being able to turn to you when I needed reassurance— especially when I was convinced I had completely messed up a SAC. If I had a dollar for every time one of you told me to relax, I’d be a millionaire by now.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

On a more serious note, it’s the relationships I’ve built with teachers that have made this school so special to me. Nothing will ever compare to the connections I’ve been fortunate enough to form, and I will always be grateful. And of course, I’ll never forget the “magic hugs” from Mrs Gordon and Mrs Moore that somehow made everything feel okay again.

I think I speak for all Year 12s when I say a massive thank you to the people behind the scenes—those whose work often goes unnoticed but is deeply appreciated. To the office staff who keep our school running, the maintenance team who ensure our college remains a beautiful place to be, and the volunteers in the canteen who have kept us well fed—thank you. I’m sure we can all agree that the caramel slice will be especially missed. From the bottom of our hearts, thank

you for making it possible for us to be here today as the first Year 12 cohort in nearly 40 years. The return of Year 12 is an incredible milestone for our college, and I feel truly honoured to have been part of the first cohort. There have been many students before us who would have loved this opportunity, which makes this achievement even more meaningful. This milestone would not have been possible without the leadership and determination of Mr Smith. The effort behind reinstating Year 12—through countless reports, applications, and behind-the-scenes work—was extraordinary. We are so grateful to have a principal who approaches every challenge with such dedication and persistence. Throughout this year, Mr Smith has continually encouraged us to do our best, offering guidance and inspiration that we will carry with us long after we leave St Mary’s. It has also been a privilege to serve as College Captain for 2025. As the first Year 12 captains in almost four decades, I can truly say it has been an honour. Thank you to Cooper for your reliability, integrity, and teamwork—it has been a pleasure to lead alongside you. I’d also like to thank the entire college community for welcoming us so warmly. This role has taught us so much, and we couldn’t have done it without the support and guidance of those around us. Most importantly, we thank our parents, guardians, and caregivers. Year 12 is challenging not only for students but also for those who support us, and we are incredibly grateful. Personally, I owe so much to my parents. My mum has always inspired me to believe I can achieve anything I set my mind to, never letting me doubt myself. My dad has given me perspective and calm, always reminding me that doing my best is enough. Together, they have

been my strongest support system, and I am endlessly thankful for them. To the Class of 2025—our thirteenyear journey is nearly at an end. It hasn’t always been easy, and each of us has had a unique experience. That is what makes our cohort so special. We all have different stories, and now we begin writing the next chapter of our lives. The opportunities ahead of us are endless, and I know we have all earned them. My own journey at St Mary’s began in prep. Although I briefly attended another school, I quickly realised that St Mary’s was where I truly belonged. Returning here felt like coming home. In a smaller, close-knit community where everyone is valued and known, I found a genuine sense of belonging. I am especially grateful for my friends— Chloe B, Bridie, Zahra, Tess, Chloe T, Mikaela, and Felicity. You have made my time here unforgettable, and I will miss each of you so much. To the Year 12 cohort, thank you for being such an incredible group of peers. This year, we have become more than classmates—we’ve become a family. From assemblies to sporting carnivals to our very competitive lunchtime games, the memories we’ve created together will stay with me forever. It’s hard to believe how quickly this year has passed. It feels like just yesterday we were walking in for our final first day of school, and now we stand on the edge of something new—exciting and a little daunting. To finish, I’d like to echo Mr Smith’s words: we should not “should” on ourselves. Our future is now in our own hands, and we should embrace every opportunity that comes our way without regret. Thank you, and congratulations to the Class of 2025.

SOPHIE MUNRO

College Captain

It was an honour to stand before you as St Mary’s School Captain for 2025. I would like to begin by thanking Sophie, who was an outstanding school captain over the past two years, and I felt incredibly lucky to have led alongside her. I would also like to thank our teachers, families, and of course, my fellow graduates for being part of this special occasion. When I reflected on my time at St Mary’s, I realised just how much this school had shaped the person I became. I had the unique experience of being part of this community for most of my life, with a short time away at another school. That experience gave me a whole new appreciation for what made St Mary’s so special. Coming back felt like coming home and reminded me that it wasn’t the buildings or classrooms that made a school, but the people within them. Serving as School Captain was both a privilege and a challenge. It taught me that leadership wasn’t about being at the front, but about lifting others up and making sure every voice was heard. I learned the value of teamwork, of listening, and of supporting one another—lessons I carried beyond graduation.

And to my peers, thank you. Thank you for the laughter, the memories, and for being part of this journey. One of the biggest takeaways from our cohort was how diverse, resilient, and supportive we were. Whether you had been here since Prep, started in Year 7, or joined later, each of us

There were so many experiences that stayed with me, from our Year 6 trip to Canberra, to the Year 9 Tassie camp, and all the way to our final moments as seniors. The swimming carnivals, athletics days (which, let’s be honest, McAuley always dominated), and countless other events all helped shape the culture of this school. Being at St Mary’s itself was an experience, and I could say with confidence it was one of the best communities and atmospheres you could find. In just a few short weeks, we each headed off on our own paths. But I hoped we would never forget the impact we could have on the world around us. What we learned here—not just in the classroom, but through our shared experiences—shaped us into people who cared, who persevered, and who showed up when it mattered. No matter where life took us, a part of St Mary’s, and the people in it, would always stay with us. So, on behalf of the Class of 2025, thank you to everyone who was part of our journey. And to my fellow graduates, congratulations—we made it.

Catherine McAuley Rose Catherine McAuley was a woman deeply committed to serving others. It is hard to know if she ever dreamed that her small acts of compassion would one day inspire the creation of schools, hospitals, universities, and health care services across the globe, especially here in Australia, where one of those institutions is St Mary’s College Seymour. On that night, as a cohort, we gifted the school a Catherine McAuley Rose bush, which was to be planted at the new Sacred Heart VCE Centre. The rose reflected some of Catherine McAuley’s key values—courage, service, and sacrifice—which we felt also resonated with the St Mary’s community. We gave this rose as a way of showing our deep gratitude for everything the school had given us over the years. We were fortunate to complete our Year 12 journey there, and we would always remember our time at St Mary’s with great appreciation and fondness. This rose bush became a small symbol of our thanks and a lasting reminder of the connection we would always have to that special place.

COOPER SHEARER

College Captain

ODYSSEY 2025

I would like to take a moment to thank our teachers, especially Mrs Gordon and Ms McLaughlin, for their patience, guidance, and for believing in us even when we didn’t believe in ourselves. To our parents and families: thank you for your sacrifices, encouragement, and for the countless lifts, packed lunches, and pep talks that kept us going.

brought something different to the group, and that was what made the year so special. We stood by each other through it all, and that sense of unity is something I will never forget.

OPENING MASSES AND LITURGIES The Opening Mass and Liturgies Throughout the Year Throughout the school year, our community is brought together through a rich variety of Masses and liturgical celebrations that reflect our faith, traditions, and shared values. These moments of prayer and reflection provide opportunities for us to pause, give thanks, and support one another as we journey together.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

We began the year with the Opening Mass celebrating 125 Years of Catholic Education in Seymour, setting a prayerful and positive tone for the months ahead. This celebration reminded us of our school’s mission and encouraged students and staff to embrace the year with hope and commitment. For the first time Year 12 students were acknowledged for the important role within the school and encouraged them to lead by example. The End of Year Mass allowed us to reflect on our achievements, challenges, and growth, giving thanks

for the experiences we shared as a community. Important seasons in the Church calendar were also celebrated. Ash Wednesday, Christmas and Easter Liturgies helped us reflect on the birth and resurrection of Jesus, deepening our understanding of these central events in our faith. During Advent, weekly prayer sessions were held, offering students and staff time to prepare spiritually for Christmas through reflection, prayer, and stillness amid a busy term. Our school also recognised significant moments of remembrance and reconciliation. Reconciliation Week provided an opportunity to reflect on justice, healing, and our responsibility to walk together in respect and understanding. The ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day Liturgies honoured those who served and sacrificed, reminding us of the importance of peace, gratitude, and remembrance. One of the most meaningful celebrations of the year was a

special Mass marking the 125th Anniversary of the Sisters of Mercy’s arrival in Seymour. This historic occasion celebrated the enduring legacy of the Sisters of Mercy and their contribution to education and community life. We were privileged to have Sister Sally Bradley, Executive Director of Mercy Works, join us for this significant celebration. Another important milestone was the inaugural Year 12 Graduation Mass. This beautiful liturgy celebrated the journey of our graduating students, acknowledging their growth and achievements while entrusting their future paths to God. Together, these Masses and liturgies have strengthened our sense of community, enriched our spiritual lives, and reminded us of the values that guide our school. They remain an integral part of our shared story and a source of inspiration throughout the year.

CATH EVANS

ODYSSEY 2025

RECONCILIATION On Wednesday we celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation with students from Years 3 and 4. The day was a wonderful way to complete the preparation of families and candidates for this special occasion. Fr Ashkar led a beautiful ceremony in the morning as the children received the Sacrament and then later that evening, all families returned for the celebration Liturgy.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

Thank you to our families for their support and congratulations to all of the candidates and their classmates for their support

CONFIRMATION Year 6 celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation with a Mass led by Bishop Rene Ramirez and Fr Ashkar The children had all worked hard to be ready and prepared for the evening. It is a very significant sacrament and an opportunity to renew the Baptismal vows as young adults.

Thank you to Fr Eugene for his support throughout the preparation. Thank you to Tanya Oakley who printed the names on all the stoles as she has done for many years. And finally thank you to all the families, staff and students who sent messages of support or helped in any way - the children really appreciated it.

ODYSSEY 2025 17

EUCHARIST On Sunday 19th October, we proudly celebrated 18 of our students who received the Sacrament of the Eucharist for the first time. This special milestone marks a deepening of their faith and their closer connection to Jesus and our Church community.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

Thank you to our families, teachers and Fr Ashkar for preparing our students for such a special moment.

ODYSSEY 2025

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

BOOK WEEK

LEARNING & TEACHING

ODYSSEY 2025

IGNITE PROGRAM The 2025 Year 10 Ignite students embraced a rich and varied learning journey that blended creativity, critical thinking, hands‑on projects, and real‑world inquiry. Their year began aboard the Encounter Tall Ship, where they explored themes from Waves and investigated the many reasons people have crossed oceans in search of safety and belonging. This experience led to deeper study of migration and its impact on Australia’s environment, including the effects of introduced species.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

Back in the classroom, students strengthened their digital literacy by creating claymation films and instructional videos, learning to plan, script, storyboard, film, and edit with purpose. They engaged with a wide range of texts — books, films, and audio — analysing how creators shape meaning through purpose, audience, and content. Discussions around resilience, the long shadow of war, and comparisons between the original and modern Storm Boy highlighted how stories evolve alongside society. Their learning later returned to the coastline, connecting literature to real‑world issues such as algae blooms and their impact on marine life.

In Projects, students transformed an old classroom bookshelf through sanding, painting, stencil design, and decorative finishes. Their teamwork and creativity turned a worn piece of furniture into something functional and visually striking that will serve future classes for years to come. The Murray River Rainbowfish aquaculture project continued to thrive, bringing together science, culture, conservation, and community

partnerships. Working with Native Fish Australia and our Indonesian partner school, students explored aquaculture, breeding, sustainability, and habitat protection. A major highlight was the Rainbowfish Presentation and Science Week Launch, where students presented their work to guests and livestreamed internationally. Displays, a plastic‑free lunch day, and an “open tank” session helped raise awareness about environmental stewardship across the school. We are incredibly proud of the Ignite students for their curiosity, creativity, and commitment across all areas of their learning. Their work this year shows that Ignite is not just a program — it is a space where ideas grow, skills strengthen, and students discover new ways to understand and shape their world.

SHONA MASKELYNE

ODYSSEY 2025

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

PRIMARY SCIENCE

ODYSSEY 2025

SECONDARY SCIENCE Secondary Science: Understanding Our World, Shaping Our Future This year in Secondary Science, students explored the wonders, challenges, and possibilities of the world around them. Across every year level, our central theme remained clear: science helps us understand how our world works and empowers us to make a meaningful impact on its future.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

Year 7 students learned how living things interact and depend on one another. Their understanding deepened during camp in the Grampians, where they explored native bushland and observed local species firsthand. Back at school, they conducted a litter audit to identify patterns of waste and propose practical ways to reduce environmental impact. Students also examined innovative solutions to protect our diminishing natural resources, including a design challenge to decontaminate water.

Year 8 explored the substances that shape our world through elements and compounds, considering how we extract resources while balancing environmental responsibility. They studied the complexity of the human body and learned about medical innovations that save lives. Many proudly took home their thriving plant “survivors” following their investigation unit. The year concluded with the energy topic, where students tested ways to transform energy and conducted an audit to explore how we can reduce consumption. Year 9 investigated the human body, including the risks of high-impact sports and their links to CTE. A visit to Yea Wetlands helped students to blend learning from both science and

humanities in a field environment. They examined whether we should rely on nuclear power, weighing its potential as a clean energy source against safety concerns. In Chemistry, they explored acids, bases, and indicators, discovering how reactions that appear magical are grounded in scientific principles. Year 10 students explored genetics and how traits are passed down through generations, considering how biotechnologies such as gene editing may shape the future. In Chemistry, they learned how chemical reactions produce useful substances, and in Physics, how rocket technology has enabled us to explore the universe. In Psychology and Environmental Science, students examined how beliefs are shaped and how scientific reasoning can help us engage with issues like climate change. Our Senior Scientists worked hard in preparation for VCE examinations, and we are proud to see many continuing their studies in the sciences beyond school. Across all levels, students discovered that science is not just knowledge, it is a lens through which we can understand the world, solve its challenges, and build a better future.

REBECCA SCOLLEN

SECONDARY STEAM Launching Innovation: A new STEAM Elective 2025 marked an exciting milestone for our school with the introduction of a secondary STEAM elective - a dynamic course where Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics came together to inspire creativity, curiosity, and real-world problem solving. Across the year, students explored a series of immersive design challenges that showcased their ingenuity while highlighting the modern careers and skills shaping our rapidly evolving world. The year began with The Yolkpocalypse, a series of engineering challenges that asked students to protect an egg from the dangers of a zombie apocalypse. This project introduced the foundations of the Design Thinking Framework, encouraging students to empathise, ideate, test, and refine their solutions. Students then moved into the Assistive Devices unit, where empathy and innovation took centre stage. By exploring the needs of people with disabilities, students designed and constructed devices intended to improve everyday accessibility. This project helped students to see how STEAM careers work to create inclusive

solutions that positively impact lives. In Semester 2, our students journeyed beyond Earth to consider the challenges of surviving on the lunar surface. From building elastic-powered lunar rovers to experimenting with simple circuits and lunar habitats, students used scientific principles and creative thinking to solve real-world problems inspired by current space exploration. The year concluded with an exciting incursion from STEMPunks, sponsored by Inland Rail. Students heard from STEAM professionals that are working on a national infrastructure project, and applied design thinking and coding skills to program a rover using micro:bit units. This incursion inspired a Bridge Building project, where students researched design considerations like load, stability, aesthetics, and environmental impact before constructing and testing their own model bridges. We are excited to see construction begin on our new Science/STEAM Centre in 2026. The future of STEAM at St Mary’s College is bright, and we can’t wait to watch these young thinkers continue to imagine and build the world of tomorrow.

REBECCA SCOLLEN

ODYSSEY 2025 27

HUMANITIES The Humanities program has thrived in 2025, with our VCE students leading the way. Year 12s built on their specialised studies in Legal Studies, History, and Business Management, demonstrating discipline and commitment that set an excellent example for their Year 11 peers. Their determination to strive for excellence is sure to be reflected in their results at the end of the year.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

One of the highlights for Business Management students was the visit from guest speaker Dave Palmer, owner of Rural Tanks and Garden Beds. Dave captivated the Year 11 students as he traced his journey from apprentice to business owner, showing how theory connects with the realities of running a successful enterprise. Students valued his insights, finding them both relevant and inspiring. We are deeply grateful for the time, knowledge, and generosity Dave shared with us.

In Legal Studies, students stepped beyond the classroom with a visit to Seymour Magistrates’ Court. Observing the legal system in action and speaking directly with local magistrates offered them a unique, eye-opening experience — equal parts serious and entertaining. Meanwhile, our History students once again welcomed the Vietnam Veterans to the College, gaining firsthand knowledge and perspectives that enriched their learning. We extend our thanks to these generous community members who continue to support and inspire our students. For Years 7–10, Humanities has been a journey of exploration across Civics and Citizenship, History, Geography, Business and Economics. Year 7 students immersed themselves in the medieval world during their camp at Kryall Castle. Year 8 created balloon globes complete with continents, oceans, and hemispheres, while Year

9 combined Geography and Science to investigate the biomes of the Yea wetlands. Year 10 delved further into the cause and consequences of WWII with a visit to the Holocaust Museum. Each experience encouraged curiosity, creativity, and deeper understanding of the world around them. This year, our dedicated Humanities staff once again provided a wide variety of rich learning opportunities, pushing students to think critically and engage meaningfully. One of the most rewarding aspects of 2025 has been watching students embrace the fundamental question that drives Humanities—“Why?” This growing eagerness to question, explore, and seek their own answers has truly set this year apart.

KATHERINE PANKHURST Domain Leader - Humanities

PRIMARY STEM

ODYSSEY 2025 29

PRIMARY PASTORAL CARE

FOUNDATION – YEAR 2 Another year in F–2 has come to a close, and it has been a privilege to watch our students grow in so many ways. From the first day of school to the last, we have seen significant academic, social and emotional development as students embraced new challenges, built independence and developed confidence in themselves. Throughout the year, students enjoyed a range of exciting experiences, including excursions to see The Paper Escaper at Riverlinks and Healesville Sanctuary, swimming and taekwondo programs, and handson Science and Inquiry projects. Year 1 and 2 is a wonderful age filled with curiosity, enthusiasm and just the right amount of cheekiness, and our students certainly brought all of those qualities to their learning.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

Much of the most important growth happens quietly. We saw resilience,

perseverance, empathy, organisation and confidence develop through everyday experiences, friendships and challenges. These qualities are just as important as academic achievements and will continue to support our students in the years ahead. This year we welcomed Miss Sarah Sommers to our F–2 team. Sarah brought energy, enthusiasm and a strong connection to our community, quickly becoming a valued member of our school. Our building and playground continue to be places where students feel safe, supported and inspired. The Fairy Garden remains a favourite spot for creativity and imagination, while Rosey the Wombat once again enjoyed many adventures with students and their families. A highlight of the year was our Year 2 Sleepover, creating lasting memories

and strengthening the friendships that make our school community so special. As F–2 Coordinator, I feel incredibly fortunate to work alongside our students, families and staff each day. Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership throughout the year. We wish all families a safe, relaxing and happy holiday and look forward to another wonderful year together in 2026.

ANNE SPENCER

PRIMARY PASTORAL CARE

YEAR 3 – YEAR 6 2025 was a fantastic year for our Year 3–6 students, filled with learning, leadership, faith, and fun. Students embraced opportunities to participate in sporting events, excursions, incursions, assemblies, fundraising activities, and community celebrations while consistently demonstrating our PBL values of Respect, Excellence, and Integrity. Our Year 6 leaders, led by School Captains Nicholas Lynch and Willow Bradshaw, proudly represented St Mary’s throughout the year, leading assemblies, supporting school events, and participating in important community commemorations. Students also enjoyed a range of enriching learning experiences, including visits to Puffing Billy, Healesville Sanctuary, Kyabram Fauna Park, Werribee Zoo, the Immigration Museum, and the memorable Year 5/6 Canberra Camp. Faith remained central to school life, with students participating

in the Sacramental programs of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. Learning was brought to life through class expos, performances, and activity days that showcased students’ understanding and creativity. A highlight was the Year 6 Business Week, where students planned and operated their own businesses, demonstrating teamwork, enterprise, and problem-solving skills. Throughout the year, students achieved strong results, supported fundraising initiatives, built relationships through the Buddy Program, and enjoyed special events such as discos and lunchtime clubs. We congratulate all Year 3–6 students on a wonderful year and especially thank our Year 6 leaders for their outstanding contribution to the St Mary’s community. 2025 was truly a year to remember.

AMANDA STEVENS

ODYSSEY 2025 31

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

FOUNDATION A

SAL O’CONNOR Teacher JARNA EGAN Learning Support Officer

Harley Allison-Bonney

Noah Anderson

Elsie Bolejko

Isaiah Crofts

Adeline Donaghey

Sophie Loder

Kyra Maggs

Jaylee Maltman

Hudson Masters

Thomas McCristal

Charlie McKay

Xenia Pandeloglou

Layla Pearce

Vivienne Symons

Lucy Tennant

George Webb

STUDENTS

FOUNDATION B

LAUREN MCINERNEY Teacher SUZANNE HINSS Learning Support Officer

Arthur Cleeland

Oliver Cox

Chloe Fyfe

Harrison Hammond

Adele Hobson

Pia Jaudzemis

Leo McGaw

Karter Robl

Harbor Stritthof-Meredith

Harriette Taylor

Henry Taylor

Peyton Wilson

Adeline Le Cerf

Heidi Mathiesen

ODYSSEY 2025 33

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

1-2A

ANNE SPENCER Teacher

Reese Black

Molly Gooden

Quinn Gray

Adeline Henery

Jemima Jeffery

Phoebe Kelly

Max Lamb

Murphy McMillan

Grace Metzke

Florence Mounsey

Luke O’Brien

Tayson Palmer

Jackson Pfeiffer

Abigail Preece

Baraka Prosper

Samm Pulvera

Kassidy Ruscoe

Harlow Thomas

Blair Titley

Beau Towt

Zayden Watson

Spencer Weatherald

Judd Wilson

Annabelle Wood

1-2B

SARAH SOMMERS Teacher

Jaxon Basile

Emerson Donaghey

Matilda Dunne

Xiyi Gong

Bodhi Goodwin

Elisaiah Gutierrez

Harrison Hemphill

Madison Holland

Imogen Hoskin

Brodie Jack

Alexis Jones

Edward Liddell

Rebecca Malane

Gabriella Mancini

Kaylee McGowan

Fox McKenzie

Vincent Millard

Olympia Pandeloglou

Ardyn Parkey

Hudson Parkey

Billie Schulz

Sadie Seeley

Cameron Teague

Emersyn Theuma

ODYSSEY 2025

Harrison Ure

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

1-2C

LOUISE REED Teacher

Henry Benbow

Avi Brar

Tejaswi Dahiya

Lewis Ellicott

Macenzie Rose Ferguson

William Gooden

Collins Hammond

Audrey Hoskin

Ada Jaudzemis

Delilah Jenkins

Ethan Lee

Sabella Llorente

Lyvia Malane

Leo Mitsakis

Ava Morgan

Poppy Moutsopoulos

Gordon Parsons

Ruize Qiao

Spencer Richardson

Rory Scollen

Jack Sherwood

Anthea Symons

Emmie Taylor

Nate Tennant

3-4A

KERRIE PEARCE Teacher

Sarah Cole

Callum D’Andrea

Billy D’Elia

Arielle Ferguson

Evie Fulton

Blake Fyfe

Charlie Gloster

Lailah Hughes

Max Jackson

Bridget Kelly

Rafael Llorente

Kobi Maggs

Tyler Mann

Matilda McNaughton

Will Mounsey

Morgan Pace

Samuel Preece

Hunter Purcell

Brylee Raynor

Sophie Sartori

Hallie Shields

Amelia Stevens

Karla Te Pania

Xavier Wearne

Jed Wheeler

ODYSSEY 2025

Alexis Akkersdyk

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

3-4B

DONNA PATTERSON-OSBORNE Teacher ROCHELLE GOUGH Teacher

Beau Allison

Clay Bruce

Jill Clarke

Lewis Collidge

Andy Corradin

Landon Donaghey

Jimmy Edwards

Asha Ferguson

Eve Freemantle

Ella Garing

Xiru Gong

Indianna Goodwin

Addie Gross

Nate Hayes

Riley Hoskin

Montana Hughes

Anika Kingston

Imogen Kiss

Patrick Liddell

Charlie Lynch

Hugh Nichols

Maria Panlilio

Lilianna Sison

Vincent Symons

Morgan Theuma

Kertney Thomas

Ryan Winnell

3-4C

AMANDA STEVENS Teacher

Sienna Cleave

Harvey Dunne

Nash Gross

Amelia Hamilton

Mikey Hay

Beau Henery

Darragh Hyde

Hollie Kasch

Mayson Lee

Axel Lister

William Lomax

Lachlan Lynch

Olivia McGowan

Henrietta Noye

Lucy O’Brien

Harley Pearce

Annabel Richardson

Freya Scollen

Alyissa Smith

Tate Smith

Isabel Stolz

Isla Swales

Maci Tennant

Olivia Wearne

Isla Wilson

ODYSSEY 2025

Taylor Black

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

LILLIAN RUDD Teacher

Maximilian Brown

Violet Byers

River Colenso

Ruby-Lee Cox

Misha Dahiya

Ella D’Andrea

Atticus Densworth

Kaylee Eaton

Alexander Gacelos

Annabelle Gooden

Brock Inness

Logan Jack

Oliver Liddell

Hamish McNaughton

Adele Mounsey

Chelsea Prorok

Isaiah Purdon

Imogen Richardson

Holly Sherwood

Gabriella Smith

Eloise Stolz

Isla Taaffe

Oska Te Wiata

Axel Walker-Stritthof

Abby Wheeler

Chelsea White

CATHERINE HURST Teacher

KATE GILHAM Learning Support Officer

Elisha Sky Micah Aquino

Archie Baker

Charlie Clarke

Rafferty Clydesdale

Atassha Day

Alexis Demavibas

Willow Doyle

Macey Eaton

Edmund Ellicott

Maya Enrico

James Harman

Harrison Hustler

Safari Kiss

Harry Lowerson

Amelia Morgan

Audrey Noye

Aubrey Parkey

Shaun Pulvera

Alexis Purcell

Rocco Sartori

Eevo Soriano

Lachlan Stokes

Zeke Swales

Torah Wilson

Blake Winnell

ODYSSEY 2025

John Akkersdyk

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

TONY FALLS Teacher KATIE TE PANIA Learning Support Officer

Sophee Evans

Joris Faheem

Tyler Ferguson

Montanna Gross

Amelia Handford

Summer Hoefchen

Hitakshi Joshi

Fletcher Kingston

Ariana Massara-Zandt

Vader McKenzie

Ivy Millard

Hudson O’Brien

Livani Palmer

Ava Pearce

Ruby Rutherford

Naomi Sellars

Noah Shearer

Nate Sidebottom

Jaycee Smith

Laquisha Solomon

Logan Te Pania

CATH EVANS Teacher

Justin Belandres

Eli Bertram

Willow Bradshaw

Alba Bruce

Sean Burfurd

Mackenzie Clark

Yenuli Dissanayake

Mary Faheem

Charlotte Fleming

Savanah Llorente

Jack Lomax

Nicholas Lynch

Peyton Masters

Laila Mazurek

Ella McLean

Alexis Nichols

Jake Rohde

Ned Solomon

Ellie Taylor

Ellie Towt

Maigen Turnbull

Jessica Woods

ODYSSEY 2025 43

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

MCAULEY PASTORAL CARE McAuley House enjoyed a fantastic year in 2025, with students embracing every opportunity to get involved, challenge themselves and contribute to the vibrant House culture we are proud of. From the excitement of the Swimming Carnival through to Athletics and Cross Country, McAuley students demonstrated determination, resilience and outstanding House spirit. Whether competing for points, striving for personal bests or encouraging teammates from the sidelines, students showed that success is built on both effort and support for one another. Throughout the year, House activities provided opportunities for students to connect beyond the classroom.

Friendly competitions, pastoral activities and House gatherings strengthened relationships across year levels and helped foster a welcoming and inclusive environment. The laughter, encouragement and sense of belonging evident at these events highlighted the strong community that exists within McAuley House. What stood out most this year was the willingness of our students to contribute positively to school life. Through leadership, service, fundraising and everyday acts of kindness, students demonstrated the values that underpin our House. They showed that being part of McAuley is about more than participation—it is about making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

and connection. Most importantly, we celebrate the students who continue to bring the spirit of McAuley House to life through their generosity, enthusiasm and commitment to supporting one another. As Catherine McAuley reminded us: “We should be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.” This is a spirit that McAuley House has proudly lived throughout 2025 and will continue to carry into the years ahead.

VICKI HINKS

As we reflect on 2025, we celebrate a year filled with growth, achievement

ODYSSEY 2025 45

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

7 MCAULEY 1

MATTHEW DUDFIELD House Mentor

Jack Brooke

Pippa Butterworth

Harrison Donaghey

Harry Edwards

Huntah Ferguson

Caitlyn Ferraz de Camargo

Jade Gooden

Charlie Grant

Elisha Gutierrez

Oscar Hall

Hannah Hinks

Finnegan Hull

Evie Isherwood

Harry Iva

Charlotte Jeffery

Roman Matteo

Eva Naunton

Heidi Prorok

Tahlia Waghorn

Bailey Wilkins

Nevaeh Wilson

7 MCAULEY 2

ANGELA MOLINARO House Mentor

Mia Brown

Kensi Cronk

Cooper D’Elia

Hudson Fairbridge

Lucinda Fletcher

Conor Freeman

Charlotte Grant

Nicholas Harvey

Kayla Henson

Cohen Hill

Evelyn Holland

Quorra Iavazzo Ridd

Oakleigh Kanters

Alexis Leary

Caspar Leunig

Charlotte Lynch

Sierra Parker-Eade

Thomas Purvis

Macey Shields

Aiden Winnell

ODYSSEY 2025 47

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

8 MCAULEY 1

SARA WARNER House Mentor

Charlotte Armstrong

Indiana Bast

Olivia Cleave

Lukas Dougherty

Frankie Eagles

Lilly Fanning

Max Fulton

Amelia Henderson

Maya McIntyre

Zara Marini

Torrey Murphy

Annika Padgett

Quillan Palmer

Sarinrat Rachsopar

Harvey Smith

Lincoln Sporle

Eli St Leone

8 MCAULEY 2

MARY TAMPION House Mentor

Lachlan Ash

Zoe Becks

Summer Carrington

Jeso Charlie

Elizabeth Day

Thomas Enrico

Hannah Hagan

Hannah Henson

Lachlan Kingston

Taylah Macdonald

Ruby McKay

Lachlan O’Brien

Grace Panchoo

Alessandro Randello

Logan Shearer

Bailey Smith

Addison Stokes

Nash Treble

ODYSSEY 2025 49

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

9 MCAULEY 1

NAOMI MCKEOWN & THERESA SENILBINCI House Mentor

Jacob Allen

Matilda Barry

Benjamin Brown

Thomas Canobie-Muskee

Jack D’Elia

Laura Fearn

Jack Findlay

Lily Freeman

Grace Gardiner

Ava Hart

Xavian Jameson

Ava Jarvis

Ella Jarvis

Sienna Lynch

Charlie Madden

Lachlan McMahon

Betsy Moore

Savanah Naunton

Emerson O’Brien

Darcy O’Dwyer

Abbey Pozzuto

Kate Quillinan

Jasper Radobuljac

Ella Turnbull

Edison Waghorn

Zahira Wilson

10 MCAULEY 1

Hunter Bertram

Jackie Boyd

Marlee Brooke

Maya Cronk

Indiana Davidson

Kody Dougherty

William Enrico

Maddison Louis

Caitlin Mannix

Micayla McGillivray

Lila McKay

Kayla Thompson

Harrison Thomson

Eoin Traynor-Murphy

Max Woods

Sophie Butterworth

Thomas Byers

Regis Brandon Ferraz de Camargo Hyville-Schaffer

Grace McLean

Angus McMennemin

Trevor Capuso

Jarred Carrington

Marcus Kingston

Sasha Leary

Jack Purvis

Tylah Shearer

ODYSSEY 2025

Hendrik Becks

VICKI HINKS House Mentor

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

11 MCAULEY 1

GENEVIEVE GORDON House Mentor

Chloe Ash

Caleb Baumann

Mason Begley

Samuel Brown

Connor Cleave

Arabella Cresswell

Mikayla Eriksson

Romany Faulknor

Raphael Ferraz de Camargo

Leon Findlay

Oliver Fulton

Shetayah Gruneklee

Cameron Harvey

Jackson Hurley

Owen Jenkins

Oliver Kingston

Charlie McQueen

Ryan O’Dwyer

Lara Quillinan

Lucas Warren

12 MCAULEY 1

GENEVIEVE GORDON House Mentor

Oscar Boyd

Chloe Butterworth

Ethan Fisher

Thomas Hall

Jackson Hart

Ashley Harvey

Olivia Leary

Daniel McLean

Bridie McSpeerin

Micah Padgett

Lucca Randello

Liesl Rayner

Eliza Schneider

Cooper Shearer

Bryce Staples

Hugh Traynor-Murphy

ODYSSEY 2025 53

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

PADUA PASTORAL CARE “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” — Jane Goodall The year began with our muchloved House Swimming Carnival, greeted by brilliant sunshine and perfect conditions. It was a vibrant celebration of House spirit, with the whole school uniting in colour, energy, and enthusiasm. Our swimmers delivered outstanding performances— powering through the water with focus and determination. A standout moment was the All-In House Point Swim, where even our noncompetitors jumped in to support Padua House. Though the overall win slipped away, the pride, effort, and camaraderie on display were unmatched. Our Year 12 House Leaders brought an infectious spark to the day. Their leadership shone through not only in their organisation and encouragement, but also in their imaginative costumes and hilarious inflatable races. Their creativity helped lift the atmosphere and kept younger students thoroughly entertained. The momentum continued at the House Athletics Carnival. Padua competitors once again demonstrated resilience, spirit, and

fierce determination. Guided by our passionate Year 12 leaders, our athletes gave their all in every event— running, jumping, and throwing with impressive commitment. Although MacAuley House narrowly claimed victory for another year, the dedication and participation seen across Padua were extraordinary. Every student played a part, whether striving for a personal best, stepping in to fill an event, or supporting from the sidelines. The Cross-Country Carnival brought another strong turnout. Some students pushed themselves competitively, while others walked the course with friends, embracing the spirit of participation. Every effort earned valuable points and highlighted the Padua belief that showing up matters - sometimes just as much as winning. Beyond the sporting arena, our House Trivia, Dodgeball, minuteto-win-it competitions kept the excitement alive during pastoral care sessions. These activities strengthened teamwork and brought plenty of laughter to our mornings. Pastoral care also became a space for connection and personal growth. Students worked alongside peers, focusing on well-being, positive behaviours for learning (PBL), and building a supportive community. From mindfulness activities and

quiet board games to studentrun challenges, Padua students consistently modelled kindness, effort, and respect - PBL tickets and contributing to a positive learning environment. A defining feature of Padua House this year was our generosity. Through various fundraising efforts, our House demonstrated compassion and an ongoing commitment to helping others. This spirit of service continues to set us apart. As we reflect on a year marked by teamwork, determination, and unwavering House pride, we are reminded of the timeless wisdom of St. Anthony of Padua: To everyone in Padua – thank you for a fantastic year. You are all Passionate, Admirable, Dedicated, Understanding, Athletic, thank you for your enthusiasm, embracing all St Mary’s had to offer and embodying the spirit of our House. With 2026 approaching, we look forward to new challenges and new achievements. Padua House stands ready, ‘guided by faith, driven by purpose’. With renewed spirit and confidence, we look ahead to another year of growth and success.

JO KAMP Padua House Leader

ODYSSEY 2025 55

JOANNE KAMP House Mentor

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

7 PADUA 1

FIONA HIBBERT Learning Support Officer

Harley Augello

Elsie Charters

Alexander Glassford

Ava Gordon

Hunter Kelly

Tayla Maher

Nicholas Mauro-Sichlau

Brayden Mapey

Henry Owen

Braxton Tucker

Audrey Warburton

Violet Watson

Elizabeth White

Olivia Young

Addisyn Hower

Isla Kasch

Jonah Kecskes

Indiana Purdon

Kai Raynor

Owen Stewart

7 PADUA 2

ED STEPHENS House Mentor

Marley Bisignano

Archie Butler

Sullivan Clydesdale

Blake Colenso

Nash Corradin

Sara Garing

Isabel Gordon

Matthew Jensen

Scarlett Jones-Walden

Amelia Joseph Hauser

Henry Lloyd

Imogen McAllister

Harley McCarthy

Lachlan McNaughton

Lilah Moore

Billie O’Connell

Evan Porter

Savanna Smith

Isabelle Webb

Nash Webster

ODYSSEY 2025 57

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

8 PADUA 1

ANDREW ALLEN House Mentor

William Armstrong

Heidi Banks

Jack Boston

Conrad Brown

Samantha Caruana

Faith Halliday

Jordan Herweynen

Akiyah Jones-Walden

Lucas Lee

Finn Melville

Stevie Nash

Marion Sellars

Koby Sidebottom

Kade Sparkes

Liam Toussaint

Rubie Trim

Scarlette Windahl

8 PADUA 2

DEAN FOX House Mentor

William Allison

Yarah Andrew

Mycah Berry

Levi Brown

Kaidence Burfurd

Maddison Costantini

Olivia Farley

Mason Handford

Eva Hay

Seth Maresceaux

Eve Martin

Oliver Maus

Wyatt Newsome

Lori Perry

Owen Smith

Hunter Steiner

Evie Tarran

Haylee Thomas

ODYSSEY 2025 59

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

9 PADUA 1

COURTNEY ALDOUS House Mentor

Kye Augello

Silas Brennan

Ned Butler

Bianca Caruana

Max Christensen

Remy Clydesdale

Piper Doyle

Edenrose Dundon

Charli Egan

Grace Gacelos

Evelyn Glassford

Olivia Hamilton

Luca Kecskes

Evie Kidd

Leon Liu

William Lynch

Wyatt Lynch

John McAllister

Alexander Morton

Mia Owen

Ruth Reilly

Julian Reynolds-Barns

Bella Sparkes

Vanessa Swan

Daphne Warburton

Olivia Webb

Eden Webster

10 PADUA 1

GEORGIA DEVENISH House Mentor

Isla Banks

Elsie Bree

Rosa Chin

Phoenix Filipic

Duncan Forbes

Willow Harper

William Hayman

William Hustler

Amelia Kovacic

Ryan McCarthy

Hamish Melville

Cheyenne Newsome

Niamh O’Sullivan

Alyssa Pandeloglou

Kyra Pearce

Sienna Porter

Stephen Reilly

William Schaeffer-Steel

Cooper Seccombe

Lincoln Smith

Kate Thomas

Yan Yi Wang

Eliza Whibley

ODYSSEY 2025 61

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

11 PADUA 1

ALLISON MOORE House Mentor

Cleo Chapman

Fletcher Christensen

Nathaniel Demavibas

Ruby Eaton

Phoebe Fairweather

Chloe Hopper

Keisha Jennings

Tori Kilpatrick

Ivan Kovacic

Evelyn Krammer-Shipard

Natalie Lynch

Edward Macdonald

James Parker

Josh Porter

Gabrielle Sellars

Eliza Shelton

Georgia Steans

Lexie Tarran

Bastian Verhoef

Felix Wallace Muscovich

Thomas White

12 PADUA 1

ALLISON MOORE House Mentor

Oliver Berryman

Zahra Bourke

Andrew Bree

Zac Brown

Samuel Charles

Natalie Coad

Crystal Cox

Travis Jones

Angela Klein

Cooper Lynch

Sophie Munro

Felicity O’Halloran

Eric Parker

Aissaree Rachsopar

Xavier Sinkeler

Ebony Smith

Chloe Thompson

Tessa Thompson

Ashlee Toussaint

Mikaela Wray

ODYSSEY 2025 63

VCE 2025 was our first year with a full cohort of Year 12 in 38 years and we had 36 Year 12 students and 41 Year 11 students across the two VCE levels. There were many highlights over the course of the year, beginning with Year 12 Retreat when we journeyed across to Yea for their first Retreat Day on Friday 31st of January.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

In February, 20 of our Year 12 English students and myself piled into a minibus (capably driven by Mr Smith) and drove down the Hume Highway to Penola Catholic College in Broadmeadows, to watch a performance of our English text, ‘Oedipus the King’ being performed by the Complete Works Theatre Company. Then in May, the Year 11 and 12 students participated in the Fit2Drive Program, which was kindly sponsored by the Mitchell Shire

Council and presented by members of Vic Police Highway Patrol, the SES and Ambulance services. The sessions were interactive and held the students’ attention for the entire morning. 36 Year 12 students and 11 Year 11 students later sat the GAT (General Achievement Test) in June and the next day we held the second Retreat Day for the Year 12’s, who took the opportunity to reflect on their year so far and to provide positive and uplifting feedback to their peers over the course of the day. By September, things were becoming more serious as most Year 12’s and some year 11’s began to prepare for the looming exam period in November. Final assessments, University applications and ATARs were on everyone’s minds. Practice exams were held over the first week of the September holidays and once back for Term Four, all of a sudden we

were farewelling the Year 12’s with a final school assembly, a beautiful Mass and presentation evening and eventually the formal Graduation dinner at Flowerdale Estate once the exams were over. Year 11’s then became Year 12’s as we rolled into two weeks of HeadStart for them as they moved into their final year of schooling, while the Year 10’s completed their week of HeadStart as Year 11 students! It has been a whirlwind with the return of the VCE and one we have been so privileged to experience. Next year sees the VCE moving into our beautiful new building, which is very exciting and long awaited. A huge thanks to all teachers in the VCE area for the hard work and ongoing support of our students and each other this year.

MS SIMONE MCLAUGHLIN

VCE Coordinator

VCE

ODYSSEY 2025

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

COLOUR RUN

LEARNING & TEACHING

ODYSSEY 2025

INDONESIAN This year we have been very lucky to have Pak Eddie join the Indonesian team. Mr Ed Stephens studied Indonesian at Monash University and has lived in Indonesia for a number of years. He brings a wealth of knowledge of Indonesian culture and a contemporary perspective to language learning. Selamat Datang Pak!

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

We were also fortunate to have Bu Gaby join us for the second semester. Bu Gaby was the Language Assistant in the Primary School to support teachers with implementing the Teachers as Co-Learners (TCL) program. Bu Gaby was always ready to answer any questions we had about the language or even about life in Indonesia. Terima kasih Bu!

Throughout the year we had a range of activities both at school and out of school that broadened our language skills and reinforced the relationship with our BRIDGE Partner School in Singkawang. We exchanged information online via Google Meets, as well as via the post. A highlight was when the Yr9 & 10 Indonesian class collaborated with the IGNITE class and our partner school to raise awareness on an environmental issue using funding from the BRIDGE Lighthouse Grant. We chose the theme of Lindungi Ikan Pelangi! (Save the Rainbow Fish!) which is a rare species of fish that the IGNITE group introduced to the school in 2024. The Indonesian students prepared bi-lingual resources on the Murray River Rainbow fish which we shared with the Primary classes and with our

Partner school in Singkawang. We even conducted a presentation in both Bahasa Indonesia and English which was a daunting task for some, but they all rose to the occasion. Our Singkawang friends shared a very informative presentation about projects that support the protection of local turtle species which we studied in class. It was fantastic to see our students interacting on an international level about a global issue. I was very proud of each one of them! It is important to note that learning a second language not only builds language skills but fosters intercultural awareness and encourages global citizenship. Ayo Belajar Bahasa Indonesia!!

ANGELA MOLINARO

ODYSSEY 2025

CAREERS 2025 has been a busy year in the Careers Department, with students across the College diving into all things employment, pathways, and future planning. From building resumes and practising interview skills to attending career expos, exploring industries, training options, and workplace expectations, our students embraced every opportunity to learn about the world of work. A particular highlight has been seeing our students take the next step by securing School‑Based and Full‑Time Apprenticeships. Their dedication, initiative, and enthusiasm have set them on exciting career pathways, and we are incredibly proud of their achievements. ANOTHER MAJOR MILESTONE THIS YEAR WAS OUR WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM. Thank you to the employers who generously supported our 2025 Work Experience Program.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

Your willingness to share your time, expertise, and workplaces has given

our students invaluable opportunities to explore career pathways, build confidence, and develop real‑world skills. We are deeply grateful for your commitment to their learning and future success. PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS • Academy of Interactive Entertainment • Beer Motor Group • Bertram Bullet Co. • Cantech Engineering • Catherine the Jeweller • Chase Farm • Ciaron Maher Racing • Cirque um Navigate • DP & DJ Lawrence & Sons • Dr Zoe Page, Equine Vet • Electrical Connect Pty Ltd • Empire South • Griff‑Fit • Halls Taekwondo • Janelle Puppa Real Estate • JG Earth Pty Ltd • Karingal Seymour • Lawsons Angus • M. C. Cabinets • Maeco Builders • Matthews Agency

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Mitchell Shire Leisure MotorOne Murrindindi Shire Council Nagambie Dental Surgery Pro Turf Scapes Proofsafe Pty Ltd Puckapunyal Army Base Puckapunyal Primary School Qantas Airways Ray White Real Estate RBM Steelwork Sacred Heart Primary Sartori Panels Seymour Coaches Seymour Equine Clinic Seymour Exercise Physiology Seymour Garages & Stockfeed Seymour Mowers & Motorbikes Shepparton English Language Centre Shepparton Newspapers Pty Ltd Trinity Academy Uniting Early Learning Victory Meats Viive Yea Hair Studio Yea Primary School Yea Veterinary Hospital

TARYN KNEEBONE

ODYSSEY 2025

PRIMARY ART This year in the Primary Art Room there was lots of creativity happening. During term one the students focused on the different Elements of Art through the inspiration of artists such as Clare Youngs, Etel Adnan and Yayoi Kusama. The students created some colourful works that included mushrooms, flowers and pumpkins and have been on display in the Library all year. Term two included NAIDOC Week and we focused on symbology and students created symbols to tell the stories of their lives. This term’s focus was on print making and there were a lot of autumn leaves utilised in this process.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

During Term three the Art Room slowly turned into an ocean aquarium. We focus on 3D artwork which

included fish and squid made from plastic bottles, fish bowls made from clay, jellyfish, fish, hammerhead sharks and turtles made from paper plates, coral reefs made inside paper plates and egg cartons and fish made from cardboard, wool and sequins. The students had a great time making these and loved looking at them whilst in the Art Room. Term four saw lots of collage inspired by artists Clare Youngs and Pete Cromer. The students worked quite diligently with these processes. The Foundation students enjoyed creating 3D monsters from tissue boxes and the Year 6 students designed and made dragon eyes from clay and came up with some amazing results.

KERRIE ROYALS & NATASHA BROWN (Primary Art Teachers)

ODYSSEY 2025

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

SECONDARY ART

ODYSSEY 2025

PERFORMING ARTS Our Performing Arts program continues to flourish, giving students from Foundation to Year 10 the chance to explore, create, and shine through Music and Drama. This year has been filled with energy, growth, and unforgettable moments that highlight how the arts build confidence, creativity, and community.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

In classrooms across all year levels, students have developed skills in rhythm, movement, storytelling, ensemble work, composition, and performance. From imaginative play in the early years to script work and staging in the senior years, every student has had the opportunity to express themselves and grow as both artists and collaborators.

Our Instrumental Music Program, Choir, and School Band have each provided rich pathways for students to extend their musical abilities, work as a team, and experience the joy of performing. Whether singing in harmony, mastering an instrument, or contributing to a large ensemble, students have shown dedication, resilience, and pride in their achievements. The Performing Arts continue to play a vital role in nurturing the whole child—supporting learning, emotional expression, and social connection. We are incredibly proud of our students’ enthusiasm and creativity and grateful for the support of our staff and families. We look forward to another inspiring year ahead.

MR MATTHEW DUDFIELD & MRS NICOLLE CHERITON

ODYSSEY 2025

MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY What an exciting year it has been in Technology, both for the students and myself as a former St Mary’s student, particularly as we now offer the student a full suite of technology through to Year 12 in VCE. Once again, the students have used their creative talents to challenge themselves as designers and produced a range of products throughout the year 8-10 levels, such as key or bag tag, cutting boards, detailed jewellery boxes, lamps and small coffee tables.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

All students were able to access and safely use a range of traditional hand and power tools including computer aided design and CNC laser cutting to develop their confidence with

skills and techniques for possible future interest in life. These processes were essential in transforming a variety of timber species and other materials into good quality and functional products. The unit 1-4 VCE students had a demanding academic year by developing a folio that involved documenting all the design processes including material testing, designing and creating prototypes prior to making their final item. As seen in these pictures the students proudly displayed their creative pieces that were a result of persistence and hard work, hopefully inspired to take on further challenges in future.

MR PAUL GRATTAN Teacher, Technology Faculty

ODYSSEY 2025

VOCATIONAL MAJOR The 2025 VCE Vocational Major cohort embraced a year defined by applied learning, community connection and hands‑on achievement. Across Literacy, Numeracy, Personal Development Skills and Work Related Skills, students consistently demonstrated initiative, teamwork and real‑world problem‑solving.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

The year began with energy and collaboration, from the 18th‑birthday Cupcake Cook‑Off to leading major school catering events — Shrove Tuesday pancakes, Swimming Sports BBQs and Athletics breakfasts. A highlight was the construction of four picnic tables with the Seymour Men’s Shed, followed by a student‑hosted thank‑you morning tea that showcased gratitude in action. Challenges such as the $20 Cooking Challenge, card tournaments, rock climbing, tall‑ship sailing and ice skating strengthened resilience, communication and independence.

LITERACY Year 12 students explored global and local stories of courage, environment and advocacy, from the Tarkine to Gaza, and created multimodal presentations promoting the VM program. Year 11 students focused on digital storytelling, migration, music across the decades and acts of kindness, culminating in digital issues‑based presentations and a vibrant Book Week Story Trail. NUMERACY Year 11 students applied numeracy to navigation, budgeting, data analysis, risk, design and health, including a Melbourne CBD scavenger hunt and a bridge‑building challenge. Year 12 students tackled financial literacy, travel planning, sustainable house design, rainfall analysis, Melbourne walking tours and workplace safety investigations, building confidence in everyday numeracy. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT SKILLS Year 11 students explored identity, teamwork and community issues, visiting The Big Issue and completing a

community thank‑you project. Year 12 students examined leadership, created biographies of inspirational figures and delivered The Unity Project — a series of fundraising and awareness initiatives supporting groups such as Beyond Blue, the Men’s Shed, The Pad Project and the Salvation Army. WORK RELATED SKILLS Across Years 11 and 12, students developed employability skills through industry exploration, workplace safety tasks, resume and cover‑letter development and mock interviews, preparing them for future pathways. A YEAR TO REMEMBER From building furniture to cooking for hundreds, from analysing global issues to lifting younger students through literacy celebrations, the 2025 VCE VM cohort demonstrated creativity, compassion and determination. Their achievements reflect not just tasks completed, but skills gained, voices strengthened and confidence earned.

MELISSA WOODS

ODYSSEY 2025

AGRICULTURE STUDIES In Ag Studies this year, students have explored a range of agricultural concepts focusing on food and fibre production in Australia.

exploring the crucial work of William Farrer who, after many years of experimentation, bred the Federation wheat variety which was crucial to the development of the Australian wheat industry.

Classroom work has been complimented by practical activities in our school garden.

In our practical work, students focused on plant propagation. They learned about optimum growing conditions and the various requirements of different crops. They assisted with the planting, harvesting and processing of our garden crops. These included tomatoes, potatoes, pumpkin, eggplant, watermelon, cantaloupe and others. All of our produce is shared throughout the school and is used in the Food Tech room and the canteen. We also hosted special days such as Mad Melon Monday where our impressive melon harvest was shared with the entire school. We were also able to make a small batch of wine this year thanks to the generosity of Mrs Andrea Richards who donated some very high quality shiraz grapes.

Our classroom focus has been exploring the role of genetics in agriculture. Students learned about the very beginnings of agriculture and the techniques used by ancient farmers to gradually change the wild grasses of Mesopotamia into the grains we recognise today as wheat. Students compared modern food crops such as bananas, apples, avocados and others, with their wild ancestors and learned how human intervention has changed them over time.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

We then looked at the work of pioneering plant geneticist Gregor Mendel. This was followed by

ANDREW ALLEN

ODYSSEY 2025

FOOD TECHNOLOGY From Basics to Banquets: Food Technology

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

In Food Technology, students build a solid foundation by mastering essential kitchen techniques, from the precision of measuring quantities to the hands-on experience of using frypans, saucepans, and ovens at St Mary’s. Our seasonal themes travel from vibrant summer salads and fresh muesli to comforting roasted winter vegetables, muffins, and pancakes. Working in pairs, students don’t just focus on the taste; we strive for excellence in presentation, plating up every dish to aim for high quality presentation before sharing the creations as a banquet with the class.

Our curriculum also takes a global turn as we “eat our way around the world,” experimenting with multicultural cuisines and a diverse palette of rice, pasta, cheeses, meats, and berries. However, it’s not just about the plate; it’s about the process. Through dedicated research assignments at each level, students investigate the contrast between commercial food presentation and the reality of agricultural production. By comparing how food is grown to how it is marketed, students are challenged to take a personal stance and form their own informed opinions on the modern food industry.

AMANDA HARD

ODYSSEY 2025

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

YEAR 5 & 6 CANBERRA CAMP

CAMPS

ODYSSEY 2025

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

YEAR 7 HALLS GAP CAMP

ODYSSEY 2025

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

YEAR 9 TASMANIA CAMP

ODYSSEY 2025

SPORT CAPTAINS

Liesl Rayner

Peyton Masters

Nate Sidebottom

Andrew Bree

Cooper Lynch

Jack Lomax

Ellie Taylor

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

Chloe Butterworth

AGE CHAMPIONS Cross Country

Swimming Henrietta Noye & Amelia Hamilton

9 Boys

Will Mounsey

10 Girls

Maci Tennant

10 Boys

Lachlan Lynch

11 Girls

Alexis Purcell

11 Boys

Oliver Liddell

12/13 Primary Girls

Willow Bradshaw

12/13 Primary Boys

Jack Lomax

12/13 Secondary Girls

Ava Gordon

12/13 Secondary Boys

Kai Raynor

14 Girls

Ellie Day

14 Boys

Finn Melville

15 Girls

Sienna Lynch

15 Boys

Max Christensen

16 Girls

Kyra Pearce

16 Boys

Marcus Kingston

17 Girls

Mikayla Eriksson

17 Boys

Oliver Kingston

18 Girls

Bridie McSpeerin & Chloe Butterworth

18 Boys

Samuel Charles

9 Girls

Olivia Wearne

9 Boys

Rafael Llorente

10 Girls

Maci Tennant

10 Boys

Patrick Liddell

11 Girls

Charlotte Fleming

11 Boys

Blake Winnell

12/13 Primary Girls

Ellie Taylor

12/13 Primary Boys

Noah Shearer

12/13 Secondary Girls

Kensi Cronk

12/13 Secondary Boys

Nash Webster

14 Girls

Charlotte Armstrong

14 Boys

Levi Brown

15 Girls

Zahira Wilson

15 Boys

Silas Brennan

16 Girls

Amelia Kovacic

16 Boys

Marcus Kingston

17 Girls

Lexie Tarran

17 Boys

Thomas White

18 Girls

NIL

18 Boys

Caleb Baumann

SPORT

9 Girls

Athletics Henrietta Noye

9 Boys

Rafael Llorente

10 Girls

Maci Tennant

10 Boys

Patrick Liddell

11 Girls

Savanah Llorente

11 Boys

Oliver Liddell

12/13 Primary Girls

Ellie Taylor

12/13 Primary Boys

Nicholas Lynch

12/13 Secondary Girls

Mia Brown

12/13 Secondary Boys

Caspar Leunig

14 Girls

Frankie Eagles

14 Boys

Levi Brown

15 Girls

Zahira Wilson

15 Boys

Max Christensen

16 Girls

Sophie Butterworth

16 Boys

Hamish Melville

17 Girls

Mikayla Eriksson

17 Boys

Oliver Kingston

18 Girls

Zahra Bourke

18 Boys

Daniel McLean

ODYSSEY 2025

9 Girls

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

ODYSSEY 2025

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

CROSS COUNTRY

ODYSSEY 2025

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

ATHLETICS CARNIVAL

ODYSSEY 2025

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

ROUND ROBINS

100

ODYSSEY 2025

101

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

INTERSCHOOL SPORTS

102

ODYSSEY 2025

103

YEAR 6 GRADUATION What a wonderful celebration for our Year 6 students. The assembly was attended by the entire primary school, along with staff, families and friends. Students were proudly led into the ceremony by the Year 6 Captains and House Leaders. Each graduate received their certificate from Mrs Brock and Mr Falls, before presenting their Foundation buddy with a special certificate of their own. A shared lunch with families followed the assembly, providing a warm and memorable conclusion to a fantastic year for our Year 6 cohort.

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

Congratulations to Year 6 on an outstanding year.

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ODYSSEY 2025

105

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

YEAR 12 GRADUATION

106

ODYSSEY 2025

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AWARDS MOST CONSISTENT

MOST IMPROVED

This award is presented to a student who has been a consistent worker throughout the year.

This award is presented to a student who has worked hard to show significant improvement throughout the year.

Foundation A

Jaylee Maltman

Foundation B

Arthur Cleeland

Samm Pulvera

Jaxon Basile

Collins Hammond & Delilah Jenkins

Foundation A

George Webb

Foundation B

Peyton Wilson

Florence Mounsey

Cameron Teague

Sabella Llorente

Kassidy Ruscoe

Abigail Preece

Bodhi Goodwin

Alexis Jones

Anthea Symons

Rafael Llorente

Ada Jaudzemis & Avi Brar

Ryan Winnell

Hunter Purcell

Olivia Wearne

Nate Hayes

Xavier Wearne

Amelia Hamilton

Imogen Kiss

Kobi Maggs

Tate Smith

Riley Hoskin

Alex Gacelos

Alyissa Smith

Safari Kiss

Atticus Densworth

Hudson O’Brien

Blake Winnell

Jess Woods

Vader McKenzie

Ella McLean

ACADEMIC EXCELLENT

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

This award is presented to a student who has demonstrated at or above standard results in numerous subjects throughout the year.

108

Will Mounsey

Montana Hughes

William Lomax

Hallie Shields

Maria (Alex) Panillio

Freya Scollen

Adele Mounsey

Shaun Pulvera

Ivy Millard

Yenuli Dissanayake

ACADEMIC EXCELLENT

This award is presented to a student who has been a consistent worker throughout the year.

This award is presented to a student who has demonstrated at or above standard results in numerous subjects throughout the year.

Tayla Maher

Ava Gordon

Violet Watson & Tahlia Waghorn

Maya McIntyre

Hannah Hagan & Levi Brown

Conor Freeman

Elizabeth White & Eva Naughton

Kensi Cronk

Charlotte Armstrong

William Allison

Taylah MacDonald

Lilly Fanning

Alex Morton

Olivia Hamilton & Vanessa Swan

Savannah Naughton & Sienna Lynch

Ruth Rielly

10A

Tylah Shearer

10A

Sienna Porter

10B

Hamish Melville

10B

Maya Cronk

Ignite

Kayla Thompson

Ignite

Eliza Whibley

AWARDS

MOST CONSISTENT

MOST IMPROVED This award is presented to a student who has worked hard to show significant improvement throughout the year.

Nash Webster

Tom Purvis

Huntah Ferguson

Lincoln Sporle

Jeso Charli

Stevie Nash

Remy Clydesdale

Kye Augello

10A

Niamh O’Sullivan

10B

Sophie Butterworth

Ignite

William Hustler

ODYSSEY 2025 109

VCE EXCELLENCE AWARDS

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

St Mary’s College offers a broad selection of VCE subjects, and for areas of study not available within the College, students are supported to undertake their chosen subjects through Virtual Schools Victoria. Our VCE Subject Awards recognise students who have demonstrated outstanding excellence and are the highest-achieving participants in their respective courses of study for 2025.

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Unit 1 Religion and Society

Maya Cronk

Unit 1 & 2 History

Felix Wallace Muscovich

Unit 1 & 2 Art Making & Exhibiting

Phoebe Fairweather

Unit 1 & 2 General Maths

Eoin Traynor-Murphy

Unit 1 & 2 PE

Josh Porter

VSV Unit 1 & 2 Outdoor & Environmental Studies

Caleb Baumann

VSV Unit 1 & 2 Business

Lexi Tarran

Unit 1 & 2 Maths Methods

Leon Findlay

VSV Unit 1 & 2 Specialist Maths

Leon Findlay

Unit 1 & 2 PDT

Jackson Hurley

VSV Unit 1 & 2 Applied Computing

Jackson Hurley

Unit 1 & 2 English

Natalie Lynch

Unit 1 & 2 Chemistry

Natalie Lynch

Unit 1 & 2 Psychology

Natalie Lynch

Unit 1 & 2 Biology

Romany Faulknor

Unit 1 & 2 Physics

Romany Faulknor

Unit 3 & 4 General Maths

Romany Faulknor

Unit 2 Religion and Society

Mikayla Eriksson

Unit 1 & 2 Legal

Mikayla Eriksson

Unit 1 & 2 Business

Mikayla Eriksson

Unit 1 & 2 HHD

Mikayla Eriksson

Unit 3 & 4 HHD

Hugh Traynor-Murphy

Unit 3 & 4 Biology

Felicity O’Halloran

Unit 3 & 4 PE

Chloe Butterworth

Unit 3 & 4 PDT

Zac Brown

Unit 3 & 4 History

Liesl Rayner

Unit 3 & 4 Art Making & Exhibiting

Crystal-Anne Cox

VSV Unit 3 & 4 Environmental Science

Andrew Bree

Unit 3 & 4 Chemistry

Cooper Shearer

VSV Unit 3 & 4 Agriculture & Horticulture

Cooper Shearer

Unit 3 & 4 Psychology (VVLN)

Sophie Munro

Unit 3 & 4 Legal

Sophie Munro

Unit 3 & 4 Business

Sophie Munro

Unit 3 & 4 English

Xavier Sinkeler

Unit 3 & 4 Maths Methods

Xavier Sinkeler

Unit 3 & 4 Physics

Xavier Sinkeler

Unit 1 & 2 VCE VM Literacy

Nathaniel Demavibas

Unit 3 & 4 VCE VM Literacy

Angela Klein

Unit 1 & 2 VCE VM Numeracy

Brandon Fearn

Unit 3 & 4 VCE VM Numeracy

Thomas Hall

Unit 1 & 2 VCE VM Work Related Skills

Connor Cleave

Unit 3 & 4 VCE VM Work Related Skills

Aissaree Rachsopar (Michael)

Unit 1 & 2 VCE VM Personal Development Skills

Shetayah Gruneklee

Unit 3 & 4 VCE VM Personal Development Skills

Ethan Fisher

VET COMPLETION CERTIFICATES We are pleased to recognise and celebrate the completion of Vocational Education and Training — VET — certificates by our students. VET combines practical, industry-relevant skills training with classroom learning and provides nationally recognised qualifications. Certificate II programs introduce foundational industry skills and knowledge, while Certificate III programs develop higher-level, job-ready competencies that prepare students for skilled employment. Some students also complete a School-Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship (SBAT), allowing them to work toward a qualification while undertaking paid employment and continuing their secondary studies. By completing these VET certificates over several years, our students have gained valuable skills that prepare them for further study, apprenticeships, or direct entry into the workforce. It is our privilege to acknowledge their commitment, hard work, and achievement today, and to celebrate the practical skills and future pathways their training has made possible. This afternoon we are pleased to welcome Ms Nicky Leitch, Chief Executive Officer of the Central Ranges LLEN. We thank Ms Leitch for joining us today and invite her to help present these awards.

VET Completion - Certificate II in Building & Construction Pre-apprenticeship

Daniel McLean

VET Completion - Certificate II in Engineering Studies

Fletcher Christensen

VET Completion - Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start)

Oliver Berryman

VET Completion - Certificate II in Animal Care

Lexie Tarran

VET Completion - Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation

Brandon Fearn

VET Completion - Certificate II in Applied Language

Cheyenne Newsome Sasha Leary Phoenix Filipic Amelia Kovacic

VET Completion - Certificate III in Information & Communications Technology

Seth Barnbrook Micah Padgett Jackson Hurley

VET Completion - Certificate III in Agriculture

Ethan Fisher

VET Completion - Certificate III in Community Services

Natalie Coad Angela Klein Olivia Leary

VET Completion - Certificate III in Dance

Felicity O’Halloran

VET Completion - Certificate III in Design Fundamentals

Michael Rachsopar

VET Completion - Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care

Shetayah Gruneklee

SBAT Cert III in Retail

Ebony Smith

SBAT Cert III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology

Bryce Staples

ODYSSEY 2025 111

CENTRAL RANGES LLEN - VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AWARDS SBAT This student has continued to grow in both confidence and maturity throughout the year. He has exceeded expectations in all areas of his classroom learning and workplace performance. He consistently demonstrates ownership and responsibility in his approach to all tasks, making him a standout student within the SBAT program.

Well done SBAT – Bryce Staples (Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanics) CENTRAL RANGES LLEN - VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AWARDS VOCATIONAL MAJOR The VCE VM program has supported this student to grow and emerge as an individual in an extremely positive way. She is confident, dedicated to her studies, and a strong team member. This student is organised, enthusiastic, and consistently strives to produce work of a high standard across all of her subjects. Her commitment and determination make her a deserving nominee.

We celebrate Natalie Coad (VCE VM) CENTRAL RANGES LLEN - VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AWARDS VET This student is diligent, highly studious, and consistently produces work of an exceptional standard. Impressively, she has completed two certificates this year, undertaking 310 hours to successfully achieve a full Certificate III in Community Services within a single year. Her dedication, effort, and academic capability are truly commendable.

Congratulations Olivia Leary (Certificate III in Community Services) ST MARY’S COLLEGE VET ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD This award is for a student who has persevered, shown dedication and has excelled in their VET subject.

Olivia Leary KERRY HOGAN PERFORMING ARTS AWARDS This Award is in memory of much loved St Mary’s Performing Arts teacher Mrs Kerry Hogan who passed away in 2019. The recipients, one primary student and one secondary student are students who have made an excellent contribution to the Performing Arts in College activities and in the wider community.

Primary We congratulate today’s recipient of the primary award Livani Palmer on her outstanding debut in musical theatre as Charlie Bucket. Her performance earned her a nomination for a Georgy Award for Best Junior Performance in a Senior Show — an accolade that recognises exceptional young talent in senior productions. Livani’s dedication, talent and courage to shine in her first major role are things we celebrate today with pride. Year 6

Livani Palmer

Secondary We are delighted to acknowledge Felicity O’Halloran, who has successfully completed a Certificate III in Dance through her Year 12 studies. This nationally recognised qualification reflects advanced technical skill, performance proficiency and professional‑standard training in dance — including stamina, choreography, performance technique and industry knowledge. Felicity is also a committed member of RPA Dance School in Kilmore, where she has honed her craft and dedication beyond the classroom. Today we celebrate her exceptional dedication, discipline and artistic achievement — qualities that set her apart in both her VET studies and dance community commitments. Year 12

Felicity O’Halloran

PRIMARY VISUAL ART

ST MARY’S COLLEGE