History:
St Mary’s Primary School, which opened in 1980, is situated in the Yarra Valley and has an enrolment of approximately 315 students who come from multicultural and socio-economically diverse backgrounds. Families come from the townships surrounding the school, including Mt Evelyn, Wandin, Seville, Silvan, Woori-Yallock, Montrose and Mooroolbark. Many of the children are transported by bus from outlying areas, free of charge, on the Invicta and Martyrs buses.
Description:
St Mary’s is situated in seventeen acres of beautiful bushland, incorporating extensive play areas that include an oval, basketball and netball courts, tennis courts, a fitness track, bush chapel and two separate areas of play equipment. The grounds are partly landscaped, focusing widely on trees and plants native to the local area. The grounds provide an opportunity to be used by staff, children and families for both recreational and educational purposes. The parish priest, principal, staff and families see St Mary’s as a community of people sharing a common belief in our motto, ‘Love Above All’. As members of a Catholic parish school, we strive to be models of the Gospel values of love, understanding, respect and service. We have high expectations of staff, students and parents and we anticipate that all who enrol at St Mary’s, Mt Evelyn will want to work as one for the good of all. We follow up and follow through, thus providing equity, justice and consistency.
Features:
We have a modern and well-stocked library, computers and specialist teachers in Library, Performing Arts, Italian and Physical Education. The school is supported by the parish, school education board and the Parents and Friends Association. Our school policies are updated each year with help from the school community. This, along with our Vision Statement, is always evolving. Staff, students and parents are involved in the preparation and review of our Religious Education, Pastoral Care/Discipline Policy, Curriculum and Enrichment Programs. Cooperative planning, teaching and decision-making procedures are well developed. Teachers of each level plan and work together regularly and provide opportunities for interaction amongst all students at each level. We have a very successful buddy system operating in the school, incorporating all year levels.