Reminder – Year 8 – Parent Welcome
Letter from the Leader of Wellbeing – Year 8
6 February 2026
Dear Parents/Carers
Best wishes for the start of the new academic school year. I hope that you had a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas holiday.
I am writing to introduce myself to you as the Leader of Wellbeing for Year 8 in 2026 a role that I am very excited about returning to this year.
Particularly I am delighted to be working with an impressive group in Year 8 who demonstrated under the guidance of Mr Flew their enormous potential last year.
I acknowledge and thank Mr Flew and his Homeroom Team for the foundation work they laid last year allowing the group to feel safe, grounded and familiar with their Marist identity.
I wish to acknowledge and applaud the very positive manner in which your son has begun 2026. His engagement, uniform and involvement has been impressive. His reverence and participation in the Opening College Mass and The High Achievers Assembly demonstrated both respect and a clear understanding of the significance of these occasions. It gives much promise for the coming year!
The theme for Year 8 in 2026 is Brothers to All.
There are three elements which link to the development of this theme. The first is the desire by the Yr 7 Leaders in 2025 to support and assist the incoming 2026 Yr 7 cohort. The second was a desire to connect to the Year 12 Leaders theme of service as modelled ‘In the Way of Mary’ and the third was connecting this element to the Marist Spirituality.
I am sure that you have read Ms Alvarez’s Letter to the College Community outlining the expected standard for our community with grooming, attendance, punctuality and community days. If you or your son wishes to read these expectations please click the link here.
As you would understand, consistent attention to the routines processes of the College allow students to successfully achieve in a calm and well directed environment.
This year the Year 8 Homeroom team that will be working in partnership with myself and your son are:
801 – Mr Raul Saez
802 – Ms Rachel Deligiorgakis
803 – Mr Christopher (Chris) Ure
804 – Ms Alyssa Gatenby-Moore
805 – Ms Katie Stern
806 – Ms Chihiro Doucet & Ms Lauren Sung
This year the Homeroom Staff have identified assisting students developing their organisation is a priority for successful learning.
As a part of the Homeroom routine students are asked to present their MCE Diary each week with the Subjects for each day written out in advance in blue pen. Research and accumulated experience show that the colour blue supports neatness and is associated with assisting memory.
Each day the student is asked to record either the set homework or the lesson activity. For example if a Practical Technology Mandatory in the workshop occurs your son could write Prac.
At the end of the week the College asks parents/carers to sign the MCE Diary so that they are aware of classwork homework and assessments being set.
Students who complete the process are rewarded for their effort of building good learning habits.
A reminder that the MCE 2026 Swimming Carnival is again at the Auburn, Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre and Year 8 students will be expected to make their own way to and from the venue. Further clear details will be provided by Ms Khattar through the College Event on Compass.
I truly look forward to assisting your son’s success this year and having the opportunity to discuss his achievements and development with you at the Parent/Teacher Conferences later in this semester.
Kind regards
Stephen McNamara
Year 8 – Leader of Wellbeing