Principal's Welcome

I’m delighted to welcome your family to the St. Mary’s community! We're excited to join you on your child’s educational journey and look forward to working together.

At St. Mary’s Primary School, Bairnsdale, we take pride in being a Catholic school that embraces our Faith by living out Christian values like courage, kindness, justice, and respect for everyone.

With 482 students, we’re proud to say that we truly know each and every one. Our dedicated team of teachers, Learning Support Officers, and Administration Staff are committed to providing a nurturing environment where all students can thrive. We set high expectations for both behaviour and learning, ensuring that our evidence-based teaching methods help each child achieve their very best. Our goal is to inspire, engage, and challenge students as they grow in a world that's constantly changing.

The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority. We’re devoted to creating a space where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected, which is reflected in our Whole School Approach to Positive Behaviour. Our core values are Respect, Resilience, and Safety, which guide our expectations throughout the school.

Our learning spaces are designed with flexibility in mind, offering a variety of educational experiences, and we’re lucky to have expansive areas for our students to explore and enjoy.

As the Principal of this amazing school, it’s an honour to lead such a wonderful community. My door is always open, and I often say that St. Mary’s should feel like a favourite pair of shoes—comfortable, familiar, and just the right fit. I hope you’ll find St. Mary’s to be the perfect fit for your child too!

Mrs. Lisa Parwata
Principal