St Mary's is a Catholic primary school encompassing levels Prep to Year 6. The school is situated in Ararat and offers educational services to children drawn from many parts of the district. A good number of children live locally while others bus in from surrounding rural areas. The families of our students come from a variety of socio-economic background and family structures. Our school welcomes Catholic students and those who seek the values of our Catholic tradition. St Mary's originated as a result of the 1850s Gold Rush and in 1889 the Brigidine Sisters took over the running of the school. A new school was built in 1963 with additions and refurbishments completed over the last 10 years. Today St Mary's offers modern and refurbished learning spaces and playground facilities. We provide a quality education that builds the thinking capacity of children, encourages participation and promotes enjoyment, with a strong focus on sustainability. The school supports children as they learn to respond to the gospel and values the role of the family in the life of the growing child. We provide a safe and caring environment with a strong focus on the wellbeing of our students.