Year 6 Graduation 2026
Year 6 Graduation on Wednesday 9 December 2026 at 6:00pm in Mary MacKillop Hall: the Mass and ceremony, dinner, dress code, photographs, tickets, Year 6 shirts and the other end-of-year events for the Class of 2026.
The Year 6 Graduation marks the end of seven years in the Junior School and, for many of our students, the step across the campus into Year 7 at St Mary's. It is an evening of thanksgiving, celebration and a few tears, held on Wednesday 9 December 2026 from 6:00pm in Mary MacKillop Hall. This page sets out what happens and what families need to do.
The evening
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 5:30pm | Students arrive at the Hall foyer and are seated with their class by Year 6 teachers. Families take their seats from 5:40pm |
| 6:00pm | Graduation Mass, celebrated by Fr Michael Dwyer in the Hall, with the Junior Choir. Students process in, read and present the offertory; families receive Communion or a blessing |
| 6:50pm | Graduation ceremony: welcome by Dr Helen Carmody, address by Ms Priya Natarajan, presentation of Graduation Certificates and Year 6 Awards, student speeches and the Class of 2026 video |
| 7:40pm | Graduation dinner for students in the Hall Annexe; parents and guests enjoy supper and coffee in the Hall foyer and courtyard |
| 8:30pm | Dance floor opens for students (Year 6 only) |
| 9:00pm | Evening concludes. Students are collected by a parent from the Hall Annexe door |
The Hall is set up as a liturgical space for the Mass so that the whole evening can take place in one venue without moving 90 students and their families in the dark.
Tickets and RSVP
Each family may bring up to four guests (in addition to the graduating student) for the Mass and ceremony, seated in the Hall. Additional guests can be requested on the RSVP form and will be accommodated if space allows, with numbers confirmed on Friday 27 November 2026. RSVP via the Parent Portal → Forms → Year 6 Graduation 2026 by Friday 20 November 2026. There is no cost to families; the dinner and supper are funded by the College and the Parents & Friends Association. Please indicate dietary requirements for your child on the form.
Dress code
Students wear smart casual or semi-formal clothes, not school uniform:
- a collared shirt or neat shirt, trousers or tailored shorts, or a dress, skirt or jumpsuit of a modest length
- flat or low-heeled shoes suitable for dancing (no high heels or thongs)
- no makeup other than clear lip balm, no fake tan, no hair colouring – our normal grooming expectations still apply
- no formal gowns, suits or limousines – this is a school celebration, not a formal
Parents are asked to keep the evening low-key and inclusive in cost. If purchasing an outfit is a difficulty, please speak confidentially with Mrs Fitzgerald.
Photographs
A professional photographer takes a Class of 2026 group photo and individual graduation portraits during the school day on Tuesday 8 December 2026 (students wear their Year 6 shirt), and roaming photos at the ceremony. Photos are available to order online from Monday 14 December; a link will be posted on the Portal. Parents may photograph and film their own child during the ceremony, but we ask that you remain seated and respect students who are not to be photographed under our Photography and Media Consent Policy. No flash during the Mass, please.
Year 6 shirts
The Class of 2026 Year 6 shirt – navy polo with gold trim and every student's name printed on the back – has been worn on Fridays and casual days since Term 1. Students wear it for the graduation photo on Tuesday 8 December, on the Canberra tour and on their last day of Junior School. Students need their Year 6 shirt to be clean and at school on Tuesday 8 December. Replacement shirts ($38) can be ordered from the Uniform Shop until Friday 30 October 2026.
Awards
Awards presented at graduation include the MacKillop Medal (living the College values), the Academic Excellence Award, the Sr Bernadette Long Award for Service, Sport and Arts awards, and a Growth Award for each class. Awards are decided by Year 6 staff and the Head of Junior School.
Other end-of-year events for Year 6
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Thursday 15 October 2026 | Year 6 into 7 Transition Day for students continuing at St Mary's |
| Friday 16 October 2026 | Confirmation, 7:00pm, St Mary of the Cross Church – see Sacramental Program |
| Monday 16 – Friday 20 November 2026 | Canberra tour |
| Tuesday 8 December 2026 | Graduation photos; Year 6 Fun Day (details from Mrs Fitzgerald) |
| Wednesday 9 December 2026 | Graduation Mass, ceremony and dinner, 6:00pm |
| Thursday 10 December 2026 | Junior Christmas Concert, 6:00pm – Year 6 perform the closing item |
| Friday 18 December 2026 | Last day of Junior School; Year 6 "Guard of Honour" farewell at 12:45pm before 1:00pm dismissal |
Students moving to another school
Students leaving St Mary's at the end of Year 6 take a full part in every event. Please let the Registrar know your child's 2027 school by Friday 30 October 2026 so that records and the Year 6 Transition Statement can be forwarded.
Questions
Contact Mrs Karen Fitzgerald or the Junior Office on (03) 9555 0100. Parents who would like to help with the Hall set-up on Wednesday 9 December from 1:00pm (Working With Children Check required) can email pandf@stmaryswc.vic.edu.au.