Mrs. Carol-Ann Swayzie
Principal
caswayzie@smamb.ca

Mrs. Christine Dado
Vice-Principal
cdado@smamb.ca

Ms. Joan Trimble
Vice-Principal
jtrimble@smamb.ca

On behalf of the entire faculty and staff, we offer a warm welcome to the St. Mary’s Academy community. We are blessed to walk with your daughter on this part of her educational and personal journey.

A new school year resonates with fresh beginnings, with friendships to build, memorable experiences to savour, and new goals for which to strive. We look forward to celebrating all our students’ accomplishments in the coming year.

This year, our community is called to respond to the question How do I cast fire? Throughout the year we will explore this theme as we are invited to act justly, offer kindness and walk with God as we learn and balance who we are with how we live as Christians.

Communication with all SMA community members (families, students and staff) is important to us. It is in partnership with one another that we can best support our students, and mentor them to thrive in an innovative and challenging learning environment. One of the ways for families to keep in touch with general school news is by our email Communiqués which are sent out on the last school day of each week. Please keep an eye out for these in your inbox and review them to stay up to date with ongoing news.

Students will be receiving an SMA yearly agenda planner on the first day of classes. We encourage you, as families, to read the contents of the first 30 pages of this agenda which outlines many school protocols, policies, procedures and includes our Foundations of Faith with commonly referenced prayers. Important dates are embedded into the agenda. We trust that the daily use of the agenda will help your daughter to remain organized and seek balance in her busy life.

We truly hope that your daughter enjoys the year ahead. There will be opportunities to become involved in many aspects of school life, whether through service, clubs, academics, athletics the arts, or special activities planned by the student leadership team. We are confident that she will develop her sense of social responsibility and expand her love of learning and curiosity. There truly is something for everyone at St. Mary’s Academy. How fortunate we all are to be learning, teaching and growing in a faith-based environment for young women.

We look forward to witnessing our students’ growth in the coming year as they reach their full potential in spirit, mind and body. Our sincere best wishes for an amazing year ahead; may it be filled with extraordinary memories.

Wednesday, September 3

Students from grades 7 to 12 who are new to St. Mary’s Academy will participate in the orientation session. Orientation begins at 9:00 AM and ends at 12:30 PM. Students are asked to enter at the Alumnae Hall entrance, where they will be greeted by students and faculty, provided name tags and directed to their seats in Alumnae Hall. Uniforms are not required. Please do not bring school supplies.

Agenda

8:40 AM to 9:00 AM: Arrival and sign-in. Students enter through Alumnae Hall doors.
9:00 AM: Welcome in Alumnae Hall.
9:15 AM: Students meet with their teachers.
10:00 AM to 12:30 PM: Students participate in orientation tours and a Mission and Charism Community session.
12:30 PM: All students dismissed. Students will exit through Alumnae Hall doors. Parents, please ensure you arrange pick-up in accordance with the 12:30 PM dismissal.

Thursday, September 4 and Friday, September 5

• Students will find their homeroom allocation posted in the Sheila Chipman Atrium (posted at 7:30 AM)
• Opening exercises begin in homerooms at 8:35 AM
• The first two days will have a specialized schedule to meet the needs at each grade level. Students will receive that schedule on Thursday.
• Scheduled subject-specific classes will begin on Monday, September 8, Day 3 on the school day calendar.

Parents and Caregivers

• Please familiarize yourself with the Dropoff/Pick-up Zones and Traffic Flow on our grounds (see heading below).

Click here for our handbook with important information about our policies and protocols, academic programming, assessments, evaluations and reporting, and school life. This handbook is also found in the front section of the Student Agenda.

The student agenda, lockers and locks will be distributed on the first day of classes. The agenda includes the school calendar, general school information, policies and protocols, and student information. All student locks are issued by the school. If returning students have lost their lock and require a new one, the cost for a lock is $9 and can be purchased from Mrs. Audrey Ross (located on the 2nd floor close to the school office) at the 10:30 AM break during the first week of classes. Students should not be sharing their locker combination so as to best protect their personal items. In the event of an emergency, the office has a record of all combinations.

Click here for SMA’s School Supply list. The list is also available from the home page of our website (scroll halfway down the page to locate the list) www.smamb.ca.

Teachers assign textbooks to students and each assigned textbook is the responsibility of the student. In June 2026, students are responsible for returning assigned textbooks. In the event a textbook is not returned, a replacement fee is required. If a textbook is returned damaged, the damage will be assessed and a corresponding dollar amount will be charged.

Perhaps the greatest symbol of our unity at SMA is our uniform and more specifically, our kilt. The plaid of the kilt is unique to SMA and incorporates the colours of all previous uniforms since 1869. It represents the fabric of our community: past, present and generations yet to come.

SMA needs the support of parents and to ensure that students meet all uniform regulations. In particular, we stress that all students' kilts or skirts are to be worn at a maximum of 6 centimeters above the knee. As we strive to instill an awareness of business appropriate attire, we appreciate working together to improve the students' responsibility in meeting and maintaining this requirement.

Should your daughter require a new uniform item to ensure she meets all uniform regulations, all items can be purchased online from our provider at www.topmarks.ca

Ensuring the safety of pedestrians and maintaining a smooth flow of traffic are important at SMA. As our grounds can become quite busy, it's essential to pay close attention to the designated drop-off and pick-up zones to guarantee student safety. We kindly ask you to refer to the second and third images on our campus webpage at www.smamb.ca/about/campus, and familiarize yourself with our ‘drop-off and pick-up’ zones. Please remember that our grounds are a no-idle zone (turn your vehicle off when you are waiting). 

Contact SMA

Call SMA’s Reception office at 204-477-0244. A complete list of faculty and staff is found on our website at www.smamb.ca/contact.

Reception and School Office Hours

Reception Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
School Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

School Calendar

The school calendar is found on our website at www.smamb.ca/events/calendar. The calendar lists assessments, exams, deadlines, activities, events etc. for students and parents. It also shows the day of the school day cycle. The calendar is downloadable to smart devices.

Campus Map

Browse our online campus map at the following address, www.smamb.ca/about/campus. Hover over the red areas for an explanation of the location.

PowerSchool

PowerSchool is our online student information system for attendance, assignments and marks. On Orientation Day on September 3, all new students will receive a letter with login information (both student and parent login information). A link to PowerSchool is located along the top red bar of our website www.smamb.ca. During the school year, if you need assistance logging in, please contact Mrs. Bev Henry via email at bhenry@smamb.ca or call 204-477-0244.

Weekly Communiqué

Throughout the school year, SMA emails a Communiqué to parents and students on the last day of each school week. Important timely information is published in the Communiqué. Be sure to check your email and if you do not receive the Communiqué, contact Mrs. Jill Boulet at jboulet@smamb.ca or call 204-477-0244.

Purchasing SMA’s Uniform

SMA’s student uniform is sold online at www.topmarks.ca. Find out more information about online ordering on our website at www.smamb.ca/student-life/school-uniform. Our Corner Store sells gently used uniforms. During the school year, should you need any assistance with ordering instructions, or our SMA specific password, please contact Ms. Leah Boughen at smaregistration@smamb.ca or phone 204-478-6030.

Academy Bistro

Academy Bistro provides SMA’s cafeteria service. Academy Bistro will be open on the first day of classes. Menu and online ordering are available at www.academybistro.ca. Students are encouraged to pre-order their lunch online to guarantee items. Hours of operation are 9 AM to 1:30 PM every school day. Please contact Academy Bistro at info@academybistro.ca if you have any questions or would like to purchase a gift card.

SMA on Social Media

Follow SMA on social media for highlights of school life.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/smawinnipeg
Facebook: www.facebook.com/smawinnipeg
YouTube: www.youtube.com/smawinnipeg

Celebration of the New School Year

Friday, September 5 at 2:00 PM in Alumnae Hall
Our school community will gather to celebrate the new school year with Mass of the Holy Spirit. Attendance is mandatory and regulation uniform is required.

Picture Day

Tuesday, September 9

Parent Welcome and Information Session

Wednesday, September 10 from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Further details will be published in the weekly Communiqué.

Grade 7 Camp

September 15 to 17

Walk for Cancer

Thursday, September 18

Grade 9 Community Event

Friday, September 19

Grade 9 Camp

Monday, September 22

Grade 12 Reflection Day

Tuesday, September 23
Details will be emailed to grade 12 families.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Tuesday, September 30
No Classes

Flames High School Hockey

Tryouts for the High School Hockey team will begin the first full week of school. The dates are listed below; 2 exhibition games will be added, dates will be announced at the meeting. A mandatory meeting for all interested will take place on Friday, September 5^th at 12:40pm in room 100.

• Monday, September 8 at 4:30 PM at hockey for all centre
• Tuesday, September 9 at 4:30 PM at hockey for all centre
• Thursday, September 11 at 4:30 PM at hockey for all centre

Please contact Ms. Sydney Maurice at smaurice@smamb.ca or Mrs. Nicole McGlenen at nmcglenen@smamb.ca if you have any questions.

Golf

There will be a team try out for all high school (9-12) students who are interested in playing golf in the 2025-2026 school year. The try out will occur during the week of September 8 after school (exact date and time TBD). Fall events will include a provincial zone qualification round and hopefully a trip to the provincial championship at the end of September. If you have any questions please contact Mr. James Villa at jvilla@smamb.ca

Water Polo

Open to all students in grades 7-12. Water polo is a fun, exciting and different sport. No previous water polo experience is required, but students must have a one-piece swimsuit and be able to comfortably complete deep water laps at a standard pool. Beginners are welcome. Grade 7 and 8 students will compete on our junior team, which play in a co-ed league, and senior teams will compete in single gender league. Practice times are TBD but will start in mid-September (one evening a week) and games will start at the end of September and will be on Sundays. League play goes until the end of November. If you have any questions please contact Mr. James Villa at jvilla@smamb.ca

Cross Country

Flames Cross Country is open to all students from grade 7 to 12 regardless of experience or skill level. Please go to the following webpage for information about the team and to access a summer training guide smamb.ca/student-life/athletics/crosscountry. All interested students are welcome to participate. Anyone with questions is asked to contact Mr. Demetro Danyluk at ddanyluk@smamb.ca.

Volleyball

The Physical Education Department is looking for Grade 7 & 8 Volleyball coaches to join our Flames teams:

• Junior (Grades 7 & 8)
• Developmental (Grade 7)

Tryouts/practices start soon; games wrap in December. Coaches receive an honorarium. Volleyball experience is recommended. Vulnerable Sector and Child Abuse checks required (costs covered by SMA). Interested or know someone? Contact Mrs. Rina Sangalang at rsangalang@smamb.ca.

Partnership Program with the Manitoba Conservatory of Music

SMA is pleased to be in our third year of offering a partnership program with the Manitoba Conservatory of Music & Arts (MCMA). This partnership provides an opportunity for SMA students to receive individual music lessons from highly qualified MCMA instructors conveniently on our school campus.

How does it work?

• • Individual lessons are available for voice, violin, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, and organ from beginner to advanced levels. Instruments will be available based on a minimum threshold of 2 students per discipline. Other instruments may be added if there is interest, email info@mcma.ca with your request.
  • Lessons are scheduled in 30-minute intervals on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:45 PM to 6:15 PM.
  • Lessons run from September 8, 2025 until May 25, 2026. No lessons during early dismissal days, Christmas Break, Spring Break or SMA student related events.
  • Lessons take place on St. Mary’s Academy campus delivered by the MCMA.
  • MCMA supports and encourages performances for students at recitals and in the community through their Music Equals program, the outreach arm of the MCMA. SMA students are invited to participate in their performance opportunities. To learn more, talk to your MCMA teacher or email Student Services Manager at info@mcma.ca.
  • MCMA will manage the registration process.
  • Registrations may be accepted throughout the academic year according to availability.

Click here to find out more information and to see the registration link.

WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS: A Single Spark Can Set the World Aglow

On behalf of the Advancement team, welcome to the 2025-2026 school year at St. Mary’s Academy! We’re so grateful to count you as part of SMA’s vibrant giving community. Your generosity is the spark that lights the way—and with the year ahead already aglow with possibility, we’re only just getting started.

What is Advancement?

At St. Mary’s Academy, advancement is about more than just fundraising. It’s about coming together as a community united by a common purpose. It’s about standing arm in arm to ignite opportunity for young women to grow and thrive. It’s about kindling the spirit of generosity that lives at the heart of our mission.

Meet the Advancement Team

• Kate Hodgert-Fennell ’99, Director of Advancement and Development – Leads the team in strengthening the bonds of community and building a culture of philanthropy.
• Morgan Bennett, Database and Development Officer – Manages donor relations and development systems to advance the school’s mission.
• Sandra Martin (Alwis ’97), Alumnae Engagement Coordinator – Strengthens SMA’s sisterhood by connecting alumnae through events, service, and storytelling.
• Andrew Morrison, Archivist – Preserves and shares SMA’s history, ensuring its legacy continues to inspire future generations.

Let’s Connect

We’d love to hear from you! Join us anytime for a cup of coffee and a conversation:
advancement@smamb.ca | 204-560-6924

IGNITE Gala: Save the Date

At St. Mary’s Academy, we believe that empowering young women through education is one of the most powerful ways to build a better world.

This belief is at the heart of IGNITE, SMA’s signature fundraising gala, which raises critical funds for bursaries and school programs that ignite opportunity, spark ambition, and embolden girls to Hold High the Torch.

On Saturday, January 24, 2026, we will gather together for a very special evening at the Academy to celebrate the strength, courage, and limitless potential of our students and alumnae. Tickets go on sale October 15, 2025.

Call for Sponsors

We invite you to stand with us as a sponsor, helping to ensure that every qualifying student has the opportunity to benefit from SMA’s world-class faith-filled learning environment.

As an IGNITE sponsor, your organization will:

• Be celebrated as a champion of Catholic education, female empowerment, and community impact;
• Gain meaningful visibility among our diverse and loyal network of alumnae, families, and supporters;
• Help expand access and enrich program offerings that support holistic student growth;
• Be the spark that lights the way for a new generation of women leaders guided by faith, rooted in compassion, and united in purpose.

Your sponsorship fuels more than an evening. When you sponsor IGNITE, you stand behind every SMA student—past, present, and future—and ignite a movement.

Sponsorship opportunities now available. For more information and a complete list of sponsorship benefits, contact:

SMA Advancement Office
advancement@smamb.ca | 204-560-6924

Homecoming: All Are Welcome

As is tradition, St. Mary’s Academy will joyfully open its doors the third weekend in September to welcome alumnae back to their alma mater for Homecoming 2025.

On Sunday, September 21, 2025, the entire SMA community is invited to gather for our cherished tradition of Mass, followed by touring and tea. Current students and their families are warmly encouraged to join us and experience the spirit of Homecoming, the joy of community, and the inspiration of seeing generations of women who have walked these halls. Tickets are not required for the Sunday events.

On Saturday, September 20, 2025, those alumnae celebrating a special reunion are invited to a Commemorative Years' Wine and Cheese Reception. SMA welcomes and celebrates the following classes for commemorative years’ reunions this year: 2015, 2005, 2000, 1995, 1985, 1975, and all alumnae from the class of 1965 and earlier. Tickets are available online until September 12, 2025.

Homecoming 2024: Class of 2014

Homecoming 2024: Class of 1999

Marian Awards: Accepting Nominations

St. Mary's Academy Marian Awards recognize distinguished alumnae and friends who embrace and exemplify SMA's mission and vision in our community and the world. We are accepting nominations for the 2026 and 2027 Marian Awards.

We invite everyone in the SMA community to consider recommending a worthy candidate. Nominators should please complete the online nomination form and submit on or before November 13, 2025. Recipients will be recognized at a special event in the Spring of 2027.