Dear Parents and Carers,

Mr John Harnett's Retirement
Mr John Harnett will be retiring from his position at St Marys, having spent almost 40 years teaching here. What an achievement!  John's incredible contributions to the lives of so many students and their parents, will never be forgotten by the school community. 

At John's request, the staff organised for a quiet COVID safe and yet fitting farewell for him earlier in the week. It was wonderful to hear about the highlights of John’s career, including the teaching of several of our current teachers. I have enclosed John's speech in this newsletter. We will all miss John’s sense of humour and the way he could manage the children in his ‘firm but fun’ way. 

New Family 
Following our return to school, we are excited to welcome another new family to St Mary's. Welcome ..... Poppi (Yr 3) and Charlotte (Yr 5) and their family, I am sure the children will enjoy their time with us at St Marys.

2022 Class Structure
Normally by this time of year, I would be able to confidently inform you of the class structure for the following year. Late decisions due to COVID, recent enrolments and some staffing changes have made it difficult this year for me to be 100% certain of the structure.

I am able to inform parents however, that we have been provided 11 classes again for 2022, with an average class size of 20. We are very grateful to Catholic Education for their commitment and additional resourcing, allowing us to continue providing a quality learning environment for our students. 

With 11 classes across 7 grade levels averaging 30 students, the only way to keep classes small is to have a limited number of multi-age classes. Please see attached an information page that explains multi age classes.   

Click here for 2022 Class Structure 2022 FAQ's

If any parent wishes to discuss their child's class for 2022, please do not hesitate to contact me as soon as possible. I am very happy to place students in certain classes but not with a specific teacher. Please be assured that a great deal of thinking goes into this process to ensure the best possible outcome for your child’s learning. All children will have at least one close friend in their class. 

In our next newsletter, I will announce classes and their teachers for 2022, and on the final Tuesday (14 December), students will be informed of which class they will be in. The students will spend time with their 2022 class on that day. 

Enrolment Interviews
During the past few weeks, I have had the privilege of meeting and speaking with many parents who have made the decision to send their child/ren to St Mary’s in 2022. Normally when asked why parents are choosing St Marys, they speak of our family like community, strong christian values and our reputation. This year, it is positive to hear that parents are also choosing St Marys’ because they are aware of our great learning; both during the Remote Learning period and back in the classroom. Having potential new parents follow our St Mary's Facebook page is very positive. 

Kinder 2022 Orientation
What a perfect little group of children are coming into Kinder next year! They are so happy, energetic  and ready for school. During the past two weeks, Mrs Jacquie Stephen and Mrs Gen Schofield have hosted two very successful Orientation Days  for the children. Unfortunately, our parents were not able to come on site, hopefully, at the beginning of next year it will be very different.

All students, including our new Kinders will begin school on Tuesday, February 1. To allow the children to get into a routine, the Wednesday Kinder Rest Days will not start until Week 2 next year. On February  9, 16, 23 and March 2, Kinder children will stay at home to have a rest and allow Mrs Stephen time for preparation. More information will be coming home shortly.

School Assemblies
Early next week we will be having Stage 2 and Stage 3 assemblies under the COLA to give out awards and sporting medallions. Unfortunately parents and visitors are not able to attend. Photos will be posted on St Mary's Facebook for parents to see.  

Year 6 Graduation Mass and Awards
We are in the process of planning our Year 6 functions to celebrate the end of their primary school years. To prevent any potential spread of COVID, we will be closely adhering to Government regulations and restrictions.

Following a meeting with Father George yesterday, and in consultation with Catholic Education, it has been decided that we will be going ahead with our Year 6 Mass and Awards in the Church on Thursday December 9 at 11:30 am. To ensure it is private to our students and their families (limited to a small number of vaccinated adults for each student), we have needed to move the start time to 11:30 am. The Church has the capacity to host our Year 6 Graduation students and families will be in allocated pews. I apologise for this slight change of time. A note is being prepared with more information.

Graduation Dinner/ Disco and Big Day Out
I thank Mr Harpley, Mrs Afflick and Mr Prow for their work in organising these COVID safe activities, whilst also teaching, assessing and reporting on their students’ learning.

The students and their teachers will have a fabulous time at both events.

If parents decide to organise a dinner together while their children attend the Graduation Dinner, can I please ask you to make sure that the invitation is extended to all Year 6 parents. We can easily send notes home with children whose parents you do not know. 

Last Day Year 6 Send Off
Traditionally at St Mary’s, the Year 6 students are given a very loud and exciting send off from their peers and teachers. This year we will arrange a safe Cohort version of it, that probably means the Year 6 children will be running quite a distance. Parents are welcome to watch the activities from a distance, near the Church car park. 

Student Reports
Semester Two reports are currently being written. After such an unusual few months, the teachers have done a great job in ascertaining where students are up to in their learning. Reports will come home on Friday December 10. If you would like a Parent Teacher meeting, please contact your teacher for a time in the last week. We can arrange to cover classes for those meetings to be held during the day. 

Student Leadership 
This weekend I will have the pleasure of reading the 22 applications from Year 5 students for leadership positions for 2022. It is wonderful to see so many students feel they are leaders and would be proud to be school leaders at St Mary’s. Early next week, the students will be interviewed, and from there, potential school and house leaders will be selected to present a speech to their peers later in the week.  We are unsure yet as to when announcements will be made but they will know by the end of the year. I wish the children well with their interview ‘chats’ and speeches. 

Community Council Fundraiser - Aprons and Tea Towels
If you haven't already, please remember to order the beautiful tea towels and aprons, ideal for Christmas presents for family members. Hopefully in Term One,  we will have swimming lessons for all students and fundraising from the Community Council helps reduce costs to our families. 

School Leadership
Finally I'd like to finish by announcing some Leadership changes from 2022.

Following extensive leave over the past few years, Mrs Catrina Niddrie has decided to resign from her position as AP and teacher at St Mary’s. She will be missed by students and staff and I wish Catrina well with her future endeavours.

Having worked closely with Mrs Sue Heffernan as a Coordinator and Acting Assistant Principal for 2 years, I am thrilled to announce that Sue has recently been appointed Assistant Principal, commencing 2022. Sue is an exceptional educator and an excellent leader and role model for our teachers. We are very fortunate to have Sue with us to lead Student Learning and we are already seeing significant gains across all areas. Please see attached letter from Catholic Education.  

After many years, Mrs Marg Croese has decided to relinquish her role as REC and reduce her days working at St Marys. I have created a Pastoral Teacher Role for Marg to ensure that she remains with us, and is able to do what she does best; love and care for others.

Marg will work 2 days a week and coordinate all pastoral programs, parish and school connections. The children and staff will still have her with them as a significant person in their lives. On behalf of everyone, I thank you Marg for giving so much of yourself and the amazing work you have done for both St Marys and the Sacred Heart Parish. Marg will also be a wonderful support for our new REC, who has very big (actually quite tiny) shoes to fill! 

Following a thorough application and selection process, I am pleased to announce that Mrs Jess Afflick has accepted the position as REC from 2022. Jess has been with us for many years and is truly dedicated to St Mary’s. Her gentle demeanour and the high level of respect of her colleagues and parents, holds her in good stead to be on the Leadership Team and have the very special responsibility of leading Religious Education.

With Sue Heffernan’s appointment as Assisstant Principal, her substantive position as Coordinator will now be filled by Mr Justin Bateman. Justin has been acting in this role for 2021 and has proven to be a very effective team member. Justin’s strengths as an organiser and facilitator of programs makes him an invaluable member of the Leadership Team.

2022 is looking very bright. We have a cohesive and forward thinking Leadership Team, amazing teaching and support staff, great parents (we have almost forgotten what they look like) and the most beautiful children in any school in Australia.  We have so much to be grateful for and we thank God for the gifts of each other.  

“When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in.”