Dear Parents and Carers,

Next week we celebrate the feast of ‘Stella Maris’ or St Mary Star of the Sea with Mass on Friday at 10:00am. Please come and join us for this celebration of our patron’s day. Such a beautiful and fitting image of Mary, Jesus’ mother. The symbolism is that, just as the North Star (or lodestar) guided sailors safely across the turbulent ocean, Mary is seen as a guiding star or a beacon of hope and protection for people navigating the "storms" and challenges of life, leading them safely to Christ. 

This week, we had the joy of welcoming the newest members of our school community as Kindergarten 2026 took their very first steps into the wonderful world of St Mary’s. The verandas were filled with the hesitant, but excited smiles of our new Kinder class and their parents. There were big waves, brave smiles, and not many teary goodbyes, and then, the stunning magic of Mrs Lee’s chime.

Watching these little ones reminds us all of our own first day of school. Perhaps it was the feel of a scratchy uniform, the size of the desks, the smell of the classroom or the incredible kindness of your first teacher who seemed to know everything. This day wasn’t just about learning the alphabet; it was about stepping into a larger community for the very first time. It was where we began to understand what it means to be part of a community of faith beyond our home, a place where every person is a unique gift from God. That first day, the foundation of a lifetime of learning, built upon the simple, loving principles of our Catholic faith.

Last week, I successfully completed my contractual Principal Appraisal. The panel review comprised a fellow Principal, a nominated CEO representative, and a Chairperson from the Sydney Catholic Education Office. The process was comprehensive, beginning with a review of the parent and staff survey results from last term. The appraisal day included an interview with the panel, which was followed by separate interviews with staff, parents, and students. I would like to sincerely thank our parents for providing their valuable feedback. The initial feedback I received was affirming: the perspectives of our parents, students, and staff align strongly with my own beliefs regarding my leadership strengths and key directions for development. I look forward to more comprehensive feedback in a report that is shared with our Director, Peter Hill. I am blessed to work in such a wonderful environment, and feel so privileged to lead our school community. 

Have a wonderful week, and I hope to see you in our school.

Yours in partnership,
Lindy Nelson
Principal