Dear Parents and Carers,

This week we celebrated the Feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, as the leader of the Sisters of St Joseph. Our school, St Mary’s Star of the Sea, was founded by these strong women of faith lead by Mary MacKillop. Australia’s first saint, St Mary MacKillop was committed to helping the needy in remote areas of Australia, the poor and the marginalised were the focus of Mary’s mission. During her life Mary was a renegade, fighting for what she believed in, as a result she was ex-communicated from the Catholic Church. Mary’s words are as powerful today as they were last century as she and her sisters rode through the outback, setting up schools for the poor. She understood the need for all of us to care for and respect our environment and the Aboriginal people who had cared for the land for thousands of years. It was a great privilege for all of our school to attend mass to celebrate St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, on Tuesday. Thanks to Mrs McGregor and her Year 3 class for excellent reading at the mass. 

‘Never see a need without doing something about it’ 
Mary of the Cross MacKillop

These are the words of Mary MacKillop, and one of our parents, Melissa Gibson, has followed this advice and has been working with great energy and expertise to ensure that our community is safer around our school.  Melissa has campaigned, with the support of the Parish and our school, to have the speed limit reduced on the Princes Highway coming into Milton up until Myrtle Street. I know anyone who has tried to turn right onto the Highway from Cork’s Lane will understand the difficulty and challenge of navigating the traffic both ways. Melissa is also working to have Cork’s Lane opened early to allow through traffic easing congestion. We are so grateful for your perseverance to make our community safer. 

A big congratulations to our Athletics team who competed at the Diocesan carnival on Monday. St Mary’s were proudly represented by a number of students, congratulations to the following students who have qualified for the next level: Arlo, Henry, Evie, Amber, Torin, Alexander and Oliver. What a great effort and best of luck next Tuesday. 

Please show your support for the Matildas by wearing yellow and gold tomorrow!

Have a great weekend

Yours in partnership,
Laurinda Nelson