Dear Parents and Carers

  “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melody Beattie

Last week we began the season of Advent in the Church year, signified by waiting for the arrival of the Saviour at Christmas time. In the last week as a community, we have certainly embraced the idea of waiting and watching. It continues to be a stressful time for all families and members of the local community. Many of our families have been evacuated or separated from loved ones, the efforts of the RFS have been, and continue to be extraordinary.  Please continue to keep those affected or those continuing to battle the fires, in your prayers. These challenging circumstances provide us a chance to appreciate and show gratitude to the people in our community who give so selflessly to others, an enormous thanks to all of our our emergency services. 

This afternoon our students will have had an opportunity to spend some time with their teacher for next year.  It is with great pleasure that I announce the teachers for 2020. 

Kindergarten- Mrs Chloe Cerff

Year 1 - Mrs Lisa Collins

Year 2 - Miss Helena Karras 

Year 3 - Mrs Ursula Porter

Year 4 -Mrs Kristy Delia

Year 5 - Mr Brent Harding 

Year 6 - Mrs Ann-Marie Wilson (Monday, Tuesday and Friday) Mrs Gab Peters (Wednesday and Thursday) 

Early Literacy Support Teacher/ Diverse Learning Coordinator/ Assistant Principal - Mrs Julie Valentini

Dance and Drama - Mrs Daniella Cooper

Visual Arts/ SPLICED- Mrs Emily McGregor

PE and STEM and Gifted Support - Mrs Katy Reid

I am also pleased to share the news that Mr Simon Kinch will remain on staff two days a week, as the Religious Education Coordinator as well as taking over as the Music teacher. We are so fortunate to have such wonderful staff in our school who work so well as a supportive and positive team. 

On Thursday night we gathered with the Year 6 families for  Graduation at the Mollymook Golf Club. It was a great celebration of our Year 6 as they leave St Mary’s, we as a school community wish them farewell and every success in their wonderful futures. 

On Thursday night we are all looking forward to the P and F Gingerbread House Night which promises to be a fun family night. A big thanks to Jodie Lee and her P and F team for their planning and organisation towards making this night a big success.  Next Monday we will have our formal End Of Year gatherings. The first is the Whole School Liturgy at 9:30, followed by our End of Year Award presentation and Concert at 11:30. We will not have a regular assembly this week and these awards will be presented at Monday's Award Ceremony. We welcome all parents and carers to join us for these significant events as we celebrate our year, recognise outstanding students and to celebrate Christmas as a community. 

As my first year of principalship comes to a close, I would like extend my heartfelt thanks to all of the St Mary’s students, staff and parents for making it such a wonderful year of learning. The spirit in our school is very special and so many people that enter our gates comment on the wonderful feel of the school. I would like to take this opportunity to wish our families a happy and holy Christmas, and a wonderful New Year. 

Yours in partnership

Laurinda Nelson