Dear Parents and Friends,

I congratulate our students on the positive start they have made to Term 3. They look happy as they re-engage in a variety of learning activities, classes, sports and musical events and religious experiences. There is also great excitement around the use of the new learning spaces. I hope that you have had an opportunity to visit these new spaces during the past few weeks.

As Stage 1 of the Building Project reaches completion we commence Stage 2 of the Building Project.  

• Currently the Development Application is being prepared by the architects and CEO school facilities officers to be lodged to North Sydney Council by the end of this week.
• The Steering Committee will meet on August 28 to review the plans.
• Presentation to St Mary’s parents at a forum on Monday September 7 at 7pm.

The Steering Committee Members for the Building Project are as follows:

• School Leadership Team
• Project Manager: Paul Gibson
• SARM Architects
• Regional Education Consultant: Janice Haydon
• Anni Austin (Parent)
• Wendy Stamp (Parent)
• Damian Milani (Parent)
• Geoff Van Den Bos (Parent)

On Monday evening September 7 at 7pm there will be an opportunity for parents to engage in a Parent Forum where I will update you on various school matters and provide you with an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. One of the matters I will brief you on will be the second stage of the building program. I hope you will be as excited as I am about the plans for our growing school where as you know, we will be constructing a new building on the terrace site immediately to the east of the school on Ridge Street.

I understand some parents may be concerned about how we will accommodate all students during the second phase of the building program. Most students will remain in our existing buildings during the construction of the new building, but we will need to locate some classes elsewhere during that period. At present, the Catholic Education Office personnel are looking at the options for the construction program phasing and accommodation of the children. I will be consulting with the School Advisory Council and the stage 2 Building Steering Committee about these matters and will keep the parent community informed.

As part of the development of St Mary’s School and the necessary forward thinking that such a project entails, I will be participating in an international school principals’ conference in Finland next week. This will be an excellent opportunity to network with other colleagues from around the world and also showcase St Mary’s School. School visits to Denmark to see some very contemporary school buildings will also be a feature of the conference.  Finland is renowned for its contemporary education system and high academic standards so I am looking forward to experiencing their system in this setting.  During my absence of three weeks, Julie Hunt, assistant principal, will assume the position of acting principal and will be available to meet parents if needed.

It is with much appreciation that I thank the many parents who participated in the survey for Julie Hunt’s contract renewal recently. Julie was very successful in her appraisal and we congratulate her on such fine achievements. I’m certain that you will support her in the acting role during my absence.

Yours in peace

God Bless

Beverly 

Dear Parents and Friends,

A warm welcome to Term Three.  I trust that you all enjoyed a happy and restful holiday with your families and are refreshed and motivated for the busy term ahead.

We begin the term in our beautiful new learning spaces which will prove to be a wonderful asset to St Mary's.  Already the children have commented on how much they are enjoying the extra spaces to collaborate and engage as critical and creative thinkers in their learning activities.

You can read some of their comments on our new updated website as it becomes 'live' over the next few weeks.  We are transitioning to a more contemporary mode of communication across the school community to enable an improved system of informing parents of daily activities throughout the term.  Your feedback is most welcome as we make progress with this initiative.

This week the Steering Committee for the Stage 2 Building Project met to discuss the updated building plans for St Mary's.  The Steering Committee consists of the following parents and staff:  Anne Austin, Damian Milani, Geoff Van Den Bos and the school leadership team.  We will include details of the plans in this edition of the newsletter and welcome any feedback.

Timeline - The Development Application for Stage 2 of the Building Project will be lodged with North Sydney Council by the end of July.  It is hoped that the project is approved before the end of this year so that tenders can be sought and the building project commences early 2016.

Plans are to demolish the existing Terrace House and erect the new classrooms on that site.  A more detailed timeline of the construction works will be made available once the DA has been approved.

An opportunity for questions around the next stage building will take place at our Parents and Friends Meeting on Wednesday August 12th.

A Prayer to the Holy Spirit

We give you thanks, Spirit of Wisdom, for you speak to us in ways, that often surprise us.  

You uncover truths that we had kept hidden from ourselves.

And support us in tasks we fear to undertake alone.

We give thanks for your invitations to growth and intimacy and fullness of life.

And for the comfort you extend in our often uphill struggle to be faithful.

Inspire us.  Encourage us.  Fill us with enthusiasm for the mission of your Church.

Yours in Peace,

Beverly Coffey

Principal's News

Dear Parents and Friends,

This week we wait in anticipation of our Year 3 students as the second group prepares to receive the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist this coming Sunday. The Eucharist is central to our Faith as we acknowledge the need we have to receive the Body and Blood of Christ as nourishment, thus giving us the strength to live out the word of God. As a community it will be wonderful to see our families and staff from St Mary’s School supporting the students at the 12.30 Mass on Sunday. I always feel privileged to be working with such a dedicated and highly skilled teaching staff as the teachers from St Mary’s.

Our school is a hive of activity from seven o’clock each morning until well after five o’clock each afternoon as the teachers plan, meet and organize a variety of learning activities for your children. It is an expectation of the Australian Teaching Standards that teachers be skilled in the new initiatives and programs that form part of their professional development. When your child’s teacher is attending a Professional Development Workshop, the students are always taught by a professionally trained teacher, who follows the teaching program that has been prepared. The normal routine is rarely disrupted so that the learning continues. Currently the teachers are involved in professional development for the new Mathematics Curriculum, details of which can be viewed on the Board of Studies Website.

Thank you to the many parents who responded to the survey on the possibility of re-introducing the pick-up line after school. Many parents have commented how they would like to see this facility made available again. Further details of its operation will be in the final newsletter for this term to be published next Friday June 26. Enjoy the week ahead Yours in peace Beverly Coffey

Principal's News

Dear Parents and Friends,

This week we celebrate the wonderful talents of our students as displayed in the recent St Mary’s Athletics Carnival and the Choir Eisteddfod at Chatswood Concourse.  Both events presented our students with the opportunity to display the voice learning principles that underpin our strong vision for student voice in the school through working in teams and developing school spirit.  May I take this opportunity to thank the many parents who were involved in both events and in particular Kellie Smith for the Athletics Carnival and Danielle Whitmore and Mary Tazawa-Lim for the choir.  Such parent engagement is highly valued at St Mary’s School.
Our teachers are also highly recognised for their expertise within the school and across the diocese.

Ms Kylie Norburn has been invited to take on a new teaching role within the Eastern Region of schools as a leader of learning in literacy.  This will involve her coaching teams of teachers across a number of schools as part of their professional development.  This appointment will commence next term and continue until the end of this year.  We congratulate Kylie on her excellent in teaching and wish her every success in her new appointment.

Mr Sean White has moved into a coordinator role here at St Mary’s as a leader of innovation and development.  This is an exciting role for him as we move forward with this way of creative thinking to support our focus on problem-solving.  We congratulate Sean on his commitment to the teaching profession and his passion for learning.

Talking Growth 
The new building works are progressing very well and on task for completion at the end of this term.  The use of glass and Tasmanian timbers throughout is contemporary and allows for extra light as a particular feature.  Currently painting work is being completed followed by the laying of carpets and tiles.

The handover of the building will take place at the end of the tem with occupation being the first day back in term 3.  Before the school occupies this new space we will notify all parents and students of how to access these areas and how the new spaces will be used.
A steering committee meeting for Stage 2 of the building project will take place shortly to look at plans for the future growth and to make any changes or additions if needed.  Information will then be circulated to all parents for comment.  Further details will follow in our next newsletter.

Enjoy the week ahead,

Yours in peace,
Beverly Coffey