Dear Parents and Friends,
It has been encouraging to see our new
Kindergarten children settling into their school routines so happily over the
past two weeks. Congratulations to all parents for your wonderful support in
this task. We also thank our students for making our new Kindergarten children
feel so welcome at St Mary’s School.
Our new playground facilities have certainly
been a delightful addition to the school and our students are enjoying the
space and freedom which has been created. The transition to the new learning
spaces is currently in place with all classes hopefully in their new rooms by
the end of next week. The builders are finalising some minor defects on the
first and second floors of the building before we are issued with the
occupation certificate. There will be much to celebrate when we finally have
all students working in their new learning spaces.
Our academic year has started smoothly with
initial assessments and ongoing testing providing additional valuable
information to ensure that strong and appropriate learning programs are in
place. Our focus is equally directed to ensuring a schooling environment that
supports social and emotional wellbeing. For us as adults, both as educators
and parents, we want our students to be strong, courageous individuals with the
capacity to stand true to their beliefs, to stand up against victimisation and
to stand tall with integrity and honesty. Such courage is not innate, but comes
with practice and when opportunities present for such actions to be taken.
The ability to persevere, delay gratification
and find an inner strength to show grit when experiencing challenges and
adversity is essential to our students’ wellbeing. We seek parent support in
modelling a positive mindset and an enabling view so that this is the reality
for each and every student at St Mary’s.
This year we will have the support of a
School Counsellor, Mrs Tamara Murrell as part of the staffing allocation from
Sydney Catholic Schools. Tamara will work closely with teachers and parents in
the support of students with their wellbeing who need professional help to
enrich their learning opportunities while at school. Tamara will work at St
Mary’s on Wednesdays and Thursdays and referrals are to be made through my
principal’s office. Our focus on student wellbeing links closely with the
Sydney Catholic Schools theme for 2018 which is taken from Luke’s Gospel (1:30)
“Do
not be afraid Mary, for you have found favour with God”
This message is taken from The Annunciation
when the Angel Gabriel tells Mary that she is to be the mother of Jesus. The
action statement we are working with at St Mary’s as our school theme is: Do not be afraid – Be courageous – Be
adventurous – God loves you!
St Mary’s is a wonderful Faith community and
I look forward to our first class Mass for Kindergarten and Year 6 students and
their families this Sunday in St Mary’s Church at 9.00 am.
Next Friday March 2 at 6.30pm we welcome all
families to the annual Meet and Greet celebration
that will be a wonderful way to catch up with friends and welcome new members
to the school community. A special thanks goes to our Parents and Friends
Committee, particularly Susan Vaz for organising this lovely celebration. I would also like to thank our Year 5 parents
for the delicious morning tea they generously arranged after the Opening Mass
held earlier this month.
May the week ahead be a peaceful one for all
families.
Beverly Coffey
Principal