Welcome to St Mary's Parish Primary School

Dear Parents and Friends, As this is the final Candela for Term 3, I would like to take this opportunity to again acknowledge the contribution Liz Sullivan has made to St. Mary’s school. Liz joined our Team in 2010. On her very first day with us, whilst she was doing her first of what has turned out to be many yard duties, the Caldwell Centre (a building situated in the vicinity of the current Admin building) came tumbling down. She knew from that moment that she was in for an exciting, interesting time at St. Mary’s. Liz has lived up to all that was expected of her. She has led from the front, always contributing her ideas and expertise to ensure that as a school, we keep growth and improvement to the forefront. Her dedication and generosity of time has seen her involved in the life of the school and our community as a whole. Liz has been an advocate for our students, always searching for new ways to engage and support them with their wellbeing. Liz has also been diligent in attending to issues and supporting parents through various times of need. I know each of us feels a sense of loss as Liz leaves us next week, but I also believe we are all so very sure that she will take her many skills and qualities into the role of Principalship and will successfully lead her new community at St. Luke’s in Blackburn. Thank you Liz for all that you have been to us. As you leave us next week, our best wishes, respect, thanks and love go with you. DEPUTY PRINCIPAL APPOINTMENT Last week it was announced that Elizabeth Whiting, our current Literacy Leader, has been appointed as Deputy Principal to St John's School Heidelberg to commence in 2020. Elizabeth has made an enormous contribution to leadership at St Mary's. St John's are very fortunate in having Elizabeth join their Team as she is an excellent leader who is so knowledgeable in the area of teaching and learning and is so passionate about working for the best outcomes for students, teachers and parents. From our leadership Team this year, we have produced one Principal and two Deputy Principals which reflects the strength of and professionalism of our leadership structure at St Mary's. This is something of which I am very proud as I see a component of my role as a leader as being there to support and encourage the leadership of others. Congratulations to Liz, Gabee and Elizabeth on each of their appointments. WORKING BEE It was quite wet and miserable on Saturday, but this did not deter a great attendance at our Working Bee which was assigned to Yr. 2 parents. There was some general cleaning up done around the school in between the rain, painting done in some classrooms and also a major focus on the installation of the new storage cupboards in the Uniform shop and new floor coverings in the JK Centre and to the entrance to the Hall. To each and every one who attended, a huge thanks from me and all at St. Mary’s. This Working Bee was a major effort and a true reflection of the community spirit which is alive and well at St. Mary’s. BASKET SUPPER DANCE Following their Dance lessons which have been held throughout this Term, Yr. 5 and 6 students will present their skills to parents and families at our Basket Supper Dance which will be held on Wednesday 18 September commencing at 7.00pm in the Union Hall at La Trobe University. It is an expectation that all Yr. 5 and 6 students attend this event. This is a social fun night so BYO nibbles/drinks. Please note, no alcohol is allowed. FOOTY FUN DAY On Thursday 19 September, we will hold a Footy Team dress up day to celebrate the approach of the Footy Finals. Students are invited to wear football jumpers or come to school dressed in the colours of their favourite Team. In doing so, students are asked to bring a mystery bottle for our Parish Fete which will be held on Saturday 16 November. There will also be a special Lunch Menu on the day. Orders for the special lunch are due by Thursday 12 September. SERVICE RECOGNISED On Wednesday 28 August, I was honoured to be invited to lunch in the dining room of Victorian State Parliament by Mr. Colin Brooks MP in recognition of my 29 years’ service as a Principal in Catholic schools. I feel so fortunate to have been able to serve in this role over such an extended period, so to have my service recognized in this manner was very humbling. Accompanying me was Fr. Steve and Fr. Lenin, which was also very special. John Kennedy MP joined us for coffee. John was the founding Principal of Loyola College and I had the pleasure of working with John when I was Principal at St. Thomas the Apostle Greensborough North prior to being appointed to St. Mary’s. LEAVE I will be taking Leave next week to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands. I will visit places such as Tiberias, Mt. Nebo, Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem, Haifa, Nazareth, Cana and Bethlehem to mention a few. I look forward to this spiritual journey. I will return at the end of the first week of the holidays. Whilst I am on Leave for the final week of Term, Liz Sullivan will be in-charge of the school supported by Gabee Leone and Elizabeth Whiting. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENET SURVEY (CEMSIS) Each year St. Mary’s participates in a School Improvement Survey to gain feedback on our successes and also areas for future growth. This year, the survey being used is a new survey that has been commissioned by Catholic Education Melbourne. This survey has been sent to a random selection of parents and is an anonymous survey. Data gained form this survey will be used to inform future plans and will be most helpful as St. Mary’s will undergo a full School Review in 2020. Such a review is conducted every five years. The survey closes for parents on 20 September. FIRST RECONCILIATION PARENT FAITH NIGHT AND COMMITMENT MASSES Parents of the students in Yr. 2 who are presenting for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation later this year are asked to attend a Faith Evening on Tuesday 8 October at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Diamond Creek Road commencing at 7.00pm. This is an opportunity for parents to deepen their understanding around the significance of this Sacrament. All those who are to receive the Sacrament are asked to attend a Commitment Mass at one of the Parish Masses over the weekend of 12 and 13 October. Masses are 6.30pm Saturday, 8.00am, 10.00am and 5.00pm on Sunday. ART SHOW Our biennial Art Show will be held the second week of Term 4 on 16 and 17 October and will be held in the MLC commencing at 4.30pm and closing at 8.00pm. The official opening will be at 5.30pm on the Wednesday evening and the choir will entertain on both evenings. Entrance is via a gold coin donation with proceeds going to the Open Door Foundation. A sausage sizzle will be available on both nights. SUMMER UNIFORM As from the commencement of Term 4, students may wear Summer Uniform. However, there will be a transition period as the weather may still be cold. Notification will be in the Candela when all students are expected to be in summer uniform CONGRATULATIONS We were delighted to hear the news this week that Michelle Bates, Yr. 4 B teacher, has announced her engagement. Congratulations to both you and your partner and we wish you both every blessing as you begin planning for your future together. Regards, Helen