Welcome to St Mary's Parish Primary School

Dear Parents and Friend, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent. Yesterday as a school community we gathered to celebrate the Eucharist. During this season of our Church, we are called to make changes to our lives so that we are living more closely to how Jesus lived. We are called to “turn away” from all those distractions that take us away from God. We are also called to think of others and where possible, donate money that can be used to bring Justice and Hope to those in need. Throughout Lent, our students will be raising money to support the work of Caritas – a Catholic Social Justice Organisation. Through Project Compassion, we are all asked to donate something so that the lives of others in who are in need are more dignified. Justice in our World does not exist when we look at how the needs of some are severely compromised. If we want Justice for all people, each of us must think about how we contribute through respectful relationships and through the sharing of resources so that all can live in Hope for the future. BLESSING, OPENING AND NAMING OF NEW BUILDINGS Thank you to all families who came along and celebrated the Opening and Blessing of our new facilities. It was a beautiful evening and I gained a real feeling of the pride and appreciation from those present for all that we have achieved at St. Mary’s. A big thank you to the MAD Team who provided a sausage sizzle for our families and the PA who were there giving out drinks. A highlight of the night was the naming of the Junior building. It has been named the “Frayne Learning Centre” in honour of the Mercy Sisters who came to Greensborough in 1955 and opened our school. Sr. Mary Ursula Frayne was the first Mercy Sister to open a school in Australia in 1846. Please find an overview attached setting out the contribution Sr. Mary Ursula Frayne made to Education in Australia. We feel the naming of our Learning Centre that houses our Prep- Yr. 2 students is very fitting as Sr. Mary Ursula Frayne was the first Mercy Sister to influence education in Australia and as educators today at St. Mary’s, our Prep- Yr. 2 students are the first students coming through our doors that we have the opportunity to influence and support as they begin their formal education. Principal Helen Anderson