Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome back to the final term of 2022. The students have settled back into their learning and involvement in school activities. Everyone is very excited about our upcoming musical Peter Pan. Our wonderful production team is hard at work and the students are shining on the stage. I would like to thank parents for their support of the musical; organising their children's costumes, assisting with backdrops etc.  Yesterday’s outing to see Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at St Bernards helped our students understand how individual class segments come together in a whole school musical. 

Jeff Prow’s Farewell
Last weekend many of Jeff's family, friends and colleagues came together to celebrate his extraordinary career.  It was a wonderful evening, made even more special with the surprise arrival of his very first principal. Mr Prow has certainly left his mark on many children throughout his incredible career. We all know that the last 19 years at St Marys were his favourite years! As Jeff said on the night, he simply loved coming to work everyday. Farewell and thank you to a truly great primary school teacher! 

Staffing Update 
It is with mixed emotions that I share the news that Mrs Jacquie Stephen is leaving us to move to Queensland next year. I am very excited for Jacquie and her family and the next stage of her career, but extremely disappointed that we are losing such a great teacher. 

Jacquie has spent the last two years on Kinder and shown us what a brilliant early years’ educator she is. Together with Genevieve Schofield, Jacquie was instrumental in introducing K-1 Investigations into our classrooms. I wouldn't be surprised if we see Jacquie arrive one day with some of her new colleagues, to see our Investigations in action. 

It is very exciting that Mrs Jess Afflick is having another baby early next year. Jess will be on Parental Leave for the 2023 school year. The REC position is currently being advertised.

Mrs Claire Bateman-Burrows has recently tendered her resignation from St Marys. Claire has been on leave from St Mary’s for the past two years. Claire is retiring after many years teaching in the Archdiocese, at St Bernards for many years and more recently at St Marys. Congratulations Claire on such a long and successful career. 

Following a system-wide recruitment process, I am thrilled to announce that both  Mrs Georgia Veneris and Mr James Campbell have been appointed to St Marys in 2023. As Georgia is about to have her first baby, she will be on Parental Leave for part of 2023. James will be working full time with us.  

After a very long career as a teacher at St Marys, Mrs Marg Croese has decided to take Long Service Leave in 2023. Marg has worked this year as our part time Pastoral teacher. We are very grateful for Marg’s support and thank her for always placing St Mary’s School at the heart of the parish. We wish Marg a very special and relaxing year ahead.  

Parents on site
I would like parents to know that they are always welcome at school. Now that all restrictions have been lifted, parents are definitely able to bring their children into the school grounds and pick them up in the afternoon. For ease and safety, we will continue with our two pick up zones, but parents are always welcome to come up to the COLA and classroom area. Please remember that teachers will be on duty so may not be able to talk with you on some days.

For the safety of our children, the bus drivers and the other children on the buses, it is essential that our parents do not come and go out of the Bus Gates. You can come into the school from any other direction, but the bus area is far too dangerous. Please support us with this. It is very hard for staff to have to approach parents about this. 

Kindergarten 2023 Orientations 
Our Kindergarten Orientations have been set for Wednesday, November 9 and Wednesday, November 23. If you know of anyone considering enrolling their children at St Marys next year, please let them know of these dates. Only students enrolled for Kinder are able to attend the Orientation mornings. Information will be set home shortly. 

Enrolments 2023
We are currently finalising the class structure for next year. If you know of any prospective parents, please let them know that we need to finalise enrolments so we can make the best decisions around classes for 2023. Thank you for your ongoing support in promoting St Marys.

Sick children
There is a lot of illness around. Many of our students and staff have been sick with respiratory illnesses, vomiting and conjunctivitis. Parents are asked to keep their sick children home and not send them back too soon. We no longer have COVID regulations to follow but we use common sense when it comes to calling parents in to collect children. 

Canteen
Thank you to those parents who have volunteered to help Hayley out in the canteen. The canteen has been a huge success and I thank Hayley for all of her hard work in trying to make it the best canteen around.

Unfortunately, the canteen will be closed on Friday October 28.

Footy Colours Day
Next Thursday, 27 October we will be having a special Footy Colours Day to raise funds to support one of our ex-students who is currently unwell. I thank Mrs Grant and the year 6 students for organising the day to support the Woodford family.  Please send in a couple of gold coins with your children.

Community Council
Last night the Community Council held its' Annual Open meeting and social drinks for parents to come along and learn about the Council. It was wonderful to have several new parents join us.

The Community Council is busily organising a Jar Fundraiser and catering for the musical. Parents will be asked to support these activities which raise funds that are donated to the school to be spent on the childrens’ education. If you are interested in joining this wonderful team of parents please contact the Chair, Mary Dullard on Mary.Dullard@originenergy.com.au.  

God's blessings on your families

Noeleen O'Neill
Principal