Principal's News

Week 11

Another year has passed and we will be stronger for the experience. No one expected to deal with what we all have since February/March 2021. Our children have done their best given the inconsistencies they faced. I thank them for possibly learning to be resilient earlier in life than expected.

Our Year 6 children, would not have expected this end to their primary years. I thank them for their contributions to St. Luke's. All of them should be proud of their achievements. I urge you to keep the "Fire Burning in your hearts as you travel your dusty road". You have a solid base that will serve you well as you enter Year 7. 

If you do your best through life, no one can ask anything else of you.

In the words of Saint Mary MacKillop of the Cross, "Do your best and God will bless your efforts." (22/11/1899)

Class of 2021

Terrific Kids Term 4

Congratulations to the following children:

Oliver Kendall 5/6, Eydie Fennell 5/6, Agnes Shinto 5/6 , Kiesha Lacey 3/4, Finnian McLeod 3/4, Lisabel Vincent 3/4, Annalise Gallace 3/4, Marybel Joseph 1/2, Zaccheus Mustey 1/2, Isabella Trimboli 1/2, Neil Roby- Foundation, Carmel Aneesh- Foundation.

Staff

Maree Findlay

Maree started with us in 2019. She has impacted so many lives in a short time. This positive impact is a credit to the person she is. Maree loves educating young people and leading staff. She always wanted to be a teacher and we can see why. St. Luke's has been blessed to have her as a teacher, leader and friend. Maree is a wonderful person and St. Joseph's Nagambie have a wonderful person to lead them to further growth and success. Maree will leave such a positive imprint on our school. Maree developed a wonderful rapport with people and her personality invites people to talk with her. She never stops and yesterday she was leading our new DP in one of many transition conversations. Tony and Maree are friends and colleagues from way back and they will lean on each other in 2022 and beyond. 

Maree and I will continue to work together and we are passionate about forming a partnership between St. Joseph's and St. Luke's. We will let her settle in first! I will take any call or question from her. Not that she will need to do this much. Maree will be in the GV Deanery so I will see het throughout the year which is a real positive. I will miss the many laughs and conversations  we have shared. Mrs Findlay, we promise to keep the library growing as we enter a new building. The staff and I am sure families are so happy for you on the recent appointment as a Principal. You will be wonderful!

Alex Wooden

Miss Wooden is off to NT for a year. We will certainly miss her personality and enthusiasm. She is a dedicated educator and I hope she doesn't love Darwin too much. All the best Alex.

Wayne Jones (Cleaner)

Not many people would know of Wayne as he cleans either in the evening or early mornings. He is finishing up on the 17th December. There has never been a worry or issue with anything I have asked of him. We thank him for keeping us clean!

Special mention to Mick Dooling at Eco Park- although not a staff member, Mick is finishing up at Eco Park. He has been a superb connection for Eco Park and St. Luke's. Every time I have visited Eco Park on a tour or to say hello, he is so welcoming. A great personality and I will miss his character around the place.

Families Leaving

Each year we have families whose youngest child is leaving St. Luke's, Year 6. We thank the following families for their support over the years:

Veronica and Mark Antonello (Nicholas), Trevor and Stacey Bailey (Faith), Tony and Maria Derose (Talia), Meaghan Dooling (Emily), Tracey and Andrew Erickson (Archie), Sonya and Clifton Fennell (Eydie), Adrian and Narumi Ingham (Tabatha), Lauren Kendall, Chris Kendall (Ollie), Craig and Lucia McIntyre (Ruby), Nilesh and Falguni Saija (Harshil), Wayne Santini (Rocco), Joseph Shibu and Deepa Dominic (Jaiden), Shinto George and Anu (Elaine), Jo and Tom Zampaglione (Isobel).

Classes 2022

Foundation: Breanna Levesque, Sarah Langley, Lijarna Bekirofski

1/2: Gabriella Mercuri, Jess Moodie, Chelsea Monk, Darcie Jondahl

3/4: Andrew Sait, Jacqui Butler, Grace Holland, Hannah Forge (Dainton)

5/6: Connie Austen, Bella Walker, Eloise Liddell, Brooke Thompson, Hannah Forge (Dainton)

Term 1: Karina Pigdon (Curriculum Support)

Specialists: 

PE/Sport- Troy Watts

Art- Brooke Thompson

Science- Lisa Ewer

Language (Italian)- Alicia Niglia

 Community Group & Advisory Council

We thank both groups for their efforts this year. It has been challenging for them to gain any consistency and build relations with families. The community group (delegates) arranged a gift for the teachers and LSOs. They were very much appreciated by the staff.

COVID Update

We thank everyone for their support. As a staff we are disappointed not to finish the year with the children. Just as you and your children have experienced this disappointment, know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Unfortunately, we are not the only school closed and having to cancel or modify events. At present we have a total of 26 cases across all class groupings. Some will start to come off this list and we hope further cases are limited. We pray that the health of those effected improves quickly.

We all need Christmas more than ever this year. Keep safe if travelling. 

I wish you all a Holy Christmas and wonderful New Year.

David Keenan

(Principal)