Dear Families

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2022! First I must say what a wonderful start to the school year we have had. It has been delightful to welcome the smiling faces of all our students to a new school year. They are showing great resilience by entering the school yard independently each day - a big shout out to our Preps who are doing it already too! Walking around the school, there is a buzz within classrooms, with everyone showing an eagerness to be here, learn and continue to build positive relationships with their peers in and outside on the playground. Fatima is the place to be!

Thank you to all the parents and carers who have greeted the staff and myself at the Drop Off and Pick Up zone each day. It has been lovely to receive a friendly wave and have the opportunity to say hello even if just briefly. We can't wait to welcome you back onsite.

To introduce myself, my name is Sarah McDermott and this year is my 22nd year in Catholic Education. I have been blessed to have worked across two diocese in Victoria, at four schools situated in Pakenham, Narre Warren, Berwick and Aspendale. My positions have been classroom teacher, literacy leader, gifted education leader, learning and teaching leader, deputy principal and acting principal. And of course, at the end of last year being gifted the opportunity to come here, to Our Lady of Fatima as Acting Principal. As they say... you can make your own plans, however God has better ones!

Personally, I am very family oriented. I am the big sister to three brother's, and a proud aunty to 5 nephews and 2 nieces aged between 3 months and 8 years old - they sure do keep me entertained. I am very close to my Mum and Dad and my Nan has been the woman I have always looked up to. Every Monday night, the entire family gather for family dinner and my parents place - it's filled with laughter, good food and just a little bit of madness!

I am a passionate sports fan and support numerous Melbourne clubs - I wonder if you can figure out which ones they are? I love adventures such as getting outside in nature for walks, heading on bike rides and getting on my paddle board. I also love to read, create, draw, listen to live music, travel and go to great restaurants with friends.

I trust this gives you some initial insight to who I am and I hope to find out about each of you in time.

Make sure you read the Deputy Principal and the Learning Hub and Wellbeing News to hear from Gill and Louise who are also new to Fatima and form the Executive Leadership Team with myself. What's interesting is Gill and I met previously through our masters study and Louise and I headed to the USA and Canada together in 2019 for a Contemporary Learning tour with Catholic Education Melbourne. It's a small world! Here is a photo of your new Exec Team...Louise on the left, me in the middle and Gill on the right.

Please take time out to read the other pages in the newsletter too. It contains information about upcoming events, as well as highlights some the amazing things that happen here at Fatima.

Oh and a final note - how awesome are all the staff here!!!

Many blessings to you all!

Ms Sarah McDermott

principal@fatimarosebud.catholic.edu.au

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