Leadership & Management

Management encompasses the following areas: Organisation, Structures, Resource Management, Staff Wellbeing, and Professional Learning.

Week 10 Term 4

St Fidelis School is committed to the care, wellbeing and protection of children, young people and vulnerable people in our community. 

When the angels appeared to the shepherds, they ended their message by saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” 

(Luke 2:14)

 

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

As we approach the end of another school year, I find myself reflecting on how quickly the time has passed. Every year, I say the same thing: "This year has gone so fast!"

 

During Week Two of Advent, when we light the second candle of the Advent wreath symbolizing peace, we journey closer to Christmas. Let us pause to consider how we can bring peace to our hearts, homes, and community.

 

In the busyness of this festive season, let us remember the powerful message of Matthew: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”(Matthew 5:9)  In today’s world, it is more important than ever to teach our children that forgiveness and peace are not only possible but necessary for building stronger, more compassionate communities.

 

May this week and the weeks ahead be filled with moments of calm and opportunities to share kindness and understanding with those around us. 

 

Many thanks to each of you for the trust you place in me, the leadership team, and the dedicated teachers of St. Fidelis as we partner with you in the education and growth of your children.

 

Wishing you and your loved ones a Christmas season filled with peace, joy, and the warmth of togetherness.

 

Warm regards

Manuela 

 

In the Principal's Message section today there is information regarding:

  • Thank you Messages
  • Staff leaving St Fidelis
  • Graduation, Orientation news
  • End of Year Mass Time & Date
  • New staffing arrangements 2025
  • Sacrament dates
  • Term One dates 2025
  • Sacramental Dates for 2025
  • School Fees 2025

Thank You - St Fidelis' Staff 

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all the staff and the Leadership Team for their unwavering dedication and commitment to the children and families of the St. Fidelis community. Our incredible team of teachers, administration staff, and educational support officers work tirelessly, both at school and at home, often giving up their personal time to ensure your children receive the best possible education and opportunities. Their hard work and passion truly make a difference. I wish them all a well-deserved, restful break to recharge and rejuvenate.

Thank You - School Advisory Council 

This year, the School Advisory Council met six times. The Council plays a significant role in supporting the spiritual and educational welfare of our students by assisting the Principal, who serves as the delegated authority of the MACS Board, the governing body, and by upholding the Parish’s mission as its custodian.

 

A special thank you to Mr. Christopher Dickinson, our Chairperson, who does an outstanding job of keeping our meetings focused and efficient. To all the other members of the Council, I sincerely thank you for your valuable input, thoughtful suggestions, and insightful contributions throughout the year.

 

We look forward to another year of collaboration and shared vision, working together to strengthen our school community and ensure the best outcomes for our students.

Thank You - Parents & Friends' Committee

The primary goal of our Parents and Friends' (P&F) Association, is to foster friendships among families and staff, while encouraging active participation in the life of our school through various social and fundraising events. The P&F is a shining example of parents and the school working hand in hand to create a vibrant, supportive, and inclusive community that benefits everyone, especially our students.

 

This year, our P&F was led with passion by Bec K and Josie S as Co-Presidents, with Tara S serving as Assistant and Treasurer, and Anastasia S as Secretary. Their exceptional organization, enthusiasm, and ability to bring together both new and existing members of our community have been truly inspiring.

 

As we all know, it takes a team to move mountains, and our incredible P&F Committee, along with the  support of our broader school community, has done just that. Without their collective effort, our P&F simply wouldn’t exist, and more importantly, our students wouldn’t have access to the outstanding facilities and resources that make our school such a special place.

 

This year alone, the P&F raised an incredible $37,207.91 and that’s not even including the funds from our upcoming Christmas Carols raffles and Carols evening. What a mammoth effort by the entire community!

 

These funds raised in 2024, combined with those from 2025, will go towards the completion of the new junior playground, set to be installed in January, and the playbays, which are currently under construction under the covered area in Saunders Yard. 

 

On behalf of the entire school community, thank you to everyone involved in making this possible. Your generosity, hard work, and commitment ensure that our children continue to thrive in an environment that supports their growth, learning, and happiness.

Future Projects include:

  • Replacement of our Senior Playground and play area for older students
  • Possibly a larger bike parking bay for all our bike and scooter riders
  • Shade Sails or covered area over the basketball court on Hawthorn Yard  

Staffing Farewell News 

Sally Lentini

It is with a mix of gratitude and sadness that we farewell our Wellbeing and past Learning Diversity Leader, Sally Lentini.  Over her four years at St Fidelis, she has had a profound impact on the lives of our children and families, fostering an environment of care, inclusion, and connection. 

 

Her dedication to supporting the diverse needs of our students has ensured that every child feels seen, valued, and empowered to thrive. Her ability to build meaningful relationships, both within our school community and beyond, has strengthened the bonds between families and the school, creating a true sense of belonging. 

 

As we say goodbye, we acknowledge the incredible legacy she leaves behind and the countless lives she has touched. She will be deeply missed, and we wish her all the very best in the next chapter of her journey.

Luca Alessio

We farewell Luca, who has been an important part of our school community over the past two years as an Educational Support Officer. During this time, Luca has grown tremendously in his role, demonstrating dedication, compassion, and a natural ability to connect with the children he has supported. 

 

His positive energy and genuine care have left a lasting impression on both students and staff. While we will miss him greatly, we are excited for the opportunities that lie ahead as he pursues his future studies. Luca, we wish you all the best in this next chapter and thank you for everything you have contributed to our school.

Year 6 Graduation Celebrations

On Friday night, we gathered as a community to celebrate the Year 6 Graduation Mass and Awards Evening. A special thank you to Father Brendan for leading such a meaningful ceremony. It was a beautiful way to mark the end of our Year 6 students’ primary school journey and celebrate their achievements.

 

The celebrations continued on Saturday night with a wonderful event at Normandy Receptions, where Year 6 students and their families came together for an evening filled with joy, laughter, and cherished memories. A special thank you to the parents who organised this fantastic evening it was truly a night to remember!

 

A big thank you to the Year 6 teachers—Ms. Sargent, Ms. Maddie, Ms. Zorzut, and Mrs. Gasbarro for their dedication in preparing the students for this significant milestone and for organising the beautiful liturgy. We also extend our gratitude to all the staff who supported the event in countless ways, ensuring its success.

 

These moments of celebration and togetherness are a testament to the strong partnership between our school and families. We are so proud of our Year 6 graduates and wish them every success as they begin the next exciting chapter of their education journey.

Whole School Transition-Monday  December 9th  Looking Ahead to 2025

Today was an exciting and memorable day as students met their new teachers and classmates for 2025.  This special occasion is always filled with anticipation and enthusiasm as children step into new learning spaces, connect with friends, and begin to build new relationships.

 

Our dedicated teachers spent time getting to know your child, listening to their hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the year ahead. These meaningful conversations set the stage for a year of growth, discovery, and success.

 

We are thrilled to start on this journey together and look forward to supporting your child as they thrive in 2025.

Congratulations Student  School Leaders for 2025

We are thrilled to announce our 2025 student leaders! Congratulations on being chosen to represent our school community. Your dedication, enthusiasm, and leadership qualities will inspire your peers and contribute to making St. Fidelis an even better place to learn and grow.

 

We look forward to supporting you on this exciting journey in 2025. Well done!

SCHOOL CAPTAINS - Estelle and Alexander

SCHOOL VICE CAPTAINS - Zara and Zac

BLUE LEADERS - (MACKILLOP) - Pierre and Olivia S

GOLD LEADERS - (LEE) - Xavier and Zita

GREEN LEADERS - (MANNIX) - Sam and Olivia M 

RED LEADERS - (DALY) - Dianna and Monte

COMMUNITY LEADERS - Lennix and Jacob

SOCIAL JUSTICE LEADERS - Gemma and Erica

End of Year Mass & Assembly - This Friday December 13th

We warmly invite all parents and carers to join us for our End of Year Mass of Thanksgiving at St. Fidelis Church, starting at 9:15 am. This special celebration is a wonderful opportunity to come together as a community and give thanks for the blessings of the year.

 

Following the Mass, we will gather in the school hall for our final Students of the Week presentations and to formally farewell our teachers and Year 6 students. It promises to be a memorable occasion as we honor their contributions and celebrate their journey. We hope to see you all there. 

Family Farewells

As we near the end of another wonderful school year, we extend our sincere gratitude and best wishes to the families who will have their youngest child completing their journey at St. Fidelis in 2024. While their time with us may be coming to an end, we hope they will always feel a strong connection to our St. Fidelis' community and continue to join us for future events and celebrations.

 

To our amazing St. Fidelis students: You are the beating heart of our school and the reason your teachers come to work each day with joy and purpose. Your kindness, enthusiasm, and dedication inspire us all. It has been a true privilege to be your Principal, and I am incredibly proud of all you have accomplished this year.

 

As the holiday season approaches, I wish each of you and your families a safe, peaceful, and joy-filled Christmas. May this time be one of togetherness, gratitude, and cherished memories.

 

On behalf of all the staff, thank you for your unwavering support throughout the year. We look forward to welcoming you back in 2025 for another exciting and rewarding chapter in our shared journey.

 

Warm regards,

Manuela

School Concludes on Tuesday December 17th at 1:00pm

Dates for the remainder of the year 

Dec 9thDec 11thDec 12thDec 13thDec 17th

9:30am Transition Foundation 2025

11:40am Transitions Yr 1-6

End of Year reports go home

5:00pm Whole School Picnic & School Carols 

7:00pm Carols in Church

9:15am Whole School End of Year Mass

10:00am End of Year assembly

1:00pm School Concludes 

STAFFING FOR 2025

We welcome the following New Staff to the Community of St Fidelis for 2025

Ms Chloe Wang - Year 1/2 Teacher

Ms Nadia Ascenzo - Year 1/2 Teacher

Mr Nicholas Tresize - Year 5/6 Teacher

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT TEAM

PrincipalManuela Watson
Deputy PrincipalVira Pirrotta
Religious Education LeaderAnnette Gasbarro
OH&S & Compliance LeaderMichael Jennings

LEARNING LEADERS & SPECIALISTS

Mental Health and wellbeing Leaders 

Ms Vicki Karalais     (2days)

Ms Bianka Zorzut     (2days) 

Learning & Teaching Leader-Numeracy Colleen Monaghan  (Tues, Wed, Thurs)
Learning & Teaching Leader-Literacy Bernadette Parnis   (Tues, Wed, Thurs)
OH & S, Compliance & Phys Ed Leader Michael Jennings
Family Engagement Leanne Wenckowski
STEM/Digital Technologies Joe Frazzetto
Visual Arts -Year 1/2 & Sustainability TeacherAnnette Gasbarro
Visual Arts Year Foundation, Year 3-6Joe Frazzetto
LOTE (Italian) Rosa Fokianos

LEARNING AREA LEADERS 2025

Foundation AM Alycia Marsico -Team Leader
Foundation OS Olivia Sargent
Foundation LW Leanne Wenckowski 
  
Year 1/2 VSVania Sparano -Team Leader
Year 1/2 NANadia Ascenzo
Year 1/2 VBVivian Boggis
Year 1/2  CWChloe Wang
  
Year 3/4 BFBelinda Filippone -Team Leader
Year 3/4 SHSarah Hogan
  
Year 5/6 VZBianka Zorzut - Team Leader) and Vicki Karalis (Job Share)
Year 5/6 NTNicholas Tresize
Year 5/6 MCMadeline Comrie 

ADMINISTRATION STAFF

Administration Officer/Bursar Ann Russo   (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri)
Administration StaffJane Prestia  (Mon, Tues Wed)
Administration Staff/ESOTeresa Cicero (Mon-Fri)

EDUCATION SUPPORT STAFF

Leonie O’BrienMon, Fri
Angie NasoMon - Fri
Aaron HansenMon - Fri
Bianca TrewhellaMon  -Fri
Janette WalshMon, Thurs, Fri
Elena KiriazisMon, Tues, Wed 
Sophie KentThurs - Fri
Erika PansinoMon, Tue, Thurs

SACRAMENT DATES 2025

Year 3 Sacrament of Reconciliation Celebration Thursday March 20th @ 6:00pm
Year 4 Sacrament of Eucharist CelebrationSaturday May 24th @ 6:00pm
Year 6 Students Confirmation Celebration Sunday August 10th @ 3:00pm

JANUARY 2025

TERM ONE 

Tuesday  January 28th  Teachers Begin 
Wednesday January 29th Teachers Professional learning 
Thursday  January  30thTeachers Professional learning
Friday January 31st 8:50am All students begin 

School Fees and Levies 2025

Please read the attached documents regarding Fees and Levies for 2025.