Principal's News

Farewell to Karli 

Dear Parents and Carers, 

For those who missed the message sent out earlier this week we farewelled Karli Heggart with a celebratory morning tea yesterday, to acknowledge and thank her for 10 years of dedicated service to St Luke's Primary School. Karli  is commencing a new position with GV Connect. 

Over the past decade, Karli made a significant contribution to our school community. Many families will know her not only through her work at the St Luke’s front desk, but also through her strong connection to our local sporting community. As a parent herself, with her boys, Jesse and Harley, having attended St Luke's, Karli brought a deep understanding of and commitment to our school and the families we serve. 

Throughout her time with us, Karli built enduring relationships with students, staff, and parents, and her caring nature and willingness to support others will be greatly missed. 

While we were sad to say goodbye, we wish her well as she begins this new chapter and takes on new opportunities with GV Connect. We thank her for her many years of service and dedication to St Luke's and wish her every success and happiness in the future. 

Celebrating Our Young Writers 

Joseph Furphy has many historical connections to Shepparton and surrounds. He was renowned for ‘embellishing’ his story telling to make it as entertaining to his audience as possible.  

While working by day in his brother’s foundry in Shepparton, Joseph toiled by night at his novel Such Is Life – most of which he wrote in his cottage behind the foundry in Welsford St. Such is Life was a collection of stories which reflected his time in the Riverina as a bullock driver. It originally appeared in the Bulletin in 1903 and has since been recognised as a significant piece of Australian Literature. Joseph wrote under the pseudonym Tom Collins. 

In the spirit of Joseph Furphy, I am delighted to celebrate the creativity, courage and initiative shown by the students – Ivy Dalziell, Aaira Alam and Mabel Alletsee, who chose to enter the Furphy creative writing competition this year. It is always a joy to see our students embrace opportunities to extend themselves.   

Creative writing invites students to imagine new worlds, develop original ideas and express their thoughts with confidence.  Each entrant took the important step of sharing their voice beyond the classroom. 

I commend these students not only for the quality of their work, but for the determination it takes to enter a public competition. Putting your writing forward for others to read requires courage, persistence, pride and belief in your own ideas. These are qualities we value deeply across our school community. 

Our thanks also go to the teachers and families who encouraged our young writers along their writing journey. Their support helps students see writing not simply as a school task, but as a powerful way to connect, inspire and contribute to the wider community.  

I watch with wonder as we meet our new Foundation 2027 students, who, with furrowed brows and tongues out, concentrate on writing their names on their drawings. In a few short years they too will be crafting wondrous pieces of writing, and we will celebrate every milestone along the way with them.  

Congratulations to all students who participated in the Furphy Writing Competition, and especially to Ivy, Aira and Mabel. You represent our school with skill and purpose. We are proud of your initiative and look forward to seeing where your imagination and writing talents take you next. 

Warm regards,

Jen McKillop 

(Principal)