Principal's Report

A Prayer Inspired by St Paul

Loving God,

Strengthen us with Your Spirit and guide us in wisdom and truth.

Help us to grow in faith, hope and love, and to recognise the unique gifts You have placed within each of us.

May our hearts be open to Your presence, our minds open to learning, and our lives open to serving others.

May we come to know the depth of Christ's love and be strengthened to share that love with those around us.

Amen.

As we move into Week 8, I continue to be grateful for the strong partnership that exists between our school and parish community. Last Thursday's Father's Day Breakfast was a wonderful example of that partnership in action. It was heartening to see so many fathers, grandfathers and special visitors join us to celebrate the important role families play in the lives of our students. Thank you to everyone who attended and for the ongoing support you show our school.

One of the greatest strengths of St Margaret Mary's is the culture we are building together. We are committed to maintaining high expectations for every student while providing the support needed for them to succeed. When schools and families work together around clear and consistent expectations, children thrive.

This commitment aligns closely with Sydney Catholic Schools' new strategic vision, Magis 2033. Magis calls us not simply to do more, but to go deeper in what matters most. It challenges us to reimagine what it means to educate the whole child and reminds us that true excellence is about ensuring every student is known, challenged, supported and given the opportunity to flourish. At St Margaret Mary's, this is reflected in a simple but powerful commitment: no child held back and no child left behind. Magis is described by Sydney Catholic Schools as a call to deepen purpose, expand impact and elevate excellence for each and every child, with a focus on quality over quantity and educating the whole person.   [magis2033]

As many of you are aware, I will be taking an extended period of leave during the upcoming school holidays. During this time, I have been blessed with the opportunity to join the Archbishop of Sydney, together with fellow principals and senior leaders from Sydney Catholic Schools, on a pilgrimage through Greece, Turkey and Italy in the footsteps of St Paul. I look forward to this time of prayer, reflection and renewal and to returning with fresh insights to support the important work we continue to do together.

In my absence, I am delighted to announce that Mrs Jacky Guardascione will serve as Acting Principal. Jacky is a highly respected member of our leadership team who knows our students and staff exceptionally well. Since joining STMM at the beginning of last year, Jacky has been a driving force in implementing the school's improvement agenda and marketing strategies. I know the community will be in very capable hands while I am away.

Thank you once again for your continued trust and support. Together, we are creating a school where every child is known, valued and inspired to become the person God calls them to be.

Warm Regards 

Mrs O’Donnell