Principal's Report
Dear members of the St Cecilia’s School community,
I am so pleased and proud to share the wonderful success of our recent school events, which have truly highlighted the vibrant spirit and strong community bond that define our school. Book Week was a fantastic celebration of literacy and imagination, with the Book Parade on Friday being a particular highlight. Our students and staff were completely commited to the day by providing us with their creative costumes, embodying characters from their favorite books. The joy and enthusiasm displayed were a testament to the power of reading and the supportive environment we strive to create. A big thank you to our Literacy Leaders, Marnie Chapman and Tracey Toner, and to all the parents and teachers who contributed to making the event so memorable.
Today, we celebrated our Father's Day Breakfast, a special and highly attended event on our school calender. It was an awesome morning with beautiful weather, a fantastic buzz in the room and a magneficent braekfast superbly orchestrated by Lisa Kennedy and her team of helpers. Thank you to all involved in the morning and for those dads and special people who were able to attend. This is truly the stuff that matters!
As we look forward, I want to remind you of some important upcoming events that further showcase our school’s vibrant community spirit. Next weekend, we will gather for the First Eucharist Masses, a significant milestone for our students and their families. And don’t forget about the Art Show beginning on Tuesday, September 13th, where our students’ artistic talents will be on full display.
These events are wonderful opportunities for us to come together as a community and celebrate the achievements and milestones of our students. They also serve as a reminder of the great support and enthusiasm that our school community consistently shows. Thank you for your continued involvement and dedication.
A Fantastic Achievement!
We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Year 6 student Jake Reed for his outstanding achievements in running! Last week, Jake represented Victoria at the School Sport Australia Cross Country Championships held at the Yarra Glen Racecourse. His remarkable performance earned him a silver medal in the 4x1500m relay and a commendable 10th place finish in the 3km individual race, with a time of 11:13 seconds—making him the top Victorian competitor in that event. This impressive feat marks the second time Jake has proudly represented both our school and the State at this prestigious national competition. We are incredibly proud of Jake’s dedication and athleticism, and we celebrate his achievements with great enthusiasm. Congratulations, Jake!
Excitement Builds for Our School Art Show!
Get ready to immerse yourself in the colorful world of creativity at the St Cecilia's 2024 Art Show! The countdown is on for an unforgettable evening that celebrates the artistic talents of our students. Mark your calendars and prepare to be dazzled!
Art Show Opening Night:
📅 Date: Tuesday, 10th September
🕖 Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: School Hall
But that's not all! If you can’t make it on opening night, don’t worry. We have additional viewing opportunities:
Additional Viewing:
📅 Date: Wednesday, 11th September
🕒 Time: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
📅 Date: Thursday, 12th September
🕒 Time: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Event Timeline for Opening Night:
7:00 PM: The doors will open and the Art Show will officially commence. Get ready to explore a gallery of stunning student artwork!
7:05 PM: Join us for a welcome speech from our passionate Art Teacher, Mrs. Julie Drum and Principal Mr Marty McKenna.
7:15 PM: Enjoy a delightful performance by our talented Senior Choir
7:20 PM onwards - enjoy being guided by your sons and daughters through the display!
Throughout the evening: The Parents Association will be serving drinks and nibbles. Plus, the bar will be available for those who wish to purchase refreshments.
A Huge Thank You!
A special shoutout to our amazing Art Teacher, Mrs. Julie Drum. Her hard work, enthusiasm, and coordination have made this event possible. Mrs. Drum's commitment to our students' artistic growth shines through every piece of artwork on display. Thank you, Mrs. Drum, for making this Art Show an inspiring reality!
For Everyone:
The opening night is open to all students and their families. Come and celebrate the creativity of our young artists together! Remember, each student will have at least one piece of artwork on display, showcasing their unique talents and hard work.
Can’t Make It on Tuesday?
Don’t miss out! If you’re unable to attend the opening night, take advantage of our additional viewing opportunities on Wednesday and Thursday. It’s a fantastic chance to appreciate the creativity and effort that has gone into every piece.
We can’t wait to see you at the Art Show and share in the joy of our students’ artistic achievements. Let’s make this a night to remember!
See you there!
Exciting News for Year 5 and 6 Students: St Cecilia's Joins the Kids in Space Program!
In some very exciting news, our Year 5 and 6 students have been participating in the groundbreaking Kids in Space program in 2024! This pioneering national space education initiative, brought to us by The Andy Thomas Space Foundation in partnership with Makers Empire and supported by The Australian Space Agency, is an incredible learning opportunity for our students.
Kids in Space is an Australia-first program that immerses students in space-themed STEM learning and design thinking. Through this exciting program, our students are exploring the fascinating world of space technology and gaining insights into the myriad of career opportunities available in the space industry. It's a fantastic opportunity for our young learners to dream big and think creatively as they tackle real-world challenges.
Last year, the inaugural Kids in Space program made a significant impact, reaching around 10,000 students, hundreds of teachers, and over 70 schools across Australia. The program kicked off with professional development days for teachers featuring guest speakers from the space industry, followed by a series of challenges where students designed innovative solutions to space-related problems. The excitement culminated in national finals held at the Australian Space Discovery Centre, where the top student teams from each state and territory showcased their incredible work.
For 2024, St Cecilia’s is proud to be part of this expanding program. Our school has received a comprehensive package valued at $6,500, which includes professional development and training for our teachers, access to Makers Empire 3D design tools and resources, a custom space-themed Challenge Course, and a 3D printer to bring our students' designs to life.
To celebrate our students' involvement in this fantastic program, St Cecilia’s will be hosting a School Showcase Day on Friday, 13th September. This special event will allow our senior students to present their projects to the students in our school and the Senior School parents. Further details will be shared soon, so mark your calendars!
A select group of students will also have the honor of representing St Cecilia’s at the Kids in Space Showcase on Thursday, 19th September (venue details to be announced). This is an incredible opportunity for our students to shine on a national stage, and we couldn't be more excited for them.
Stay tuned for more updates on our journey with Kids in Space. We're confident this program will inspire our students to reach for the stars—both literally and figuratively!
Upcoming Events
- First Eucharist: First Eucharist Masses in weeks 9 and 10.
- BYOD Program Online Information Session: Wednesday 4th September - 6:00pm
- Art Show: Opening Night on Tuesday 10th September - also open on Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th. More info to come.
- Last Day of Term 3: Friday 20th September -1:20pm finish
Exciting News for Our School Community!
We are thrilled to share some wonderful news with you all! Mrs. Trish Revere, a dedicated member of our teaching staff who currently works with both the senior classes and Foundation class, is expecting her third child! Trish will continue working with us until midway through Term 4 before she takes time to enjoy her growing family throughout 2025. We look forward to her return in 2026 and wish her all the best in this exciting new chapter of her life. Congratulations, Trish and Josh (and Gus and Nina)!
Please come and join us at Sunday Mass
Please remember, a Catholic school is eucharistic in character. The sacramental and prayer life of our local Church, especially in the gathering of God’s People in Sunday Mass, is integral to the mission of our Catholic school and indispensable to its richness.
Please come and join us at Sunday Mass!
You are all most welcome!
St Cecilia's MASS SCHEDULE
Monday 9:15AM
Wednesday 9:15AM
Friday 9:15AM
Sunday 10:00AM (Children's Liturgy is on at this Mass this week), 5:30PM
Marty McKenna
Principal
St Cecilia’s Primary School