To our very dear St Joseph's school community,

It is with profound sadness that I write to this week's newsletter to our school community as we all mourn the loss of our very much loved former principal, Michelle Moore, who served our school community as a friend, mentor and principal, with deep faith, unwavering commitment, and a heart full of love.

"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden"

Matthew 5:14

(Gospel reading on Tuesday 10th June 2025)

Vale, our beloved Principal, Michelle Moore. Michelle was a guiding light in our school community, a woman of strength, compassion, and deep integrity. She led not only with wisdom, but with heart. Her warmth, her presence, and the way she made each person feel seen and valued will remain with us always. She shaped our school with love, inspired us with her vision, and walked beside us with grace. Though her absence is deeply felt, her legacy lives on in every life she touched. May we carry forward her light in all we do.

This week our school community has felt the deepest sadness and devastation as we heard of Michelle Moore's passing on Tuesday morning. Whilst we all knew the time would eventually come to say goodbye to Michelle there has been an overwhelming sense of loss that has been felt across our school community and the Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic schools.

Today, Dr Edward Simons, Executive Director of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) acknowledged Michelle's unwavering commitment to Catholic Education and her ongoing the passion for learning and love for the children, families and staff that she has she so willingly poured into our school community here at St Joseph's.

Michelle was more than a leader, she was a beacon of light in our school community from 2018 to 2024, guiding students, staff, and families with wisdom, compassion, and an enduring devotion to Catholic education. For many of us, her presence helped shape the very spirit and character of our school. Even after Michelle's retirement, the impact of her leadership and the values she instilled has remained present in our classrooms, our assemblies, our staffroom, liturgies, and in our relationships with one another.

We know this news brings deep sorrow to many. In our grief, we remember not just the exceptional educator and leader she was, but the joy, laughter, and kindness Michelle so generously shared. The halls of our school echo with memories of her gentle encouragement, her steadfast belief in every child’s potential, and her unwavering dedication to our school that Michelle poured her heart and soul into.

As a Catholic community, we turn to our faith for comfort and strength. Throughout this week we held moments in our classrooms, staffroom, playground, church and school hall to comfort staff families and children in their sadness. In the coming days, we will continue to honour Michelle's legacy through prayer, remembrance, and the sharing of stories. At our school assembly today we came together to pray for Mrs Moore and our children sang Mrs Moore's favourite song 'An African Blessing. with the most angelic voices. As I said to our community at assembly this morning, we will continue to remember and honour Mrs Moore at St Joseph's every day.

We thank all of our colleagues from MACS and principals from the South Central Network for the love and support they have offered to our school community. We are also so appreciative of our families who have looked after our staff in the most beautiful way this week - you have held us with care and love, and for that we are all truly grateful. And finally I thank our staff. You have gently looked after the children in our school while you have struggled with your own sadness and grief, and you have cared for each other with so much kindness and strength. We are truly blessed to have received and shared so much care and love for each other across this week.

As a school community in mourning, and as we grieve the loss of our very loved principal Michelle Moore, we extend our deepest condolences to Michelle's husband Mike, Michelle's children and extended family, and her friends and colleagues, and I ask that you keep them in your prayers. We also pray for each member of our school community, for peace in our hearts and for the grace to carry forward the love and dedication that Michelle so generously gave to us all. Michelle was a friend, mentor and inspiration to many across our school. In our system she was a ‘flourishing leader and voice’ for best practice and will always be remembered for her impact across our school and others. We are all so humbled and blessed to have known her and loved her.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.

And let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace.

Amen.

It has been such a comfort to families to spend time in St Joseph's Church for quiet prayer and reflection. Thank you to Father Gallacher and Pat from the parish, Donnella our REL and our beautiful staff for assisting with this. The church will continue to be open from 8:30am to 4pm across next week for families to pray and reflect.

On Tuesday morning some of our staff were able to attend the Parish Mass at 9:15am. It was also lovely to see a few of our school parents, given the timing. We are grateful to the staff who remained at school to look after the children. We found comfort in Fr Gallacher's opening prayer, as he offered the mass for Michelle.

The readings in the mass were particularly comforting and appropriate:

The Responsorial Psalm "Let your light shine on me"

The Gospel Acclamation "Let your light shine before all that they may see your good works and glorify your Father"

The Gospel Reading "You are the light of the world".

Please take some time with your children to visit our church and pray for Michelle and her family. We also continue to pray for Michelle's friends and colleagues who are struggling at this time.

Our flag in our playground is flying at half mast, out of respect and honour for our exceptional Mrs Moore, who was loved by so many at St Joseph’s.

This week as families arrived at school, a beautiful scarf was wrapped around one of our school trees near the front office and playground. Ms Karen and Marta Cummings have been working on this with our precious students in knitting club. This was very thoughtfully and kindly made for Mrs Moore. When you enter our school grounds, please take a moment to enjoy this, to remember Michelle and to acknowledge the teachers and children’s knitting skills, thoughtfulness and kindness.

Throughout the week the children have participated in circle time to reflect and pray for Mrs Moore. They also sang her favourite song An African Blessing with joy and sadness.

Just a few of our students' reflections:

Amalia: “I loved her hugs and I liked how she was always kind to us and she was a little bit funny also”

Frederica: “I loved the way she would dance when it’s Friday disco"

Harrison: “She was funny”

Albie: “The time when Mr Earl walked into the hall really silly and Mrs Moore asked him to walk outside and go back in like a student”

Calista: “When she came into the classroom and always had a smile on her face”

Sanchez: “She was always kind and caring to us and she will always be special to us”

Aria: “She always laughed”

Zach: “She was always really kind to me and it made me feel good”

Hadriel: “She was never angry and she would always greet us in the morning at the gate”

Elliot: “I loved it at the disco when she was dancing and she did crazy dancing”I

Isabelle: “She was a good Principal because she was so kind”

Bennett: “I loved it when she took a picture with my family at Spencer’s Communion”

James: “I liked the chip day where we got to go into her office and eat chips”

Clements: “When I was scared and I went into the office and Mrs Moore helped me and said if anything scary happened I could go into the office”

Byron: “She was nice”

Abigail: “When she invited us into her office and we were the first class to see her new office and we had chips and lamingtons”

Mary: “On special days she dressed up as really funny characters... Professor McGonagall was my favourite”

Lucy: “On Fridays when we got to do the disco with her”

Harry: “When Mrs Moore used to get dressed up at the gate and talk to my dad”

Archie: “Mrs Moore was really kind at the gate when I walked in and when I said hi and she said hi in a polite way back”

Ari: “Mrs Moore let the whole of Prep go to Yo Chi with Miss V”

Dylan : “When Mrs Moore gave us candies at the gate”.

Ethan: “I like her, she was beautiful”

(More reflections in next week's newsletter)

I have shared some resources with families via Operoo which might assist you in having conversations with your child at home, if you feel it is needed or appropriate. Across the week the children participated in circle time with their teacher and prayed for Mrs Moore and her family, along with other prayers the children offered for loved ones. This was done in an age appropriate and sensitive manner, mindful that some children know Mrs Moore very well and others may not. We also completely understand that some parents/carers prefer to have conversations about death and grief at home. If Michelle's passing causes distress for your child, or if your child needs support at school in dealing with grief and loss, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher, Georgie our Wellbeing Leader, or myself. Georgie has recently completed training for the Seasons Program, a program which focusses on grief and loss. Georgie will be sending information home to families about this shortly.

As soon as the details of Michelle's funeral are confirmed (I am hopeful this will be by Monday morning) I will communicate this with you all.

As we face another week as a school in mourning, let's continue to look after each other and our precious children.

With heartfelt sympathy for Michelle's family and in shared sorrow, I wish you a weekend of quiet and peace.

Annabelle Marinelli

Principal

annabelle.marinelli@sjmalvern.catholic.edu.au

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