Principal's Piece 

Dear Parents/Carers,

On Monday I was invited to the blessing of the statue of St Maximilian Kolbe at Kolbe College. The statue takes centre stage in their newly landscaped promenade and it also provides the school with a centrepiece to the college and its identity.

Kolbe College has over 1200 students and they are in the planning stage of building a new Campus in Merrifields, opening in early 2026. The new campus will be located on an eight hectare site within ‘The Woods’ residential estate, Donnybrook Road, Merrifield West.

A  highlight of a visit to our feeder school is catching up with past students and talking to them about their hopes and dreams for the future. Next year over half of our year 6 students will be continuing their education at Kolbe. Mr Nick Sculli also placed a time capsule near the statue and it also contained a speech he gave on the day. He mentioned among other things his hope that Collingwood was still the number one team in fifty years time!

Today we welcomed a special guest to our school: Bishop Terry Curtin, our Regional Bishop. Bishop Terry’s visit is of special importance for our Confirmation Candidates who have the opportunity to meet with our Bishop and share their experiences of their preparation for the sacrament and also their time here at Our Lady’s.  Special thanks to Joshua and  Anthony for demonstrating the "Laying of Hands", a major part of the Confirmation Rite. We thanked Bishop Terry for visiting our school and we will see him again at the Confirmation Ceremony this Sunday 21st August at 1.00 pm in Kolbe Auditorium.  

Last calls for brekkie. Envelopes have gone home this week with your ticket to the event. Please return $10.00 in the envelope prior to the day. Thanks for your support of our donation to Prostrate 

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS): Monday 28 August – Friday 15 September 2023

Throughout each year, we pause to listen to our students, families and staff to gauge how our learning community is travelling. This feedback is invaluable to our progress as effective school communities and is backed by evidence-based research and best practices.  Please follow the link to a letter outlining the program. All parents will have the opportunity to participate in the survey.

Finally, this will be my last newsletter for the term as I am travelling overseas next week. I have the opportunity to particpate in a pilgrimage with fellow principals  exploring the historical sites  and the origins of the Chrisitian and Jewish faiths in Israel. Cinzia Mancuso will be acting principal during my leave. I leave you in capable hands.

Take care

Paul McEntee

Principal