St Mary's College Connect

Principal's Message

Wayne Wood

Principal

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To our St Mary’s community,

 

As we come to the end of what has been a productive Term 1, I thank staff and students for their commitment to each other. I also thank our families for your support and encouragement.

 

EASTER MESSAGE

Our Easter journey is now approaching the most sacred time. Last Sunday was Palm Sunday when we celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In this final week we now begin our focus on the pending death of Jesus; a death that Jesus, himself, predicts. For us, Easter has two key elements: The Death of Jesus and His Resurrection.

 

As we celebrate Easter this Sunday, let us once again be reminded that the Easter message is one of Hope. Easter gives us the message that we have the right to be confident and optimistic about the future. This is the best possible message to send our young men and women of St Mary’s. We want them to be excited about their future, confident in their abilities, and most importantly, know that they are loved. Easter gives us this opportunity to share this message of hope.

 

It was great to see our students so active this year in the many fundraising initiatives. These initiatives during Lent are examples of how we can make a difference to those in need. Individually, however, it is in our simple greetings, our conversations, and our willingness to help others where we can make a real difference.

 

Pope Francis explains, “Every Christian community is called to go out of itself and to be engaged in the life of the greater society of which it is a part, especially with the poor and those who are far away. The Church is missionary by her very nature; she is not self-enclosed but sent out to every nation and people.”

 

I take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Easter!

 

FAMILY CONNECT

Thanks to all parents who attended our recent Parent Series Session - ‘The Parent Portal’. It was very well attended. These sessions are great opportunities to share stories, meet others in the same situation and explore best practice in the area of parent engagement.

 

I take this opportunity to thank our Family Connect Executive for sponsoring these sessions. We look forward to advertising the next Parent Series Session.

 

COLLEGE BOARD

We have begun 2021 with a new-look College Board. As you may know, a few our board members finished their terms of service at the end of last year. This provided an opportunity for renewal, and we have been thrilled to welcome Brett Stallbaum, Cheryl-Lee Fitzgerald, Tammy Van Der Reijden, Tracey Gardener and Fr Nathan McKay to the team.

 

In this edition of our newsletter, you will find a profile of all our Board Members.

 

Our recent Board Meetings addressed the following areas:

  • Strategic Directions document
  • Resourcing the Future: Hugh O’Brien Centre redevelopment
  • Resourcing the Future: Effective learning spaces
  • Enrolment Policy

TERM 1 REPORTS

Term 1 reports are available on our Parent Portal. Parent STUDENT Teacher Interviews will be held on Thursday 22nd April. A reminder that students are integral to this feedback process and should be in attendance.

 

I encourage parents and carers to talk to their son or daughter and assist them with their goal setting for Term 2. The value of this feedback is not in receiving it, but what you then do with it.

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

I wish you all a well-earned break over the Easter holidays. Hopefully through care, diligence and great teamwork, Queensland can get this latest outbreak under control.

 

God Bless