ST NORBERT NEWS

From the Principal

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, Staff and Friends of St Norbert College,

 

It is remarkable how quickly it seems that another school year has come to an end. We celebrated Thanksgiving Mass today, celebrated by Fr Peter, as a way of acknowledging and giving thanks to God for the year that has passed, for the learning that has taken place, for the challenges overcome and the friendship made and fostered.

There were two very important celebrations within our own Norbertine Canonry of Queens Park this week that I would like to acknowledge. Back in 1974, Fr William Fitzgerald joined the community here, instantly becoming the first Australian born Norbertine. He was later ordained to the Priestly ministry in 1979 and although Fr William now resides in America, he returned this week and celebrated his 40th Anniversary of Ordination. This was followed on Wednesday with the 37th Anniversary of Fr Peter’s Ordination, celebrated in part with a beautiful Mass with the St Joseph’s school community. We are so blessed to have the warm and guiding presence of the Norbertines in our College community and it is equally special to be able to celebrate such important occasions with them.

 

This year, the 55th year in the life of our College, has been captured beautifully with the release this week of the much-anticipated 2019 edition of our Koinonia annual. It is not only amazing to reflect on how much we do and see in a school year, but also to enjoy the pictorial and written expression of this in such a vibrant way. Heartfelt congratulations to Mrs Lisa Quartermain, our Community Relations and Marketing Officer, for producing her first and such a terrific edition of Koinonia. It takes tireless energy, enthusiasm and skill to produce an annual of such quality and we thank Mrs Quartermain for her efforts.

 

The end of any school year brings sadness too, as we farewell much-loved staff who move on to other schools or pastures. I would like to acknowledge Mr Lionel Smith (Business), Mr Tony Vu (Mathematics), Mr Raymond Andrew (English), Ms Michela Buhagiar (English, Religious Education and recently, Career Education) and Mr Caiden Vales de Menezes (after-school study coordinator) for their commitment and service to our students and our College. I would like to make special mention of the following staff who have served our community over many years:

  • Miss Sarah Gardner - After more than six years as a Maths and Science teacher and much-loved Head of Kilnacrott house, Miss Gardner moves to the sunny climes of Broome to be the Deputy Principal of Pastoral Care at St Mary’s Catholic College.
  • Mr Luke Ford - Since 2013 Mr Ford has held the roles of HPE teacher, Canons Basketball Coordinator and most recently Head of Sport. We congratulate Mr Ford on being appointed to the role of Head of Learning and Sport at St Andrew’s Grammar and wish him well in the future.
  • Ms Evie Morris - Ms Morris has been an outstanding and dedicated member of our Learning Support Team for nearly 8 years and our loss is Chisholm Catholic College’s gain. We acknowledge and thank Ms Morris for her compassion, kindness and commitment.
  • Mr Massimo Tassone - Mr Tassone has been a quiet achiever, working in the background assisting staff and students with IT support for more than six years. Next year Mr Tassone moves back to his old school of Mater Dei College to be closer to home and family, especially with the impending arrival of his second child.
  • Ms Georga Coulter - Ms Coulter has been an energetic personality in our Religious Education team for five years, moving next year to be closer to family and a Catholic school in the Parramatta diocese in New South  Wales. Thank you, Ms Coulter - our blessings are with you in the east.
  • Robyn Kelly - Mrs Kelly has served as the part-time Uniform Shop Manager since 2005. In that time, Mrs Kelly was essential to the efficient and economic functioning of the Uniform Shop, kitting all of our students in various College uniform and attire. Mrs Kelly will be concluding her role in the Uniform Shop during the 2020 school year to take up an extended position at Xavier Catholic Primary School.

It is important to also acknowledge those students and families who finish their time at St Norbert College and move to other schools and endeavours. We thank you for your contributions to our College and hope that the memories gained and the friendships shared will be with you throughout your life ahead.

 

I would like to thank all in our community for your efforts in making 2019 another successful year. We continue to grow both as a community and as individuals, we love that learning is ever-present, the challenges we face make us better and stronger, we have dedicated time and energy to enhancing the lives of others and we continue to build and grow our friendships and sense of community. St Norbert College is a very special community indeed.

 

This time of the year is one of joy, wonder and happiness for Christians the world over. From the moment of Mary’s Immaculate Conception to the birth of Jesus, we are reminded of the challenges and barriers that we inevitably have to meet in our lives. More importantly, we reflect that God’s love for us is our strength in overcoming these obstacles.

 

I would like to wish all of our students, staff and families, the blessings of a happy and holy Christmas and a safe return in 2020. May God’s blessings of peace and love characterise your festive season.

 

 “May you have the spirit of Christmas which is PEACE,

The gladness of Christmas which is HOPE,

And the heart of Christmas which is LOVE...

 

God bless.

Mr S Harvey (Principal)