Principal's News

Dear Families,

We are near the conclusion of a rapid Term Two. Thank you to all our staff and families who have worked supportively and collaboratively in the best interests of the students of St Mary's in so many ways. We are looking forward to a terrific night this coming Saturday at the PnF Trivia Night. Thank you to Malina Currie and all involved in the preparations and the running of the night. Malina in particular has put an enormous amount of time and effort into the night. Thank you Malina for your incredible work.

As we end the term we will be farewelling, or at least 'safe travels' to a number of staff.

Miss Anna Mannion will be commencing her maternity leave at the end of term. We wish Anna all the very best at this exciting time and look forward to hearing news of her new baby soon. As outlined in the previous newsletter, Mrs. Ally Mullany will be teaching 3M on Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Mrs. Bridie Kelly will be teaching 3M on Thursdays and Fridays. Both Ally and Bridie spent the day with 3M and to plan with both Anna and Kylie Smith as a year 3 team, and will return again next week as well. They were very excited to meet the students in 3M

After 18 years at St Mary's, Mrs. Toni Nichols will be taking Long Service Leave for Term Three and then retiring. Toni has held many roles over her time at St Mary's, as a classroom teacher (currently teaching a day in Year 6), Sustainability Coordinator (leading our Year Six Sustainability team) and as Wellbeing Teacher. In her time as Wellbeing Teacher, Toni provided wonderful social-emotional learning support to so many students, including through the Seasons and Peaceful Kids program. It was also Toni who brought us the gift of Arlo the assistance dog in 2022. Thank you Toni for all you have brought to St Mary's as a teacher and as a staff member over many years. You will be missed, but we are excited for you as a new chapter awaits.

Mrs. Julie Cochrane will be taking Long Service Leave in Term Three. During her period of leave, Ms. Cinzia Banks will be teaching 5CF on Mondays and Tuesdays. Miss Elise Fisher will be teaching the class each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Julie will return from her leave at the commencement of Term Four. Cinzia is well known to the students, having worked at St Mary’s as a classroom teacher before commencing her maternity leave several years ago and since then has been working regularly at the school as a Casual Relief Teacher.

I am pleased to announce that we have employed a new PE specialist teacher, commencing in Term Three. Robyn Muir who is an experienced PE teacher will be teaching PE lessons on Tuesdays, Fridays and part of Thursdays. Ms. Sam Sullivan will also teach two PE classes on a Thursday. Mrs Merrie McCulloch will continue to release Sam in 5S each Thursday, but for the full day next term whilst Sam teaches the additional PE classes as well as fulfilling her Sports Coordinator role.

Two new Learning Support Officers will be joining our staff from the beginning of next term; Jaclyn Holzer will work in classrooms to support students four days a week and Brooke Hutchins three days a week. Both Jaclyn and Brooke are currently studying their Masters of Teaching.

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent-teacher Interviews take place next Wednesday 21st June in your child's classroom. Please note that school concludes at 1pm on Wednesday to allow these meetings to occur.

Art Show

Our St Mary's Community Art Show will take place in Term Three on Thursday 7th September (the second last week of Term Three). This will be a night of celebrating the creative talents of all students at St Mary's. Daliah McLoughney (Visual Arts) and Veronica Del Castillo (Performing Arts) are working towards preparing a range of artistic presentations for the night, with both floors of the main school building becoming an Art Gallery filled with visual art pieces of a range of mediums and forms as well as whole-class and smaller pop up performances around the school. The PnF will also be organising refreshments, helping to make the night a very special community event, celebrating the arts at St Mary's.

Kinder Visits

Thank you to Hampton Community Kinder and Holy Trinity Kinder who have both visited St mary's over the past few weeks, with the four-year-old kinder children experiencing a morning in Prep with Miss Podgorska, Miss Walker and Mrs M. They enjoyed doing some art and mindfulness activities and some Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) games with the Year Five students, who of course will be Prep buddies to new students in 2024.

Intergenerational program

This week, our Year Six Leaders and Mrs Evelyn Whatmore attended their last Intergenerational session, where they chatted about what school was like then and now and decorated little succulent pots to remind them of their growing bonds. This project is such a beautiful example of community spirit where volunteers came together from different walks of life to share their stories and experiences. A big thank you to Chock, our Hampton RSL mini-bus driver for volunteering his time and bus - the students and staff loved their weekly carpool karaoke! Also a big thank you to Kim Norden from Highett Neighbourhood Community House and Hampton Community Center for her hard work organising our weekly activities. Lastly to our friends at Fairway Aged Care - it has been an absolute pleasure for the students and staff to get to know you. We look forward to our paths crossing again!

Sacrament of Eucharist

Next term our Year Four students will begin the preparation for their Sacrament of Eucharist. An Operoo will be sent out providing details of this preparation and as a community please keep these students in our prayers. Please note the following dates in your calendar:

Parent Information Session: Wednesday 12th July, 6pm in the School Hall (please enter using the front side gate and glass hall door)
Student Reflection Day: Wednesday 16 August (in class)
Sacrament of First Eucharist: Saturday 26th August, St Mary’s Church 1pm

If there are any children in Year Five who have not received the Sacrament and are wishing to do so, please notify your child’s classroom teacher.

End of Term Two

This will be the final newsletter for the term. Term Two concludes next Friday 23rd June at 1pm. School resumes on Monday 10th July.

Long Service Leave

I will be commencing Long Service Leave from next Monday 19th June until Monday 31st July. Mr Nathan Eddy will be Acting Principal for the duration of my leave. Nathan can be contacted at neddy@smhampton.catholic.edu.au or by contacting the school office.

Wishing everyone in our community a wonderful end of term and a safe school holiday period.

Matthew Sweeney

Principal