Principal's Message

From the Principal

In this newsletter below you will find a letter from the Catholic Schools Office regarding the appointment of Mrs Pauline Long to the position of Principal of St Joseph’s Quirindi for 2020. I know you will join me in congratulating Pauline and wishing her all the best for the future. Pauline has been part of the fabric of St Eddies for a long time and has been instrumental in ensuring that the school is so highly regarded in the area. There will be time to farewell Pauline in a fitting manner.

On Tuesday afternoon we held a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) Expo. It was a great afternoon and the students certainly impressed with their skills and knowledge. A recent report by the Federal Government stated, ‘Between November 2013 and November 2018, employment in STEM occupations grew by 16.5 per cent, which is 1.6 times higher than the growth rate in non-STEM jobs’. This is why it is vitally important to expose our students to what lies ahead for them. A very big thank you to Mrs Andy Lockwood for being the driving force behind this initiative.

A big thank you to Adam Ryan and his Parent Association team for all their efforts for the school this year. They have done a great job. They held their last meeting for the year after the STEAM Expo and thanks to all those who attended. It’s not too late for the GOLF Day on Sunday 1st December and the Ginger Bread Night on Friday 6th December,  they will be a lot of fun!

Next week Year 6 head off on their annual Sydney Excursion. Thank you to the teachers and parents who are making these opportunities possible for our students. Some of the highlights include visits to State Parliament, Mary MacKillop’s Chapel, St. Mary’s Cathedral, Taronga Park Zoo, Sydney Tower, Power House Museum and a night visit to the Observatory.

On Thursday and Friday next week I will be attending this term’s Diocesan Principals’ Meeting. Over the two days the Director of Catholic Schools, Chris Smyth, will lead discussions around action learning initiatives, compliance and school governance. It is also a good opportunity to share ideas with the Principals from across the Diocese.