Principal's Message

After years of discussion and hours of planning, we have been finally notified that our school refurbishment will start. Our $2.7 million project has been tendered out to builders and has been approved to begin next term. This refurbishment will transform our current classrooms into contemporary learning spaces, that our school community thoroughly deserves. There will be some disruption while the building takes place but the short term pain will be worth every second. To view the plans look at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1v6tf3ib9s6jbts/AACvV-YEo1uM_IBr0p7dwF5Ya?dl=0

The refurbishment will take place in two stages. It will begin in Term 4 with the Year 3/4, 5/6 classrooms and the current library area. Both 5/6 classes and 3/4S will move temporarily into the Hall, while 3/4M will relocate into the portable. By the end of the year, this space will be transformed into 6 classrooms and a smaller shared space, ready to begin learning in 2019. The next stage will commence in Term 1 2019, in the Year 1, 2 and Prep classrooms. The whole project is planned for completion by the end of Term 1, ready for everyone to enjoy our ‘new look’ school in Term 2. Our goal during this refurbishment is to ensure minimal disruption to student learning and maintain the high standards of education that we strive to achieve each day.

A huge thank you to all the students who participated in our first “SMDP Readathon” during Book Week. This initiative was organised and supported by our Parents in Partnership (PIP) group. I am pleased to announce that you raised a staggering $3400! What an amazing effort for a small school. At this Monday morning’s assembly, the winners from each year level will be announced and presented with a small prize. The money raised will go towards the purchasing and instalment of Apple TVs in each learning space.

This weekend Marg Cronin and myself are heading off to our study tour in Belgium. We will be joined by the four other Principals from the Laverton parish schools, their Religious Education Leaders as well as Fr John Healy. We have been financially supported by the Catholic Education Melbourne to participate in a religious study in Leuven, Belgium. We will participate in a summer course at the Irish University exploring our  “Catholic Identity” and aim to gain a deeper understanding of where Catholic schools are heading in Australia. The new knowledge and learning Marg and I gain from this short course, will then be shared and discussed as a school and as a parish community. In my absence, Denise Kelly will be Acting Principal and Carmela Capuano Acting Deputy Principal. 

See you all next Term.

God bless.

Dan Ryan

Principal