Principal's Message

Good afternoon parents & carers,

Thank you to all our staff, students and parents for an incredible Term 1, full of learning growth, high levels of engagement and lots of fun and excitment. We have been spoilt this year with a feeling of 'normal' as we engaged with a number of school events from swimming carnivals, cross country and the amazing K-2 Easter Hat Parade and family picnic.

As we come to the end of Term 1, 2023, we will be saying goodbye to two Leaders of Learning from our St Philomena's Professional Learning Community.

As many of our parents would already be aware, Mrs Hanne Radford, has been successful insecuring the position of Coordinator of Wii Gaay & Cultural Assessments at the Catholic Schools Office, Armidale. Hanne has been leading Year 5 until a suitable replacement could be employed. Hanne’s last day at St Philomena’s will be Thursday 6 April. Hanne joined St Philomena’s in 2020 from St Joseph’s Primary School, Walgett and has been a positive and valuable member of the school community leading learning in Year 1 and Year 5. Hanne has also held the position Aboriginal Focus Teacher K-10 leading and supporting authentic cultural experiences and events i.e. NAIDOC Week. We wish Hanne all the best in her new role at the Catholic Schools Office.

I am excited to announce that Miss Bronte Marshall will be joining the St Philomena’s Professional Learning Community, working with Mr David Powell as Co-Leader of Learning in Year 5 from the commencement of Term 2, 2023. Bronte is in the final stages of completing her Bachelor of Primary Education from the University of New England and holds provisional accreditation to teach in New South Wales. We are extremely excited to welcome Bronte and look forward to the positive contributions she will make to our school community.

Unfortunately, we will also be saying goodbye to Mrs Melanie Miller, Leader of Learning - Year 1. Melanie, along with her family will be relocating to Kingscliff as part of a professional employmenttransfer for her husband Jesse. Melanie joined St Philomena’s in term 3, 2022, and has provided apositive and valuable contribution to our students not only in Year 1, but across the broader schoolcommunity. I would like to wish Mel and her family all the very best as they embark on their nextprofessional and personal adventure.

I am currently working with the Catholic Schools Office to find a suitable replacement for Year 1, however in the interim, Mrs Brooke Drogemuller will join Miss Danielle Lenton in Year 1 for the duration of Term 2. Brooke has been part of the co-teaching team in Year 4 this year, leading learning with both Mrs Melissa Schweitzer and Mrs Catherine Moylan. Mr Riley Carroll will join the Year 4 co-teaching team throughout Term 2 while Brooke is supporting Year 1.

Although staffing continues to be a challenge for many industries, not only education, I am excited that we will commence Term 2, with a high quality professional learning team focused on improving learning conditions and outcomes for our students here at St Philomena's Catholic School, Moree.

I would like to wish all our staff, students and parents a happy and blessed Easter. Enjoy your term break, travel safe, and I look forward to seeing everyone recharged and ready for another term full of promise and possibility.

May the glory and the promise of this joyous time of year bring peace and happiness to you and those you hold most dear.

And may Christ, Our Risen Savior, always be there by your side to bless you most abundantly and be your loving guide.

Happy Easter,

God bless,

Jamie McDowall