Principal's Message

Dear Families,

Welcome back to the start of Term 2. It has been a deeply moving and productive return to school, beginning with our collective observance of Anzac Day. Last week, it was wonderful to see so many of our students representing St Philomena’s with such pride and dignity as they marched in the town parade. This spirit of remembrance continued within our own grounds during our Anzac liturgy, where we gathered as a community to honour the service and sacrifice of those who have served. These moments of reflection remind us of the values of courage and mateship that we strive to foster within our school every day.

This week also marked a significant milestone in our history as we held the official opening of our new and refurbished learning spaces. This occasion represented much more than just bricks and mortar; it was a celebration of our community’s enduring spirit and growth. 

As I shared with our guests during the ceremony, our journey to this day was a true test of character. We faced various delays and challenges that, at the time, felt like significant setbacks. However, drawing on the wisdom of the Gospel of Matthew, these delays forced us to "dig deeper" into our foundations. They allowed us to ensure that we weren't just building a school, but building a home that will serve our children in Moree for generations to come.

I want to again acknowledge our secondary students for their remarkable patience and resilience throughout this process. For over 12 months, you navigated temporary spaces and construction zones without complaint. You taught us all that a school is not defined by its walls, but by the spirit of the people within them. We even shared a humorous moment during the opening regarding our official plaques, which were delayed due to manufacturing issues. While we pivoted to temporary signage for the event, I find this to be a beautiful metaphor for our school. Much like our plaques, we are all—both staff and students—continually a "work in progress," striving for excellence even when the path to getting there isn't perfectly smooth.

Beyond the classroom, our Year 4 students have had a wonderful time on their recent excursion to Dubbo. They enjoyed a wide range of experiences, visiting the observatory, the Wellington caves, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and the historic Dubbo Gaol. The trip was capped off with ten-pin bowling and a visit to the Dubbo Zoo. It is clear they have had so much fun, and I am certain they will sleep well this weekend after such an adventurous week away.

Looking ahead, we are excited to celebrate the special women in our lives for Mother’s Day next Sunday. To help our students prepare, the Parents and Friends Association will be hosting a gift stall at school next Thursday. We are currently looking for donations of gifts for the stall, as well as volunteers who might be able to spare some time to help wrap presents for our students. If you are able to assist in any way, please contact the P&F. Our new, state-of-the-art facilities are now the engine rooms for our vision of developing literate and numerate students for a hope-filled future. We are incredibly proud of our Catholic identity and these new spaces, and we invite you to continue to partner with us as we grow into this new era of learning at St Philomena’s.

Warmly,

Alistair Stewart

Principal