Dear Families,

As announced yesterday by the MACS Southern Regional Manager Deb Eagan, Mr Tony McMahon, Principal of St Joan of Arc, Brighton has been appointed as Lead Principal of both Brighton and St Mary’s, Hampton.

We acknowledge this is a time of change but also is a time for growth and opportunity for our community. Having previously worked with Tony, as well as our continued connection between our neighbouring schools, he is an experienced, strong and supportive leader who I know will be present within the St Mary's community, to develop strong relationships with members of our school community. I am extremely confident that he will work effectively with Evelyn Whatmore and the rest of the school leadership team in leading our School Improvement Agenda in 2024 during my period of leave. The following staff will also join Tony and Evelyn to form the Leadership Team in 2024:

Student Wellbeing Leader: Daliah McLoughney
Learning Diversity Leader: Annie Walker
Literacy Leader: Catherine Wensley
Maths leader: Ally Mullany
STEM Leader: Max Reid

Final staffing for classes will be outlined in the next newsletter, in a fortnight’s time. Students will participate in an orientation session with their new teachers on Monday 11th December.

Parents and Friends Committee Meeting

There will be a PnF Meeting at 2pm on Friday 1st December to establish roles and develop the 2024 calendar of events for the committee. After four years as PnF President, Malina Curry will be stepping down. I want to thank Malina who has given so much of her time, energy and commitment to the role. We are extremely grateful for Malina’s contribution in this voluntary role. The PnF President role, along with other roles for 2024, will be put out for nomination via Operoo following the meeting on December 1st. The role of the PnF President is to be a point of contact for position holders, chair meetings, to delegate and liaise with the Principal and Office Administrator. Please email Malina at pnf@smhampton.catholic.edu.au if you are able to attend and participate in the meeting. Please also contact me if you are interested in the PnF President role or wish to know more.

School Review, School Improvement Plan 2024-2027 and School Closure Day

Next week our external reviewer, Craig Tanner, will meet with the school Leadership Team, School Advisory Council and our MACS Regional Leadership Consultant Simon Fitzpatrick to present the Review Report from our recent School Review, outlining the school’s strengths and opportunities and key recommendations. These recommendations will be used to for the school’s School Improvement Plan that will be developed by staff on our School Closure Day on Monday 27th November. The final newsletter in a fortnight’s time will be an opportunity to share the key findings of the review with the school community.

Prep Orientation and Information Night

Over the past two weeks, we have had the joy of welcoming a wonderful group of little learners to our Prep Orientation Sessions each Wednesday. Already all the children are extremely well settled and getting to know each other. Our final two orientation sessions take place on Wednesday 22nd and 29th November, with an information night for parents on Tuesday 28th November at 7pm.

Semester Two Written Reports

Semester Two reports will be available via the Nforma Portal on the afternoon of Friday 8th December. Nathan Eddy will send out information to families with information on how to access your child's report via the portal prior to the release date.

Year Six Graduation

There will be a Graduation Liturgy for our Year Six students on Thursday 14th December will be the last day for Year Six students. There will be a Guard of Honour on the main playground at 3pm. The Graduation Liturgy will commence at 6:00pm in St Mary's Church. The Graduation Celebration will commence at 7pm, with a disco in the hall for the students and drinks and nibbles for parents in the Imagination Garden.

End of Term 4

The Last day of Term for Prep-Year 5 students is Friday 15th December, with school concluding at 1pm. Our End of Year Liturgy will be at 9:00am in St Mary’s Church. Parents and carers are most welcome to attend.

Matthew Sweeney

Principal

principal@smhampton.catholic.edu.au

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