Leadership Communication

Dear Families,

What a wonderful way to close our year together. Tuesday saw our biggest carols evening ever and was a joyful celebration of music and community. Thanks to all who attended. Thursday was our Graduation and was a beautiful moment to honour our Year Six students as they step into their next chapter. 

Your child’s report is now live and available through your PAM account. As we come to the end of the year, I want to acknowledge the steady growth we have seen in learning across all classes. The children have shown curiosity, resilience and a real willingness to try new things. It has been a privilege to watch them grow.

I would also like to thank our teachers and ESOs for their dedication and care. They give so much of themselves to ensure our children feel seen, supported and encouraged every day.

Wishing you and your families a peaceful and happy and holy Christmas. May the break bring rest, laughter and time with the people you love.

Kate, Andy, Peta, Jen and Sarah

Staff Farewells

Our school is a place of learning and growth and our valued staff take these skills to other schools where they share and learn further.

This year we farewell the following staff:

Mr Andrew McDermott, our Religious Education Leader, who has spent 5 years building our recontextualised, dialogical understand of the Catholic message of love, service and faith. Andrew is going to live out his faith working in a volunteer role for part of the year in Cambodian schools with his wife. 

Mrs Connie Paola, is retiring from a long and happy career. She joined us here in 2020 and has taught all year levels with her patient and diligent nature. She will be greatly missed and we wish her a beautiful retirement with her explanding family.

Mr Christian Leggas, Education Support Officer in year 4 who has been a dedicated and caring support for many students across the school. Christian is moving to a similar role in a secondary setting with students who find mainstream school challenging. We know he will make a great impact on their lives.

Mrs Tania Christopher, Education Support Officer in year 2 who has shared her musical talents with the parish family and worked with students in the junior school. Tania is saddened to be leaving but the travel to and from school after a move into the Eastern suburbs is tricky. Tania will move to another Catholic primary school.

Mr Zac Gulavin, Education Support Officer, who recently graduated as a teacher and will be travelling in 2026 before finding his perfect teaching role on his return.

Ms Aliyah Bafto, Languages Assistant, is transferring to St Josephine Bakhita PS. We thank Aliyah for her support in our embedding of the Auslan program.

Miss Tess Bayley who has worked with us in Damascus part time this year and has accepted a position at a brand new local school.

Teaching Staff For Next Year

Principal:

Kate Dourley

Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning:

Peta Overbury

Deputy Principal Inclusive Education: 

Jen Gulavin

Religious Education Leader:

Sarah Chappell

Teacher Community Placements:

Galilee - Foundation:  FA Miss Shuangshuang Liu, FB Miss Emily Stecca, FC Mrs Nimanthi Perara, FD Miss Cathy Song

Jerusalem - Year 1: 1A Mrs Emma Sheehan, 1B  Miss Nya Galuk, 1C Mr Ben Dixon /Mrs Linzi Hoonan, 1D Mrs Alona Naidoo.

Damascus - Year 2: 2A Miss Cass Schalks, 2B Miss Esha Blake, 2C  Mrs Ange McCullough, 2D Mrs Nuwani Bandara

Ephesus - Year 3: 3A Mr Steve Clarke, 3B Miss Jodie Bawden / Miss Amanda Karam , 3C Mrs Bianca Wolverton/ Mrs Amy Richardson, 3D Mrs Gurbiner Bhagat.

Jericho - Year 4:  4A Mrs Leah Avard / Miss Love, 4B Miss Shiromi Wijeratne, 4C Mrs Susan Boyes, 4D Mrs Carmen Pocock

Bethany - Year 5: 5A Mr Dalton Woods, 5B Mrs Lyndal Mihic, 5C Mrs Crystal Wang, 5D Mrs Kanchan Suri

Bethlehem - Year 6: 6A Mrs Christine Bellert, 6B Miss Crystal Krytenburg, 6C Mrs Sally Brooks, 6D Mr Shaun Van Dam  6E Miss Jackie Bishop 

STSS team: Mrs Chantel Prince, Miss Jess Cannazaro / Mrs Jess Ram, Mr Lance Rooney, Mrs Wendy Silvester

Arts: Visual Art -  Mrs Helina Walker, Media Art - Mrs Emily Robertson

PE: Mr Anthony O'Rourke, Mrs Sarah Rietwick

Leader Release: Miss Jane Heard, Mrs Amanda Karam, Mrs Brittany Madders and Mrs Rochelle Smith

Curriculum Leaders:

EAL/Auslan - Jodie Bawden

eLearn - Lance Rooney

English - Bianca Wolverton

Maths - Ben Dixon

Instructional Coaches:

Bianca Wolverton

Carmen Pocock

Emily Robertson

Jackie Bishop

Kanchan Suri

Lyndal Mihic

Nimanthi Perera

Shiromi Wijeratne

Learning Adjustment Team:

Emily Stecca

Nuwani Bandara