This is the last official school newsletter for 2019. A brief publication will be shared on Wednesday 18 December 2019.

I sincerely thank the staff, parents, friends and students of St Philomena’s for our school year, blessed with opportunities and successes. To the families who leave us at this point in time, we wish you well in life beyond St Philomena’s School. The many volunteers, parents, grandparents, relatives and community members who have contributed to our school deserve recognition and heartfelt thanks. Our school has benefited from a bank of great achievements, created by small and large deeds, contributed by our volunteers. The work of the School Advisory Council and Parents and Friends Association is a vital part of our existence and deserves particular recognition. I am extremely grateful for the collective work of these groups.

St Philomena’s has positioned itself as a school within the diocese that has a clear, consistent and relentless focus on Learning. Schools are like a business, annually planning for improvement across a range of domains; embedding strategy and practice into the daily function, closely monitoring and measuring the impact. St Philomena’s Leadership Team has worked as a tight team with a sharp lens, to hold and maintain our grip on the five (5) domains (Learning is one) of our 2019 Annual School Improvement Plan. As a result of the dedicated and collective work of all staff, we have much to celebrate.

My time as a member of St Philomena’s School is coming to an end. Our school has been a huge part of my life, and one of my big loves. Thanks to the Sisters of Mercy (our school founders), the Christian Brothers and all those who have worked at St Philomena’s School, providing and or supporting great continuity of learning and faith.

I extend my personal thanks. I am grateful for the long moment of thirty-eight (38) years. My sincere thanks to everyone for being part of a team that helps make St Philomena’s School great. Catholic education in Moree will continue to have a strong presence and impact; moulding and shaping young minds and hearts well into the future.

School will conclude on Wednesday 18 December for all students. Thursday 19 December and Friday 20 December are pupil free days.

Upcoming End of Year Events

Friday 13 December

9:15am Farewell Mass and Graduation Yr6 & Yr10

11am Prizegiving Ceremony

Monday 16 December

Yr10 Graduation Dinner

Planning for 2020

Our 2020 planning needs information from our parent community. OTHER THAN students in Year 6 and Year 10, if you know that your child/children will not be returning to St Philomena’s in 2020, please complete the form below. We appreciate your early notification https://forms.gle/8yxoscqjJCXeq7yR8

Early Term 1 Dates 2020

Thursday 6 February

Term 1 Commences for all students

Kindergarten to start at 10am

Friday 7 February

Yr 3 -10 Swimming carnival

Friday 14 February

Opening School Mass and Prefect Induction

Uniform Shop

Opening Hours 2020

Monday 3 February 8:30am - 4pm

Tuesday 4 February 8:30am - 4pm

Wednesday 5 February 8:30am - 4pm

Thursday 6 February 8:30am - 4pm

The Uniform Shop will commence normal operating hours starting Term 1 Week 2

2020 Term Dates

Term 1

Thursday 6 February - Thursday 9 April

Term 2

Tuesday 28 April - Friday 3 July

Term 3

Monday 20 July - Friday 25 September

Term 4

Monday 12 October - Wednesday 16 December

Parents & Friends Association News