Principal's News

At this time of every year I reflect on my role in education. Once again, I am blessed to be in Catholic education. We witness so many wonderful moments. At times we face challenges but the enjoyment of working through most of these for a positive outcome makes it all worthwhile. So many people and external agencies support myself and the school community. These include the children, their families, school staff, CESL and external agencies/contractors. We have a beautiful school to foster the learning for children and staff and we are very grateful. As I stated on the school video, "I am a proud principal". I look forward to the last few days of school and celebrating the year with mass on Wednesday. 

Weather Forecast for Monday

At the time of writing this (Friday 10am) the predicted temperature is 45 degrees for next Monday. The school may receive information this afternoon or over the weekend. I will communicate this as I receive it. 

For future reference when the temperature is high/extreme, we make arrangements for outdoor activities to be inside or conduct modified lessons, and we may stay inside at recess. Children have access to fill up their water bottles at all times. There is no specific temperature limit. How 36 degrees feels may vary with wind, no wind, cloud or no cloud cover for example. We work on 36 degrees and assess the situation at break times (11:00am and 1:45pm).

2025 Orientations

All current children moved to their new classroom on Tuesday and met their teacher. We welcomed some new students in Years 1-6 and look forward to welcoming them in 2025.  We had two foundation teachers away sick so the children may be a little confused. The sickness in those rooms finally caught up with them. See below staff for 2025.

Rollover

As we end the year, our office administration will complete the rollover into 2025. Please be patient if you experience issues in 2025 and at the start of the school year. We hope the recent transition to Microsoft365 will not impact this rollover, but we cannot guarantee this. 

Staff

All staff are finalised for 2025. Please see below:

Office: Karli Heggart, Jodi Dudgeon

Maintenance: Chris Jones

Foundation: Jess Moodie, Karina Pigpdon, Lexi (Coomans) Miles

Year One: Lijarna Bekirofski, Bec Minogue

Year Two: Danielle Damianopoulos, Tim Kelly

Year Three: Grace Maher, Bettina DeGuzman

Year Four: Rosy Finn, Darcie Jondahl

Year 5: Connie Austen, Tristan Dyminski

Year 6: Eloise Liddell

Performing Arts: Chelsea Monk

Visual Arts: Hannah Forge

PE: Troy Watts

Part-time teaching roles: Meg O'Sullivan, Sarah Small, Jess Johnson

Language Support: Alicia Niglia

Learning Supports: Naomi Wilson, MaryLou Robinson, Nicole Keenan, Katrina Guiliani, Lucy Gallace, Holly Wright, Jess Salau, Jess Whipps, Marcus Ruggi, Ashtyn Atkinson, Nibin Sebastian

Other:

Principal: David Keenan

Deputy Principals: Jen McKillop, Chris Summers

POL (Positions of Leadership)

Learner Inclusion: Donna Allen

F-2 Learning: Jess Moodie

3-6 Learning: Eloise Liddell

Cleaners: Danihers Facility Management

Staff Leaving

Andrew Sait started at St Luke's in 2019. After six years with us and a couple at St Augustine's Kyabram, it is time for a change as Andrew stated. He said that he has loved every minute at St Luke's and I have witnessed this. Thank you for your dedication to teaching and working with others. We look forward to seeing Andrew about Shepparton as he begins a new journey at St Jospeh's, Numurkah. 

Melissa Hudson spent this year in Year 3/4 for 3 days per week. We thank her for supporting and guiding the learning of the children in her care. We wish her all the best. 

Special farewell

Fr Jackson Saunders recently announced that he is moving to the Cathedral in Bendigo. We thank Father Jackson for being with us for the past two years. While he is sad to be leaving he is excited for his new role in Bendigo. 

Advisory Council Farewells

Sath Saranathan and Bill Daunt are standing down from their roles. Bill has been at the school for many years. With his youngest (Jemma) heading to Year 7, Bill's time is up. We thank him for all his involvement from early in the schools history to 2024. We will still see Bill around the Golf Course as the head green keeper and at St Brendan's church. All the best Bill!

Sath Saranathan is standing down after starting in this role in 2017. He was Board and Advisory Chair. He stood down from the chair's role last year and has stayed on to offer ongoing support. His vision and 'advice' has been invaluable. 

I thank both gentlemen on behalf of the school community for being wonderful sounding boards and keeping the interests of all children at the centre of any discussion. 

The school thanks the Advisory Council and Community group for all their support.

Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd  (CESL) Personal Digital Devices Policy

As posted on PAM (Parent Access Module) please read this policy and accompanying letter from our Executive Director, Kate Fogarty. These documents will be on PAM until Friday 31st January. After this date they will be available in the Knowledge Bank (PAM).

Transition to Microsoft365

As the transition continues we are experiencing some glitches. Our CESL staff attempt to rectify these asap. Unfortunately, we do not know about some group emails not being received until after the event. For example- an email to the new 2025 Foundation families was not received by all. 

We apologise for the disruption to communication.

Calendar and start of 2025

Thursday 30th Jan- Year 1-6 return

Friday 31st Jan- Foundation begins

Tuesday 4th Feb- F-2 Information session 5:30pm

Thursday 6th Feb- 3-6 Information Session

5:30pm

Every Wednesday until the 10th March public holiday is a non-school day for Foundation. We hold individual testing during this period. 

  All the best for the Christmas period and the New Year.                                       

David Keenan

(Principal)