Dear Parents and Carers,

We find ourselves in week 8 of Term 4 and in the aftermath of what was a highly successful St Mary’s Fiesta. With 3 weeks remaining of Term 4 we are looking to finish off the year positively and productively with our students, enjoying the accomplishments and growth that 2024 has brought us.

Building Update

Today I met with Smith and Tracey Architects and the MACS Building and Infrastructure team to discuss the tenders from the builders for our Roseberry St refurbishment project. All went well and we are on track to appoint a builder and begin preparations for the work to commence mid December.

We will plan and communicate any interruptions or movement needed once the appointed builder has been able to give us a schedule. This is an exciting development for St Mary’s and will provide a wonderful upgrade to these buildings for 2025 and beyond.

Fiesta

That’s a wrap on St Mary’s Fiesta 2024! What a great evening it was! From the variety of stalls to the great food and beverages to the rides for the children and the great items on offer in the online auction. Everything went off without a hitch and in a very enjoyable way.

Events like these, put on by the army of volunteers from our community are part of what makes St Mary’s so special. Everyone had a great time and the day created many lasting memories for us all.

A special thank you to all of the volunteers who helped out on the day and in particular:

Sponsorship and Donations	Tom Connell Caroline Locke Katie Keating Sarah Connolly
Volunteer and Stall Coordinator	Karen Schulze
Marketing and Communications	Yvette Dugina (comms) Katie O’Keefe (design)
Food and Beverage	Roy Dass, Anthony Bishop (SMFASS) Jade Shillington, Kath Worn
Rides Coordination	Sarah Connolly
Logistics and Operations	Amanda Atkins Marg Absalom
Treasurer	Iain Sanders
Silent Auction	Brett Hungerford
P&F Co-Presidents	Sarah Connolly Tom Connell

Stall	Lead
Photo booth	Foundation Tanya Williams
Cookies	Foundation Carla Fontanini
Lob A Choc	Grade 1 Anne Ruffo
Face Painting / Tattoos	Grade 2 Lucianne Midiri
Pancakes	Grade 3 Natalie Richards
Dunking Machine	Grade 3 Nicki Madden
Animal Nursery	Grade 3 Nicki Madden
Canteen (hot food)	Grade 3 Nicole Timoney + Rachel Grant
Popcorn/Fairy Floss/Soft Drinks/Snacks	Grade 3 Lou Miziewicz
Cake stall	Grade 4 Katie Keating
Lollies / Lucky Dip	Grade 5 Bree Jardine + Elise Jones
Wine Wall	Grade 6 Keryn Yaxley + Jane Anderson
Slushies	Grade 6 Students
Choc Tops	Students
Devonshire Tea	Shona McIntyre
BBQ including spit/pulled meat	SMAFSS
Bar	SMAFSS
Margaritas	Grade 1 Jade Shillington + Kath Worn
Ticket Booth	Sam Olsen/ Iain Sanders / Katrina Firman
First Aid	Marie Parker St John’s Ambulance

Be Ready

My Be Ready example for this week comes from our teachers. It’s that time of year where we are looking to wind down the learning and have fun and connected experiences with our students for the final few weeks. It is a special privilege leading a classroom, strong connections and relationships are forged over the course of the year and much struggle, success and joy has been shared. Our teachers are working to Be Ready to say goodbye to their current class and start connecting with their next one. The only constant in life is change.

IMPORTANT Pickups and Drop offs

Please do not double park near the drop off bays or que along the street outside of the pink pickup/drop off areas. If you do, you risk fines or further action from council authorities. These actions create blockages for traffic and dangerous situations for cars and pedestrians from our school community.

If there is no space in the pink waiting bays for pick ups or drop offs you will need to circle the block or park your car in a permitted spot in the surrounding streets and walk in for pick up/drop off.

Double parking and blocking the street remain an issue at pick up times so please play your role in helping be part of the solution. Blocking off traffic access to our adjoining streets is a potentially dangerous activity and one that risks further action from council authorities.

Stay safe, stay healthy, stay connected,

Denis Johnstone

Principal

2024 St Mary's Fiesta Sponsors

Nelson Alexander Flemington

Ascot Vale Pharmacy

The Happy Apple

Guardian Medical Showgrounds