Principal's News
Journeying Together in Christ
Today, I joined many people at Dookie Catholic church for a retired staff member's funeral. Anna O'Keeffe (25th July 1953-Friday 25th October) retired from teaching in 2021 at St Luke's. She believed that every student should have access to music. She arrived from Croatia in 1960 and her educational journey brought her to this area. She was a special person who assisted others. She inspired the 'Faith and Light' team, which is a group for adults with disabilities. We thank God for her life and blessing us with her service at St Luke's.
Last term, I attended a conference in Christchurch. I was inspired by several speakers and really enjoyed hearing and learning about education in New Zealand and the Maori culture. Each morning of the conference would begin with ritual, dance and song.
At this leadership conference we heard from speakers in the school education system and educators outside the school setting. They could be well being coaches or sport coaches etc. One of these speakers was Gilbert Enoka. He has a long history of success as a mental skills coach with New Zealand’s corporate and sporting elite. He is internationally renowned for his 23-year history with the All Blacks, first as their mental skills coach and then as All Blacks Manager. He recently worked with the NSW Blues Rugby League team and I believe he is working with the Chelsea FC. One line that stuck with me was, "Dream Big but do the hard work, there is no magic solution".
World Teachers Day
Today, Friday 25th October, we celebrate and honour our teachers. Their contributions to the lives of so many needs to be acknowledged regularly.
Today is a formal recognitions of the work our teachers do every day. At St Luke's every staff member is a teacher. We all play a role in guiding young lives. I thank our teachers for what they do. Their friendly face each morning is sometimes all that is needed for a child.
I can say that every day I have a moment when a student impacts me. It may be one smile or a hello that changes the direction of my day. I enjoy the simple moments like playing frisby on Thursday before school with a group of children. Every experience is a teachable moment.
Congratulations Lexi (Coomans) and Lawton Miles who were married last weekend. Lexi is so grateful for all the well wishes from the community.
Class Structure 2025
We are very excited to announce, that in 2025 all classes will be 'straight' grades. In recent years we have been Foundation, 1/2, 3/4, 5/6
At the moment based on current numbers we will have:
Foundation- 3 classes
Year 1- 2 classes
Year 2- 2 classes
Year 3- 2 classes
Year 4- 2 classes
Year 5- 2 classes
Year 6- 1 class
There will be more information communicated before the end of the year.
Staffing
We wish Andrew Sait all the best as he moves schools after 6 years at St. Luke's. He will be at St Jospeh's Numurkah in 2025. Staff changes are acknowledged formally at the end of the year.
2025- MAGNIFY Sandhurst
every student
every teacher
every school
every day
We have approximately 15 staff members involved in Literacy Professional Development over the coming weeks. They will join staff across all our Diocesan schools for the two day PD. Please refer to the letter I sent via email on Wednesday 11th September for information regarding 'Magnify'.
Landscaping Work
This work is progressing well. Once completed there will be a new fence, grass, fire pit area and bike space.
Calendar and start of 2025
Please keep an eye on the newsletter calendar page. I have added some more dates for 2025.
Staff Watch
Jess Moodie (Foundation teacher)
Seeing I was on Newsletter with Mr Sait, I thought to write about something other than sport because while I do consider myself a runner this is nothing compared to Mr Sait!!
Many of my past students know about my love for word games, though few realize that it’s a family affair. Each month, my extended family and I engage in a Wordle competition that’s slightly more competitive than we’d like to admit. The winner receives the coveted "Wordle" hat, and I’m proud to say that one of my most exciting accomplishments this year was clinching the September title (check out the green Wordle hat and the celebration cake!).
Another achievement I’m extremely proud of is the publication of my book "A Thought A Day". After a lot of hard work, at the beginning of this year my book was published, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has bought a copy. I love hearing the stories about the conversations it sparks!
Andrew Sait (3/4 teacher)
Some people may see me running around Shepparton. In 2022 I won the Front Markers Mile on Stawell gift day, the Meadowglen and Bendigo 1600m Open (the other sashes).
I came 19th in the Run Melbourne Half Marathon with a time of 1:15:27 earlier this year. My brother and I don't mind competing against each other and enjoy the friendly banter afterwards.
David Keenan
(Principal)