Dear Families,

A very warm welcome to the 2025 school year. I trust that everyone had a Christmas filled with faith, family, friendship and fun, and that the batteries had a chance to well and truly recharge.

Our students have returned to school ready for learning, joined by our newest and youngest members of the St Anne’s community, our 2025 Prep students. On Thursday and Friday last week we were lucky enough to welcome 89 students for their first days of school. We look forward to watching them learn and grow over the next 7 years. We also welcome new students who have joined St Anne’s at other year levels. Year 1 - Johnny C and Russel W. Year 2 - Sonny F, Alicia C and Mila M. Year 3 - Natalie S & Olivia G. Year 4 Lucy J. Year 6 - Lily D, Jared S and Aiden M. We trust that they will very soon feel part of the fantastic St Anne’s family. Please look further ahead in this newsletter for information about our new staff, as well as an overview of all staff and their roles in 2025.

As our first newsletter prayer for the year indicates, Pope Francis has declared 2025 a Year of Jubilee, with the theme being Pilgrims of Hope. Teachers will be unpacking what this means with students during the term. Information for adults will also be shared through our regular newsletters, as we aim to encourage everyone in our community to embrace the Jubilee theme and all that it entails.

On Tuesday last week, staff at St Anne’s were lucky enough to begin the school year by listening to Fr Denis share a history of Catholic Education in Sunbury. With 2025 being the 150th anniversary of the opening of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, a history lesson seemed very timely indeed. It is said that to truly know where you are going, you need to know where you have been. Fr Denis certainly highlighted to us the dogged determination with which Catholic families pursued a Catholic education for their children, often at great financial and political cost. When a new government act came into force in 1870, effectively ending funding for religious schools, the future of Catholic education was in grave danger. However, by reaching into their own pockets, and later on with the support of the Sisters of St Joseph, families ensured that a Catholic education would be available to all those who wanted it. More than 150 years later, the children and families of Sunbury in 2025 are the beneficiaries of such foresight, courage and commitment.

In this Year of Jubilee, and on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the opening of the bluestone Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, let us pray that our commitment to Catholic Education will be inspired by the examples of those who have gone before us.

Warm regards and God’s Blessings,

Stephen

sarthurson@sasunbury.catholic.edu.au

New Staff biographies

Lauri Plummer (Mrs Lauri)

Deputy Principal - Wellbeing

My name is Lauri Plummer, and I am thrilled to be joining St Anne’s Primary School as the

Deputy Principal - Wellbeing! After spending over 11 wonderful years at St Anthony’s Primary School in Melton, I am excited for this new chapter and the opportunity to become part of such a welcoming and vibrant school community.

I have a passion for working with young students, helping to provide them with a positive start to their learning journey while supporting their individual needs. I’ve already heard fantastic things about the friendly families and enthusiastic learners here at St Anne’s, and I can’t wait to get to know everyone.

Outside of school, I love all things sport- particularly football, basketball, and netball. I’m also a huge fan of the performing arts and enjoy seeing creativity come to life both on and off the stage.

I look forward to meeting you all and working together to make this a fantastic year ahead!

Vanessa Willis (Ms Vanessa)

English & Inquiry Leader 3-6

Hello St Anne’s Community! My name is Vanessa Willis and I have joined the staff team this year as Year 3-6 English and Inquiry Leader. I have had the pleasure of being connected to the community of St Anne’s for some years, so I already know what an amazing place it is to be a part of, and I am thrilled to officially be a member of this dedicated and passionate staff team.

I am excited to build new relationships and work alongside students, staff and families to ensure we are equipping our students with the skills and knowledge to be curious, capable, competent learners. I hope to continue to grow a love of learning, reading and writing in our students in partnership with our teachers and our families.

I have already been made to feel so welcome, and I am certain we will have a great year of learning together.

Alex Phillips (Ms Alex)

1G Teacher

My name is Alex Phillips and I am thrilled to be joining the St Anne’s community in 2025. I am excited to watch the students learn and grow into confident, independent and happy individuals throughout the years. I highly value and integrate student voice throughout the school year so that students can have autonomy within their learning and overall personal development.

Out of school, I love spending time with my friends and family. My beautiful rescue dog Jack is 7 years old and always enjoys a run around the park. My favourite thing to do is sit outside in the sun with a good book!

I am looking forward to getting to know the community at St Anne’s and providing a safe and engaging learning experience for all students.

Helen Kennedy (Mrs Kennedy)

4G Teacher

My name is Helen Kennedy, and I am thrilled and excited to be joining St Anne’s Primary School Community this year. Teaching is my passion and it brings me so much joy to see students thrive, learn and grow together. I will encourage the students I teach this year to be adventurous, have fun, work hard, ask questions and to see challenges as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Outside of school, I enjoy gardening, swimming, taking trips to the countryside and spending time with my husband, children and grandchildren. I am a mad Disney fan and I’m looking forward to my next trip to Disneyland!

I am looking forward to meeting and working with all the teachers, parents and students at St Anne’s . Everyone has made me feel so welcome and I truly look forward to the wonderful year 2025 will be!

Louise Spelde

Learning Support

Hi everyone, my name is Louise Spelde and I'm so happy to have joined the St Anne’s Community as an LSO for 2025. Staff and students have been so welcoming, helpful and friendly and have made my start at this beautiful school very relaxed and comfortable. Looking forward to working with you;)

Abbie James

Learning Support

My name is Abbie James and I am very excited to join the St Annes community as an LSO for 2025. I am looking forward to supporting the learning of our students and building meaningful connections throughout the year ahead.

Outside of school, I am a busy mum of four children. My two eldest children have been lucky enough to complete their primary school years at St Anne’s Primary School. We have some wonderful memories throughout their years that I will treasure for a very long time.

I am very excited to be welcomed with such great kindness from all students, staff and families. I can’t wait to see what 2025 brings!

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