Dear Families,

I wish you a very warm welcome to the 2026 school year. Our students have returned to school ready for learning, joined by the newest members of the St Anne’s community, our 2026 Prep students. They’ve had a busy first few days of school - meeting buddies, exploring playgrounds, learning routines and making new friends. They even joined us at our Opening Mass today at St Anne’s Church. Fr Denis was very impressed with their reverence and their singing. We look forward to watching our Prep students learn and grow over the next 7 years.

A particular welcome to the new students and families joining us in year levels other than Prep. 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 2026.

On our first day back as a staff, our new Religious Education Leader Sarah Notaro challenged us to take up the mantra Called to be Saints, which is a quote from St Paul’s Letter to the Romans. We will be calling back to this theme throughout the year with both staff and students. An excerpt of Sarah’s presentation is included below for your reflection.

We are called to holiness. The word saint comes from the Latin sanctus, meaning “holy,” reminding us that this calling is not one we can fulfil alone. We are called to holiness as part of a faith community.

The saints serve as our role models - living examples of how to grow closer to God through lives marked by sacrifice, patience, kindness, courage, and love.

In the same way, we are called to be role models for those around us. Through our words, actions, and interactions, we bear quiet witness to young people, showing them what it means to live each day with purpose, compassion, and faith.

Staff then undertook an artistic activity where we represented two figures - one a Saint who inspires us, and one ourselves as the Saint we are called to be in 2026. Our collective effort (almost finished!) is on display in our staffroom as a reminder of 2026 theme.

You can see our theme Called to be Saints reflected in the At St Anne’s cards that students receive when staff members notice them demonstrating the behaviours we teach, reinforce and expect. While our focus this week has been At St Anne’s We are Learners, students have received these cards for many different reasons. Some classes have even been lucky enough to receive random mystery rewards for their efforts. We look forward to celebrating lots of student success over the course of the year.

Please reach out with any questions, complements or concerns - principal@sasunbury.catholic.edu.au

Warm Regards and God’s Blessings,

Stephen

New Staff 2026

Georgie Van Essen, Prep M Teacher

Hello, my name is Georgie Van Essen and I am delighted to have recently joined the Prep team at St Anne’s. I am very excited to be part of such a supportive and welcoming school community.

Becoming a teacher has been a dream of mine since childhood, and I am passionate about helping children develop a love of learning from the very beginning of their education. I strongly believe that the early years lay the foundation for future success, and I am committed to giving each child the best possible start to their school journey.

Outside of the classroom, I love spending time with my husband, our two young children, and catching up with family and friends. I enjoy cooking, caring for my indoor plants, travelling, and unwinding with a good mystery novel whenever I can find some time. I’m also the proud owner of my much-loved Persian cat, Tiggy.

I look forward to getting to know the St Anne’s community and building strong connections with students and families.

Heidi Gebbo, 6W Teacher

My name is Heidi Gebbo and I am excited to be teaching Grade 6 White at St Anne’s this year. I am really looking forward to being part of such a welcoming school community and supporting students as they grow, learn and prepare for their final year of Primary School. My overarching goal as a teacher is to build student confidence and guide them in developing the skills they need to prosper in the real world. I aim to create a classroom environment where students feel safe, supported and free to be themselves.

Outside of the classroom, I love spending time with my family and staying active. I have played soccer for over ten years and enjoy running and walking, usually with a coffee in hand!

A huge part of my life is my beautiful Cavoodle, Bowser, who truly is my whole world. I love taking him for long walks and spending as much time with him as possible!

I’m a passionate Essendon supporter and, although I love playing soccer, I definitely love watching football even more!

I’m really looking forward to building strong relationships with my students and their families, working in partnership to support each child’s learning and wellbeing, and making Grade 6 a positive, memorable and successful year for the students at St Anne’s!

Heidi :)

Rachel Allan, 5M Teacher (Thurs & Fri)

Hi, my name is Rachel Allan, and I am so excited to be joining the St Anne’s community.

I am an experienced educator with a genuine passion for teaching, and a particular love for creating engaging learning experiences in Mathematics. Last year, I had the pleasure of working at St Anne’s as a Casual Relief Teacher, where I loved getting to know both students and staff.

Outside of school, life is wonderfully busy with my three young children. While spare time is fairly limited, I enjoy a quiet coffee whenever I can find one, or sneaking a piece of chocolate in peace. Growing up, I loved playing netball, and this year I am setting some personal goals and focusing on getting back into my fitness. I also enjoy spending time outdoors and being in nature, which helps me recharge.

Bring on 2026!

Leonie Wallis, 5/6 PE Teacher

Hello everyone! My name is Leonie and I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the team at St Anne’s. This will be my fifth year teaching Physical Education. I love teaching PE and love giving every child the opportunity to have a go, have fun and feel successful in sport lessons. I hope to inspire a lifelong love of physical activity. Before I taught PE I was a classroom teacher and have taught all classes from Prep to Year 3. I have lived in this area for 6 years now having previously lived in suburbia so I am loving this tree change and all this wonderful fresh air. When I am not teaching I love spending time with my family and 2 dogs. We love going on picnics, walks, visiting cafes and visiting new places around this beautiful area. We do enjoy playing a game of Fortnite as well.

Looking forward to meeting you all and having a fantastic year!

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