From the Principal
The school will be closed on Monday, 3rd of November for a Time in Lieu day for teachers, we will also be closed on Tuesday, 4th of November for the Melbourne Cup Public Holiday. MACSEYE have advised there will be no holiday care provided on these days.
Production:
How amazing was last night????
Our stars of the show, the students were fantastic and really put on a show. I am sure you would all join me in rejoicing the fact that Kackawackdoo Bay was saved from Ms Magnate. A huge thank you to all of our families who came out to support our school. There will be many more photos shared in the newsletter next week. I think there will also be a video of the performance which will be shared in some way with the community.
To Mrs Wicks, thank you for your amazing work. We hope you enjoy your gift on behalf of the school community. We really look forward to the next show in a few years. To Mrs A and the rest of the STM staff (and our backstage support crew, many of whom were volunteers), a huge thank you. Your support and care for our students was amazing.
Staffing News:
As we move into the final stages of planning for 2026 it is with great sadness that we will farewell a number of staff at the end of this school year.
Mr Lakota Dugan - Lakota joined us this year and has worked in a part-time role in our Year 3 room. He has built solid connections within our school and he will be missed.
Mrs Sarah Thompson - Sarah also joined us this year to work in the 5/6 space. Sarah has had a busy year trying to balance a number of schools. Sarah will continue to work at Trinity in Narre Warren. Thank you for all your work this year Mrs Thompson.
Mrs Hazara - Hazara joined us part way through this year and has supported students in the Middle classes. We thank Hazara for her work and wish her all the best in the future.
Mrs Wendy Clair - Wendy joined us after completing her LSO rounds at our school. She has worked hard to develop relationships with staff and students. Wendy will be missed dearly, but we wish her all the best as she moves onto the next chapter.
We will be welcoming Ms Emily Biddle who will begin her teaching journey at STM, it is great to have Emily on board and she will be an awesome addition to our team.
We are also welcoming back Ms Jessie Prince after her maternity leave. We are super excited to have Jessie back with us.
I can also confirm class placements will be provided to families on November 7th (Friday). This is earlier than normal, however with our PSG meetings running with next year's teacher it is only fair that all students know who their teacher is next year.
Upcoming Excursions:
Prep - Year 2: Legoland @ Chadstone - 14th of November
Year 3: CERES Excursion - 24th of November
Year 5/6: CYC City Camp - 26th-28th November
Year 6: Fun Day - 5th of December (Operoo to be sent soon)
The Year 4 team are also organising an excursion, more details to be announced soon.
Pilgrimage to Italy:
After leaving San Giovanni Rotondo we visited Lanciano, a town which is famous for the first Eucharistic Miracle in 750AD. This was a bustling little town with friendly people who were busy setting up for an upcoming festival. We then headed to Assisi which was by far my favourite place on the trip. Famed for Saints Francis and Clair, the medieval town is a nice balance between bustling tourism and the simple life which was/is the way of the Franciscan Order. We visited the amazing Basilicas and enjoyed amazing food, including some of the best cannoli I have ever had.
We also got the amazing privilege to drive up into the mountains behind Assisi and visit the monastery where Francis of Assisi spent his time praying. A very special place and one that I would love to return to if I had the opportunity. I hope you enjoy the photos from these legs of the trip.
Student Code of Conduct:
Please take some time to review our Student Code of Conduct with your children.
Parent Code of Conduct:
Remembrance Day:
Remembrance Day this year falls on Tuesday, November 11th. The Upwey RSL have dropped Poppies off at the office to be purchased.
School Camp:
Year 5/6 City camp is now just over a month away. Mrs Jones and Mrs Janky have been working with the students to plan a fun time away. We will be holding an online information session for parents on Tuesday, 18th of November at 6:30pm. I will send a link for the meeting a few days in advance.
Parents and Friends AGM:
Information about Operoo:
As mentioned in the last few newsletters, Operoo will cease operation in Australia at the end of this school year. MACS have advised schools that are currently with NForma (we use NForma for Reports) to engage with them on their medical packages. Tarnia and myself will provide more information to families as the year concludes so we are all set up and ready to go for 2026.
Declan McDermott
Principal
