Principal's Update
Dear Parents and Carers,
During the season of Lent, we hear the words of sacrifice and fasting used often. While these are traditional and important aspects of our Lenten journey, it is also important to think about ways of ‘feasting’. That is, looking at our own lives and ways we can look within ourselves and ‘feast’ on positive behaviours that can have a great impact on our own wellbeing and relationships with others.
The Fast Life
Fast from judging others;
Feast on Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from fear of illness;
Feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute;
Feast on speech that purifies.
Fast from discontent;
Feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger;
Feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism;
Feast on hope.
Fast from negatives;
Feast on encouragement.
Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern;
Feast on compassion.
Fast from suspicion;
Feast on truth.
Fast from gossip;
Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm;
Feast on prayer that sustains.
Fast from anxiety;
Feast on faith.
Beginning of Year Mass/BBQ
This morning we celebrated a wonderful start to our year by attending a whole school beginning of the year Mass. It was a very prayerful occasion and it was great to welcome our new Preps. As always, the buddy blessing was a highlight and we wish our Gr 6 students well as they prepare for a big year guiding their Prep buddies and leading our school. We also wish our Prep students well as they begin their school life at St. Mary’s. They have done an amazing job settling in so well, and we are all very proud of them.
Tonight we gather as a school community for our beginning of the year BBQ. We look forward to seeing as many families as possible to celebrate what has been a great start to the year.
School Advisory Council Annual General Meeting
Last night the School Advisory Council AGM was held in the school library. All of the reports presented by teachers and myself were well received. There were 2 changes to the SAC with Scott Richardson and Kate Leahy finishing their terms. On behalf of the school community I would like to thank Scott and Kate for their contributions over the past 4 years. This year we welcome Josh Lamanna and Sean Maxwell to the School Advisory Council. The members for 2026 are;
- Michael Mahoney- Principal
- Jodie Hassett – Staff Representative
- Vanessa Oakley
- Beth Roe
- Alistair Harris
- Lauren Hickey
- Josh Lamanna
- Jennie Darcy
Sean Maxwell
NAPLAN
Over the next 2 weeks our Grade 3 and 5 children will complete NAPLAN tests in Reading, Writing, Numeracy and Language Conventions. While we look closely at individual and school wide results, the NAPLAN testing format is a learning environment that is not a regular part of our day to day experiences in the contemporary, differentiated classroom, where discussion, interaction and group sharing are encouraged. Therefore, we do not make judgments on the children based solely on their NAPLAN results. It is one of many assessment tasks that the children participate in throughout the year. Results will be sent to schools early in Term 2.
Prep Information Morning
On Monday 23rd March an information session will be held in the school library from 10.00am-11.00am. The meeting is aimed at prospective new families in 2027, but existing families are most welcome to attend. Topics covered will be specialist programs, mental health and wellbeing initiatives and strategies for helping parents prepare their child for school. If you have any family or friends looking to enroll their child at a school next year, please pass on this information. If you are intending on attending, please inform the school office.
Prayer Gathering/Leadership Badges
Next Friday March 13th, our first prayer gathering for 2026 will be held in our church at 9.00am. The theme will be leadership, and badges will be presented to our 2026 SRC members. All families are welcome to attend.
Use of Class Dojo
Class Dojo is a convenient, time efficient mode of communication between teachers and parents that has had a positive impact on parent engagement since its inception. It has been a wonderful way for teachers to give quick messages, feedback, reminders and to share experiences and visuals from everyday classroom activities and school camps/excursions. However, there are a few protocols and guidelines that need to be understood so that as a school community we have a shared understanding of its use. Therefore, I would like to make the following clear;
Some matters cannot be communicated effectively over Dojo and require face to face discussion. If this is the case, please make a time to meet with your child’s teacher
Teachers will be available to respond to messages from parents between 8am and 5pm
Teachers cannot be relied upon to be checking their phones throughout the school day, as they are busy teaching. Therefore, if you have an important message that needs to be passed on to your child eg transport, please call the school office.
To ensure Class Dojo remains an effective mode of communication between school and home, your understanding and cooperation is much appreciated.
Pupil Free Day
Our pupil free day this term will be held on Thursday 19th March. The focus for the day will be Structured Literacy.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Michael Mahoney
(Principal)