Principal's Report

Dear members of the St Cecilia’s School community,

A Fantastic Achievement!

What a fantastic couple of weeks it has been for our school community! We were proud to showcase the incredible talents of our students in two significant events: our annual Art Show and the exciting Kids in Space Program. Both of these experiences have highlighted the creativity, curiosity, and passion that flourish in our school.

Art Show Success

The Art Show was a stunning display of our students' artistic abilities, with every student contributing to the exhibition. The variety of work, from painting and sculpture to digital art, demonstrated the boundless imagination of our young artists. It was wonderful to see so many families come together to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our students and teachers, particularly Mrs. Julie Drum, whose leadership continues to nurture a love of art within our school. We are incredibly fortunate and grateful to be surrounded with such an amazing Art Educator in Julie, together with such a supportive and generous staff on such occasions. 

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the Art Show. The enthusiasm and positive feedback have been overwhelming, and we’re already looking forward to our next Art Show in two years time!

Kids in Space Program

Equally impressive was the participation of all of our senior students in the Kids in Space Program. Last week, our budding scientists and space enthusiasts delved into the mysteries of the universe, exploring everything from space travel to robotics. The hands-on learning experiences and team-based projects allowed our students to think critically and creatively while collaborating with peers.

What an amazing opportunity these students have embraced. Thanks largely to the leadership of our staff Fiona, Louise, Caterina, Trish, Carmel, Erica and Matt. These opportunities are only possible due to the detailed and creative thinking and work and dedication that preceeds the event. Special mention to Caterina, Erica, Carmel and Matt who led and drove these past few weeks with enormous dedication, patience and flexibility. We continue to be amazed and impressed by the engagement and productivity that emanates from such initiatives. 

A special congratulations to the finalists who were selected to represent our school at the Kids in Space Showcase Event in North Melbourne this Thursday.  They presented their projects admirably and gained tremdous experience, not only showcasing their projects, but listening and observing other schools as they presented also. These students have demonstrated exceptional innovation and problem-solving skills, and we are excited to see them shine on a larger stage. The students who attended the showcase were:

Group 1:

• Sebastian Distefano
• Alyssa Munafo
• Revin Dias
• Sofia Kouzmin

Group 2:

• Raphael Speekman
• Amelie O'Connell
• Lois Chieng
• Jake Reed

Both the Art Show and the Kids in Space Program have been a reminder of how fortunate we are to be part of such a vibrant and dynamic school community. Our students continue to inspire us with their talents and determination, and we are excited to see what they will accomplish next.

Exciting News: Welcoming Back Louise Jury and Fiona Walsh!

We are thrilled to share the wonderful news that two of our esteemed and much-loved Senior School teachers, Louise Jury and Fiona Walsh, will be returning to St. Cecilia’s at the start of next term after receiving treatment for their recent health challenges. Both Louise and Fiona are recovering well and are eager to return to the classroom, a sentiment shared by our entire school community.

Louise Jury plans to resume teaching 5/6B full-time, supported by Trish Revere on a fortnightly basis and Fiona Walsh will be returning on a part-time basis, initially for two days a week. Erica Christie, Trish Revere and Carmel Brownhill will continue to support 5/6A alongside Fiona for the remaining three days for the first few weeks of term, ensuring a seamless transition. 

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Carmel Brownhill, Erica Christie, Trish Revere, Caterina Cerrina, Antonella Gray, and Donna Evans for their incredible dedication in supporting our senior students throughout this busy term. Their guidance and commitment have provided stability and care during this time.

As we move into what promises to be a positive, productive, and exciting final term, we are especially looking forward to preparing our Grade 6 students for their upcoming Graduation in December and our Year 5's introduction to the leadership & buddy orientation program.

We can’t wait for what’s ahead!

School Imrpovement Survey

A very big thank you to all the families who have already completed our school improvement survey.

The close date has been extended until 12pm Sunday September 22.

We would love to reach 25% of families responding and are still just below this number.

To complete the survey, please access the following link: www.orima.com.au/macsfamily. 

In the search box under School Name, you must type our school’s name followed by the suburb before the portal will recognise and display the relevant school.

Individual invitations were sent earlier in the term which contained a unique FAMILY PIN to give you access. Search ORIMA in your inboxes to find this email.

To give families a little more incentive, we are going to have a random draw from those that complete the survey, to award free fair ride passes to one lucky family.

If you did not receive an invitation please email Matt: (mmooney@scgleniris.catholic.edu.au) and he can provide you with the Required PIN.

Congratulations to Our Year 4 First Communion Candidates

We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to our Year 4 students who received the Sacrament of First Communion for the very first time over the past two Sundays. It was a privilege to witness four beautiful celebrations, each filled with reverence, joy and surrounded by staff, friends and family from our school community.

We are incredibly proud of these students for taking this important step in their faith journey. Their dedication and preparation have been evident, and we are grateful for the support of their teachers and families who have guided them along the way, with particular thanks to our Religious Education Leader, Annmaree Hoy.

Thank you to everyone who played a role in making these celebrations so special. We continue to pray for our Year 4 students as they grow in their faith.

Landscape Masterplan: Phase Two Begins

I am excited to share an update on the second phase of our Landscape Masterplan, which will be commencing this week. The focus of this stage will be the development of the sandpit area and the playground located opposite the sandpit, next to the church.

This project will significantly enhance both areas, offering an improved play experience for our students while ensuring that our overall playspace footprint remains unchanged, which has been a key priority throughout this planning process.

Fencing will be installed this week to secure the work areas, and we anticipate that the project will be completed within the first few weeks of Term 4. 

We appreciate everyone’s understanding as we make these exciting improvements, and I look forward to sharing the finished result with the community soon!

Upcoming Events

• Last Day of Term 3: Friday 20th September -1:20pm finish
• Just a reminder that the first day back in Term 4 for all students will be Tuesday 8th October, with the staff involved in a Professional Learning day on Monday 7th where we will be focussing on Faith Development and Spirituality.

Farewell to Mia and Leonardo Marquez

This week, we bid farewell to two wonderful students, Mia Marquez (Grade 1) and Leonardo Marquez (Grade 3), who have completed their time with us at St. Cecilia's. We have thoroughly enjoyed having Mia, Leonardo, and their family as a part of our school community, and they will certainly be missed. We wish them all the best as they embark on a new chapter at their new school in Mitcham. Our thoughts and best wishes go with them!

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Incredible Volunteers

We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the amazing parent volunteers who continue to make a positive impact at St. Cecilia's. In particular, a special thank you goes out to all who helped make our Footy Lunch Day such a tremendous success today. This event, coordinated by the fantastic Chris Knott and supported by a huge team of helpful and generous parents, brought our school community together in such a fun and yummy way.

Your time, energy, and support truly mean the world to us. It is because of parents like you that we are able to create such special experiences for our students.

Thank you again for all you do!

A Pilgrimage of Reflection and Renewal

I am incredibly fortunate to share that during the upcoming holidays and into the first few days of Term 4, I will be embarking on a very special pilgrimage as part of the Eastern Network Principal Network. Alongside approximately 24 other Catholic Primary Principals, I will walk the historic El Camino de Santiago—a sacred trail in Spain that has been a path of faith for pilgrims for over a millennium.

El Camino de Santiago, also known as the Way of St. James, is more than just a walking journey. As my itinery suggests, "pilgrims on this trail carry not only a backpack but also a heart full of hopes, dreams, and prayers." Over the course of about 120 kilometers, we will follow in the footsteps of countless others, culminating at the resting place of St. James the Apostle in Compostela—a destination where many have found peace, reflection, and spiritual renewal.

In light of my own recent health challenges, this opportunity feels especially meaningful. I look forward to walking this spiritual path, drawing strength from the journey and the companionship of my fellow travelers. It will be a time of reflection and personal growth, and I hope to return with fresh perspectives and a renewed spirit.

I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and look forward to sharing my experiences with our students and the wider school community when I return. Until then, I will carry your good wishes with me and reflect on the blessings of being part of such a supportive and caring school family.

Please come and join us at Sunday Mass

Please remember, a Catholic school is eucharistic in character. The sacramental and prayer life of our local Church, especially in the gathering of God’s People in Sunday Mass, is integral to the mission of our Catholic school and indispensable to its richness. 

Please come and join us at Sunday Mass!

You are all most welcome!

St Cecilia's MASS SCHEDULE

Monday 9:15AM

Wednesday 9:15AM

Friday 9:15AM

Sunday 10:00AM & 5:30PM 

Have a wonderful break with your families everyone, as we look forward to Term 4 in a couple of weeks. Thanks for your continued support of our school. 

Marty McKenna

Principal

St Cecilia’s Primary School