Week 3, Term 4

As most of you will now be aware, last week I shared the news that I will be leaving the St Mary’s community at the end of 2026 to take up a new appointment as Principal of St Thomas the Apostle in Cranbourne East.

This has certainly not been an easy decision, but one that I have made after much thought and consideration with my family. St Mary’s is a very special community, and leaving is something I have mixed emotions about.

I understand that another change in leadership may feel unsettling for some families, particularly given the changes our school has experienced over the past few years. However, I want to reassure you that there is a great deal of consistency and strength within our wonderful staff team. I have every confidence that whoever is appointed as Principal in the coming months will be warmly welcomed and well supported by the dedicated staff and families who make St Mary’s such a special place.

I would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank every member of our community for the kindness, encouragement and support you have shown me since my arrival. I am incredibly grateful for the trust you have placed in me to lead your school and, most importantly, to make decisions with the learning, wellbeing and best interests of our students always at the forefront.

I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together and the positive direction our school is heading. While my time at St Mary’s has been relatively short, the relationships I have built and the experiences we have shared will stay with me for a very long time.

There is still plenty to look forward to as we finish the school year, and I remain fully committed to ensuring a positive and smooth transition for our community as we prepare for 2027.

Year 3/4 Camp – Camp Iluka

Last week, our Year 3/4 students enjoyed a fantastic camp experience at Camp Iluka in Shoreham! It was wonderful to see the excitement, teamwork and enthusiasm displayed by our students as they embraced the many activities and challenges on offer.

Camp provides such valuable opportunities for students to step outside their comfort zones, build independence, strengthen friendships and develop resilience. It was especially pleasing to see students encouraging one another, giving new experiences a go and making the most of every opportunity.

A very big thank you to our wonderful staff who attended camp and made this experience possible. We know that camps require a significant commitment of time and energy, and we are incredibly grateful for the care and dedication our staff show in providing these memorable opportunities for our students.

We are so proud of our Year 3/4 campers and the way they represented St Mary's!

Staff Leave

In addition to the news shared above, I would also like to let families know that I will be taking leave from Wednesday 21st October until Monday 16th November. This leave has been planned and approved by MACS for some time.

I will be taking this time to support my eldest son as he navigates his Year 12 exams. For those of you who have already experienced Year 12 with your own children, or perhaps remember it all too well yourselves, I am sure you can appreciate the challenges (and stress!) that come with this important milestone. I am looking forward to being able to support him through these final weeks of his schooling, although I am not sure who will be more relieved when the exams are over!

During my absence, Naomi Corfield will take on the role of Acting Principal. I have every confidence that Naomi will do a wonderful job leading our school community, and I know she will be well supported by our fantastic staff and families.

I would also like to let families know that Ange Aldag will be commencing leave from Monday 26th October. Ange will initially be taking time to support her second daughter, Georgia, as she completes her Year 12 exams. Following this, Ange will be taking medical leave as she undergoes surgery that will require an extended period of recovery. This means she will be away until the beginning of 2027.

We wish Ange all the very best for her upcoming surgery and recovery and will certainly keep her in our thoughts and prayers during this time.

Changes to Staffing for 2027

Some more news regarding staffing for St Mary's:

I am now able to share the exciting news that Emma Strom has been appointed Deputy Principal of the brand-new St Carlo Acutis Primary School in Clyde North, commencing in 2027. This is sad news for St Mary's but a wonderful opportunity for Emma to be part of the founding leadership team of a new school, helping to establish its culture, vision and community from the very beginning. The school will open with over 70 Prep students, along with a class of Year 1–3 students, so there will certainly be plenty of excitement as they begin their journey!

Emma has made an enormous contribution to St Mary's, particularly in leading learning and teaching and supporting our staff and students. Her dedication, knowledge and passion for education will be a tremendous asset to her new school community.

While we will be very sad to see Emma leave St Mary's, I could not be happier for her as she takes this exciting next step in her leadership journey. Being a founding leader of a school is a very special opportunity, and I know Emma will embrace it wholeheartedly. Please join me in congratulating Emma on this wonderful achievement. We wish her every success as she embarks on this exciting new chapter!

I would also like to share that Natalie Dullard has made the decision to take a year of leave from St Mary's Primary School for 2027 school year.

Natalie will be taking this opportunity to explore different experiences and opportunities, while also enjoying some well-deserved time with her family and, of course, our beautiful Bexley!

Natalie has been a valued member of our St Mary's community, and we are incredibly grateful for the care, dedication and enthusiasm she brings to our school. Her work with Bexley and our Dogs Connect program has been a wonderful addition to the wellbeing of our students and staff.

While we will certainly miss having Natalie and Bexley around in 2027, we fully support her decision and wish her all the very best as she enjoys this time with her family and explores what the year may bring.

Classroom Placements for 2027

Is that time of year again! We are working on classroom organisation and structures for 2027. If you would like us to take into consideration a specific request for your child/children please send an email to nblack@smhastings.catholic.edu.au. This will be treated privately, but please be assured we think of every student and what is best for their learning and growth when planing students together, and we have such amazing teachers at St Mary's the students are well looked after!

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