Principals Message

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Remembrance Day is an important moment in our national story, offering us the opportunity to honour the courage, service and sacrifice of the men and women who have served in defence of Australia and in peacekeeping missions around the world. It invites us to pause, reflect and commit ourselves to building a more peaceful future. 

As a school community, we gathered in thankful prayer on Monday, then on Tuesday, we mark the traditional minute of silence at 11.00am. Our students had the opportunity to create and write on a poppie to show, as a school community, our gratitude to the soldiers who have fought to give us the country we have today. 

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

LEST WE FORGET 

2026 Foundation Transition Session 1 

Yesterday we welcomed our 2026 Foundation students for their first transition session. Our newest Mother Teresa students enjoyed meeting their teachers, exploring learning spaces, and engaging in simple activities designed to help them feel comfortable and confident at school. We look forward to supporting them across the remaining sessions which will occur on Thursday 20th November, Thursday 27th November & Thursday 4th December. 

I am pleased to share that joining our Foundation Team Leader, Mrs Carly Zorzi in 2026 will be  Dina Hanna & Terri Gibbons. 

 A reflection of my first year of principalship at Mother Teresa   

This week, I also reflect on my first twelve months as Principal of Mother Teresa Catholic Primary School, Mt Ridley. I am grateful for the welcome, trust, and partnership shown by our community. Over this year, I have seen firsthand the strength of our school: the dedication of our staff, the enthusiasm of our students, and the commitment of our parents to walk this educational journey with us.

Together with the executive team, we have led a significant shift in pedagogy, and I am proud to see students thriving through purposeful, high-quality instruction in Literacy and Mathematics. Our recent Grade 5/6 PAT-R results highlight this growth, with many students who were previously well below the Australian norm now meeting or exceeding it. These improvements are echoed across other year levels and in Mathematics. This progress has been made possible through the exceptional leadership of Mrs Naomi Glasby (Literacy Leader) and Ms Conchita Thomas (Mathematics Leader), and the dedicated work of our teachers who have embraced new learning and practice.

Alongside academic growth, our community events have been true highlights: our Welcome Picnic, Book Week Parade, and Celebration of the Arts evening have brought joy and connection to our school. Introducing students to Gen Bryant at our Mother Teresa Feast Day, where she shared the gospel messages of hope and love through song, was a particularly uplifting moment strengthening our Catholic beliefs as people of hope. 

The decision in consultation with the MACS infrastructure team to develop a school Masterplan to refurbish and refresh and build new spaces to enhance our school has also been a highlight, as this was an opportunity to hear from all stakeholders about what matters to them in regards to our school and plan for the future. The  Masterplan has recently been shared with myself and Darren, I can’t wait to share it with our community in the upcoming weeks. 

Finally, I thank you, our Mother Teresa families, for your ongoing support. My first year has been deeply affirming, marked by growth, collaboration, and a shared commitment to helping every child flourish.

God Bless, 

Jess