Principal's News

Dear Parents,

Our students presented their Wakakirri story dance last Friday night at the Westernport Writes Festival in Balnarring. All I can say is Wow! Wow! Wow!

The way our kids performed, adapted with different roles with some students unable to attend and just flourished was something very special. 

The Westernport Write Festival was all based around stories of Westernport and the Bay and we could not have been more a perfect fit to start the whole Festival. There were many teary eyes in the room and the organiser and presenter kept referring to the hope our students gave everyone present in the future of our beautiful peninsula and our amazing Westernport Bay. A special shout out to Gus, Willow and Maddie for also speaking on the night- inspiring.

A huge thanks to Amanda, Naomi, Lisa Katie, Kate, Rob and Ange for attending on the night. A true team of champions!

A big shout out and thanks to Pat Neidhart for transporting the balloon and coming back at 9.30pm to take it back to school.

What a wonderful community day we had on Friday 30th August celebrating all of our Fathers and special father figures at St. Mary's. It was such a show of the strength of our community and how important it is to ensure we have opportunities to celebrate and be with our precious children.  

Our wonderful 1/2 students led our Fathers Day Mass and were inspirational to all in the confidence they demonstrated and the way they were shining and flourishing. Thankyou to Lisa and the parent team who cooked breakfast on the day and for all who came along.

Fathers and father figures play a critical and distinct role in children’s lives and the evidence demonstrating fathers’ potential to positively influence their children’s health, social success and academic achievements is indisputable. 

Current research shows that targeted and universal interventions aimed at promoting positive parenting behaviours and fathers’ engagement increase fathers’ or special persons involvement, significantly improve child outcomes, and prevent harmful and anti-social behaviours. Thanks to all of our community for coming along and joining in celebrating our fathers and special people.

A huge congratulations to our senior students on a great performance at the District Athletics last Thursday. We are so proud of all of your great efforts and congratulate all students who have proceeded to the next level.

Please try to fill out the MACSSIS survey sent home  last week. We highly value your feedback. These were emailed out to all families and we would appreciate your feedback. Some surveys have gone to SPAM so please check this or email principal@smhastings.catholic.edu.au if you have not received your login.

Marketing and Promotion

The best marketing tool for our school is word of mouth. We would love you to  promote our wonderful school to any interested and potential families. 

Please promote that we are an inclusive community where all families are welcome and we have a concessional fee policy for all health care recipients and any families suffering financial hardship.

Next week is our final week for Term 3. This will be our final newsletter for the term.

Congratulations to all of our community for working so magnificently together to support our students. It has been such a pleasure to work with you throughout the term and share our learning and special celebrations as a community.

Thank you to all of our parents for working in partnership with us throughout the term. The quality of the engagement in learning and the quality of the relationships between home and school have been a testament to you all.  We can not thank you enough for all you have done.

Thank you to our amazing staff who have gone above and beyond, working tirelessly throughout the past term ensuring every student belongs, connects, and grows in their learning. I am so privileged to work with such a dedicated staff and thank each of them for their brilliant efforts.

As we go into the term break, please take the time to make moments matter,  relax, and enjoy health, wellbeing, and our families. 

We finish Term 3 with our end of term assembly at 2.45 pm on Wednesday 18th September. 

Thursday 19th and Friday 20th are pupil free days as staff will be participating in the annual staff conference.

Term 4 commences on Monday 7th October 2024.

Take care and I look forward to continuing on our journey together in Term 4.

Yours in Partnership,

Gab