Principal's Message

Dear St Philomena’s Families,

Wow, I can’t believe how fast Term 2 has gone at St Philomena’s! Not long now and we will be breaking up for the Term 2 holidays. However, there is a lot more learning in store yet.

Firstly, in this newsletter article, I want to begin by celebrating the outstanding success of our recent P&F Trivia Night, held last Friday at the Moree Rugby Club. The evening was a fantastic event full of laughter, friendly competition and community spirit. We were thrilled to welcome over 100 attendees, and thanks to entry fees, raffles, and auctions, we raised an incredible $13,000!

This remarkable achievement is a testament to the generosity of our sponsors and donors, and the tireless efforts of our P&F team. The funds raised will benefit all students at our school. The P&F are currently fundraising for new chilled, filtered water coolers for our students, and they continue to subsidise school excursions to ensure every child has access to enriching learning experiences. Events like this truly help build our school community, and I encourage any parents interested in joining the P&F to get involved — it’s a rewarding way to contribute and connect.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank all of our parents and families for the ongoing support you show our school. Recently, our secondary families received a letter highlighting how proud we are of our students and the way they are contributing to a positive and supportive learning environment.

At St Philomena’s and across all Armidale Catholic Schools, we are committed to ensuring students experience:

• A sense of safety and security (I am safe)
• A sense of self-worth (I am respected and valued)
• Social connection (I am part of a community, I am wanted and needed, I can listen and be heard)
• Self-efficacy (I can do things to look after myself and others)
• A sense of purpose, hope and meaning (Going to school is worthwhile; I can live a good life in a world worth living in)

These ideas are brought to life through our three Rules for Living:

1. I am Safe
2. I am Valued, Respected and Cared For
3. I am a Learner

We encourage all students to reflect on how they live out these rules each day, as they help create the best possible environment for learning and growth for everyone.

Building Update

Thank you to our school community for your continued patience as we move closer to completing our building project. Armidale Catholic Schools are working closely with Moree Shire Council, and a plan is now in place to finalise the works. We’re hopeful that our students and staff will be enjoying our brand-new classrooms and facilities by the beginning of Term 4.

Staffing Update

We are continuing to actively recruit teachers, particularly for our secondary classes. We look forward to welcoming some new staff during Term 3 who will add even more to our St Phillies community.

Thank you again for everything you do to support St Philomena’s. Wishing all our families a safe, restful, and enjoyable weekend!

Warm regards,

Alistair Stewart

Principal

St. Philomena’s School, Moree