A Message from the Principal

Peace on Earth and goodwill to all

This is our last newsletter for 2023. The end of the year had a final curve ball for us with a number of staff members contracting Covid in this last week. My sincere thanks to all who stepped in to look after the school in my absence. Special thanks to Mrs Antoniadis and Mrs McKeown and all the staff for keeping the school running smoothly. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful staff and the support of Sydney Catholic Schools.

This year has been our strategic renewal year, with the panel visiting the school in late October to review our reflection on our school's learning improvement over the last five years and validate our strategic direction for the next improvement cycle. I had the joy of reviewing the draft report this week and look forward to sharing with you the executive summary after the Executive Director has signed off on the report. It is very affirming and supports our vision moving forward. We are very grateful to all the students, staff, and parents who contributed to the process. 

This Sunday we celebrate the third Sunday of Advent. This is one of my favourite Sundays of the year because the colour of the vestments is rose. It is called Gaudete Sunday which means "Rejoice"! We are reminded to "Rejoice in the Lord, always!" We look forward with joy in anticipation of the celebration of Christmas.

Just as we looked back and forward for our review, we look forward to the end of the school year and the celebration of the Birth of Jesus, but we also look back with gratitude for the many amazing experiences we have shared in 2023. My sincere gratitude to Fr John, Fr Liem, and the Parish staff for supporting our school in so many ways, to the school staff who put so much energy and dedication into improving student outcomes and ensuring the students are cared for, to the parents for the amazing support in fundraising and social events and to the students for striving to make St Martha's the kind of place where everyone wakes up in the morning and says, "Yay! I'm going to school today!"

Classes for 2024

Classes announced today! This afternoon the students got to meet their teacher and classmates for 2024. Some parents stress about which class their child is in and imagine that the labels Blue and Gold hold some significance. Once upon a time classes were named after their teacher's surname. I taught 1P, 2P and 3P, before the system asked each school to use generic names for classes. Most schools went with their school colours, Blue and White, or Green and Gold. At St Martha's we used Blue and Gold. The two classes are created equal, very purposefully to ensure equal learning. So they are both the best. Blue Ribbon and Gold Medal: both mean first. I know the students will be very excited about their classes for 2024.

Farewell -Leaving Families

We wish a fond farewell and thank you to those families ending their time at St Martha's. For some, it has been a long association, and for others just a brief time. We trust that they each take treasured memories of their experiences at St Martha's. Farewell to the following families:

Staff 2024

As communicated earlier this week, Mrs. Josie Antoniadis will be taking up a Coordinator 2 role in another Sydney Catholic School in 2024. We thank Mrs Antoniadis for her amazing contribution to life at St Martha's. An incredibly talented and dedicated teacher and leader, and we will miss her very much. Also leaving this year is Mrs Melissa Law. Mrs Law will be taking up a part-time position at St Brigid's at Marrickville. We thank Mrs. Law for her outstanding work this year teaching Personal Development, Health, and Fitness. Mrs Georgette Kelly also leaves us as she heads back to St Anne's at Strathfield South. We thank Mrs Kelly for her fabulous work as part of the Kindergarten Team. Please see the attached staff list for our 2024 team

I wish you all a safe, healthy, and happy Christmas Season filled with joy, love, and laughter. May your New Year bring peace to your family and the holiday period provide renewal of body, mind, and spirit. I wish those departing St Martha's all the very best for the future and look forward to welcoming all those who are returning to school for 2024, as we continue to nurture a thriving Catholic community.

Peace and best wishes,

Carolyn Parsell