Acting Head of Campus

Journeying together in Faith, Learning and Community

The past three weeks at St Patrick’s Special School have been filled with joy, connection, and purposeful learning, as we continue to grow together as a faith‑filled community grounded in care, compassion, and hope.

During the past few weeks, we have celebrated St Patrick’s Day, a special opportunity to honour our school’s patron and to reflect on the values of service, kindness, and inclusion that guide all that we do. This included our Welcoming Mass, where students, staff, and families gathered in prayer to mark the beginning of the school year and to reaffirm our shared commitment to nurturing the dignity and potential of every child.

As we reflected together, we were reminded of the words from Scripture:

“Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).

This message continues to shape the way we support one another and respond to the needs of our students and families each day.

During this time, we have also shared some special moments of farewell within our community. We recently said farewell to Samantha, a dedicated Educational Support Officer, as she commenced her maternity leave. Sam has been a valued and much‑loved member of our staff, and we thank her for the care, commitment, and compassion she brings to her work each day. We wish her and her husband, Cheyne, all the very best as they embark on this exciting new chapter, and we look forward to welcoming her back in the future.

On Friday, we also wished Maddi, Senior Class Teacher, all the very best as she began a period of leave in preparation for her upcoming wedding. We wish Maddi a life filled with love, laughter, and adventure, and we look forward to her return in Term 2.

We were also delighted to welcome visitors from AssistiveWare in Amsterdam, whose work supports communication and access for learners with diverse needs. Their visit provided valuable insight into assistive technologies that empower students to express themselves, build connections, and engage meaningfully in learning and daily life. Opportunities such as these strengthen our commitment to inclusion, dignity, and innovation in education.

In addition, our community proudly celebrated Harmony Day, recognising and embracing the rich diversity within our school. It was a wonderful reminder that everyone belongs at St Patrick’s, and that our differences are gifts to be respected and celebrated.

Alongside these community celebrations, our staff have commenced professional learning in the Berry Street Education Model. This evidence‑informed approach supports wellbeing, engagement, and positive relationships, strengthening our capacity to respond to the social, emotional, and learning needs of our students. As we continue our learning in this space, we look forward to embedding these practices across our classrooms and daily interactions, ensuring every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.

As we now journey towards Holy Week, we are invited into a special and reflective time in the Church’s liturgical year. Holy Week offers us an opportunity to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the core message of Christ’s love, sacrifice, and hope. It is a time that encourages us to deepen our compassion, strengthen our relationships, and continue walking together as a community of faith.

These past weeks reflect what makes St Patrick’s such a special place, a community inspired by faith, shaped by love, and committed to learning for life. We look forward to the weeks ahead as we continue this journey together.

Warm regards

Sean Perry

Acting Head of Campus – St Patrick's Special School