Courage, Faith, Love

Dear St Agatha’s Community,

It is hard to believe we are almost at the end of 2024! It has been a great year and I am proud of what we have accomplished.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve had the pleasure of welcoming the newest members of the St. Agatha’s community. Our Foundation students for 2025 have completed their orientation and are eagerly looking forward to starting 'BIG' school next year. Watching their enthusiasm and curiosity reminds us of the joy of learning and the privilege we have in nurturing young minds.

At the other end of the spectrum, our Year 6 students are preparing to spread their wings and transition to secondary school. This period can be emotional for many, filled with nostalgia, anticipation, and a bit of nervousness. We are proud of the wonderful young people they have become and are confident they will take the values of St. Agatha’s with them into the next stage of their journey.

Class Transitions for 2025

On Thursday, 12th December, students will have the chance to meet their teachers and classmates for 2025. This is an exciting milestone, but we understand it can also be overwhelming for some. Transitions often bring a mix of emotions for students and families alike.

Our teachers have dedicated considerable time and thought to creating class lists, carefully balancing factors such as gender, friendship groups, and academic and social-emotional needs. Their goal is always to ensure the best possible environment for learning and growth.

If your child comes home feeling unsettled about their new class or teacher, please take the time to listen to their concerns. It’s natural to feel emotional, but pausing to process their feelings calmly can make a big difference. This approach helps build resilience and trust, both essential skills for life.

A Look Ahead to 2025

We are excited to share how the new school year will begin. To help our Foundation students settle into their new environment amidst ongoing building works and to provide our Year 6 students the opportunity to welcome their Foundation buddies and embrace their role as school leaders, we have planned a staggered start:

Thursday, 30th January: Foundation and Year 6 students only.
Friday, 31st January: All students return to school.

This staggered start allows our youngest and oldest students to build special connections, with the Year 6 leaders guiding and supporting the Foundation students as they navigate their first day. It’s a wonderful way to strengthen our school community and foster leadership.

Please check the Dates to Remember page for 2025 School Closure Dates.

The following are the staffing arrangements for 2025 classrooms. Please understand that while I do my very best to ensure consistency it is not always possible to guarentee that arrangements will not change.

Staffing Changes

You will notice a few new names as some staff have accepted positions in other schools.

I would like to acknowledge and farewell the following staff; Zoe Evans, Irene Gui, Caitlin McLeod and Ana Mastroianni.

Zoe has been a Foundation teacher this year and previously worked at St Agatha's as a CRT. It has been a pleasure having Zoe on our staff as a Foundation Teacher and we wish her all the best for the future. Frankston East Primary School is very lucky to pick up such a kind and bubbly young teacher!

Irene has worked with us as a graduate teacher teaching Year One this year. I know her kindness and patience will be missed by students and parents alike. It has been a privilege supporting Irene through her first year of primary teaching and we wish her well at her new school, Hampton Park Primary School.

Caitlin has worked at St Agatha's for the past two years. During this time Caitlin has formed lasting friendships with staff and has been a supportive and positive role model for her students. I am personally grateful for the work Caitlin has done as a leader at St Agatha's and know that she will take her new learnings with her to Mary MacKillop Primary School. We will all miss Caitlin's enthusiasm and 'can do' attitude.

Ana has worked at St Agatha's for ..... a really long time. Ana was the first staff member I met when I started at St Agatha's and I will personally miss her passion and enthusiasim for each of the students at St Agatha's. Ana has taught pretty much every year level and has been on the Leadership Team supporting staff. Ana's knowledge of curriculum and how to use student learning data to drive student learning has been a great strength as is the way she easily forms positive relationships with students, parents and staff. While Ana will be greatly missed, we understand her desire to grow and learn at a new school. St Kevin's in Hampton Park is very lucky to have employed Ana as a classroom teacher and level leader.

In 2025, we will welcome new teachers.

Mrs Melissa Moore will be joining our teaching team. Melissa has extensive teaching experience. She is passionate about the early years of primary school. Melissa has also worked in the psychology field.

Ashley Beley will join our teaching team as a graduate teacher. Ashley completed her last pre-service placement at St Agatha's in 2024 and recieved the Elizabeth Hunt Scholarship award in 2021.

Leadership / Admin Staff
Michelle Bruitzman	Principal
Meegan Blackney	Deputy Principal / Learning & Teaching Leader
Gillian Burke	Religious Education Leader (2 days)
Emily Prince	Wellbeing / MHiPS Leader
Nicola Sievers	Learning Adjustment Leader
Caitlin Burke	Learning Adjustment Leader (2 days)
Janine Scrivener	Business Manager
Natalie Le Miere	Front Reception / Enrolment and Transition Officer
Bianca Harris	Student Reception
Jamie Magdziarz	Compliance / Learning Adjustment
Cath Backhouse	Student Counsellor
Jesse Baldwin	Wellbeing Officer
Carolyn Hamblin	Canteen Manager
Kerryn Dunn	Library

Teaching Staff
Brendan Browne / Andi Kennedy (Wed)	Foundation B
Priscilla Madelenna / E Prince (alternate Wed)	Foundation M
Casey Thompson	Foundation T
Rebecca Woods	Foundation W
Eliza Eskin	Year 1E
Melissa Moore	Year 1M
Katia Picinali	Year 1P
Zvonko Majstorović	Year 1Z
Annette Scott	Year 2S
Emily Baber	Year 2B
Rose Howell	Year 2H
Gillian Vaz	Year 3V
Megan Ami / Andi Kennedy (Thursdays)	Year 3A
Caitlin Burke / Rebecca Burrows	Year 3B
Valerie Quessy	Year 4V
To Be Confirmed	Year 4
Roger Graham	Year 4G
Ginelle Lazurus	Year 5L
Ashley Beley	Year 5B
Nathasha Perera	Year 5P
Gillian Burke / Sandra Talia	Year 6B
Damian Mitchell	Year 6M
Georgegina Nettlingham	Year 6N
Claire Nicol / Rebecca Burrows (Fridays)	Year 6C
Louise Hyde (Mon-Wed)	Visual Arts
Celina Korcak (Thurs-Fri)	Visual Arts
Christian Block / B Browne (Wed)	Performing Arts
Stefan Van Cuylenberg	Physical Education
Tash Higgins / Sandra Talia (Wed)	STEM
Liz Ashcroft / Joy Andrews (Fri)	Japanese

Learning Support Officers	Year Level
Dani F, Brooke R, Liz L, Sharmila M, Naomi H	Foundation
Keely, Chelsea, Flynn, Sharmila D, Liz C, Brooke R	Year One
Lauren, Lavanya, Chelsea	Year Two
Mel, Savannah, Deng, Ashleigh	Year Three
Susan, Johnny, Kasturi	Year Four
Natalyah, Robyn, Kerryn, Flynn	Year Five
Dhor, Claire, Shevaun, Megan Hughs	Year Six

Looking Ahead

It’s a time to celebrate the achievements of the past year, embrace the changes to come, and look forward to new opportunities in the year ahead.

Thank you for your continued support and for being part of the St. Agatha’s community. Let’s make these final weeks as memorable and meaningful as the rest of the year!

Students last day is Wednesday 18th December. We have a whole school assembly at 9:00am and then a Whole School Mass at 2:00pm. Please come along to celebrate the end of the school year and farewell our Year 6 students.

Warm regards,

Michelle Bruitzman

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