Dear Parents,

This morning you will have received correspondence from Ms Marwin Austerberry to inform you that I will be leaving Holy Trinity in mid Term One, 2025, to take up a position as Senior Manager, School Leadership, with Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS). My new role will be based in the Eastern Region Office of MACS and will involve supporting school Principals and leadership teams within the region.

When I accepted the position as Principal of Holy Trinity 3 years ago, I had every intention to continue in the role beyond my current tenure. However, the offer of this senior role within MACS is a significant career opportunity. After much consideration, I have decided to accept this position.

The role of School Principal is an extremely complex role and can be challenging and demanding at times. However, it is also a great privilege to lead a school community and help shape the vision and direction of the school, with learning and teaching our core business. It is extremely rewarding and fulfilling to see the ongoing growth in our students and to celebrate their achievements. The work of a School Principal is always student focused and I will miss greeting every child by name as they enter the school gate each morning. Furthermore, I will miss being part of a school community. It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know all the families and welcoming new families to this wonderful school.

In my absence, Ms Natalie Ballinger will be Acting Principal until the appointment of a new Principal. There will also be a restructure of the leadership team to support Natalie. I trust that Natalie will have your full support as she takes on the important role of leading our school community. I can assure you all that our school will be in good hands!

With my new role commencing on the 3rd March, 2025, I will continue to lead the school community into the new year.

Staff News

The following staff members will not be returning to HT and I would like to acknowledge their contribution to our school community.

Mr Shannon Mullavey, our DigiTech leader and teacher, has accepted a teaching position at St Jude’s in 2025. Shannon has made an enormous contribution to our staff and wider school community during his 15 years at HT. Shannon is one of the most generous and accommodating staff members I have ever worked with, and has been a trusted and valued member of our school leadership team for many years. Shannon genuinely cares about the students in his care and goes to great lengths to accommodate the interests of all his students. Shannon is a great listener and makes every student feel valued. He has also been a wonderful colleague to many staff during his tenure at HT. It is timely that Shannon farewells HT at the same time his youngest child Emily graduates from our primary school. As HT is part of St Jude’s Parish, we will no doubt see Mr Mullavey around the traps!

Mrs Lorelle Clark, our Finance Admin Officer, will be retiring at the end of the school year after 8 years of dedicated service at Holy Trinity. As mentioned in an earlier newsletter, Lorelle is looking forward to spending some valuable time with her husband Neil and their family. Lorelle is an extremely organised and efficient operator and has been a trusted colleague for me personally over the last 3 years. Lorelle thoroughly enjoys her work so the decision to retire has been a difficult one, but the timing is just right for her. While we have been fortunate to employ a very capable replacement, we will dearly miss Lorelle’s presence in the office and staffroom. Her quick wit and dry sense of humour have helped create a wonderful working environment. Nothing is ever a hassle for Lorelle - she takes on everything with a smile! I will be sad to lose a loyal Richmond supporter but I am hoping to see her regularly at the MCG cheering on the Tigers!

Ms Kaitlin Boden has accepted a Learning Support Officer (LSO) role at St Joseph’s College after 6 years of dedicated service at HT. Kaitlin has supported many students across all levels at HT. We will miss Kaitlin’s calm and gentle nature and her ability to genuinely understand the needs of students in her care. St Joseph’s are extremely fortunate to appoint such a dedicated and professional staff member.

Mrs Laura Crowe will be returning to her previous school, SPJE Mooroolbark, where she is currently on parental leave. We have been extremely fortunate to have such a skilled and dedicated teacher join our staff on two occasions to replace HT staff on parental leave. While Laura’s current role at HT has come to an end, we are hopeful that at some stage in the future Laura can join our staff on a permanent basis.

Miss Judith Sully will be moving across the road to St Andrew’s College. Judith has been an exceptional teacher in her first full year of teaching and will be a great loss to HT and Catholic Education. We wish Judith well next year and for her future career in education.

Mr Justin Woodcock has made a decision to pursue some travel in 2025, so will not be returning in a full time capacity. Justin will be available on a casual basis early in 2025. Justin has been a welcome addition to our staff so we hope to welcome back Justin in the not too distant future.

We wish all our departing staff well on the journey ahead.

In 2025, we will welcome the following staff:

Mrs Rita Sikacek (Finance / Admin) - currently at Our Lady’s, Ringwood
Mrs Stephanie Rooney - returning from parental leave
Miss Stephanie Mihaloudakis (LSO) - began at HT in late 2024

Our 2025 classroom teachers are looking forward to meeting their 2025 students next Monday.

Classroom teacher allocations will be communicated on Monday following our `Move Up' session (meet the new teacher session).

Christmas Family Night - Thursday 5th December (6pm-7pm)

Just a reminder to all families that our Christmas Carols night will be at St Jude's Church on Thursday 5th December starting promptly at 6pm.

Could all students please arrive at the church at 5.45pm and make their way to their class teachers as they will be sitting with their class for the duration of the evening. Parents and extended family/friends may sit in the pews available.

Prep students please arrive at the church at 5.30pm so that teachers can help them get into their costumes for the Bilingual Nativity Play - further information will be sent to Prep parents with regards to this.

Students may wear anything Christmas themed for the performance. No need to purchase anything new, just wear something that they may already have at home.

We are looking forward to a lovely evening of singing and celebrating the Christmas season.

Grazie Signora Formichelli

Gratitude Mass - Friday 6th December @ 1pm

The students will travel to and from St Judes Church by bus for a whole school end of year Gratitude Mass. Parents are welcome to attend.

Following Mass, remaining in the Church, the `hand over of student leadership ceremony’ will take place. We will also use this opportunity to farewell staff who will not be returning to Holy Trinity in 2025.

Move Up Day - Monday 9th December

The class groupings for 2025 will be announced to students. Students will have the opportunity to meet in their new class groupings and meet their new classroom teacher.

SRC Initiative - casual dress and sausage sizzle - Monday 16th December

To celebrate the end of the school year, the Student Representative Council (SRC), under the guidance of Mr Shannon Mullavey, have organised a casual dress day and sausage sizzle on Monday 16th December.

The casual dress is free and the purchase of sausages is optional, at a cost of $2 per sausage in bread. Please see further on in the Newsletter for more details.

Semester Two Reports

School reports will be accessible online from Monday 9th December.

Last day of School (Year 6 / Years Prep - 5)

Our Year 6 students will finish the school year on Friday 13th December with a Guard of Honour commencing on the basketball court at approx 3pm. We will gather in the Great Space at 2.50pm for a short assembly, followed by the guard of honour.

Students in Years Prep - 5 will finish school on Tuesday 17th December at 1pm. There will be a Prep Graduation ceremony (Prep parents only) at 9am and a whole school assembly (all parents welcome) at 12.30pm. This will include the presentation of TORCH Bearer of the Term Awards.

Please note that supervision will not be provided by the school for students after 1pm (unlike Terms 1, 2 and 3). TheirCare will be open to provide a service from 1pm until 6pm.

2025 - Term 1 key dates

Please refer to the 'Important Dates' page of the newsletter and note the key dates for 2025.

2025 School Fees

Detailed information regarding next year’s school fees is available further on in the Newsletter. It is worth noting that a discount is available on the Family Fee only of 5% if paid by 31/01/2025 and 2.5% discount on the Family Fee only if paid by 28/2/2025. Should you have any queries or questions please do not hesitate to contact Lorelle Clark on 9801 8296 or via email lclark@htws.catholic.edu.au

Holy Trinity Representative Uniforms

Our children love wearing Holy Trinity uniforms to represent their school, and we’re thrilled to see their pride! However, to keep this going, we need all uniforms returned,

including shorts, T-shirts, basketball singlets, football guernseys, and representative socks.

Thank you to the families who have already returned all items after washing—it is much appreciated. If you find any additional uniform items at home, please send them back with your child ASAP.

Thank you for your support in helping our teams stay prepared for future events!

Miss Humphris.

Our final newsletter for 2024 will published next Monday following the announcement of class groupings for 2025.

Warm Regards,

Adrian Scutt

Principal

Time to eXcel