Principal's News
Dear Families
On behalf of the staff and families, we congratulate our Year 6 students who have shone as leaders of our school this year. We wish them every success as they transition to secondary school. We will be celebrating their learning journey at St. Mary’s at the Graduation Celebrations next Thursday evening, commencing with a Liturgy at 6pm. An enormous thank you to the Year 5 parents, who have contributed to the organising of the Graduation Celebration. At such a busy time of year, your support is greatly appreciated.
I thank the many staff and families who have positively influenced and provided support during these students' time at St. Mary’s, in particular Mandy Lemons, Max Reid, Toni Nichols and Cinzia Banks, for their positive influence on the Year 6 students in their final year of primary school.
To our students and families leaving in 2023; we thank you for your many and generous contributions and trust that you speak fondly and proudly of your time in our community.
This will be my final newsletter before I commence my leave in 2024. Being Principal of St Mary’s is an honour and a privilege and I am so proud of the exceptional community we have. Our RICH Values of Respect, Inclusion, Compassion and Honesty underpin everything we do at St Mary’s. It is when these RICH Values are collectively shared and lived by each member of our community that we truly shine. Our community is blessed to have such dedicated, passionate and exceptional staff and families as those here at St. Mary’s. The students are the ultimate benefactors and we must not lose sight of the energy and investment of time offered in forming these strong relationships and partnerships. These positive relationships have the greatest impact on the success of our school. I am excited for the opportunities for our wonderful school next year, as our new School Improvement Plan is implemented, led by our passionate and capable new Leadership Team and I look forward to returning in 2025.
2024 Staff
We will be farewelling several staff at the end of the term and welcoming new staff who will be commencing in 2024:
- As previously shared with the community, Nathan Eddy will be looking to relocate with his family overseas after seven years at St Mary’s; four of those years as Deputy Principal
- Amelia Scott will be moving to the UK to teach, after three years at St Mary’s
- Mandy Lemons will be relocating to northern NSW, after 22 years as a teacher at St Mary’s, as well as having her own children attend St Mary’s in the years prior
- Allison Weerrapah will be taking up a position at St John Vianney’s in Mulgrave after seven and a half years at St Mary’s
- Ronan Meehan will be taking up a position at St. Joan of Arc Brighton, having been at St Mary’s this term covering Vanessa Gooden’s maternity leave position.
We wish Nathan, Amelia, Mandy, Allison and Ronan all the very best for the future and thank them each for the enormous contribution they have made to the St Mary’s Community.
Kylie Smith, Stephen Athaide and Merrie McCulloch will each be taking leave next year and we look forward to their return in 2025. In particular we wish Stephen the best as he embarks on working in the UK in 2024. We also wish Elise Fisher and her family the very best as she commences maternity leave.
Eight new staff have been appointed for 2024 and will make wonderful additions to the St Mary’s Community:
- Bianca Ludeman, who has been working regularly at St Mary’s as a Casual Replacement Teacher (CRT) in 2023 and is well known to the students
- Grace Santoro, an experienced teacher, who will be joining us from Lyndhurst Primary School
- Michelle Dolling, an experienced teacher, who will be joining us from Parkdale Primary School
- Maria Hatzipetrou and Emma Buckingham, two experienced teachers from St Mary Magdalen's in Chadstone
- Shellby Dale, a new Graduate Teacher, who will be known to some students having done some casual days at Before and After School Care at St Mary’s with Their Care
- Natalie Imperatori, who has been employed as a Learning Support Officer
- Susie Forbes, who has been employed to work part-time in the School Office.
The St. Mary's Staff for 2024 are as follows:
Leadership Team
Lead Principal: Tony McMahon
Deputy Principal: Evelyn Whatmore
Student Wellbeing Leader: Daliah McLoughney
Teaching & Learning Leader: Bridie Kelly
Religious Education Leader: Sam Sullivan
Learning Diversity Leader: Annie Walker
Literacy Leader: Catherine Wensley
Mathematics Leader: Ally Mullany
STEM Leader: Max Reid
Class Teachers
Prep P: Ewelina Podgorska
Grade 1CW: Julie Cochrane (Mon-Tues) & Annie Walker (Wed-Fri)
Grade 1S: Edward Simpson
Grade 2L: Bianca Ludeman
Grade 3D: Shellby Dale
Grade 3BH: Emma Buckingham (Mon, Tues) Maria Hatzipetrou (Wed-Fri)
Grade 4S: Grace Santoro
Grade 4DB: Michelle Dolling (Mon-Wed) & Cinzia Banks (Thurs-Fri)
Grade 5MW: Kelly Moxon (Mon-Thurs) & Catherine Wensley (Fri)
Grade 6S: Sam Sullivan (Mon-Wed & Fri) & Bridie Kelly (Thurs)
Grade 6R: Max Reid (Mon-Fri) & Yang Song (Wed half day)
Specialist Teachers
Performing Arts: Veronica Del Castillo
Visual Art: Daliah McLoughney
Chinese (Mandarin): Yang Song
Physical Education: Robyn Muir
Literacy Intervention: Catherine Wensley
Sports Coordinator: Sam Sullivan
Learning Support Officers
Prep: Natalie Imperatori & Marie Hird
Year One: Marie Hird
Year Two: Georgina Benvenuto & Jaclyn Holzer
Year Three: Sarah-Jane Clarkson & Brooke Hutchins
Year Four: Helena O’Sullivan
Year Five: Tayla Kent & Brooke Hutchins
Year Six: Michelle Perpina & Claire Robinson
Office Administrators
Renae Robinson
Susie Forbes
Year 1-6 2024 Orientation
Next Monday, there will be an Orientation Session for students in Years One-Six in 2024, during which they will spend time with their new classroom teachers and classmates. Over the past few weeks teachers have invested a significant amount of time and thought into the classes for next year to ensure the optimum learning environment for all our students. All teachers have worked closely together to do a comprehensive handover of student information in readiness for the next school year. There are a number of factors taken into account when children are placed in a class. Teachers take into consideration the many social, emotional and academic needs of each child. The staff put much consideration into placing all the children in their classes for next year and these lists will not be changed because parents have a preference for one class or another. I would ask that parents trust our professional judgment when dealing with these matters.
Generally, children are excited about joining a new class and the prospect of new beginnings. Sometimes there are anxieties or even disappointments about not being with a particular friend or in a particular class. As parents and teachers, it is important that we model a growth mindset. We want children to build the skills to be able to:
- Manage and respond to stress effectively
- Manage change with a positive attitude
- Get along with others (even if it is not easy at times)
- Face challenges (which builds resilience) and be open to new opportunities, relationships and friendships
Year Three and Four Camps
Last week and this week have seen our Year Three and Four students embark on their school camps - valuable opportunities for students to build important life skills such as independence, problem-solving and resilience. An enormous thank you to Amelia Scott, Ronan Meehan, Tayla Kent, Veronica Del Castillo and Stephen Athaide for accompanying the Year Four students on their Campaspe Downs Camp last week. Our gratitude also goes to Kylie Smith, Bridie Kelly, Ally Mullany, Helena O’Sullivan and Edward Simpson who this week are accompanying the Year Three students to Sovereign Hill for their overnight camp.
Prep Nativity Play
Our Prep students will be presenting their Nativity Play at our final assembly for the year, which will take place at 9am in the Church. Tony McMahon will be joining the assembly to greet students and families.
Semester Two Written Reports
Semester Two reports will be available via the Nforma Portal on the afternoon of Friday 8th December. Information has been emailed to families regarding how to access student reports via the Nforma portal.
Year Six Graduation
There will be a Graduation Liturgy for our Year Six students on Thursday 14th December, whichwill be the last day for Year Six students. There will be a Guard of Honour formed by the students of St Mary's on the main playground at 3pm. The Graduation Liturgy will commence at 6:00pm in St Mary's Church. The Graduation Celebration will commence at 7pm.
End of Year Liturgy and Last Day of Term
The Last day of Term for Prep-Year 5 students is Friday 15th December, with school concluding at 1pm. Our End of Year Liturgy will be at 9:00am in St Mary’s Church. Parents and carers are most welcome to attend.
I wish all members of our school community a Merry Christmas, a safe and restful summer holiday period, and the very best for 2024.
Introducing the Newest members of the St Marys Family.
In 2023 we welcomed 3 new members to ou St Mary's Family. A huge Congratulations to Ms Jones, Ms Mannion and Ms Gooden and their families on the beautiful additions to their family. A Big Welcome to Tilly, Bodhi and Allegra.
I wish all members of our school community a Merry Christmas, a safe and restful summer holiday period, and the very best for 2024.
Matthew Sweeney
Principal