Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Carers

Over the past fortnight, I've had the pleasure of attending two functions with some of our Year 6 leaders. On Friday 8 March, I accompanied our Year 6 girls to a breakfast and panel event at Coogee to mark International Women's Day. St Bridget's also attended with some of their Yr 6 girls. 

This week I went to the St Patrick's Day Mass at the Cathedral with Mrs Gravina and two of our Faith and Justice Captains. These girls were the most beautiful role models for the school and although the Mass was a little long, they participated with grace and reverence throughout. We were also lucky enough to be mentioned in the Homily delivered by Fr Pat. We saw him briefly before the Mass and he told us he was feeling a bit nervous. We all agreed his homily was excellent and we didn't notice any hint of nervousness. After the Mass we caught up with Fr Pat for a coffee and met his Mum and Dad.

Today we celebrate Australia's cultural diversity through Harmony Day. We are reminded to show respect for everyone who calls Australia home. This year Harmony Day coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and I have to say spending time with our stage 3 students outside the school environment,                                                                             fills me with hope for a bright and peaceful future.

This week, on the 19th of March, the Church Church also celebrated the Solemnity St. Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the foster-father of Jesus. St. Joseph was probably born in Bethlehem and probably died in Nazareth. His important mission in God's plan of salvation was to legally insert Jesus into the line of David and to act as his father and guardian"

Most of our information about St. Joseph comes from the opening two chapters of St. Matthew's Gospel. No words of his are recorded in the Gospels; he was the "silent" man. Joseph was to be, for all time, the strong, trustworthy witness of the Messiah's virgin birth. Many men today describe themselves as the strong and silent type just like St. Joseph.

NAPLAN

As many of you know the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy was completed by our Year 3 and 5 students last week. NAPLAN has been in place since 2008 for students in Years 3, 5, 7 & 9 and tests the essential skills for every child to progress through school in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation and numeracy.

Congratulations to our Year 3 and 5 students for trying their best, working hard and approaching NAPLAN with such maturity. As a school community, we are very proud of you! Congratulations also to Miss Frost, Miss Coutenay, Mrs Giannikos, Mrs Jory and Miss Kelly for preparing the students so well and for the seamless administration of the online tests here at STMM.

P & F Meeting Thursday 21 March, 7.00 pm

A reminder that we have a P & F meeting scheduled for tonight. All are welcome in person as we will be meeting in the teacher's staffroom. Alternatively you might like to join this meeting via Zoom, you will find the details to join in the Parents and Friends tab.

Uniforms

Over the past few weeks the teachers have been noticing many children not wearing the correct uniform. Please be reminded sports days are Wednesday and Thursday only and full summer uniform should be worn on Monday, Tuesday and Friday. The teachers will be cracking down on uniforms including hats, socks and jewellery over the next couple of weeks, if your child does have to wear a substitute item of uniform, please provide a note explaining why.