Mrs Ryan's Fortnightly Reflections

Welcome to week 9, everyone! We have begun to feel the cooler weather and are experiencing spikes in illness across our school. Illness and absence at this time of year impact both staff and learners. As a school, we are ensuring airflow, purifiers are operating, and tables and chairs are being cleaned regularly to minimise germ spread. St Mary’s is very grateful to the families who make arrangements within their own homes to keep their children away from school until they are well, minimising the spread of illness in our school community. 

This week, we received the official announcement that the Most Reverend Bishop Shane MacKinlay has been appointed the Archbishop of Brisbane by Pope Leo. Bishop Shane has been the Bishop of Sandhurst for six years and has always been an active and faithful leader in our community. Bishop Shane has always been committed to attending many Sandhurst events, particularly in our schools, being a “present, approachable, and humane” leader for our Catholic communities. This will be a great loss to the Sandhurst community; however, it is a well-deserved promotion and progression within our Church. As a community, I know you will join me in prayers of gratitude and hope for Bishop Shane’s influence on our diocese. 

Thank you to all families for making alternate arrangements for school this past Wednesday. The staff engaged in some clear, helpful, and unified learning that will support our continued progression and achievement into next term. St Mary’s staff took part in the learning of Classroom Mastery. As behaviours continue to be a form of communication in our classrooms, our staff revisited practices and explored explicit teaching strategies to ensure clarity for our learners and that learning is optimised in every learning space throughout our school. Classroom Mastery will see our learners and staff all teaching, expecting, and communicating through set routines to minimise disruptive behaviours while teaching and encouraging positive behaviours throughout our school. 

As I am often out on the yard in the morning, it is such a joy to watch our community entering and wearing their uniforms in their entirety and proudly displaying that we all belong to St Mary’s. St Mary’s, just over three years ago, engaged with all members of our community regarding the wants and needs for our school uniform. Our expectations remain that your child can wear whatever uniform meets their needs; however, it must be St Mary’s uniform. Please be aware that Kathmandu jackets, leggings, non-St Mary’s beanies, and long-sleeved tops under T-shirts are not part of our school uniform. Hip Pocket is our reliable and professional provider who stocks our uniform well and is extremely helpful to families. I thank you all for your cooperation and commitment to ensuring your child is in full St Mary’s uniform daily. 

With only ten days of term remaining and a well-deserved break ahead, we will conclude the term with our Terrific Kid assembly, which will be great to see many of you there! 

Have a fabulous weekend.  

Take Care and God Bless! 

Jasmine Ryan  

Principal