PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

This week we have been celebrating Catholic Education Week in the Ballarat Diocese.  On Monday 24th May, Campbell Kelly, Toni Mia Scalora and I travelled to Ballarat with Belinda Davies and the St Mary’s Primary School Captain, Scarlett and Ben, to attend the celebratory Mass for 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia.  It was wonderful to join many other Primary and Secondary schools from our Diocese at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Ballarat.  Unfortunately Bishop Paul Bird was unwell and unable to celebrate with us, however the Vicar-General, Fr Kevin Moloney and Monsignor Glynn Murphy led a very symbolic and moving ceremony.  One of the highlights was listening to the children of St Alipius’ School sing “Faith in the Future”, the national song for the 200 year celebration of Catholic Education in Australia.  Well done to Toni Mia on reading the Prayers of the Faithful.

A highlight of our school calendar is our annual Catholic Schools in Swan Hill (CESH) Mass.  Congratulations to Alison Wright, Director of Mission and Belinda Davies (REC, St Mary’s) for the preparation and planning that went into this wonderful event.  Unfortunately due to restrictions we were unable to have all of our school communities present, including parents/guardians, however the Foundation, Year 5, 6, 7 and 12 students represented their schools well.  A recording of the Mass is available on our school YouTube channel.  This will be shared via Operoo.

Every year Catholic Education Ballarat and now DOBCEL, acknowledge staff in our schools who have committed themselves to Catholic Education for 30 years.  This year was the first time that St Mary MacKillop College has nominated staff, as we ourselves are only 33 years old.  I congratulate Tony Haley and Mark Leary, as well as Kate Nunn, Principal of St Mary’s Primary School Sea Lake, on this amazing achievement.

It was wonderful to see so many students and parents at the Subject Expo and Information Sessions on Wednesday evening.  Choosing subjects can be a very exciting and also anxious time for students.  The Subject Expo provided an opportunity for students and their parents to discuss with the teachers subjects of interest, as well as subjects that will continue to engage them in their learning and prepare them for their future.  The information sessions were recorded and will be available to watch, if you were unable to attend on the night.

Catholic Education has been provided in Australia now for 200 years . . . let’s pray that we are still able to provide this wonderful service to our community for many years to come.