Mrs Ryan's Fortnightly Reflections

Week 10 is here, and week 11 is just around the corner. We have already come to the end of a hugely successful term! Yes we continue to be challenged by covid but there is a strong sense of gratitude for the term we have had, being able to learn, laugh and play together daily. As I come to the end of my first term at St Mary’s I would like to thank the staff, students and families for making me feel so welcome and at home. Thank you for saying hello on the playground, introducing yourselves, popping into my office and taking the time to connect with me. I already feel a part of the community, learning more and more people's names and feeling very much like I belong. 

I would also like to thank the amazing staff of St Mary’s who have been vital in my transition, and most importantly passionate and dedicated to the children they teach. This term they collectively displayed flexibility, adaptability and commitment to working as community teams to ensure our students are put first. Our teachers have welcomed extra students into their classrooms, supported colleagues absent, and followed up with parents to remain connected. I know that this may be our continued predicament for the winter months but I know all students are in dedicated and exceptional hands with our educators. 

This term has allowed me to learn so much about our school, of who we are, what we do and where we may be heading into the future. In consultation with the staff I have been looking at key areas across the school and mapping out key goals which will lead our direction for the remainder of our year. This Annual Action Plan will be finalised early next term and shared with all in our community. This year we will also take part in a facilitated process to compose a strategic school plan which will develop and direct leading goals for the next five years. It is an extremely exciting time for St Mary’s and I look forward to community consultation with students, staff and families around the hopes and dreams for our school. 

As we begin Term Two, we welcome some staff changes. Stephanie Sage will finish at the end of this term and start her maternity leave. In place of Stephanie in Mrs Angela Haydon’s room, one day a week, we welcome back Emma Connoley. On a Monday where Stephanie also taught in Mrs Hancock’s room we welcome Miss Lori Hedwards . I know that both teachers are excited to return or extend their time as educators at St Mary’s and will do a fabulous job! We wish Stephanie and her family every happiness on the arrival of a new family member! 

Next term our families will also witness Mrs Judy Stewart moving into the role of Family and Community Liaison Leader. In this role Judy will further support families to connect with the school and within the wider community. We know she will do exceptionally in this role. Mr Glenn McMillian will now lead the school community in our Positive Behaviour Intervention Supports (PBIS). Mr McMillian is such a role model of positivity and is very much looking forward to nurturing our positive behaviours across the school. 

We have begun to prepare for our 2023 enrolment and early in Term 2 St Mary’s will host our open morning and evening. We are now encouraging existing families with a child ready to begin Prep in 2023 to register their place on the survey in this newsletter. This information is vital in the number of openings we can offer our new families. I encourage our families to do this at their earliest convenience. I do hope that even though you are an existing family, that you too will join us on Wednesday 4th May @ 6pm to share your love and connection to our wonderful school.

I wanted to share with you all the feedback from our Community Communication Survey which some families completed earlier in the term;

- Over 80% feel well communicated with 

- Over 80% understand how our communication processes work 

- 95% always read the fortnightly newsletter 

- Our most preferred modes of communication are; our newsletter, school emails and PAM 

- Suggested improvements; Start of year / term information to provide clarity, school dates well in advance, regularly change and update the newsletter content 

This information will be taken on board and used to make future improvements. Thank you again. 

Again, thank you all for a fabulous term. I hope that every family is re-engerised in faith, love and hope over Easter and return to school healthy and well. 

Stay well and stay healthy.

God Bless, 

Jasmine Ryan 

Principal