Principal's

 

Panorama

Zoe Nugent 

Phew! 2022... you have been a whirlwind! My father used to say the days come at him like bullets and I never really believed him. Sorry Dad!!!! I do now.

 

I could not be more proud of our school community; students, educators, administration and parent/carers have all worked together to ensure that our students receive the best all round education that a child can have.

From academics to sporting, cultural to social, St Mary of the Angels students have done it all. 

Last night we celebrated the Year Six students and everything they have achieved over their primary school education. I would have to say the highlights for me were the genuine love and care that the SMOTA staff have shown these children over the last 7 years was so evident in the farewell slide show. The tears and laughter as we saw curly headed and round chubby faces back in Kindergarten with Mrs Hunt all the way through to the fine young men and women we see everyday this year with Mrs Ahumada and Mrs Hayes. Another highlight would have to be Mr Grills parent thank you to the student’s current and past educators. The role that educators play in the lives of any child is phenomenal And can make or break a year for a child. it makes my heart sing knowing that 2023 is in wonderful hands with our educators and administration staff.

Many thanks (and awe) must go to Mrs Ahumada, for organising and decorating the bowling club. That remarkable young woman has no idea how incredible she is.  Thank you Tiffany.  Your dedication to your students and SMOTA is not unnoticed. I am looking forward to seeing what 2023 brings ;).

 

On Monday, we had a magnificent performance from the New England Conservatorium Of Music (NECOM).  The small group of Musicians titled, "The Piano Trio" was made up of three performers; Charlotte (cello), Jol (piano), and Eliza (Violin).

The Piano Trio treated our students to music from the French composer, Camille Saint-Saens. Find out more about him HERE.

The students were enthralled by pieces such as the Swan, giggling at Eliza on the violin making The Donkey come alive and invigorated by The Can Can.  The New England Region is very lucky to have such a high quality service in our community and all staff and students are keen to see more of them. Stay tuned for 2023!

 

Principal Report Presentation Night:

Below I have included an excerpt of my speech at Presentation Night last week.

........

St Mary of the Angels is a brilliant little school in a wonderfully friendly community and, for whatever apparent reason I was placed here (look and gesture to the heavens) I could not be more thankful for the path that I have been set on.

To my leadership team Matilda and Tiffany. 

Your frank conversations and knowledge of the school has been invaluable, your dedication to the school community is second to none and I will always be grateful for the time that you have spent leading with me in 2022. 

May your story be forever woven into my leadership journey, may I always remember your guidance and may you continue your path with bravery. I cannot thank the two of you enough.

2022 commenced with the challenges of Covid restrictions still in place, although this meant we often had students away and we were not blessed with the presence of our gorgeous parent body, it did give the students a chance to settle back into school with their teacher’s and peers uninterrupted by the usual busyness of the beginning of the year.

As 2022 gathered momentum, we had our:

 Blessing Mass, 

Mother’s and Father’s Day Breakfasts, 

Grandparents and special friends day, 

Year ¾ School Camp to Thalgarrah. 

And sporting events such as swimming carnival, athletics and cross country.  

This year we have had wonderful representation at Diocean, Polding and even state Representation.  Miss Martin tells me this is the most successful sporting year in her memory of SMOTAs history.

At a Parish level, we celebrated our Family mass and the St Mary of the Angels parish reconciliation and first communion sacraments.

Our other 2022 highlights include; the implementation of the recycling initiate from our Global Citizens students, continuation of implementation of the Living Well Learning Well Framework, School representation at ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day celebrations, our 2022 Transition Program, 2022 NAPLAN and RE Test result across the school.

I must thank the School Advisory Board headed by Mr Anthony Rosser for their guidance and wisdom as we navigated this new year together. I look forward to working with you again soon.  

Congratulations and thanks to the Parent and Friends Committee for their absolute dedication to their students and school, much to Mitchell’s disappointment..we all actually enjoy each other's company and meetings are a hoot! 

The teachers, students and I thank you for your contribution to our school events and our resources.  Imagine if there were more of you! Bring on the Potato and Lamb Festival and Guyra Show right?

A school year would not be complete without staff movement in one way or another.  2023 sets Miss Jenna Campbell up in the Northern Territory at the Yulara School with Principal Cae Stephens. I know she will be well cared for there and we cannot wait to see her again. 

Mrs Matilda Hunt will be joining the gorgeous Judy Elks at St Joseph’s Uralla as a classroom teacher.  The two of you always have the best interests of your students and the school community at the heart of everything you do.  

Thank you for your years of service at St Mary of the Angels, you are forever part of our songslines now.

A quote from the Wizard of Oz sums up Jenna and Matilda beautifully: 

A heart is not judged by how much you lovebut by how much you are loved by others'

We know how much you love your students but, you two are much loved by all of us here and will be sorely missed.

Thank you Fr. O’Shea for his leadership of our school and parish and a special thanks to the Parents/Carers for their absolute dedication to our beautiful school and their support of our Learning Programs. The trust you placed in the school was phenomenal and genuinely appreciated.

 

I would also like to officially announce and welcome Mr Daniel Niemerg to St Mary of the Angels in 2023.  Daniel is the current Assistant Principal of Wellbeing at St Bernards College Herberton in Far North Queensland.  

Daniel has held a number of school leadership positions here in Australia and internationally and will be joining the St Mary of the Angels team as our REC and as a classroom educator. 

 

Daniel, his wife and daughter will arrive late January and I am sure you will all help me in welcoming them to our community when we commence in the New Year.

I would like to finish my report with a small tribute to the Graduating Year 6 students

Well, Class of 2022, what can I say?....

 

It’s funny how when we see someone everyday we don’t think they change a great deal.  But as I prepared for this graduation speech I looked back through photos from your previous years at St Mary of the Angels. 

I acknowledge and admire how much you have grown over the past seven years.  

You have all, at one stage or another, driven the teachers to tears, or kept us awake until the wee hours of the night as we try and come up with new and inventive ways to keep you engaged in the curriculum or made our hearts sing with pride as we see you tackle this brilliant world you have been born in to.

As you leave us to continue your peregrination through life, I ask you to remember all those who have helped you to get where you are today.  

From your parents to your peers, your teachers, your parish and community. They have all helped you grow into inquiring learners with resilience and integrity. 

Know that you are part of St Mary of the Angel’s story.  Your chapter here may be finished.  As you enter highschool, remember we cannot always control what happens to us, but we can always control how we choose to respond. 

Create the life you want by working hard, creating your own opportunities.  

Give thanks to God for the good in your life.   

There is no shortcut to success, keep a positive attitude and thankful heart regardless of what you’re going through, know that above all that you are enough.  

Class of 2022, Jack, Isabell, Noah, Mackenzie, Archie, Thomas, Camilla, Edward, Olive, Connor and Sienna. Congratulations….  good luck, God Bless and remember “the tide waits for no one” …. create, dream, live and above all “be the kind kid”.

 

 

2023 Staffing:

I am very excited to announce the staffing for the 2023 academic year. 

Mr Daniel Niemerg will be joining us from Mount St. Bernard's College, Herberton where he has been the Assistant Principal in Wellbeing.  Daniel has been in education for the past 22 years and leadership for the past 16 years and will be taking on the Religious Education coordinator role alongside his teaching allotment.

I am also blessed to announce that Mrs Theresa Grills will be joining the Leadership Team at St Mary of the Angels.  Theresa needs no introduction to our school community and do not stress, she will maintain her Transition Class!

Leadership Team:

Principal: Mrs Zoe Nugent

Leader of Pedagogy: Mrs Theresa Grills 

Religious Education Coordinator: Mr Dan Niemerg

Mathematics Specialist Teacher (MaST): Mrs Tiffany Ahumada 

Classroom Team:

Transition: Mrs Theresa Grills

Kindergarten (Early Stage 1): Mrs Tiffany Ahumada

Year 1/2 (Stage 1): Mrs Angela Hayes

Year 3/4 (Stage 2): Mrs Krystle Cox

Year 5/6 (Stage 3): Mr Daniel Niemerg

Specialist Release Teacher: Miss Claire Archibald 

 

Thank you for your service:

Gerard Hore from Catholic Schools Office presenting Mrs Ahumada with a gift thanking for her service to the Diocese as Religious Education Coordinator for past 5 Years at St Mary of the Angels. We are very lucky to have Mrs Ahumada taking on the role as Mathematics Specialist Teacher (MaST) here at St Mary of the Angels and thank her for her absolute devotion to her faith and the students here at SMOTA.

2023 Enrolments:

We only have a small number of spaces left in our Transition Space and Years K-6 for 2023. If you have anybody querying enrolment for 2023, please direct them to Amber and Sheree in the front office as soon as possible.

 

Safe and Happy Holidays!

From all of the staff at St Mary of the Angels, we wish you a very happy and holy Christmas Break.  Enjoy the the presence of family rather than the presents from family.

I wish my staff a restful holiday season, we are nothing without our staff and I look forward to the joy and learning that 2023 brings. 

Safe travels and corrugated dirt road blessings to Miss Campbell as she heads up to Yulara School in the Northern Territory, we will miss you.

Mrs Hunt… your past 8 years at St Mary of the Angela has left an indelible mark on this brilliant school, we know you will do the same at St Joseph’s in Uralla and are thankful for your time with us. May the increased time with your family be an absolute blessing. 

 

We look forward to seeing you all come back safe and sound on Tuesday 31st of January.

2022 signing off!!! 

With blessings and thankfulness,

Zoe Nugent  

Principal