Principal's Report
Dear Parents,
WOW! What a fabulous wonderful school community. I am very lucky to have such supportive and wonderful parents. Our Fete was FANTASTIC! I had so many 'outsiders' come to me and say what a brilliant well organised Fete. I was thrilled to see parents and their friends and family help out in many different ways. On behalf of the children, thank you. It's hard to single people out however, I do want to publicly thank Emanual (our lollypop man) who worked so hard. Please do me a favour and say a big thanks to Emanual when you cross the road. The Fete would not have been a succes without two people who worked so hard all year to coordinate the entire event. To Michelle Anderson and Megan O'Donnell WOW! I can not express in words my gratitude. To Beatrice Scarmozzino and Margaret Marciano who have spent 3 days locked away counting money and filling in countless spreadsheets so we can have an accurate assessment of our total money raised as well as what each stall made. To the wonderful staff, many of them here the whole day helping out where needed (the Haunted House was magnificent). All in all, I am simply speechless as it was a real testament to what this school community is capable of. Well done everyone and thank you. WE RAISED FOR YOUR CHILDREN A TOTAL OF $36,742.95 INCREDIBLE!!!
I invite all families to the Christmas Carols on Wednesday 11 December at 6pm. See the notice in other news.
As this is the last newsletter for the year I begin by acknowledging the Year 6 children.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE YEAR 6 CHILDREN ON COMPLETING YOUR PRIMARY EDUCATION. WE HOPE AND PRAY THAT YOU WILL ALWAYS STRIVE TO ACHIEVE AND DO THE BEST YOU CAN.
GOOD LUCK IN SECONDARY SCHOOL.
It has been an enormous pleasure to watch the growth and development of the Year 6’s, not only during this year but, for many of them, since they began as Prep children seven years ago. As they leave us we wish them well as they begin Secondary Education. Good luck and thank you.
On behalf of the school community I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the following families who have their last child with us in Year 6 and have been part of the school for many years. My thanks for all that you have contributed to our school: ABD EL NOUR, BABIC, BONGCAWEL, COLUCCIO, GIANNAKOPOULOS, KATIFORIS, KOTEVSKA, LOUZIS, PENHALL, PHAM, POWNALL, RAHME, RIMA, RINITI, ROSSI, ROUBOS, SCHOTT, SULLIVAN, WEHBE, ZIRULIA.
I refer you to a wonderful quote which I believe sums up our school year:
‘Today is not just another day. It’s a new opportunity, another chance, a new beginning, embrace it.’
This year we have endeavoured to make every day a new beginning, a new chance to explore, inspire and create new learning. In 2019, learning and teaching focused on developing a culture of continuous improvement. For teachers this has meant that they needed to be seen as risk takers,
and have the courage and readiness to explore and embrace evidence based teaching through the collection of accurate data to drive the implementation of programs. For taking the risk and providing a well -balanced curriculum, I thank the teachers for a job well done. I congratulate the
children for always doing their best and for their enthusiasm in all that they do. I thank the parents for your continuous support and the generosity you have demonstrated in the many things that have taken place at St. Mary’s. I thank Father Shabin for the many ways he continues to support our school.
I use the analogy of ‘The Tram’ with staff. However, I know and realise that the ‘Tram’ can not move if not for the parents who have supported us in the learning journey. For your involvement we are very grateful. In 2020, we look forward to new beginnings and we give thanks to God for all that we have and all that we endeavour to do.
Afer much consultation, time and effort we have finalised classes for 2020.
Children and parents will be notified on Monday 16th. These classes will not be altered and are final. Please do not come and see me to request a change as your request will be denied. As you can
imagine we put enormous effort into this and we are not prepared to make any changes.
STAFFING CHANGES
It is with sadness that we say farewell to Jarrod Mullavey. Jarrod has accepted a position at St. Kevin's Lower Templestowe as Deputy Principal/Learning and Teaching. Jarrod has been with me for 12 years and in that time I have seen him develop into a fantastic teacher and leader. I can not thank him enough for the contribution he has made to both St. John's Clifton Hill and to St. Mary's Thornbury. We will miss him very much. Jarrod will continue to be involved in the Parish and we look forward to seeing him at Sunday Masses.
We say thank you to Amanda Caiafa who will be leaving to look after her 2 year old Joshua. Amanda has also been with me for 8 years and I have seen her grow from a very shy and unsure graduate to a very confident and competent teacher. Thank you Amanda for giving so much. Amanda will return in 2020 as a relief teacher at St. Mary's.
We farewell and thank Naomi Marron who has accepted a position at Good Samaritan in Roxburg Park. I can not thank Naomi enough for her dedication to the children in her care and wish her well for the future.
And finally, Tracey Long. We are not saying goodbye to Tracey as she will be returning in 2020 as our number 1 emergency teacher. Thanks Tracey for all your hard work.
We welcome Jessica Lynch. Jessica is currently teaching at St. Thomas' Greensborough North. Jessica is an experienced teacher and we look forward to Jessica joining our team. We also welcome Chloe Hand and Jenna Pederson who are both beginning their teaching career at St. Mary's. We welcome Stephen Nugent who is currently the Year 5/6 teacher at Sacred Heart Sandrigham and finally, we welcome Peta Nobelius. Many of you will know Peta. Since leaving us 6 years ago, Peta has been working in a number of roles ranging from a Learning Advisor with the Catholic Education Office to her current role as Religious Education Leader at Oscar Romero School.
ST. MARY’S SCHOOL STAFF 2020
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Parish Priest
Fr. Shabin Kaniampuram
Principal
Dino De Propertis
Deputy Principal/Learning Diversity
Amanda Gill
Deputy Principal/ School Management
Peta Nobelius
Religious Education Leader
Sharen Maguire
Learning and Teaching Leader
Sharen Maguire
Numeracy Leader
Renee Loprevite
LiteracyLeader
Jane Grapsas
ICT Leader
Louise Alonso
Wellbeing Leader
Tania Calabrese
TEACHING STAFF
Year Prep H - Hayley Honan
Year Prep J - Jessica Lynch
Year 1/2 B - Bethany Rees
Year 1/2 C - Jason Caruana
Year 1/2TL- Tania Calabrese/Renee Loprevite
Year 1/2 P - Jenna Pederson
Year 3/4 C - Carla Scobell
Year 3/4 H - Chloe Hand and Stephen Luckman assisting both Carla and Chloe
Year 4/5 - Stephen Nugent / Simi Arora
Year 5/6 A- Anne Marie Winnell
Year 5/6 L- Louise Alonso
Library - Clare Jenkinson
Literacy Intervention - Victoria Failla
PE - Stephen Luckman
Performing Arts- Lizzie Shalstrom
LOTE Italian - Semester 1 Delia Latina Semester 2- Irma Cimarosti
LOTE Mandarin - Bei Chen
Maths Intervention - Sandra Karnezis &
Gae Lo Presti
Design Technology, Art and Extension Education - Sally Erickson
ADMIN STAFF
Admin Officer- Margaret Marciano
Library Technician - Cheryl Griffin
Education Support Officers
Sarina Leptos
Vicki Prokos
Poppy Brennan
Viviane Lacey
Eileen Martoccia
Michelle Ray
Sophia Dimitropoulos
REMINDER: SCHOOL WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY 9 DECEMBER FOR STAFF PLANNING DAY
School will finish for 2019 on Tuesday 17 December at 1.30pm. End of Year Mass at 12 noon. All very welcome.
On behalf of the staff, I wish you a very holy and merry christmas. May the peace of Christ be with you all. See