News from
our Principal

Mrs Sue Clay

Dear Parents and Carers,

Staff News

It is with mixed emotions that I write to inform you of Mrs Donna Yates intention to retire from teaching this year. Due to unforeseen circumstances she finished up today, Thursday 17th November. The Kindergarten parents and students were able to say goodbye and thank her this afternoon in a special way.

Mrs Yates has been teaching for 36 years with Sydney Catholic Schools and has contributed positively in many ways. I am sure you will join with me in wishing Mrs Yates all our blessings and good wishes as she retires from a career that she should be very proud of. We have been extremely fortunate to have had someone with Mrs Yates integrity, passion, dedication and professionalism at Our Lady of Fatima. She has weaved her magic over the years with enormous commitment, energy and wisdom to make a difference in many young people’s lives.

We wish her all the best as she ventures forth and leaves our school community. May the gentle, loving embrace of Our Lady of Fatima go with her and continue to guide, protect and comfort her on her journey.

More Staff News

At the end of this year Ms Elizabeth O’Brien has decided to step down from her role as the Religious Education Coordinator at Our Lady of Fatima. She has held this role for 9 years and has worked tirelessly over these years developing and nurturing the faith and spiritual life of hundreds of young people and their families, leading us in worship and prayer, working with staff on implementing, delivering and resourcing the RE syllabus as well as building strong links with our Parish and Parish Priests. Ms O’Brien has always done this with commitment, dedication, calmly and in a spirit of service. She will continue to teach at Our Lady of Fatima as a classroom teacher in 2023. I am sure you will join me again in offering our gratitude and thanks for all that Ms O’Brien has contributed to the Catholic life of Our Lady of Fatima.

After a lengthy and thorough process with SCS it is with pleasure that I announce Mrs Cheryl Ross as our new Religious Education Coordinator from next year. Mrs Ross is a faith filled leader who will bring her vision, wisdom, experience and commitment to continuing to lead our Catholic community. She currently teaches Year 6 and will continue as a classroom teacher as well as holding this significant leadership position within the school. Father Julian acknowledges and thanks Ms O’Brien for her service over the years and welcomes Mrs Ross into the role.

Also, Congratulations to Mrs Jo Ford on the safe arrival of her beautiful first Grandson - Henry Frederick. We wish her family a lifetime of happiness, good health and many happy times. Jo could not be prouder.

Annual Improvement Plan 2022

Last week the School Leadership team met to review, evaluate and discuss our progress with our goals this year in our Annual Improvement Plan. Our NAPLAN and PAT data showed some outstanding achievements as well as enormous growth for many students. We have met and exceeded some of our targets and SMART goals. We looked at the effectiveness of some of our programs, our intervention strategies and the support we have been able to provide the students with their learning. It was a reaffirming day for us and we are extremely proud of the commitment and dedication the teachers have shown in their teaching. The impact of their efforts was clearly evident in our whole school data and consistent approaches. We are excited to implement some new and different strategies and approaches to continue to make a difference to the learning at Our Lady of Fatima in 2023. We will keep you posted!

Staffing and classes for 2023 are currently still being finalised. It is an exciting time of the year as we celebrate what has been achieved and look forward to what next year may hold. Please keep in mind how tired everyone feels at this time of the year and that emotions can sometimes be heightened. The teachers and students have all worked incredibly hard throughout the year and now it is time to be kind to each other and gentle when needed. We have continued to remind the students of our expectations and the school rules to ensure we finish the year in a safe, respectful way as powerful learners who are proud of their efforts and achievements.

The Principal’s Reading Challenge

Join the Principal’s Reading Challenge!

Visit the library to pick up a “Reading Passport” to record the books you read. You can enter as many passports as books you read!
Winning entries will be drawn at Friday Assembly in Week 8. Winners will receive a book prize and have morning tea with Mrs Clay at one of her favourite bookshop cafes!