From the Principal 

This Sunday was the start of Catholic Week, which of course celebrates St Patrick’s Day within it. There was a lot of sprinkling of green amongst the students and staff yesterday. This week calls us to ponder how we are called to be faith filled people and what that means for our beautiful St Mary’s community. Central to our Catholic identity is to see ourselves within the bigger picture. This year sees us celebrating 200 years of Catholic Education within Australia. At our Professional Development Day last week facilitated by Father Jerome, we explored our Church within this short but rich history. We also reflected upon our role as educators within our Catholic context and how we are all called to find the light within others and grow deeper in relationship with God. I invite you all to watch and enjoy Faith in the future by Fr Rob Galea. Last night our Year 4 students began their preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Learning to say sorry, forgive and turn back towards God is important for us all. Thank you to Fr Jerome, Mrs McDonald, Ms McGuniness, Ms Schulz, Ms Craven and Bernadette for your support of the students and their families.  You are all invited to Stations of the Cross on Friday 26th March at 10:30am outside the Foundation classroom. This liturgy will be presented by some of our Year 5 and 6 students in preparation for Holy Week and Easter. 

Life at school is feeling more ‘normal’ each week as we return to and have a greater appreciation of all the activities that unite our community. It was great to sit with our 2021 P & F team and hear of the exciting planned events for this Term and year. Next week our Foundation families are warmly invited to a ‘Meet and Greet’ in the Parish Hall from 7-8pm. This will be a wonderful opportunity for our families to catch up and meet new friends, which will be helpful for our whole school  Welcome Drinks on Friday 26th March. We thank our Foundation class reps, Liz , Lynn and Miss Jacquie for setting this up.  I look forward to meeting our Foundations parents and carers next Tuesday and the rest of the school community on Friday night at The Dick Whittington. 

This Sunday is our major school Open Day from 10:30am-12pm. I would like to thank our amazing Year 6 Leaders for giving their time to support our prospective families as tour guides. The confidence, knowledge and love with which our school is discussed on these tours, is our greatest celebration. Our photos of the refurbishment around the school make this year and beyond very exciting. 

Another highlight of my day is when children visit me to share their super work. To see the pride each child shows when reading or showcasing their work, is truly delightful. A special Principal sticker is then placed on their work. Congratulations to the following students. 

Another proud achievement was our Year 4 students who led our assembly last week when our Senior students were on camp. Together we planned the assembly and they confidently enacted it. The role play of being safe, respectful and responsible was very well received by the rest of the school as the students educated and entertained us!  Earlier in the same week I had the pleasure of joining Camp Rumbug. I was warmly welcomed into the activities and can confidently say that l almost know every Year 5 and 6 student. It was great working alongside the students as they participated in the various outdoor education activities designed to build collaboration and take them out of their comfort zone. I did enjoy the disco on Wednesday night where the students and teachers had a ball! 

I look forward to seeing our families ride to school tomorrow on National Ride to School Day and watch our bike parade. 

Please note that next Term is the beginning of winter uniform. Please ensure that you are ready for this transition. 

AFTERNOON SCHOOL PICK UP

Changes to procedure for AFTERNOON PICK UP ONLY from MONDAY 22ND MARCH, 2021

ALL CLASSES WILL FINISH AT 3.30pm in accordance with Covid guidelines. 

Parents are asked to return to parking on the Basketball Court and walk to pick up your child(ren).

• Students in Foundation - Year 4 will be waiting to be collected on the top court on the Junior Campus.
• Students in Year 5 & 6 will be waiting in the green area by the Senior Campus.

For safety, please walk through the green area at the Senior Campus and not up the road and cross across the zebra crossing with the crossing attendant.

Use the Top Gate on the corner of Westbury St and Dandenong Road to enter the Junior Campus.

The Lower Blue Gate and Chessboard area are not being used for pick up in preparation for the refurbishment which commences in Term 2.

Classroom Teachers will walk to allocated places on the Top Court and remain there with the students until they are collected.

From 3.45pm children will need to be signed out at the office.

DROP OFF PROCEDURES WILL REMAIN THE SAME FOR THE REMINDER OF THE TERM.

Finally could I again make a plea for help: 

Your help is needed please….

The final week of Term, Monday 29th March - Wednesday 31st March all day  and Thursday 1st April 9-11am, will be our moving week. If I could invite any parents who are available to help in the morning or afternoon of any of these days to email me (cathy.ferrari@smstkildaeast.catholic.edu.au) or call Erica and let her know. 

Depending on the availability of help I will book the skip and organise the roster of what needs to go where. St Mary’s College have kindly lent us two classrooms for the duration of the build to store furniture and resources. 

We are also in the fortunate position of having the assistance of six Xavier College students as they complete a Community Service week.  As the saying goes many hands make light work. 

Wishing you each a wonderful and action packed fortnight ahead. 

Peace and blessings.