Principal's Report

Dear Members of the St. Cecilia’s School Community,

As another extraordinary year draws to a close, I write to thank you all for your continued encouragement and support for all of us here at St. Cecilia’s.

On behalf of all the staff, we hope you all have a safe, restful, holy and happy Christmas and we look forward to walking together with you and your sons and daughters as we move into a year full of hope and promise in 2022. 

I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Father Kevin for yet another year of continued support, sound advice and a tremendous partnership between school and Parish.

We are so grateful to have been able to plan for and proceed with some significant school events during this final term. Many schools throughout Melbourne have not been so fortunate. We have an amazing staff of kind, generous and talented teachers. Their positivity and dedication has been the reason we have managed so well. I cannot thank them enough. 

Term 4 events that we have been lucky enough to run with with include:

• Foundation Information night
• First Eucharist
• Senior Camp and special week
• Foundation Orientation sessions
• Twilight Sports
• Excursions
• Family Fun Day
• Year 6 Graduation
• A visit from Martin Heppell (The Resilience Project)

I would like to make special mention of the organising team behind the success of our Family Fun Day. Led superbly by Jen McGrath (Andrew Maxwell, Chris Knott, Bridie Andriske, Dries Swerts, Sarah Styring) and all of the many parents who contributed. Their tireless, behind the scenes, positive commitment allowed this amazing day to take place. Easily, one of the highlights of the year!

This amazing community day 

raised just over $11,000. 

See below for more news on these funds raised...

But more importantly than that, it allowed our community to reconnect in a safe way providing an awesomely fun day for our kids!

Thank you to all of the following STALL HOLDERS:

Raffle – Sarah Styring

Live auction – Jen McGrath

Rides and Entertainment – Audrey Territt

Banking and Finance – Chris Knott

Food and drinks – Dries Swerts

Stall coordination – Jen McGrath & Bridie Andriske

Face painting – Carol Dacic

Crazy hair and activities– Grade 5 families

Lucky Dip – Bolton & Hallam families

Lolly Stall – Prep families

Icypoles and drinks – Grade 4 families

Cake stall – Grade 3 families

Cookie Jars & Wine – Kirsten Walker & Vanessa Curtin

BBQ – Martin family & Grade 6 families

Bar & Entertainment – Grade 1 & 2 families

Thank you to the following sponsors:

School Improvements

We are thrilled to share with you some news regarding the development of St Cecilia’s commencing next year and beyond.

In line with contemporary learning approaches, we are committed to investing in the improvement of our school buildings and infrastructure so that our students can thrive in the very best surroundings, benefitting from inspirational facilities for all manner of activities both inside and outside the classroom.

The first project will be a newly designed STEM Centre. This will be located in the back half of our current school library. This space will also serve as our new Visual Arts Room for two days each week. It is our intention that this new space will engage hearts and ignite curious minds.

Money raised from our Family Fun Day will be dedicated to this project.

STEM uses an inquiry approach to integrate skills and content from the areas of Science, Technology (Design and Digital), Engineering and Maths. STEM aims to develop key skills including problem solving, creativity, critical analysis and digital literacy. There is also a strong focus on collaborative learning, teamwork and communication.

We look forward to working with members of staff, our students and the community to make this exciting vision a reality commencing in 2022.

Class Structure and Classroom Teachers 2022

In our previous newsletter, I indicated that in 2022 St. Cecilia's is using the same class structure as 2021.

Foundation – 2 x classes

Year 1– 2 x classes

Year 2 – 2 x classes

Year 3 - 2 x classes

Year  4 - 2 x classes

Year  5 & 6 – 2 x year 5/6 classes

As I indicated last week, I would like to announce 2022 teaching staff:

Foundation: Mrs Annmaree Hoy (5 days)

Foundation: Mrs Marnie Chapman (5 days)

Grade One:  Mrs Libby Watkin (4 days) / Mrs Trish Revere (1 day)

Grade One: Miss Hollie French (5 days)

Grade Two: Miss Helen Lloyd  / Mrs Carmel Brownhill (1 day a f/n)

Grade Two: Mrs Pauline Kilduff (4 days) / Mr Matthew Mooney (1 day)

Grade Three: Mrs Jacqueline Everitt (7 days a f/n) / Mrs Jacqui Chalkley (3 days a f/n)

Grade Three: Mrs Tracey Toner (2.5 days) / Mrs Kerryn Aikman (2.5 days) 

Grade Four: Ms Joanne Hurley (5 days)

Grade Four: Mr Gavin Griffith (5 days)

Grade Five/Six: Ms Louise Jury / Mrs Trish Revere (1 day a f/n)

Grade Five/Six: Miss Fiona Walsh /  Mrs Trish Revere (1 day a f/n)

PE Teacher: Mr Clint Johnson

French Teacher: Madame Cecile Dutrieux 

Music Teacher: Mrs Stefanie Miller

Art Teacher: Mrs Jacqui Chalkley

Religious Education Leader: Mrs Jacqui Chalkley

We are also delighted to inform you all that Mrs Trish Revere will be returning from Maternity leave to work with us 2 days a week. Trish will work each Wednesday in Grade One and every second Friday in both Grade 5/6 classes (alternate weeks). 

Karen Whiting

As you know, we will all miss Karen Whiting next year with her retirement at the end of 2021. Karen Whiting, who has been teaching within the Catholic Education system for 43 years, retires this year following a highly successful career. Karen previously worked at 4 other schools, commencing her career at St. Anthony’s, Alphington in 1981.  Karen joined St. Cecilia's community in 2007. Throughout her career, Karen developed a wealth of knowledge and contributed significantly to teaching, learning, leadership and wellbeing of both students and staff.

Karen has pretty much done it all. She has been a classroom teacher, a Religious Education Leader, an Acting Principal and a Deputy Principal. In her most recent role as Deputy Principal, Karen has led a significant portion of the development and implementation of our teaching and learning framework and the School Improvement Plan that has contributed to the ongoing success at St. Cecilia's over many years. 

Karen has been incredibly hard working and loyal. Two of the traits that are essential if anyone is seeking to make a difference to the life circumstances of young people, school families and colleagues. She has worked tirelessly with her student cohorts always ensuring their wellbeing is at the forefront of any decisions the school makes. I am sure that any parents and students who have had the opportunity to work with Karen would testify to her commitment to seeking the best possible outcomes and opportunities are provided for all students.

On behalf of all of us at St. Cecilia’s School and personally, I would like to congratulate Karen on such a highly successful career and wish her the best in retirement where she will pursue a new journey. Your skills, energy, patience - and the manner in which you go about your work, has been so appreciated and will be deeply missed Karen. 

Your legacy is enormous. Thank you and God Bless!

Helen  Goodear

As you may know, Mrs Helen Goodear has announced her intention to step back from teaching visual arts from next year. It is with a great deal of sadness but warm wishes that we announce this significant decision that Helen has made. 

Helen has developed and coordinated an outstanding visual arts program at St. Cecilia’s since 2009. Many hundreds of students and families have benefited and been influenced by Helen’s gentle care, professionalism, creative knowledge and passion. 

Anyone who’s passionate about the arts will recall formative moments of experiencing a gifted art teacher who has guided them through a creative challenge. Helen has been this person for many. We are so grateful for Helen’s significant contributions over such a long period of time and wish her every best wish with her next chapter.

Alena Dean

We will also farewell Mrs Alena Dean, who has worked one day a week in Grade 2H for the past 2 years and as a Learning Support Officer over 11 years at St. Cecilia’s. This is a significant contribution to our school community. Alena has brought a great deal of energy, enthusiasm and gentle wisdom to the students in her care. Alena will always be a part of the St. Cecilia’s family and we are sure we will see her smiling face in some capacity very soon. 

Chloe McKenna

After two highly successful years as a Learning Support Officer at St. Cecilia's, Chloe will be moving to Brisbane to continue with her nursing studies. It has been a pleasure having Chloe work alongside us during two very challenging years. I know that staff and students (and parents) that had the opportunity to work with Chloe will miss her very much. Her commitment to the students and the work has been awesome. Needless to say, she has an enormously proud father, who will miss her terribly. 

Other news

There has been some movement across levels for some of our staff, which is always healthy for a school. We are also very excited to announce that we have welcomed Mrs Jacqui Chalkley into a new role as Art Teacher (2 days a week) as well as Religious Education Leader. She will also work for a smaller amount of time in the Grade 3 class with Mrs Jacqueline Everitt. 

We are also very excited to welcome Mr Matthew Mooney commencing 2022 to a significant role within our school. I am sure you will all join with me next year to warmly welcome Matt as he begins to make his mark on the next chapter at St. Cecilia's. 

We have been involved in a very thorough process of classroom placement for all students. We ask that parents trust this process and understand that many variables are considered when making these important decisions. 

New School Website

Please take a look if you haven't already done so! We love it!

http://www.scgleniris.catholic.edu.au/ 

School Uniforms - a new way

As you may know, we have now transitioned to a new company for all of our School Uniform supplies.

Here is some important information regarding our new supplier.  

Our new uniform shop is now live.We will add this information to our website shortly.

In the meantime,  the direct URL address is:

https://www.spartanschoolworld.com.au/collections/st-cecilias-primary-school

I would like to take this opportunity to extend our enormous thanks and gratitude to both Janelle Cowan and Donna Loftus for their hours of dedication towards the operation of our onsite school uniform shop. This has been a huge undertaking and I cannot thank Janelle and Donna enough for the manner in which they selflessly approached this volunteer role. 

Starting Dates 2022

Please note the following dates for the the beginning of the school in 2022.

SchoolMagazine

Once again, it is our pleasure to welcome you to this year's edition of St Cecilia’s School Magazine. This year, all of the 5/6s collaborated in the production of the school magazine.

None of this would have been possible without the help, expertise and guidance of Ms Caterina Cerrina. She has put so much time and effort into organising and helping everyone with their pieces of work. We would also love to thank all of the 5/6 team who have worked tirelessly over many months to create this magazine. They have done an amazing job working and collaborating together.

Here is a PDF copy for your viewing!

Chicken Help

A final call out to the school community to help care for the chickens over the holidays please. If you have a week spare, that would be preferable. There have been a couple of interested families but more would be ideal. The schedule will be finalised early next week. Please email Anna aclarkson@scgleniris.catholic.edu.au

Year 6 Graduation Night

One of the highlights of this year has been our Year 6 Graduation Night. Not only were we so grateful to be in a position to host this event, we could not be more proud of these remarkable students. Year 6 Parents sat together with Senior staff bursting with pride and wonder at how these young people have matured before our eyes. Many thanks to the incredible staff of Louise Jury, Fiona Walsh and Jacqueline Everitt for their care and tireless dedication to this awesome night. 

As I said on Tuesday night, "we hope your years at St. Cecilia’s, with the help of outstanding teachers and staff, have given you just that, the courage to follow your own heart and mind.

We feel confident that our future has never looked as bright. May your future continue to be surrounded with gratitude, empathy and mindfulness. You are curious, you are kind, you are brave and you are ready to take on the world and all that it has to offer."

Class of 2021, we wish you all the best for the future.

Merry Christmas everyone,

Marty McKenna

Principal

St Cecilia’s School

Gratitude and Mindfulness

What are three things that went well for you today?

Who are you most grateful for and why?

What are you looking forward to most about tomorrow?

Have a fantastic break everyone,

Warm regards,

Marty