End of Year Review

It is really hard to believe that this is the last newsletter for the school year - once again the year has gone amazingly fast!

I started this year with an optimistic outlook and certainty that we couldn’t have another year like 2020, well I was certainly wrong! I would like to comment, however, that even though we have again experienced lockdowns and restrictions, we have coped remarkably well. 

I would also like to acknowledge our hard-working and flexible staff. In a year that has provided change after change, they have stayed positive and upbeat and have consistently modelled resilience and optimism to our students. They tackled new technology learning with vigour, creativity and diligence.

I cannot thank our parent body enough. During our Remote Learning period each parent tried their very best to deliver the set education to their children whilst juggling their own work commitments and in most cases, other children as well. 

This year our students have remained on task and settled, each taking whatever came their way in their stride. They all engaged online as much as was possible and tried their best to complete tasks without their teachers beside them. A highlight was seeing each student at our TEAMS meetings.

This year we have tried to remain focused on our School Improvement Plan, regardless of the interruptions, and I believe that we have achieved a lot!

Our staff has had focussed participation in the High Impact Teaching Practices in Action program by working with COGLEARN and Toni Hatten Roberts. All of our staff have participated in professional development. We have learnt about Cognitive Load Theory, interleaving, spaced instruction, daily review and the Science of Learning and Reading. Our primary staff have uploaded videos for coaching and feedback, these have been specifically about preparing and delivering Daily Review and explicit lessons. 

I would like to present a summary of some of our other developments and achievements over the past year.

• Air-conditioning units for the K/6/Lab/Library/Admin/AP/Principal's Office and Staffroom, with one for the Performing Arts Room to come. Thanks to the P&F for their contribution towards these.
• Continued Spelling, Reading, Maths and Comprehension Intervention Programs
• Whole Staff Professional Learning in the explicit instruction teaching strategy
• Remote Learning Procedures and Microsoft TEAMS
• MacqLit Training - Year 3-6 literacy intervention program that develops phonemic awareness, phonological knowledge, vocabulary, comprehension, and phonics 
• Interactive Panel – Lab/Library with one to come for the Performing Arts/Kindergarten Room (thanks also to the P&F Association)
• A relationship with Royal Far West allied health services -  Telecare for Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist and Psychologist supports.

Our future improvement plans moving into 2022 and beyond include:

• Painting Performing Arts/Kindergarten Room
• PA system
• New teacher laptops
• Old Hall floor resurfacing
• Toilet block at the bottom oval.
• Continued focus on the development of high impact teaching practices
• Development of parent information sessions to support wellbeing and knowledge of school programs
• Continued relationship with Royal Far West and access to Telecare for Speech and Occupational Therapy – next year we have attained five places.

Of course, other suggestions are welcomed.

In a year that has presented ongoing challenges, I would like to thank you all for your unwavering support! 

I would like to thank our board members Fr Joshy, Sr Rosemary, Andrew Pursell, Sally Gamble, Daniel Walsh, Marty Reynolds, Belinda Tarlinton and Rachael Croker. I thank and farewell Andrew and Sally and welcome James McCormack and Reané Strode in Term One 2022. 

I would also like to thank our active Parents and Friends Association. Once again they have pulled together COVID-friendly fundraising events to fulfil their monetary support for the school. Thank you to everyone who has coordinated events, been involved with events and volunteered in any capacity. I would especially like to mention Daniel Walsh (President), Catherine Culley, Rechell Naughton, Allison Hewitt, Melissa Haynes and Jolene Grove and Reané Strode (P&F Executive Committee) for their support this year.

Next week, we farewell our wonderful Year Six class, along with the Kemp, Gamble, R Allport, Cramp, Parsons, Pursell, Marcelino, Skelly, Lawson and Mallinson families. We wish you all the best for the journey ahead and know that we will always be here for you.

Year Six we pray that you relish the opportunities that come your way, be thankful for your families and always remember that your soul needs nurturing as much as your mind. We know that you will all continue to succeed. 

To conclude, I would like to wish everyone a safe, happy and holy Christmas and we will see you again when school resumes for all students on Tuesday 1 February 2022. 

Leadership Changeover

I would also like to recognise and thank our outgoing Year Six class for the fine leadership they have provided the other students and assistance and positive attitude they have offered the staff. You can all be very proud of your time as a St Mary’s student - you have been wonderful students and leaders.

Twelve months ago I announced Bridie and Seth as our School Captains. I would like to thank them for their leadership. I do not think I'll ever forget our makeshift morning virtual assemblies. I would also like to thank Lucy, Patrick, Phoebe and George for the outstanding job they have done as our Sports Captains. You have all provided fine role models to our Year Five students moving into these positions.

Last week, our Year Five students presented speeches outlining why they wanted to be our 2022 School and House Captains. The quality of speeches that the students gave in self-nominating for Captain positions was excellent. They showed insight into what leadership means and represents. The students were able to articulate why they felt they would be a suitable candidate and they also managed to engage their audience with a few songs!

Thank you to all of the students who volunteered themselves for these positions. I have every confidence that each and every one of you would make excellent leaders and you will, regardless of the outcome, have opportunities for this next year.

On Wednesday last week each student at St Mary’s voted for the students they would like to see fill our Captain’s roles. These roles are filled solely by the student vote and as per usual, the staff did not vote.

Congratulations to the following students who will help lead our school in an official capacity next year:

School Captains

Sophia Galland and Finn McCormack

Lawrence Captains

Sommer-Lee Gann and Toby Charnock

Aloysius Captains

Ava Nicholson and William Millet

We congratulate all the students who ran for roles and congratulate them on their wonderful display of sportspersonship and resilience. 

Our new Captains will receive their badges and be inducted into their roles at our Opening Mass on Thursday 10 February at 12pm.

End of Year Events

Year Six Farewell - UPDATED