Dear Parents

Today is the end of a very busy week for all of us at St Mary’s. From the 1/2 school excursion to Science works, to kinder visits, NAPLAN, the Colour Run, our ESO Appreciation Day celebrations, our First Communion Parent Night, a Parent Information Evening for Foundation 2023, Walk to School day and healthy breakfast today and the District 1500m event, it has constantly amazed me how engaged and committed to their learning the children have continued to be throughout these events. The commitment and dedication of our teachers and ESOs is to be commended, as is the quiet and subtle way our staff have prepared for all of these events while continuing to provide rich and valuable learning for every child. I am often reflecting on our school with pride and gratitude for the community we are and the learning and support we provide. This reflection always ends with thoughts of you, our parents. Your dedication to your children and the way you engage with us at school creates the partnership that builds the village that is able to best serve the needs of every child in our school. The positive learning environment we create at school is enhanced constantly by the support we receive from you when your child is at home.

Throughout this past week I have had many families visiting our school as they are deciding which school will be the right one for their child when they start school next year. The consistent feedback they are giving is how calm, polite, engaged, focussed and happy the children and staff in our school are. Showing families through our school gives me an opportunity to see the school through their eyes and to respond to the many questions they have. Showing parents through our school is a joy as we have so much to be proud of as a school community. If you know anyone who would like their child to attend St Mary’s next year, please encourage them to collect an enrolment form and hand it in as we are growing in number and will close enrolments if we fill our classes.

Tomorrow, for the first time, we are a polling booth for the election. Our parent group have been working tirelessly to prepare for the day as we are making the most of this opportunity to fund raise for our school. As you would already be aware, we are having a BBQ, with egg and bacon rolls, hamburgers, sausages, a cake stall, chocolates for sale and tea and coffee. If you are able to help, feel free to turn up when you have some time. If you are unable to help we would love for you to come and vote and support us by buying something from the BBQ, a cake or a cup of tea or coffee. Every little bit helps. Thank you to those of you who have been baking and shopping in preparation for the day. We are hoping it will be a great success! Don’t forget to tell your families and friends to come to St Mary’s to vote!

Today, and everyday, may we be thankful for our blessings, the greatest being our families. We are thankful that we live in this beautiful country where we, and our children, are afforded a life of peace, safety, love and hope. We pray for those enduring war and turmoil and we ask our heavenly father to bring peace and harmony to their lives as they face a future that is unknown and filled with fear. May we remember as we wake to each new day, that every day is a blessing and an opportunity to make a difference in the life of those we love and those we meet.

Wishing you all a very happy weekend and a wonderful week ahead.

Lisa Broeren