As we celebrate this Feast Day, we also ask the Blessed Mother of Mary to guide, protect and care for us, as well as teach us to have compassion and love for one another. Christ calls us to make this world a better place. Like Mary for her son Jesus, we are called to live a life of service to others.
We continue to make our way through very challenging times, many things that we would normally take for granted are not possible. Current restrictions have had a significant impact on some of our important upcoming events. At this point we are unable to attend any venue for things like the Graduation Dinner and Formals. Year 12 Graduation Day will proceed on the 22nd September and we are in the process of finalising the outline for the day, ensuring that we follow all of the current guidelines and restrictions from NSW Health and the CEDP. As you would understand I will inform Year 12 students and families first as a matter of respect and courtesy. Year 9 Camp and Year 11 Retreat look set to be postponed and we will look to move them into the 2021 calendar year, so that students don’t miss these opportunities.
Our building is scheduled for completion at the end of August, pending weather. The staff and students are anxious to move into the spaces. In a previous P&F meeting the question was raised regarding tours for families. Presently we have no tours, open days etc. happening. When this is possible we will of course provide opportunities for families.
We have completed our process for Assistant Principal Innovation, Teaching and Learning for 2020 and I am pleased to announce the appointment of Janina Starkey. Janina has had extensive experience as an REC, including Marist Eastwood, has led school improvement agendas and in the last 3 years has been a Project Officer for Stage 6 Catholic Studies for the NSW Catholic Bishops and more recently as an Education Officer has led the development of the new Stage 6 Studies of Catholic Thought across NSW, which in itself is an outstanding achievement.
As you know Mr Finnerty is on secondment in this role for 2020, he has quickly built strong, positive relationships within the community and is doing a wonderful job in assisting us through the year. I know as always you will warmly welcome Ms Starkey to our family here at Dundas. I look forward to working alongside Janina and I know that she will bring significant skills and experience to our St Patrick's Marist College community in 2021.
Semester One Awards:
I really missed our Semester One Awards where we always welcome over 400 parents and friends to celebrate the growth, efforts and achievements of our students. While this year we were able to hold very short assemblies where student awards were announced, it takes nothing away from the importance of these awards. I offer my congratulations to all students and continue to encourage everyone to reflect on their efforts and to set goals for Semester Two.
Debating:
Debating and Public Speaking have looked very different this year. This week we will host our first ever zoom Debating evening. I thank Mrs Miller with the support of Ms Graham in arranging this new experience and the many staff who have helped out. We continue to show our resilience and flexibility as a community.
Tell Them From Me Survey (TTFM)
I hope you have received your letter regarding the TTFM survey inviting you to take a few minutes to sit down, have a cup of tea on us and complete the survey. We know in busy times, it is hard to find the time to complete surveys. This survey will allow parents/caregivers to express their views and perceptions of their children’s experiences at home and at school which will be of assistance in our future planning. If you have more than one child at the school and your perceptions differ for each child, you may choose to complete the survey more than once to provide feedback on each child’s experience.
In the Event of an Unplanned School Closure:
I will be sending out a document “In the Event of an Unplanned School Closure” that I shared with the P&F Zoom meeting on Wednesday night, which includes an after hours number. Following our last shutdown in March, we have updated our school closure procedures. Part of our discussions involved looking at ways to ensure that we have an organised dismissal process and during the current pandemic to keep the community safe by minimising visitors on site. This may change depending on the time of day or night that we are made aware of a positive test in our community.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our families for supporting us by keeping your children home when unwell and getting tested as required. Please let us know if you have any concerns particularly related to the possibility of a possible infection or close contact.
Exciting News:
Finally, we congratulate Matthew and Caterina Paton on the birth of their beautiful daughter, Florence Rose, last Monday and we welcome her to our Marist Family. She is already the apple of her father’s eyes. We wish them all the best and ask God to Bless this new family as they begin their wonderful new journey together.
As always I hope that you are keeping well and safe.
God Bless
Yours in Jesus, Mary and Saint Marcellin
Mrs Angela Hay
Principal