Principal's Message: 28th November 2025
Dear families,
As we commence the official silly season, it has been a productive fortnight since my return from leave last week.
Our colour run was another resounding success. The children had a wonderful time getting pelted with coloured powder and water. This event will remain a staple of our fundraising efforts for the foreseeable future. Thank you to families and their extended circles for contributing to our fundraising efforts. We managed to raise nearly $11,500 towards our ninja course! Adding this fantastic result to our other fundraising efforts over the past 18 months means we have less than $10,000 left to hit our ninja course target. Installation will continue as planned, with the course being installed early in term 1 next year.
Prize orders have been placed and are set to arrive before the end of the school year.
John and I met with our architects this afternoon and they have commenced planning out the new senior and STEM hub that will replace the existing old building. Whilst building is not set to commence until later next year, I look forward to sharing designs with the community early in the new year. The architects will meet with a group of teachers and Ms Pelar in the coming weeks to gather suggestions for interiors, to ensure our classrooms become both beautiful and functional spaces. The wider community will also have the opportunity to provide feedback in the new year.
Staffing update
Our 2026 preps had their first classroom experience over the last 2 days. It was lovely to see them so engaged and happy.
I am pleased to share that Mrs Tucker and Mrs Leone will be the main prep teachers for 2026.
Final staffing arrangements will be shared in the last week of term.
I am sad to announce that Mrs Said will be leaving us at the conclusion of this year. With a heavy heart, as we know how much she loves St Mary’s, Mrs Said will bid us farewell as she accepts a position closer to home after over 20 years here.
Mrs Murdoch recently announced she has accepted a Learning Diversity role at Emmanuel College. Her extensive expertise and passion for special needs will be an asset to the college.
Ms Carla has also decided to take up a position closer to home. While with us for only a short time, Ms Carla has had a real impact on our students and community.
Finally, I can officially announce that Mrs Masseni will be retiring at the end of this year. Mrs Masseni’s affiliation with St Mary’s commenced nearly 30 years ago as a parent, before accepting a PE position once her sons left. She was then offered the role of Deputy Principal and Wellbeing leader, which she held until 2023, after which she took on the single role of Wellbeing and Mental Health in Primary Schools leadership role this year.
You will be able to pass on your well wishes to our departing staff at our end of year Thanksgiving afternoon tea, where, as well as acknowledging our parent volunteers this year, this tea will also be a way to celebrate our exiting staff.
The exiting of staff also means the opportunity to welcome new teachers into our fold.
I am happy to announce that Ms Bernie Farrow, currently of St Mary of the Cross, will join us in 2026 as our new Arts teacher.
I am also pleased to introduce Ms Roisin Gleich, currently of St James the Apostle, as a part-time classroom teacher.
We are currently interviewing for other classroom positions, but are confident we will be able to make more announcements in the coming week.
You most likely have also heard about Mrs Krstevski’s recent pregnancy. We offer our congratulations to Mrs K and her husband and look forward to sharing the eventual news of the arrival of their newborn, expected around mid Term 2. Mrs K will continue teaching up until the commencement of parental leave.
Phew! What a mammoth article full of huge news.
We look forward to sharing the next fortnight (and a bit) with you all as we begin the important season of Advent in our Catholic calendar later this week.
See you around,
Respect • Responsibility • Resilience • Courage