PRINCIPAL'S REPORT

Welcome to 2025!
It was amazing to see our new Kindergarten students transition to school life at St Mary’s earlier this week. We welcome Abigail, Ellira, Harlow, Marlie, Petra, Poppy, Roy and Scott to our school community and wish them every success on their learning journey here at school.
Staffing
We also congratulate Mrs Brown on her new position here at St Mary’s. We know her experience in the K-2 space will be of immense benefit to these students. Also, to Mrs Dumbrell, who now officially takes on the role of Religious Education Coordinator and school executive in 2025.
Please see below our staffing and roles for 2025:
- Parish Priest: Fr Joe
- Principal: Mr Ryan Forsyth
- K-2 Teacher: Mrs Kelly Brown
- 3/4 Teacher and Religious Education Coordinator: Mrs Jeanette Dumbrell
- Year 5/6 Teacher: Miss Sarah Collins
- Students Centred Learning and Release for Classroom Teachers: Ms Jenny Jackson
- Library and Classroom Release: Mrs Eliizabeth Murray
- Classroom Support Teacher (Friday): Mrs Justine Hughes
- Classroom Support Assistants: Miss Debbie Ferguson, Miss Sarah Holland and Mrs Kate Dobbie
- School Administration: Ms Tracee Holland (office manager) and Miss Sarah Holland
- School Counsellor: Mrs Lucinda Clay
Grounds Maintenance
Thank you to Danny Matthews and Thomas Korn for their work over the break in watering plants, mowing lawns and generally maintaining the school. It has been appreciated.
Swimming Carnival
We return to school this year with some swimming lessons today and tomorrow. This will be followed by our swimming carnival next Friday 14th February. All students will attend this carnival. Years 3-6 heading to the pool first thing in the morning and K-2 at 10am.
All students will have an opportunity to swim (whether it be the smaller pool for our younger students or the larger pool for our races and free time for the older students).
All families are most welcome to attend and support our students on the day. We will provide some poolside shade for students and families. If there are parents that are happy to help with timing or set up, please let the school know through this Google Form (click this link)
Upcoming Events
We are always trying to utilise a variety of different platforms as a way of supporting parents with upcoming events. Please keep an eye on the newsletter, Facebook, Compass and a new Google Calendar that will be set up and shared with families next week. As most families would be aware, Compass is our main form of communication but we simply wanted to provide some options so families can choose their other preferred method of keeping up to date with these events.
Ryan