Dear Parents and Caregivers
We have come to the end of another school year.
This term, like all the others has been filled with wonderful learning experiences for our staff and students alike. It has been wonderful to see how over the year, the students have grown.
On Tuesday we celebrated our wonderful Year 6 students and farewelled them as they leave our SJMS family to continue their secondary education in 2023. I would like to congratulate the following students:
Layla, Ruby, Gabrielle, Lucinda, Madeleine, Emily, Jenny, Cormac, Rohan, Louie, Yuvraj, Odessa, Charlotte, April, Charlotte, Grace, Hannah, Max, Harry, Hyeon-Gu, and Harry.
May you take away with you: wonderful memories, long lasting friendships and the courage to be the best person you can be. Carry with you in your daily encounters with others, our motto: In Omnibus Caritas – In All Things Love and let these words guide you as you navigate the world around you.
On Wednesday, we celebrated our Preschool students who graduated and will be beginning their primary schooling in 2023. Congratulations to:
Archer, Orlando, Ivy, Briella, Elsie, Anna, Daniel, Sophia and Ava.
We wish you every success as you begin your primary schooling in 2023.
To the families that leave SJMS after a long association with us, thank you for being a part of our community. We wish you all the best and thank you for being such a valuable part of our SJMS family.
At this time, we also farewell staff who have been a part of our journey in 2022. I would like to thank the following staff for their dedication to our community and wish them every success for 2023.
Franco Canil, Amy Parker, Megan Pollard, Kate Didyk, Cathy Haddad, and Izabella Callisto.
We wish you every success in your teaching careers for 2023.
As well, I would like to announce that Jess Nelson will be stepping down as OSHC / Vacation Care Director. We thank Jess for the dedication that she put into the role since she joined SJMS in 2010. Monique Signore has been appointed as the OSHC / Vacation Care Director for 2023. There will be a transition period where both Jess and Monique will work together.
I would also like to extend my thanks to Brady Stallard for leading our community from 2017 until 2021 when he took 5 weeks leave but was then seconded to support another Catholic School Community for the remainder of the 2021 school year.
For 2023, the staffing will be as follows:
Preschool Teachers
Ms Maree Raphael
Ms Serena Razon
Mrs Mary Murray
Mrs Courtney Pisaniello
Early Years Teachers
Reception: Mrs Aimee Caruso / Ms Nicola Ciuffini
Year 1G: Mrs Nickie Palumbo
Year 1B: Mrs Mary Piteo / Mrs Zoë Gower
Primary Years Teachers
Year 2/3G: Mrs Paula Wesley / Mrs Catherine Devitt
Year 2/3: Mr David Holmes
Year 4: Mr Andrew Merrigan
Middle Years Teachers
Year 5: Ms Eloise Di Sisto
Year 6: Mr Christopher Heaney
Specialist Teachers
Japanese: Ms Oriana Radman
Performing Arts: Term 1: TBA, Term 2 onwards – Mrs Jessica Williams
PE: Mr William Dacombe-Bird
Education Support Officers
Mrs Nicki Cambourn
Mrs Jess Nelson
Mrs Mary Fantasia
Mrs Marta D’Ortenzio
Mrs Erika Petersson
Mrs Claire Tiekink
Miss Monique Signore
Leadership Team
Mr Adam Slater
Mr Nick Ryan
Mrs Toni Benci
Mrs Vassallo-Wakefield
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to the SJMS community over the past 7 terms for your patience and support. We have finally come to the end of our Stage 1 Building Project and our PAS and Nature Playground are a wonderful addition to our William Street site. The students and staff have appreciated the additional play space that has been opened up to us.
To the parents and caregivers, thank you for your support, especially to the School Board and to the dedicated small team of our Parents and Friends. I look forward to continuing my work with you in 2023.
Christmas Blessings
As we come to the end of this School Year, I would like to wish you and your families a Happy and Holy Christmas. May this Christmas Season be filled with wonder and joy as we commemorate the birth of Jesus. I leave you with a prayer for you to share with your families on Christmas Day.
Lord God,
Today may we not only unwrap presents,
But may we discover more of your love.
Today may we not only eat on festive food,
But may we feast on your faith.
Today may we not only cherish happy times with family and friends,
But may we invite you into our lives.
Today may we not only sing carols that celebrate your birth,
But may we dwell upon the resurrected Christ alive this moment.
Living Lord, we long to discover your love, feast on your truth,
invite you into our lives and thank you for your sacrifice.
Amidst the presents, food, and family we long to celebrate Christmas with you.
Amen.
Yours sincerely
Grace Vassallo-Wakefield