Principal's Newsletter
Newsletter Thursday 24th October
We the staff of St Patrick’s acknowledge the traditional owners, the Kulin nations, of the land on which we learn and play.
We pay respects to the Aboriginal Elders, past and present, who are our teachers.
We thank them for taking care of children and country for countless generations.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark
Master, grant that I may see.
As Jesus left Jericho with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus (that is, the son of Timaeus), a blind beggar, was sitting at the side of the road. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and to say, ‘Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me.’ And many of them scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he only shouted all the louder, ‘Son of David, have pity on me.’ Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him here.’ So they called the blind man. ‘Courage,’ they said ‘get up; he is calling you.’ So throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and went to Jesus. Then Jesus spoke, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Rabbuni,’ the blind man said to him ‘Master, let me see again.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go; your faith has saved you.’ And immediately his sight returned and he followed him along the road.
Dear Parents, Carers and Guardians,
This week the Gospel tells us a healing story, the normal elements are present. Someone has a problem, there is some factor that complicates matters, Jesus effects the cure, the result is confirmed, and then there is some response to the miracle. Within this passage and elsewhere in Mark’s gospel, however, are indicators that he has other interests in mind. Bartimaeus was determined to get the attention of our Lord. He had faith that he could be healed.
And then, as we often see, the naysayers who want to shut down the lowly or the poor or unworthy; Jesus was right to proceed and find out what he needed to do. After all, this was his mission. And what of the people who told him to keep quiet? Who are they to determine who Jesus should attend to? What gives them that right? Why should they speak on behalf of others they know nothing about?
How often are we a naysayer? Sticking our nose in where it is not needed; forming opinions of others around us who are not worthy in our eyes? Maybe we should stick to our own agendas and try and see how we can be a change for good in this world…
Tomorrow, we celebrate World Teachers Day. This is the time that I wish to take the time to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all administration staff, my teachers and my Education Support Officers! Thank you for your valuable contribution to the students lives each and every day. Thank you for the care taken, the time spent and the persistence during the difficult times, reaching out to the students and giving them the best education possible. The students’ journey at St Patrick’s is not simply academic. ALL staff are involved with their social and emotional development, their spiritual guidance and we are in the privileged position to help these students become successful, confident and respectable citizens that will continue to contribute to our community.
If you have the opportunity to see your children’s teacher, either today or tomorrow, or any time really, please take the opportunity to say THANK YOU for the work they do and all the unseen things that happen each and every day to ensure your child is safe and happy!
An enormous THANK YOU to Tresa Andrews for her commitment to the Year 6 students making their Sacrament of Confirmation. Her dedication to our students is admirable and the celebration itself went so smoothly and was such a wonderful example of how we can make these things special when we all work together for the sake of our students!
We have had three Foundation transitions so far this year with 2 more to go. Our new parents and their children are so excited as they prepare for their first year of schooling! The parents have come and spent time with myself and learning more about out St Patrick’s community. I am pleased to announce that Geraldine Wilmann and Katherine Gronek will once again take the reigns of being our Foundation teachers for 2025. Thank you also to Yoke Yee Teow, my EAL teacher, Angharad Doran, my Learning Adjustment leader and Kelly Wilson, my MHiPS leader (Mental Health) for supporting the students and teachers during their transition.
I will be announcing the remainder of the staffing in the next few weeks. This year, we will be doing our transition differently so the students will have more than just one opportunity to meet and mix with the teachers for their new year level, as well as the other students they may not know as well. We hope this will lead to a smooth beginning next year and alleviate any concerns around the new school year.
God Bless
Meg