What an incredible school year. We have enjoyed excursions and incursions, rich learning opportunities every day, a Camp program that has extended to our Prep and Junior children, a parish- school, fete, St Luke’s Feast Day, meeting new Prep buddies and building our school spirit through our Year 1 to 5 SRC and Senior Student leadership. How lovely that we have been able to gather together again and again to celebrate with a real sense of gratitude the many blessings we have all enjoyed throughout the year. As we lead up to Christmas, l invite you to enter truly into being present with God, to reflect on what you are grateful for and to pray for those Year Six children who will leave our school community along with those families who begin a new journey with another school community. It is a time to remember and to look forward to what the New Year will bring for each of us. There are many to thank…
The Parent’s and Friends Association that has so enthusiastically built stronger community connections through their fundraising and social events. Through its hard work and determination, St Luke’s has been fortunate to purchase new literacy resources and to engage an Aboriginal artist to work with our children in painting our totems in the sensory garden. We have been able to create a new website that showcases what makes St Luke’s stand out from other schools. Make sure you take a peek. And- as has happened in the last couple of years, our P&F has sponsored a beautiful memory book for our Year 6 graduates.
To the School Advisory Council- thank you for your guidance and rigorous discussion of all things St Luke the Evangelist. We thank the members for their contribution to the SAC over the past year. In the New Year we will welcome three new members to the council but encourage anyone interested in having an advisory role to come along and join.
To the Parish and most especially, Fr Alex and Sonya O’Farrell- a huge thank you for your support of our learning community. Fr Alex- we love your guidance as Custodian of Faith and Mission, your joy in being part of our community and your musical influence as we celebrate liturgy. We look forward to having you join us as we continue to live out the gospel and work to God’s mission of us all. Of course, we give thanks for Fr Gerard who moved from Blackburn South earlier this year. You offered our parish a vision and leadership that has seen the community grow and change.
To the team… an incredible group of educators and staff who remained committed to Catholic education, to the children in their care and the families they partner with. Through the work they do and the compassion they show, we know that our children are known and loved, our learning is dynamic and engaging and that our connections are stronger because of how diverse we are. We are especially grateful for the leadership of our community that Julie Inglese has shown, doing an amazing job and maintaining a sense of continuity and calm.
Today we thank the families who have been an important part of our journey here at St Luke's. A number of families, go with our love and best wishes:
We can also celebrate the special teachers and we thank God for the blessings they have brought to our lives, most especially Pauline Answerth, Kathryn Fitt, Domenic DeLeo who we farewell this year. It is with a little sadness that we farewell Pauline who will be retiring to take on new directions with her family. We will also farewell Kathryn Fitt who is looking forward to spending time with family and enjoying a more relaxed year rediscovering favourite hobbies and exploring new ones. Domenic DeLeo is retiring, hoping to enjoy a little travel and some well earned time with his family too.
I want to thank Pauline for the influence she has had on building each child's inner strength, resilience and mindfulness. Her gentle ways have always been a draw card for children to seek her out when they have had a personal difficulty. Likewise, Kathryn has taught most of our children for many years and her commitment to Catholic education, to supporting the whole child and her capacity to continue evolving as an educator has been wonderful. Finally, to Domenic- thank you for stepping into big shoes. You have done a fabulous job this year and we wish you well in the future.
I am very pleased to be able to confirm our staffing for 2025. We welcome three new staff members to our St Luke's team next year. Ashlea Mawer will join the Middle School team, Emma Cooper will be our PE specialist whilst Micaela Debney remains on parental leave and Dan Li will join the Learning Support team. A highly respected 2024 CRT, Fiona Pirperis will be the STEM Specialist in Term 1 until Megan Bunter returns from parental leave at the beginning of Term 2.
Finally… our children. When families send their child to school each day, we embrace them as our own. Just as you see these young people as bright stars in our universe, we too get to nurture and grow that brightness. Thank you for entrusting us with your child and for building a strong partnership with us. We could not do our job without your care and support for us. Last night, our Year 6 children were part of a beautiful, moving graduation ceremony. They truly shone as they reflected on their primary school years. Congratulations to you all. Your futures will be bright. A special mention to Lenny Woodhouse who was presented with the Lukan Award for ‘reaching out in love and mercy’ throughout the year and to Will Davis for receiving the School Spirit Award for always demonstrating a sense of school spirit and pride.
May the joy the birth of the Christchild brings be yours this Christmas. May peace and a sense of hope welcome in the New Year for you and your family.
I can’t wait to see you all in 2025.
Clare
