As a School Community we are preparing to launch into a new cycle in the life of our School Community. This week, despite the many restrictions and challenges of COVID-19 we were able to welcome and meet for the first time, many of our new 2021 Kindergarten students and their parents when they attended the first week of Orientation sessions. These opportunities are designed to guide the parents and children to school life at Mary Immaculate. 

Just as Baptism officially welcomes a child of God into a community of faith, our orientation / transition sessions welcome our new members into our educational faith community.  

At every enrolment interview the question is asked of prospective parents, “Why did you choose Mary Immaculate as the school for your child?”

Although there are a multitude of responses and every reason for the choice of Mary Immaculate is valid. Ultimately, parents have made this choice because they acknowledge that Mary Immaculate has something to offer their child and their family. 

When we enrol a child, in reality we enrol a family. As a school community, despite the experience of faith or background that individual families may originate from we want all parents to be aware that everything that happens at Mary Immaculate is centered and modeled around the person of Jesus.

As parents, you enrol at Mary Immaculate because you want something from us. But like any relationship, this is not a one-sided proposition. We want something from you and your family too. Accepting a place at Mary Immaculate means that you acknowledge and accept everything that this commitment entails for the long term.

Our expectation for all members is that they immerse themselves into this community and find ways to contribute in ways that help to continue to further build the community in the future. 

Each and every day the reign of God can break into the ordinariness of our lives. Just like the Jacaranda that is suddenly in full bloom, we can pass through our days without being alert to the smallest signs that God is working around us. Each time we are kind rather than cruel, generous rather than selfish, welcoming rather than dismissive and forgiving rather than judgmental we give life to each other and contribute to a community that can be life giving.

Every member in our School Community matters. 

Every member of our School Community leaves a mark. 

Each of us stands on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. What is the legacy you and your children are leaving at Mary Immaculate? 

NAIDOC CELEBRATIONS - This week four grades had the opportunity to commence our school NAIDOC celebrations. Annual community celebrations are normally held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Due to COVID this annual celebration was delayed until November. Our students in Kinder, Year 1, 2 and 3 will have had the opportunity to participate in a number of cultural awareness activities this week and Years 4, 5 and 6 will participate next week. We are deeply indebted to Mrs Grados for her leadership of this school initiative and to our School Support Officers and our colleagues from the Catholic Education Office for supporting the delivery of the various sessions. 

LEADERSHIP PLANNING - During the next three Fridays the School Leadership Team will be engaged in Professional learning and planning to support the school’s transition to 2021. We take the opportunity to welcome Mr John Walsh to Mary Immaculate. John has visited our school on several previous occasions and will be available to support students, parents and staff as Acting Principal.