We heard another story in the series where various people try to trick Jesus into going against the law. This time it was about the traditional Jewish law – the Ten Commandments. Again Jesus knew how to respond. He said we must love above all God, and then our neighbour as ourselves. If we do this, we will automatically follow the Commandments because these two cover all the commandments. There will be times when we don’t like what we do, and we don’t like or agree with what others do. But we have to remember that God is in all of us and we can separate the actions from the person. In this way we are putting God above all else and trying to be true to Him.
I have had news from the Council that will hopefully make our main road, Emerald Drive,safer for us. A series of ‘Traffic Calming Devices’ is being installed. The ones that will affect us the most are a speed hump on the far side of the parish driveway, and another one on the other side of Aquamarine Drive from the school. Hopefully this will make the front of our school safer for traffic and pedestrian movement. Council states that this has been done because of a significant traffic study and the identification of the area as qualifying for the Blackspot Program so the upgrades will be funded by the Federal Government.
I have received a number of requests regarding separating students from another for classes in 2024. I believe we will be able to comply where the requests list one other student and have made contact if more than one was mentioned so we can arrange matters as well as possible. A couple of parents have requested their students be with friends. If they end up with their friends, that’s just the way it has happened to work out. Teachers make sure students have someone with them they know they get along with but it isn’t possible to comply with these requests when all the other considerations for class placement are taken into account. Just for your information, when splitting classes, teachers take into account learning ability, social needs, students who may have a disability, pastoral support needs, behaviours, levels of independence etc. This is to try to maximise learning for all students as a first priority, and to provide reasonable workloads for teachers and support staff. Class list will be finalised over the next week so they can be entered into our systems. Please make sure I have all requests, in writing by this Friday 3 November. Requests received after this date will not be accommodated.
Finally, I would like to say how happy and excited I am to have been appointed Principal for Mary Immaculate. It is not often a Principal gets to experience a school before they apply for a position and I feel very fortunate that I had the chance to know that Mary Immaculate was where I hoped to be worthy of to stay. I look forward to reading about what you wanted for Mary Immaculate and in your new Principal, when I receive the appropriate documentation from the people who came to speak to you at the Forums from the Catholic Education Office. I also have what you told us from the Parent Forum – rest assured I have not forgotten any of it.
My plan is to put it all together and share it with you so you can hold me accountable to do what I can to help make Mary Immaculate the best possible school for your children.
God Bless,
Michelle Rolfe - Principal
Lindsay Burns - Acting Assistant Principal
