As we officially end Term 1, 2020 it is timely to reflect upon the incredible rollercoaster journey we have been on together over the last few weeks. In order to undertake this reflection, I am taking the advice of Australian psychologist Lea Waters and using gratitude as the lens for looking back. Lea says that practising gratitude at times of stress and uncertainty can support our wellbeing and resilience. In the video clip linked below Lea names the 'www' - what went well method as an effective way to express gratitude. Below are my thoughts on what went well at Mary Immaculate despite the challenges we have faced together in the last few weeks. 

Lea Water Video Clip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=36&v=55k6jccd-PQ&feature=emb_logo

The Professionalism and Dedication of Mary Immaculate Staff - It has made me so proud to have joined the amazing team of staff at Mary Immaculate. Every staff member has risen to each of the challenges placed before them and have held fast to our core mission, continuing the learning of our students. Our class teachers have had to completely reimagine the delivery methods for learning and have worked tirelessly to prepare for our transition to the remote learning platform. All other school staff have been assisting in preparing resources to support students with additional needs, preparing and delivering learning packs, contacting parents to check on student wellbeing and providing parents and carers with information about learning, technology and finance options.

The Support and Communication from Parents and Carers - To our parents and carers, thank you for your ongoing support given the many challenges that you are facing during this uncertain time. We have appreciated and are truly grateful for all those parents who have passed on messages of thanks and support via email and phone calls. Please continue to keep in touch and provide us with your feedback so that we can best support the learning and wellbeing of your children. As we move into an unknown Term 2 we ask that all families ensure all contact details are up to date and that Compass access is confirmed, as this is our main form of contact with all members of our community. We are extremely grateful to the members of the P&F Association who have found alternative ways to bring the community together despite the challenges of being separated. 

The Commitment to Learning of our Students - Finally, and most importantly, our students have been incredible in overcoming the many challenges of moving to remote learning or attending a very different school experience each day. We see each day that more and more students are accessing the learning provided online and are engaging with energy and enthusiasm. In Term 2, the learning prepared by teachers will include expanded opportunities to engage and interact more personally through the remote platform.  

On behalf of the staff at Mary Immaculate I wish you all the blessings of the coming Easter Season and a safe and healthy holiday break. We encourage you to access the wonderful resources available that will assist you as a family to journey with Jesus through the events of Holy Week and Easter.   

Let us continue to make Christ our Way and Life in our homes through our words and our actions and keep our community and our world in our prayers.

We look forward to reconnecting with you all, whatever that may look like, in Term 2.

Let Christ be our Way and Life

Mrs Tina Murray

Principal

Enrolling Kindergarten 2021

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions we will be implementing alternative arrangements for our Kindergarten 2021 Enrolment Interviews. Our school community places great importance on knowing our families and students, and also supporting a smooth transition to ‘big’ school for our incoming kindergarten students and their parents. 

For this reason, parents and carers, will be contacted about changing the previously booked enrolment interview to either a Telephone or Zoom Video Conference Interview. Just like any normal enrolment interview, Telephone and Zoom Video Conference Interviews will run for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. All enrolment interviews are an opportunity to explore the hopes parents have for the education of their children within the context of the Catholic community here at Mary Immaculate, a chance to get to know more about the student and their individual needs and an opportunity for parents to ask questions in order to know more about the community they desire to be part of. We thank all our families in advance for adjusting to this new and hopefully, temporary new normal.