Dear Parents and Carers,

“Welcome to the New School Year at Mary Immaculate!”

We hope that after a restful holiday break all members of our School Community have returned re-energised and ready for another year filled with learning and eager to resume old friendships and to be introduced to new ones. As a staff, it is our sincerest hope that all our students recommence the new school year, with an appreciation of the great opportunities that a Catholic education here at Mary Immaculate will provide and that they will each embrace this new school year with enthusiasm, determination and a positive mind set. 

I especially extend a warm welcome to all the new families who have joined our School Community in 2021, especially those parents who will commence the journey with their child at ‘big school’ for the very first time. We welcome in a very special way all our new staff who are commencing at Mary Immaculate in 2021. Hollie Strohmayer  (2 Blue), Alister Marshall (5 Gold), Andrew Astill (4 Blue), Claire Brooks (0.6 Learning Support), Alyssa Galvez-Salonga – ML2 Release (Tuesday / Wednesday), Amanda Newcombe (Additional Admin Support 2021), Nicole Couret (Speech Therapist) and Bianca Scaramella (Catholic Care Counsellor). As we welcome new members to our community, we extend our prayers to all 2020 students and staff including Gabriella Lowe, Emily Spiljar and Rita Maher (Catholic Care Counsellor) who are commencing new adventures in 2021. We wish them every blessing for the future and continue to be grateful for the contributions made to our community during their time here.

It was with great sadness that I made contact with all parents during the holidays to inform you of the sudden death of  one of our past students, Riing Doar in very tragic circumstances. The Doar family is dealing with this sudden loss and greatly values the support received from the Mary Immaculate Parish and School Community. In order to provide support a GoFundMe site has been set up to support the family during this difficult time. This can be accessed via the following link

https://www.gofundme.com/f/riing-doar-funeral-costs?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet.

Even a small donation could help Mary Immaculate Eagle Vale Parish reach their fundraising goal. And if you can't make a donation, it would be great if you could share the fundraiser to help spread the word to support these members of our parish and school family.

In our role as teachers and educators we devise plans and make decisions that directly affect and impact on the life of your child. As a staff we willingly accept the great joy and important responsibilities that come with our chosen vocation. Please keep all our staff in your prayers over the coming months so that we can complete our work with grace, courage, compassion and faith.

In a sense, our school has a double staff; not only the staff who perform within the school, but also the very important 'staff' that perform in the home. Your child’s education can be greatly enhanced by your engagement in their learning at home and through involvement in school activities. It is often the enthusiasm, support and involvement of parents that will help to inspire children to do their best. As members of a Catholic School Community we all teach in Jesus’ name, we all have Him as a wonderful example from which to draw inspiration and confidence as we, the staff at school and the 'staff' at home, work together to create the best possible learning environment for all the students in our school. 

Once again, “Welcome to our New School Year!”

May we enter this new adventure together in anticipation of the possibilities that lie ahead and remember our collective responsibility to make Christ our Way and Life a lived reality within our community each day.

Tina Murray

Principal

SITE WORK DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Although our students return today, the school site has been a hive of activity during the holidays. Staff have spent many hours preparing for the return of their students by setting up classroom spaces and preparing resources and learning activities.

The students in Year 3, 4 and 5 have returned to a newly carpeted classroom block and the Primary Toilet block has had all sinks updated and has been freshly painted.

 SPORT UNIFORMS WEEK 2

The students will be accessing an interim Sport /Library /Creative Arts timetable in Week 2.

Students will be required to wear their Sport Uniform on the following days next week.

TUESDAY – Year 5 & 6

WEDNESDAY – Year 3 & 4

THURSDAY – Year 1 & 2

Confirmed sport days for Term 1 will be communicated in next week’s newsletter and added to the school calendar. 

SWIMMING CARNIVAL

Due to the logistical complexities related to the ongoing COVID restrictions the Swimming Carnival will take place as a competitive carnival only. Further information will be communicated shortly.

PARENT MEET and GREET SESSIONS – CLAIM THE DATE

Parent / Teacher Meet and Greet sessions have been tentatively booked to take place during the week commencing Monday 15 February (Week 4). This is an important opportunity for parents to meet their child’s teacher and provide important information about their child that will assist teachers to optimise learning in 2021. More details to follow.

P&F ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

ENROLMENTS FOR 2022

Applications for enrolment for Kindergarten 2022 at Mary Immaculate will now be accepted by the school office. Enrolment applications can be downloaded from the school website  www.mievdow.catholic.edu.au or alternatively, from the Catholic Education website www.dow.catholic.edu.au

Children are eligible for enrolment if they turn 5 before 30 June, 2022.

Mary Immaculate is a fantastic community of learning. Parents please spread the word!