Dear Parents,

Today we had our 2020 St Mary’s Primary School End of Year Graduation Mass. Thank you to those families that attended, it was nice to be able to welcome you back into the school community. Below is my principal’s address and farewell from the mass.

2020 has been a year unlike any other. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of us and provided many challenges along the way. Despite these challenges, our school community has displayed great resilience and has emerged with greater knowledge, new skills and an overwhelming sense that we can get through anything together.

For me, in my first year as principal, I have witnessed and become part of an amazing school community. The students at St Mary’s are respectful, enthusiastic and are a pleasure to teach and be around. The students would not exhibit these qualities, without the support and guidance of their family. Whilst, unfortunately parents and families haven’t been able to enter the school for the majority of the year, we look forward to next year, where we will hopefully once again welcome families back, as integral members of the school community and partners in education. This year, I have also witnessed a staff that is passionate about St Mary’s and strives to provide all children with an engaging learning experience, that is safe, supportive and challenging. Thank you to all the students, families and staff of St Mary’s, for contributing to a successful 2020.

With the end of another year upon us, we must say farewell to a number of our school families. This year we say goodbye to the Cipolla, Cook, Harding, Moore and Schneider families. I would like to thank you all for your contribution to St Mary’s Primary School. You have all contributed to our school community in a variety of ways. For some of you, today marks the end of a long association with St Mary’s. Despite not having any children at St Mary’s in 2021, you are all still a part of our school community and we are always here to help and support you and your family in the future.

A significant milestone in a child’s education is graduating from primary school. In the face of adversity, our Grade 6’s have led the student body with distinction. Congratulations on completing a most challenging Grade 6 year. St Mary’s has supported you to become safe, respectful, responsible learners and we know that you all have a positive future ahead of you. Please remember, that whilst you are graduating today, the doors at St Mary’s will always be open to you and we look forward to hearing how you are going and seeing the great things that you achieve.

I would like to congratulate our Grade 6 Graduates for 2020; Dylan Barlow, Xavier Cipolla, William Cook, Tahlia Harding, Charlotte Lawless, William Moore, Whitneigh Pleydell, Clair Schneider and Nakitah Tusa. We wish them all the best for the future.

Kind regards,

Joel