Dear Parents and Friends of the St Mary Magdalene’s School Community, Elizabeth Grove community,
As we reflect on the very challenging year just passed, we take this opportunity to thank God for the many gifts we have received throughout the year. As I write this, I reflect on the year that has gone so quickly and identify the accomplishments of our school, albeit without an audience/spectators– Class and Whole School Masses, Excursions, Sporting Carnivals, Sports Day, Sporting Teams, Premier’s Reading Challenge, Book Week, Liturgies, the list goes on!
During class liturgies, students delighted staff, who beamed with smiles and affection. In this experience we glimpsed the face of an extraordinary God in the ordinary. St Augustine once said, ‘God doesn’t want extraordinary people to do extraordinary things but ordinary people to do ordinary things extraordinarily well’. One of the greatest gifts that we can give to the world is to provide an outstanding education for our students. Through every day ordinary support from our community, from such things as preparing breakfast, ironing uniforms, listening to reading, delivering a contemporary curriculum, looking after students before and after school and celebrating Mass all contribute to this extraordinary gift. This is truly a wonderful place to work because of them.
St Mary Magdalene’s School has a wonderful reputation in this community for supporting children’s learning needs, their growth and development, well-being and bringing out the best in children. This is where a great and dedicated staff come in – helping, guiding and motivating each child to be the best person and learner they can be! Our teachers, Out of School Hours Care staff, Co-educator staff, Administration staff, Contractors and Groundsman, are all dedicated in their own fields to ensure your child receives the best support possible here at St Mary Magdalene’s. They often give of their own time to ensure good outcomes for your children and I would like to publicly acknowledge their efforts, dedication and professionalism.
I would also like to acknowledge and thank parents during this ‘unusual’ year. Your understanding, flexibility, support and cooperation throughout the school year was greatly appreciated.
No school is without difficulties, but when goodwill, patience and the desire for real partnership between home and school exist, there is nothing we cannot work through together.
Togetherness is vital to accomplish the best learning and life outcomes for your child/children.
I also thank all our children for the way in which they embrace their learning opportunities and always give their best to be the best. Their attitude to achieve their best makes a difference to our whole school learning culture.
2022 RECEPTION ENROLMENTS
Places are available. If you have or if you know of anyone who has a child turning 5 before May 1, 2022, please complete and lodge an enrolment form at the Front Office.
2022 TERM 3 RECEPTION ENROLMENTS
Places are available. If you have or if you know of anyone who has a child turning 5 before October 31, 2022, please complete and lodge an enrolment form at the Front Office.
As stated above, the last day of the 2021 school year is Wednesday 8 December at 3.00pm. OSHC is available for those families requiring care on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 December.
As we find ourselves in the Advent season, a time for preparation and waiting, there is an opportunity, regardless of our age, to step back and to evaluate the priorities which we live out in our daily choices. There is a chance to take stock and feel the gentle 'nudging' of the Spirit. So, as Christmas approaches, amidst the inevitable workout of the plastic card at the shops and all the Christmas parties, perhaps there will be an opportunity to be attentive to the inner voice, the voice which calls us to see at this time of the year the new born child, a countercultural message to reorder our priorities, to put people, not things first and to give first call to love.
In the words of Pope Francis:
“The world tells us to seek success, power and money; God tells us to seek humility, service and love.”
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