16 December 2015
We Dared to Dream!
We Shared our Story
Dear Parents and families,
As we conclude our very first year as St Paul the Apostle Catholic Primary
School Doreen within our welcoming parish of Mernda, Whittlesea, Kinglake
and Doreen, I’d like to acknowledge all who have contributed to creating
our emerging school story throughout a memorable 2015.
As our foundation year, the 2015 school year commenced with much hope
and promise. With a shared belief in each other, we joined together to
provide our children and community with a number of wonderful learning
experiences and opportunities.
Farewell to our Families Leaving SPA
We farewell and thank several families who will be leaving us today and we
thank them and their extended families for their contributions in helping to
nurture our inclusive learning culture here at SPA Doreen.
We farewell Noah Thompson (Prep NM), his parents Claire and Adam and
their family (grandparents Norm and Marilyn) and wish Noah every success
at Laurimar PS.
We farewell Cebella De Loren (Junior GA), her mother Kathy and their family
(grandparents Daniel and Trish) and wish Cebella every success at Hazelglen
College.
We farewell Matilda Maccoll (Senior ID), her parents Hannah and Dane and
their family and wish Matilda every success at St Mary’s School in Seymour.
Farewell to our Year Six Families
We farewell and thank our three graduates and their families who were
recognised at our very moving Family Mass and who entertained us with their
reflections of their first year here at SPA Doreen.
I thank them for their leadership, courage and inspiration as significant role
models for our younger children and wish them every success as they
embark on the next stage of their formal schooling.
We thank their families for their contributions in helping to nurture our
inclusive learning culture here at SPA Doreen.
We farewell Jarryd Cairns and wish him every success at Marymede College
and look forward to continuing our relationship with his parents Krista and
Richard and brother Regen (Year Six) in 2016.
We farewell Stephen McIntyre, his parents Jane and Alan and their family
and wish Stephen every success at Plenty Valley Christian College.
We farewell Steven Peterson, his parents Maureen and David and their family
and wish Steven every success at Whittlesea Secondary College.
Welcome to our New Staff
We are delighted to welcome several new staff members to SPA Doreen in
2016. Each of these teachers bring their own unique talents but a shared
vision for student wellbeing and improving student leaning outcomes.
Katrina Carey, our new Prep KC teacher and a classroom teacher at
St Gabriel’s Primary School Reservoir for the past three years, has a
background in Dance (Bachelor Creative Industries) and a passion for social
outreach and community development (Masters International and
Community Development) having also worked at the Edmund Rice
Community in East Timor and at the Edmund Rice Centre Amberley
(Aboriginal cultural immersion program).
Louise Bianco, our new Senior LB teacher commencing her second year of
teaching, worked in a relieving teaching role in schools in 2015 including
here at SPA and brings specialised expertise in media and ICT from her
previous studies for her Bachelor of Journalism. Louise is a passionate
conservationist and has recently created our school’s promotional video
(including the voice over) demonstrating her many talents.
Rebecca Montemurro, a graduate teacher from RMIT and our new Year
Junior RM teacher, is well known to the children and staff at SPA Doreen
through her generous weekly volunteer work throughout 2015. Bec has
helped to create our contemporary learning culture and has gained a
deeper insight into our thinking culture. Bec has a background and a flair in
the creative arts and interior design.
Elly Pagonis, our new Performing Arts specialist teacher, graduated with a
Bachelor of Music and Post Graduate Diploma of Education, commencing
her teaching career in 2011 and has special expertise and talent in vocals,
music, drama and choir.
Leesa Duncan, our new e-learning specialist teacher (Information Computer
Technology) brings a wealth of experience and expertise having been
employed at St Clement’s Bulleen in her role as the Learning and Teaching
Leader and in her previous role as the e-learning specialist.
Thank you Team SPARKLE
I would certainly like to acknowledge the tireless efforts of all SPA parents
and in particular the members of our SPARKLE Team who shared their dreams
and energies in establishing School Partnerships to Actively Reimagine Kids
Learning Experiences.
They have continued to be an outstanding group of parents who have
worked enthusiastically on behalf of our school and I thank them for their
efforts.
The Volunteers Group – Bronwyn Capp, Jodie Stocks
The Garden Landscape Project – Liam Fish
The Maintenance and Development Team – Chris Roth, Bob King, Phil Devlin
The Fundraising Team – Carol King, Natalie Schepis
The Community Building and Social Action Group – Claire Thompson, Sarah
Fish, Erin Garro
Play Space Consultants Kerrie and Peter Densley
Of course it goes without saying that each of our families have been very
visible in their support of a number of school initiatives such as our Family
Masses, school picnics, excursions, our Opening Ceremony, Relay for Life,
Fathers’ and Mothers’ Day stalls and Fathers’ Day Breakfast, our Prep
Orientations, Working Bees, sponsorship, fundraising efforts, our St Paul the
Apostle Feast Day celebrations, bbqs, school uniforms, school banking and
Graduation night. Thank you one and all.
Thank you to our Administration Team
My special gratitude is extended to our SPA Administration Team – the
friendly faces in the office: Kerrie Densley in her key role as very welcoming
secretary/bursar, Margaret Christou and Maree McMahon and to our other
school officers Gabrielle Blake and Lisa Rigon and sincerely thank them for
their generosity of welcome and generosity of spirit each and every day.
They have certainly helped to attract new enrolments as they have created
our very welcoming and inclusive culture.
Thank you to our Inspirational Teachers
As with any school, the children require the love, care, dedication and
support of their teachers and staff and I would like to publicly recognise the
professionalism of such a fine group of staff members.
“Effective Teachers Make The Difference!” They have been uncompromising
in their determination to embed a culture of thinking here at SPA by working
collaboratively and passionately in a multi-age setting.
I’d like to acknowledge the contributions of our classroom teachers, Ivana
DeSilva, Nadia Montemurro and Georgie Bujega (Audley), Kaye Lock our
school counsellor and our staff who have worked tirelessly to provide our
children with a comprehensive and challenging contemporary learning
curriculum throughout the year.
Our staff is now recognised for its “Can Do” attitude and most evident by
having the courage, passion and commitment as life-long learners to take a
giant leap of faith as the foundation staff of SPA Doreen.
They continue to be wonderful role models for our beautiful children and I
thank them for their inspiration and drive. I wish them a restful and peaceful
Christmas season and a well-deserved holiday break.
Thank you Kathy Green
I’d personally also like to acknowledge and thank Kathy Green for her
wisdom, inspiration and expertise in helping to lead our contemporary
learning community. As well as her role as Deputy Principal, Kathy was also
a key figure in leading our professional learning as our Learning and
Teaching Leader and Religious Education Leader among her many roles.
Her tireless efforts, support and wise counsel throughout this very challenging
and exciting school year has been invaluable and very much appreciated
by me personally, especially during my professional learning travels overseas.
Along with our staff, Kathy has helped me to promote and nurture our vision
for improved student learning outcomes and enhanced student wellbeing.
School Fees
Thank you to the many families who have finalised the payment of their
School Fees and Levies, as a requirement of your child’s enrolment here at
SPA Doreen. If your account has at yet to be finalised, please contact Kerrie
Densley to make arrangements for 2015 and beyond.
Term One 2016 Starting Times
Wed 27 Jan
Thur 28 Jan
Fri 29 Jan
Mon 1 Feb
Staff Resume – Professional Learning Day – No School
Staff Professional Learning Day - No School
Students (Years One-Six) Commence
Students (Years One-Six)
Preps Commence 8.55am – 1.30pm
Thank you and Merry Christmas
Our thanks are extended to Fr Martin who has continued to be a wonderful
support for our school and parish community throughout 2015. Fr Martin’s
invitational and inclusive leadership and his very visible presence in nurturing
our parish community have enabled our parish to grow together, living out
the gospel messages.
I extend my gratitude to Fr Abraham (who now has his own parish in India), to
our newly appointed Assistant Priest Fr Joseph, to Sr Anne Hill our Parish
Pastoral Associate and I express my thanks to the dedicated parish team,
Suny, Christine, Margaret and Sr Margaret for their efforts on our behalf.
I would like to acknowledge my fellow principals of our two sister schools,
Marita Richardson (St Joseph’s Mernda) and Philip Smith (St Mary’s
Whittlesea) who have worked in close partnership via our Leadership Team
meetings and the parish sacramental programs to strengthen our parish links
and our emerging culture.
May the spirit of Christmas as witnessed through the birth of our Saviour Jesus
Christ continue to influence our lives...allowing us to take a few moments to
stop, listen and to feel secure in the knowledge that we are loved by God.
During this special season of Advent we are also called to be that visible sign
of God’s love to others.
Thank you for your continued support and I look forward to seeing you next
year as we celebrate another exciting school year full of much hope and
inspired learning.
Merry Christmas
Phil Doherty (Principal)
Christmas Blessings
Wishing you
the Gladness of Christmas,
which is Hope,
the Spirit of Christmas,
which is Peace,
the Essence of Christmas,
which is Love……