This final newsletter for what has been a tumultuous year brings to a close our 2021 school year. Whilst we still have tomorrow to navigate, I do get a sense that everyone is well and truly ready for a break. Thank goodness the restrictions have lifted sufficiently for everyone to include some social cheer into their christmas celebrations.  Now that the two square metre rule is in place, hopefully most of the parish can fit in some time to “feed” their faith over the festive season. This for me has been one of the greatest challenges in 2021.

I would like to acknowledge and thank the parent community who has worked with us and supported us throughout the whole remote learning journey, something very new for all schools. The reality is, we had to work out how we were going to respond and then train the teachers quickly to be able to use the technology involved, especially the use of Myclasses K-6. In addition, changes were announced sometimes daily, which was overwhelming on occasions for all.

As I reflect on the year I’m also very much aware that some staff will move on. Recently, as a whole school we farewelled Sr Helen. Sr joined the St Paul's School Community as a permanent member of staff in January 1999. For the next twenty one years Sr Helen worked as an SSO and Pastoral Support with many of the children and their families. Prior to St Paul's, Sr taught in many Catholic Schools as a teacher following completing her Dip Education in 1971 and then the conversion Dip Education & RE in 1983. Sr Helen has made many friends during her time and the staff and students have been blessed to have her impact our community in such a positive manner. She will be missed greatly and forever hold a place in all our hearts. 

I wish to acknowledge the work of Mrs Julie Smith who has been a staff member at St Paul’s for over twenty years. Mrs Smith has been appointed to the position of Religious Education Coordinator at St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School, Picton. In recent years, Mrs Smith, through her role as Instructional Coach, has been influential in building the capacity of teachers. Ultimately, this has resulted in greater learning opportunities for students. We wish her well as she brings a huge expertise to her new role and setting in 2021.

Miss Sarah Florio will be moving to Holy Family, Ingleburn. Sarah wanted the opportunity to experience different school settings in order to continue her own professional journey. Whilst the students in her class will miss her, I am also proud to be providing Holy Family with a teacher who has made huge growth in her own development throughout her first full year of teaching. A significant loss to our school but a great opportunity for Sarah to take with her what she has learnt at St Paul’s and apply it to her new school setting.

Rachel Daffara is taking leave from her position at St Paul’s in 2021 to experience a different school setting at Good Samaritan, Fairy Meadow. As Miss Daffara comes from the Wollongong area, I’m sure she will enjoy living closer to her work. Miss Daffara has been at St Paul’s for four years and during this time has developed her expertise as a classroom teacher and has also been an active participant of our PB4L team.

Miss Annie Larkin has worked at St Paul’s for the past five years firstly as an SSO whilst she studied teaching, then as a teacher. She has completed a number of teaching blocks  and various casual days at St Paul’s.  We wish her well as she takes up new teaching opportunities in the state education system.

Finally, Miss Madeline Kenny, during the past four years has been employed as an SSO, assisting children with their learning. Maddy will be moving into a psychology role as she achieved her tertiary qualifications this year. As Maddy embarks on her future career path we wish her well. 

It would be remiss of me not to mention our current Year 6 cohort. Normally, we would acknowledge them at the final school mass for the year.  As this opportunity was not available due to COVID19 restrictions, I’m sure you will join me in thanking them for their contribution to our school during their primary education.  In addition, the Student Representative Council and School Captains assisted in providing leadership and support to those initiatives that we could actually implement.  It has been such a challenging year for our Year 6 cohort as their camp and graduation celebration underwent various iterations as the sands shifted to manage the impact of COVID19.

Whilst, I’m sure there have been many benefits associated with 2020, where we have probably learnt considerably more about ourselves, including our ability to cope with change and the unknown, I must admit I don’t think I will look back on this year with great fondness. However, this year has given me a great sense of hope for a better year next year to look forward to as we hopefully continue our journey back to normality, where our community is a hub of activity and inclusion again.

May the birth of the Christmas child bring you and your family great joy and happiness this festive season.

Go gently,

Michael Reardon
Principal