Category: Schools

Last Tuesday, our School Principals, our Pastoral Associates, our Religious Education Leaders and our priest met for five hours to plan the dates for 2014. Our major change was the result of the Archbishop’s availability to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation: next year, the celebration of Confirmation will be two months earlier than this year (ie August 2014) necessitating our celebration of First Reconciliation being moved a month later (to September 2014). All the dates will be on your parish calendar which will be distributed by our parish posties in December with the Neighbourhood Newsletters.

Inservice will be held this Tuesday in our Parish Centre. The professional development will be led by Margaret Casswell, a scripture scholar from Australian Catholic University.

The future has been discussed over the last two years at our Parish Education Board and Salesian College Council. The Principals and Curriculum leaders of our three schools in Sunbury are taking part in a program over six weeks looking at the future of education at primary and secondary levels. Our Board has been assisted by the Director of Planning of Catholic Education Melbourne.
Salesian College Council has engaged Craig Brown, an architect experienced in developing master plans for schools. A draft master plan is being developed with input from staff.
During our three hour meeting of Salesian College Council last Thursday evening, we heard that the new Year 9 campus is being built and proceeding on time and on budget. The student leaders told us that Australian Catholic University is the most popular choice among students doing VCE.
…...Kevin McIntosh

Mrs Christine Wallace has taught at OLMC Primary School for the last 35 years and has now decided to start her retirement after teaching lots of the children who grew up in Sunbury.
Christine’s dedication to her school and her community is well known.
She still serves the parish community by being on the Lectors Roster & Eucharistic Minister.
As a mark of appreciation, OLMC Primary are hosting an afternoon tea on Friday 23 August at 2.20pm in the OLMC school Multipurpose room.
All are welcome.

The Council will meet on Thursday 22 August at 6.00pm.

The Council will meet on Thursday 22 August at 6.00pm.

Friday 26 July at 6.30pm in Parish Centre, come see the talented children from St Anne’s Primary School display their skills– singing, dancing, music, comedy, acrobatics, etc…The event is free, but any donations will be used to purchase stage microphones for the school.

Noelene Hussey has been awarded professional enrichment leave and begins today for a six week intensive course at Boston Theological College with several other Melbourne Principals focusing on Catholic identity in our schools. Later, she will take some holidays with her husband. Until the end of August, Stephen Arthurson has been appointed the Principal of the School and Marie D’Orazio the Deputy Principal.

A number of school age children will be baptised at the 10.30 Mass at St. Anne’s Church on Sunday 16 June. If you have school age children who are interested in being baptised at that time, please contact the Parish Office on 9744 1060 so that preparation can be arranged.  If you know someone who might be interested, ask them to contact the Parish Office as soon as possible.

The Parish Education Board (PEB) met recently and discussed;

• The future population growth and development of Sunbury and Diggers Rest and the impact this will have on the provision of Catholic education.

• Transition links with Salesian College

• Prep 2014 enrolments at our parish schools

If you would like the PEB to address an issue please contact the PEB secretary Mrs. Melissa Bonavia  Ph: 9740-7344 or mbonavia@olmcsunbury.catholic.edu.au

Enrolments will be finalised after next Friday when the interviews of prospective students and their parents will conclude.
Any further applications should be made to our schools this week.

The Council met last Thursday evening for nearly three hours. After the two school captains reported on events at the College over the last two months, the council was facilitated by the architect who is preparing a master plan for the next twenty years. It was a very stimulating session with plenty of input and some banter from Council members. The College has its highest enrolment ever this year. After 232 places for 2014 were offered, there is still a waiting list for next year in Year 7. Mark Brockhus, Principal of Salesian College will attend the next meeting of our Parish Education Board.

Interviews of parents and children commence on Tuesday 30 April and continue until Friday 31 May at the Parish Office. It is essential the prospective student attends with the parents or guardians.

Enrolments close on Friday 26th April for places at both St Anne’s Primary School and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School. Do not delay to avoid disappointment as both schools have waiting lists at many levels.