As always, life at MSJ has been busy with so much happening inside and outside the classroom and, as always, the students have embraced the many opportunities presented to them. Last week is an example of the wonderful faith and learning community that is MSJ. 8 August is Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day and the whole week is dedicated to us honouring Mary MacKillop, Julian Tenison Woods, Jesus, and the Sisters of St Joseph. Many celebratory activities took place during JJAMM Week (Joseph, Julian and Mary MacKillop).
Mary MacKillop was a woman of great faith, love, compassion and courage. One of her great quotes is, ‘There where you are, you will find God’. This tells us that when things are great in our life, when we have much to be joyful about, and even when there is sadness, hurt and conflict, God is there with us, but sometimes we just need to make the space for us to see and feel God’s love and presence. And like Mary, it is important we remember that God is there with us wherever we are.
The highlight of the week was our Mary MacKillop Feast Day Mass that was held on Friday 12 August. It has been three years since we last held our Feast Day and JJAMM Week celebrations onsite. My thanks to Archpriest Fr Michael Kalka for celebrating Mass with us. It was also delightful to have Sr Sue McGuiness, Sisters of St Joseph Victoria/Tasmania Regional Leader, along with Sr Margaret Malady and Sr Rita Malavisi, Garry McLean, Chair of the MSJ Board, and Board Directors April Honeyman, Tim Crawford and Sr Geraldine Larkins join us to celebrate Mary MacKillop’s Feast Day Mass. I think Mary MacKillop would have been very impressed with all the celebrations and learnings that took place during JJAMM Week.
JJAMM Week was an amazing week and I sincerely thank our Faith Team – Andrea Grant, Scott McNulty, Robert Herrera and Darcy Robinson – along with all other staff who assisted with the many activities that took place during the week. As usual, our amazing WAAMSS and Student Leadership teams stepped up and ensured that it was a fabulous week of reflection and learning. It was a week that really honoured Mary MacKillop and the Josephite charism.
The Years 7-10 Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences will take place on Wednesday 31 August and Thursday 1 September. The structure for these conferences is as follows:
Wednesday 31 August – 4.00pm-8.00pm onsite face-to-face (Normal school day)
Thursday 1 September – 1.00pm-7.00pm online via zoom (Student-free day)
Further information will be emailed to families in the coming days.
I wish to inform you that Joanna De Bono, Deputy Principal Learning and Staff, has accepted a Deputy Principal position at Catholic Ladies College, Eltham, commencing in 2023. After 11 years of exceptional leadership and service, Joanna will be finishing at MSJ at the end of 2022. We will acknowledge and thank Joanna for all her work at the end of the year.
As you are aware, Stacey Bourke has been acting as the Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing this term. I am delighted to announce that Stacey has been appointed to this position in an ongoing capacity. I look forward to working with Stacey in her new role.
Kate Dishon - Principal
