Hang in there!

As we near the end of term, I have observed a shift in behaviour and energy levels in the children. The excitement of returning back to school has worn off and recently I have seen a rise in behaviour incidents, frayed tempers, upsets and social problems. I believe this rise may be due to a combination of the restrictions, ongoing wet weather and sustained high levels of anxiety in society.  

2022 Staffing

I would like to thank our 2021 staff for their hard work and resilience in a year that has provided ongoing challenges. We are very lucky to have dedicated and experienced teachers at St Mary's.

It is with great delight that I announce the appointment of Annie Croker. Annie will be commencing in Term One as a graduate teacher. We look forward to welcoming Annie back to our school community. Annie was a student at St Mary's from 2005 - 2011.

I would also like to share that Alison Cummins and Linda Walsh have been offered permanent contracts after many years of competently filling temporary classroom teaching roles. 

Congratulations Annie, Alison and Linda! 

I would like to thank Claire McCormack for her dedication to the Performing Arts (Dance, Drama and Music) this semester. Unfortunately, Claire is unable to continue next semester in this teaching role however I am sure we will still experience her enthusiasm for teaching in a casual capacity next year.

We have been fortunate to fill the Performing Arts position with a very experienced teacher, Mrs. Alison Davies. Alison and her husband, Richard, will be returning to Crookwell in 2022 and I am sure she will be familiar to many of you. Alison's children Cameron, Molly and Tasmin attend St Mary's and Alison worked as a casual teacher with us for many years. 

Welcome back, Alison!

I am pleased to announce the classroom teachers for 2022:

Kinder— Mrs. Sally-Anne Croker  and Mrs. Alison Cummins        

Year One— Mrs. Susan Branson  

Year Two— Miss Annie Croker         

Year Three – Mrs. Rachael Croker            

Year Four – Mrs. Therese Skelly    

Year Five– Mrs. Linda Walsh        

Year Six— Mr. Larry O’Kane                    

Library/ICT— Mrs. Dorothea Hewitt

Music/Dance/Drama—Mrs. Alison Davies

Executive Release & Teacher RFF— Mrs. Karen O’Keefe 

Classroom Support Teacher— Mrs. Nicola Spackman

Classroom Support Assistants - Mrs. Gwenda Romer, Mrs. Shauna Hewitt, Mrs. Rie O'Brien and Mrs. Elizabeth Webber

Office Manager - Mrs. Belinda Tarlinton

Our staff are very excited to be taking on their roles and look forward to continuing to build positive relationships and engaging learning opportunities for your children next year.

End of Year Events

End of Year School Mass and Leadership Changeover Ceremony

Our Year Five students are currently preparing to present themselves to our student body as possible School Captains for 2022. The students will present their speeches on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Week 9, with the voting to occur on Wednesday afternoon, 1 December. As is the long-held tradition, the Captains are student-elected, staff do not vote.

The 2022 Captains will be announced at our End of Year School Mass and Changeover Ceremony held on Thursday 9 December at 12pm. As the church can now have people with 2sqm allocation, parents and carers are able to attend, if they desire.

Please note the badges will be blessed and presented at our 2022 Welcome and Leaders Induction Mass at the beginning of Term One on Thursday 10 February (TBC).

Year Six Farewell