Dear Parents and Caregivers
This week began with our Family Mass on Sunday—a special time for our community to gather in faith, gratitude, and celebration. Immediately following the Mass, we were honoured to have Monsignor Minh-Tam officially open St Patrick’s Garden of Harmony, our newly landscaped space dedicated to unity, reflection, and peace.
This occasion held deep significance for both our parish and school communities. It provided a meaningful moment to reflect on the history of the former Marian Grotto, and to celebrate the return of the statue of Mary to her new resting place within the Garden of Harmony. The thoughtful integration of this cherished symbol ensures that Mary’s presence continues to offer comfort, inspiration, and a sense of belonging to all who visit.
Yesterday, our school community came together with our Parish for a beautiful Whole School and Parish Mass in celebration of St Patrick’s Day. It was a joyful and faith-filled gathering that highlighted the spirit of connection and gratitude that defines our community.
Following the Mass, we were delighted to officially open our St Patrick’s Garden of Harmony—a stunning new space designed to symbolise unity, welcome, and peace. This garden will serve as a place for learning, reflection, and gathering for many years to come.
A sincere thank you to Yardstick, our landscapers, and to Catholic Education South Australia for their support in bringing this vision to life. Thank you also to our families and staff for your patience as we reimagined and created this beautiful addition to our school. The Garden of Harmony stands as a testament to what can be achieved when we work together with hope and purpose.
Our school has also embraced Harmony Week with a series of rich learning experiences. We were fortunate to host guest speakers from the Abraham Institute, who shared insights into a variety of faiths and cultures, helping our students deepen their understanding of diversity, respect, and inclusion. Harmony Week will culminate in a special assembly honouring the many cultures represented within our community. Students and families are warmly invited to wear traditional dress and join us for the celebration at 9:00am.
Next week we will be facilitating Learning Conversations for families with teachers. This is an invaluable part of our partnership in supporting every child’s learning journey. While reports and day-to-day communication provide helpful snapshots, these conversations offer something deeper: an opportunity for parents and teachers to connect meaningfully about each child’s progress, wellbeing, and next steps.
We encourage all families to book in a time to attend the upcoming Parent-Teacher interviews and take this valuable opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher. Working together truly makes a difference.
I am pleased to announce that Ms Rachael DeTullio has been appointed as Assistant Principal: Religious Identity and Mission for the remainder of the school year. We are grateful for Rachael’s continued leadership and her deep commitment to nurturing the faith life and Catholic identity of our school community. Her experience, passion, and relational approach will continue to strengthen our shared mission and support the spiritual growth of our students and staff.
Please join me in congratulating Rachael on this well-deserved appointment.
Finally, I warmly invite all families to join us for our Annual General Meeting next Wednesday, 25 March at 7:00pm in the Staffroom. We will be holding our Annual General Meeting and share a light supper together.
Your presence is strongly encouraged. The AGM is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about our school’s ongoing improvements and future directions. I also invite you to consider nominating for our School Board, where you can contribute your voice, share your expertise, and help shape the future of St Patrick’s School.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Warm regards
Catherine
