Listening Hearts - St Mary's College, Broome

Head of Primary Campus
Our first term on the Primary Campus has been filled
with many wonderful and creative learning
opportunities. Teachers and students have been
completely immersed in many different activities.
Parents and carers too have been given many
opportunities to be a part of the learning journey.
These moments should be celebrated.
I have had the pleasure of working in a variety of
classrooms with small groups as well as whole class. It
certainly has been a pleasurable experience to be back in
the classroom working with the different groups. I have
taken Religious Education in Year Six, helped with hand
writing in Year One and worked with a small group of
students in the area of guided reading in Year Four.
The Parish and College connection is fantastic at St
Mary’s. This is partly due to the traditions which have
been in place at the College for some time and due to
the fact that we have some wonderful parish Priests.
Both Father Ernesto and Father Matt are always welcome
faces on the campus. They both bring so much
knowledge and understanding which they kindly share
with staff and students. They also willingly assist with
our fortnightly Eucharistic Celebrations as well as special
events such as the Blessing of the Palms which
took place early in Term One. Fr Ernesto and Fr Matt
also enthusiastically participate in and lead staff and
students in Liturgy of the Word celebrations to ensure
that God is speaking to us at our very hearts and
souls.
Our choir, under the direction of Ms Robyn, were
invited to perform at an Official Blessing and Naming
Ceremony of the supply ship, Far Sitella. Choir
members from both secondary and primary presented
the National Anthem as well as Lean on Me written by
American-singer song writer Bill Withers. Those
invited to the ceremony were very impressed by the
presentation. Students and staff were also invited to
have a tour of the ship and this was enjoyed by all.
Elections for House Captains took place in the Year Six
classroom just before the Swimming Carnival. Students
who wanted to be considered put their name forward and
voting took place with the results announced just before
the Carnival. The very proud House Captains took on the
challenge to lead their House in competition. Students
were recognised at the Whole School Assembly held in
March and the winning House was Barbier. Mr Edmund is
to be congratulated on a very professionally run carnival.
Helpers, before, as well as at the carnival, did a marvellous
job and are also thanked for their efforts.
It was great to see our Year Six students take on a fund
raising event. They worked with their teachers to come up
with a proposal for a disco to help raise funds for Caritas.
The SRC group met with Ms Steph and I to brainstorm
what would be required to hold such an event. They wrote
letters to staff members and P & F members as well as
helped to set up and decorate the area. The groundsmen,
who always do an excellent job, worked hard to place the
screens around the undercover area to help set the scene.
Popcorn, drinks and door takings allowed the Year Six
group to raise a grand total of $2,000.
Mrs Margaret Valentine
LISTENING HEARTS ST MARY’S COLLEGE BROOME 4.