eBulletin3_2011 - Catholic Education Office

Article St Thomas theTitle Apostle SpectacularMothers Day Breakfastat St Michael’s KaleenSpectacular use of timber, glass and colour feature in thenew learning spaces at St Thomas the Apostle PrimarySchool KambahThursday, 2 December 2010 marked the conclusion of ajourney which our school community had been undertakingfor over 21 months. We celebrated the opening of ourrefurbished school facilities with an official opening by MsGai Brodtmann MP and blessing by Monsignor John Woods.Catholic Schools Week Community / Mothers Day Breakfast– what a morning we had!! On Thursday morning the StMichael’s school community was an Easter light for all.Our special guests included Fr Peter Doai; Mr Zed Seselja,Leader of the Opposition; Mr Steve Doszpot, ShadowMinister for Education & Training; Mrs Mary Porter, Memberfor Gininderra; Mr Alistair Coe, Member for Belconnen,Nicholls and Hall; CEO representatives Mrs Helen Casey,Mrs Mary Dorrian, Mrs Lyn Smith, Mrs Therese Nolan,Mrs Madonna Pianagonda and Mrs Tracy Sinclair; ourcommunity sponsors Jenny White & Bruce Husking fromBunnings; and Sue Briskey from Jacaranda. All were verypleased to be part of our celebrations.Stage One of the refurbishment was made possible by aBlock Grant Authority grant, supplemented by the CatholicSchools Building Fund and with a contribution by the schoolcommunity of $400,000. Stage 2 was made possible withfunds from the Federal Government initiative Building theEducation Revolution and National Pride grants. In all a totalof $3,573,470 was invested in remodelling and preparingour school for the years ahead.We would like to thank the Australian government for thisgenerous contribution to the future of Australia growinghere at St Thomas. A dedicated and talented team from theschool community, CEO staff, architects and builders havemade spectacular use of timber, glass and colour to createindoor and outdoor environments which have truly movedour school into the 21st Century.Working in half a school, without storage rooms, offices,staffrooms and libraries proved challenging at times, butwas handled with good humour by the dedicated staff, whocontinued at all times to engage our students in excitinglearning programs. Students and teachers are pleased tosay goodbye to the regular task of packing and moving andare now enjoying the benefits of our beautiful new school.David ThielePrincipal, St Thomas the ApostleMany of our wonderful families also attended, enjoying asatisfying breakfast and impromptu entertainment fromthe children. What better combination could we havehad, than to celebrate the importance of mothers in thelives of our students, with the importance of families in theoperation of a Catholic School.The staff of St Michael’s showed an amazing generosityof spirit and time in preparation, cooperation and gettingup early to assist with the presentation of breakfast forour community and guests. A fitting continuation of thiscelebration occurred when the mothers were presentedwith a flower during our Mothers Day Mass led by Fr PeterDoai.Judy WalshPrincipal, St Michael’s Primary School1 THE BULLETIN EDITION 1, 2011