Dear Parents, Students and Staff 

Happy Christmas 

As this is our final newsletter for the year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our parents for your continued support of your sons and daughters and of St Clare’s throughout 2024 and to wish all students and families all of God’s blessings for a safe, happy and holy Christmas. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to pass on my personal thanks to our parent community for all the support you have given me during this past year.  I will take with me many cherished memories of a community that continues to thrive and grow.  I feel proud of the achievements of our school over the past 12 months and feel very confident that many great accomplishments are in store for the future.  While my time at St Clare’s has only been brief, I will always hold a special place in my heart for this school community and the wonderful individuals that make up this vibrant and successful school.  I look forward to the new challenges ahead as I take on the role of Principal of All Saints’ College Maitland in 2025.  My prayers remain with you all for much success in the future. 

Award Ceremonies 

We finished our school year this week with a range of Award Ceremonies to acknowledge the amazing achievements of students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 11.  We also received the HSC and ATAR results of our Year 12 cohort for 2024 on Wednesday of this week.  From all these ceremonies it is clear to see that we have a lot to celebrate as a school community and much to be proud of individually and collectively.  Of special note are the 17 Band 6 results (scores of 90 or above for an individual subject), 2 E4 scores for extension subjects and 74 Band 5 scores (between 80 and 89) that were achieved by our graduating students.  These results place St Clare’s as the top performing school in our region and the top performing school in the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese.  We are obviously very proud of all our students and their many achievements. 

Staff Changes for 2025 

We have a number of staff changes occurring for 2025 with some staff retiring and others moving to new positions next year.  We farewell the following staff: 

• Kooper Hunt – Lab Assistant, who has served at St Clare’s for five years.
• Niko Campbell-Ellis – Learning Support Teacher, who has dedicated eight years to our school community.
• Bernadette Boere – Learning Support Coordinator, who has contributed 11 years.
• Tim Masters – English Teacher, Leader of Wellbeing and Engagement, and Pedagogical Mentor, who has been with us for 11 years.
• Callam Howard – Drama, English, and Photography Teacher, School Photographer, and Social Media Officer, who has served for 16 years.
• Barbara Singh – Finance and Administration Officer, who has been a part of our community for 26 years.
• David Clarke – HISE Teacher, who has dedicated an incredible 39 years of service to St Clare’s. 

Thank you to all of these staff for the wonderful commitment, dedication and professionalism they have each bought to their roles here at St Clare’s. 

I wish all our departing staff every success for whatever their futures have in store for them and send with them our prayers and appreciation. 

New to our staff in 2025 are: 

• Christine Harmer – Principal
• Naomi King – Mathematics Teacher
• Sophie Gogerly – Learning Support Assistant
• Karina Warner – Learning Support Assistant
• Sarah Blundell – Learning Support Teacher
• Megan Brown – Learning Support Teacher
• Chelsea Wann – Science Lab Assistant

We welcome all these new staff members and hope that their time at St Clare’s is rewarding and valuable. 

Staff taking on new roles in 2025 are: 

• Tanith Reardon – Leader of Pedagogy
• Karen McCann – Ministry Coordinator
• Amelia Lunney – Learning Support Assistant
• Rebecca Harris – Leader of Learning Support
• Linda Davies – Leader of Learning VET
• Nicole Lovern – Wellbeing Mentor 

We congratulate these staff members and wish them every success for 2025. 

Return Dates for 2025 

A reminder that all students entering Year 7 for 2025, along with our Year 11 and Year 12 students will begin their school year on Tuesday 4 February, whilst students in Years 8, 9 and 10 all begin back at school on Wednesday 5 February 2025.  Staff will be involved in planning activities on Friday 31 January and Monday 3 February 2025. 

I wish all our students, their families and our teachers a very relaxing, enjoyable and safe holiday break and a very happy and holy Christmas. 

 

Tony McCudden
Principal