Dear Parents, Carers, Students and Staff

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome back all our students and parents to St Clare’s for 2024.  I especially welcome to the school all our new students and their parents.  This is our first newsletter for the year, with editions coming out fortnightly throughout the year.  It is hoped that these communications are informative and give our school community a good snapshot of the key events and achievements made throughout the year.

From a personal perspective I would like to thank the wonderful staff and students of St Clare’s for making me feel so welcome in my new role as Principal.  I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting and building connections across our school community and look forward to opportunities to meet our parent community throughout the year. 

Tony McCudden, Principal 

While the start to the year has been very busy it has also been very productive.  Already in the first two weeks we have had students involved in our 2023 Dux Assembly, our school Swimming Carnival, Year 12 Careers Day, Ash Wednesday Liturgies, Diocesan Rugby League Trials, and our Senior Creative Arts excursion to Sydney.  My thanks go to all staff and students involved in these activities for the enthusiasm and commitment shown ensuring the success of all these activities. 

Lent 

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent, our 40 days of preparation for Easter.  We celebrated Ash Wednesday this week (Wednesday, 14 February) with stage group liturgies.  Lent is a penitential time in which we carefully consider how we are living as Christ’s presence in this world.  It is a season of renewal where we make a commitment to reform our life:  to become a better witness to God’s love for humanity. 

Year 7 2025 Open Afternoon 

St Clare’s are hosting our Year 7, 2025 Open Afternoon on Wednesday, 6 March 2024 for all prospective students and their parents.  Registration will be from 3:45 pm and school tours will commence at 4 pm. 

Enrolment forms will be available to collect at the Open Afternoon.  We ask that you please return your enrolment form to the school by Friday, 12 April 2024. 

If you are unable to attend the Open Afternoon, please collect an enrolment form from the school office after 6 March and ensure it is returned by 12 April with all supporting documentation. 

School Swimming Carnival 

The school Swimming Carnival was held on Tuesday of this week.  We were greeted with wonderful weather and equally wonderful participation by our students.  The carnival was a great community day with many standout performances.  Special congratulations go to Patterson House (Red) on being awarded the Spirit Trophy on the day and to Gordon House (Green) on being the Champion House from the carnival.  A special thank you to all the staff who supported the multitude of events, the student house leaders and Mr Rowe for all his organisation and coordination of the carnival. 

New Staff Members 

We welcome several new staff members, Georgina Bell – Learning Support Teacher, Thomas Broadfield – HSIE, James Buckland – TAS, Linda Davies – TAS, Marianne Gleeson - Learning Support Assistant, Ethan Higgins – TAS, Marion Johnson – English/Drama, Lisa Knott – Support Staff, Erin Lawler – Science, Cameron McKee - Administration Coordinator/Religious Education, Lisa Millard - Support Staff and Martel Oehme – Maths. 

God bless and best wishes for a very successful 2024.  

Tony McCudden
Principal