Week 9 Term 4 2023

To the wonderful IHM Community,

As we approach the end of another remarkable year, I want to take a moment to extend my warmest wishes to each and every one of you. The holiday season is upon us, and it brings with it a sense of joy, gratitude, and reflection.

This has been filled with new adventures, challenges and triumphs and I am incredibly proud of the resilience and dedication demonstrated by our students, staff, and families.  Together, we have created a supportive and nurturing environment that fosters learning, growth, and our IHM community spirit.

As we prepare to end this remarkable year, let us come together to cherish the moments we've shared, appreciate the relationships we've formed and strengthened, and look forward to a new year filled with hope and promise with Mrs Hancock and Mrs Fenu leading our community.  Both of these incredible women will continue to lead IHM to new heights of excellence and I look forward to watching from afar how this remarkable community will continue to excel into the future. 

I am sad to leave IHM, it was never an easy decision to make when you love a community as much as I love IHM, but I know it is the right time for my family and me to make this change.  I am truly grateful for the privilege of being part of such a wonderful and vibrant school community.  I have loved my years here and being able to lead this community in 2023.  It has been an honour to do so.  It hard for me to say goodbye, but I know that every child, family and staff member will have a special place in my heart.

Thank you to the School Board for their support and commitment. Much gratitude and special thanks to Michelle Wilson who has chaired the board this year.  Thank you to each Board Member for sharing their skills, talents and wisdom with our community, it has been deeply appreciated.

Thanks to our exceptional staff here at IHM.  The staff often go above and beyond the call of duty, and it is their dedication and unity that strongly characterizes our community.  I take this opportunity to thank all the IHM team for their constant care and concern for the students, parents and broader community.

In particular, upon their leaving, I thank Paula Clark, Felicia Mihelios, Vittoria Driver and Lauren Boeyen.  It’s been a delight to have you at IHM and your commitment to our students has been appreciated. We will miss you and we wish you every blessing for the future.

Thank you to all parents, grandparents and volunteers for your continued support of our school by respecting our school values, showing interest in your child’s learning and supporting our teachers. Thanks especially to those of you who have volunteered to help on excursions, events, in class activities, LAP, attending meetings, being at school events such as concerts, Masses etc and for supporting our fundraising. You all contribute to our great community.

Thank you to all the students for your hard work throughout the school year.  I have been so honoured to be your principal; you make me proud, you keep me laughing and fill my heart with joy.  I am grateful for your kindness, astute insights and amazing talents.  Enjoy your holidays! I will miss you all. 

I look forward to seeing many families this evening at the end of year Mass and Graduation tonight.

May this Christmas be a time of rest, rejuvenation, and celebration. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May the holiday season be filled with laughter, peace, and the company of those you hold dear.

With Love,

Annette Diassinas
ACTING PRINCIPAL

OSHC Update - Vacation Care in 2024

I am pleased to let you know that our IHM School Board has approved us in offering Vacation Care at IHM beginning in the April School Holidays in 2024.

This is fantastic news for our community as Vacation Care will be offered on our school site.  More information will be provided once school returns next year. 

Breakfast Club 

A huge thank you to the wonderful parents who have been running Breakfast Club this year.  A Special mention goes to Alyssa, Erika and Michelle who have consistently been here every week feeding our students.  Thanks to all the additional parents who have been able to support throughout the year also and for those who have donated items in supporting this.  Breakfast Club has been a real highlight every Wednesday and is something that the students look forward to each week.

IHM Building Works in 2024 

I am pleased to announce that in 2024 we will be receiving a $900,000 State Government Grant to go towards a Building Project.  This is such fantastic news and will allow IHM to move ahead with our Stage 2 building plans. 

As part of this next stage, we will be refurbishing the Junior Primary Classrooms including the installation of Bag Boxes, refurbishment of the STEM and Art Room/Kitchen, creating a Wellbeing Hub in the Resource Centre and the construction of a Toilet Block attached to the Hall.  The project will go out to tender in the first few months of 2024 and works will likely commence towards the middle of 2024.  More information will be provided once things progress.  This building project will provide fantastic facilities at IHM for years to come. 

I thank Kristina Neumann our Finance Manager and Leah Mignone from the building Team at Catholic Education who have both been instrumental in the pre-stages of this project.  We will continue to work with the Architect Pino Dichiera from Edge Architects who worked with us on our Stage 1 works.  I could not be more thrilled for IHM with these building works.   

APRIM Christmas Message

As the school year draws to a close, it is nice to stop and reflect on the positive achievements of 2023 at Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Again, we as a school community can take pride in the many activities we have undertaken in the wider community to help others. The level of care and respect we have shown for each other and for those around us too, shows evidence of God’s love in action and our great “Connectedness” to one another.

In our preparation for Christmas, it is important that we think about what is truly important in our lives. The birth of Jesus offers great hope – it helps us to better relate to living and understanding God’s love for us. With God’s love we can become more loving and caring people.

Finally, I would like to thank each and every family for your support over the past year. I feel extremely privileged to have been able to walk beside you and your children in supporting faith growth and learning journeys. May the blessings of Christmas be with you all during this Christmas Season. May you enjoy time with your family and friends, and travel safely over the holiday break.

Vinnies Christmas Appeal

Thank you to all families who have supported our Christmas appeal again this year. As we know Christmas can be a very difficult time for families, particularly those who are experiencing poverty and disadvantage.  The support from our IHM families will greatly assist the St Vincent de Paul society to support the people who turn to them for help over the festive season. Sandra from our local Vinnies Chapter came in this morning and was so appreciative of all our donations.

Whole School Community End of Year Mass & Year 6 Graduation Tonight - Tuesday 12^th December – 6.15pm

Tonight is our Whole School Family End of Year Mass. It is a significant event in the life our Catholic school and at this mass we formally farewell our Year 6 students who have made an amazing contribution to our school.   

We look forward to seeing all children and their families at this special celebration of our year at IHM.

Details of the Mass

Who is invited:      Students and their families
When:                     Tuesday 12^th December
Being held at:        Sacred Heart Church - 252 Port Road, Hindmarsh
Time:                      Arrive by 6.15 pm - the Mass should be finished by around 7.45pm. 
What to wear:        School Uniform 

Sacred Heart Parish Hindmarsh-Findon

Sacred Heart Church 252 Port Road, Hindmarsh
Our Lady of the Manger 176 Crittenden Road, Findon

Christmas Celebrations 2023

Parish Christmas Carols in the Courtyard

Sunday               17 December - 6:00pm – 9:00pm Sacred Heart Church Courtyard
**All Parishioners and visitors are Welcome. Kindly bring your own chairs/rugs.

Reconciliation
Sunday               17 December - SHC Hindmarsh - (After 9:00am Mass)     
Wednesday         20 December - OLM Findon – (After 6:00pm Mass)

Christmas Eve Mass

Sunday               24 December - 6.00pm - OLM Findon (Children’s Liturgy)**
                           7.00pm - SHC Hindmarsh (Children’s Liturgy)
                           Midnight - SHC Hindmarsh (Carols at 11.30pm followed by Mass)
                           **Children are encouraged to dress in costumes appropriate to the season                                 e.g. Angels, shepherds, wise men/women

Christmas Day

Monday              25 December - 9.00am - SHC Hindmarsh
                          10.00am- OLM Findon                                                       

**The Parish Office will close on Friday 22 December 2023 and re-open on Thursday 4 January 2023

The Parish Office Team wish you and your loved ones a Happy and Holy Christmas and Blessings for the New Year.

Thought for the Week

‘Kindness is the oil that takes the friction out of life.’

Wishing you and your families a happy and joyous Christmas.

Paula Clark
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - RELIGIOUS IDENTITY AND MISSION