It is official we are one hundred years old! What a wonderful time was had by all at our Centenary Celebrations. The culmination of many months of careful planning and preparation, our Centenary Celebrations were a wonderful expression of community spirit. It was a weekend where not only past staff, students and families gathered to reminisce but also to usher in a new chapter of our school’s story. The celebrations included a Family Fun Night on Friday, November 8, followed by Saturday night with many attending the Parish Mass and staff function. On Sunday, November 10, the Parish Centenary Mass was held with school tours and memorabilia displays in the gym and on Monday November 11, a school Mass was celebrated and the blessing of new sculpture, after which the children participated in Kaboom Sports. The centenary celebrations have certainly been a team effort and Ginny, Jason and I are incredibly grateful to our small and extremely hard working team. In particular I would like to acknowledge the efforts of Susan Domaille who together with Burton put together our amazing centenary webpage and memorabilia display, Maree McLean and Ebony Free who were instrumental in organising everything from pavers and balloons to invitations, catering and our time capsule, Belinda Davies who organised both our Centenary Masses, Naomi Bowd, Kate Dunstan and our choir and strings group who led the music we enjoyed at both Masses, Michelle Haeusler for throwing open the doors of St Mary Mackillop College for tours, and of course Fr Matt who supported us and all our endeavours this year. Family Fun Night wrap - What a fantastic night! We estimated we had over one thousand children and their families on site at any one time and everyone had a great time. Nights like this certainly prove kids are happy with simple good old fashioned fun, with everything from the spooky house and fairy floss to sack races and crazy hair colours available to enjoy. There was a great atmosphere of fun and friendship on Friday night with so many families helping out on all the activities. Thank you all for coming along and joining in. A huge thanks to Melissa Gilchrist, Scott Anderson and our amazing staff for all their effort in organising this wonderful evening.

Parish Mass and staff back to - We had a wonderful weekend of events kicking off with a great turn out of past staff who attended Saturday night‘s staff function followed by many former staff, students and parishioners attending the Parish Mass and school tours. Thanks also to the huge turn out from our current staff who attended Mass. It was wonderful to see you all there and share in this significant occasion for the school. In particular it was wonderful to welcome back many past Principals including Sr Marie Hanger, Sr Pat Williams, Sr Anne Porter, Ms Cath Morrissy and Mr Craig Simpson as well as many of our Sisters of St Joseph who taught at St Mary’s over the years.

ONE HUNDRED YEARS!

School Centenary Mass and Kaboom Sports - Nearly eight hundred and fifty people attended our Centenary Mass which was a testament to the role St Mary’s has played in the lives of the many students and families that have passed through its doors. Following the blessing of our new sculpture, the fun continued with the students all enjoying an old fashioned sports day facilitated by Kaboom Sports.

Kate Quin – Principal