Good morning everyone, and thank you for joining us today as we reflect on a wonderful year here at St Bede’s Primary School.  I would like to start by congratulating and thanking Year 5, Mrs Dwyer, Mrs Charles, Fr Trenton and everyone involved in preparing, leading and celebrating mass with us today.

As we come to the end of another school year, we take a moment to express our deep gratitude to all who have contributed to making this year so special and successful in so many ways.

First and foremost, to our wonderful students. Every single one of you has made St Bede's a place of joy. Your enthusiasm and willingness to work hard are what make our school truly great. From our youngest learners in Kindergarten, who will shine in the Nativity tomorrow night to our Year 6 graduates who are nearing the end of their St Bede’s journey, you have all shown remarkable growth and resilience. What more could we ask for? Whether it was mastering new skills, participating in sports, community service initiatives, or showing kindness and respect to your peers, you have each contributed to the positive and vibrant atmosphere of our school. You should all be incredibly proud of yourselves and each other.

As we reflect on the successes of the past year at St Bede's, there are so many examples that stand out. Our students have excelled in a wide range of areas, from academic achievements in literacy and numeracy to remarkable performances in the arts and sports. Whether it was our Year 5 students showcasing science projects, kindergarten celebrating 100 or our students proudly competing in regional carnivals, the spirit of determination and teamwork has been evident across our school. We’ve also seen students embrace leadership roles, with our Year 6 student leaders demonstrating maturity and responsibility in guiding their peers. These successes are not only a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our students, but also of the incredible support from our staff and parents. Every achievement, big or small, contributes to making St Bede’s a place where our children can thrive and reach their full potential.

I want to acknowledge the incredible partnership we have with our parents. Your unwavering support, trust, and involvement in the life of our school have been appreciated. Whether it’s helping with the tuck shop or uniform shop, attending school events, or volunteering your time, you have made a tremendous difference in the lives of our students and the community we have built here. Thank you for your dedication to your children’s education and for being such active participants. A special thank you to the Tuckshop team lead by Tess and the Uniform Team, you provide amazing service and support to our families.

I take this opportunity to personally thank and acknowledge two remarkable individuals who have gone above and beyond for our school community. 

Firstly, a heartfelt thank you to Jenny Tifen for her unwavering commitment to netball at St Bede's Primary School. Jenny has been instrumental in fostering a love for netball, coaching our teams, and supporting our students for many years. Her dedication to not only improving their skills but also instilling values of teamwork and sportsmanship has had a lasting impact on our school. 

Secondly, a huge thank you to Sean Kearns for his endless hours of hard work in landscaping and beautifying our school grounds. His efforts have transformed our outdoor spaces, and we are deeply grateful for your tireless work.

This year has marked a significant transition as we moved from our previous school governance model to the new Community Council structure. While this change was necessary, it has also brought some disruption, and we recognise that there is still work to be done to fully reengage parents in this important opportunity for collaboration and involvement. I am confident that with continued effort and support, we will strengthen our partnership with parents and create even more opportunities for engagement and contribution in the year ahead. Thank you to the members of the Community Council for their work in this time of change.

As we celebrate student accomplishments and acknowledge parents, I also want to acknowledge our dedicated and talented staff. To all of our teachers and support staff: Thank you. Your commitment to providing the highest standard of education, nurturing each child’s potential, and creating a caring and inclusive environment is valued and acknowledged. It is your passion and hard work that inspire our students, and we are so fortunate to have such a dedicated and compassionate team at St Bede's. You are truly making a lasting difference in the lives of our children.

Of course, the end of each year brings about some change. We will soon be bidding farewell to several staff, parents and students, and while Mrs Fox will speak more on this, I would like to take a moment to specifically acknowledge Mrs Nikki Dwyer and our chaplains Fr Trenton and Fr Alex.

Nikki will depart at the end of 2024 and will take up the role of Assistant Principal at St Clare of Assisi Primary School in Conder. We wish her the best of luck as she commences her role. We will all miss you.

St Bede’s is very fortunate to have the support of 2 wonderful priests. In 2025, Fr Trenton will depart for Rome to undertake further study and Fr Alex will return to Temora as Parish Priest. They have been an invaluable part of our school community, offering spiritual leadership, fostering a sense of faith, and strengthening the connection between our school and parish. We are truly grateful for their dedication and support.  

To our Year 6 graduates, we wish you all the very best in your future educational journeys. You leave us with fond memories, and we know you will continue to shine wherever you go.

Finally, thank you to everyone—students, parents and staff, for making this year such a success. May you all have a well deserved break, and we look forward to seeing you in the new year, ready to continue our shared journey of learning and growth.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, a Holy Christmas, a Happy New Year, and a safe and restful holiday season. Thank you.