Year 6 Graduation Mass
Last night we celebrated a very joyous Mass, the Year 6 Graduation Mass. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was the first, class Mass that we have celebrated since February. It was lovely to be back in the Church! The Mass was peaceful and, as someone described it, serene.
A big “thank you” to Toby Moulton and Sharon Gulley-Frith for the work that they did preparing students and to Fr Roy for his lovely homily on Advent and the way in which he connected Advent to the children and their lives.
It was lovely to hear the prayers prayed by the children and to see how reverently they processed in holding candles. Hopefully parents enjoyed the Mass as much as we did preparing and taking part.
Farewell and Thank You
This is my final newsletter to the St Joseph's Tranmere community and as I approach the last week of term, it is also my final newsletter as a registered teacher for the past 31years.
I want to say a heartfelt “thank you” to all the staff, students and parents who have been part of my life over the past 11 years. I feel very privileged to have been the Assistant Principal as a leader in fostering and supporting the development of the religious identity and spirituality of the school and its community. It’s a job that I cherish and one that I will sorely miss as it is a role that has allowed me to form strong relationships with students and parents across the school and Parish over many years.
I have been very lucky in my teaching life: starting late as a mature-aged student with two young children but landing a teaching role upon graduating. I’ve had amazing opportunities, taught in wonderful schools in Adelaide, Roxby Downs and Port Augusta, all the while being given roles in counselling and Religious Education that enabled me to develop my leadership skills and passion in areas of school life that I love, and which eventually led me to my current role in Tranmere.
I have met so many wonderful and outstanding people, young and older, over the last 11 years; people who have both challenged me and helped me develop as a leader and as a person. I have worked closely with all the wonderful staff of Tranmere and over the years have been in awe of their passion and dedication to make the school a safe and happy place of learning and fun. I will miss the daily interactions with students especially those lovely moments when a child shares a treasure, or a treasured moment, or seeks reassurance or a band-aid.
It’s very hard to say goodbye to a lifestyle: being a teacher isn’t something you do, it something you are. I will carry every moment, the good and, sometimes not so good times, that have shaped the person I am today. I owe so much to every child, every family, every staff member, every leader who has taken time to reach out to me, offered me advice, support and friendship, and prayed for me.
I started my schooling as a 5 yr old in a school called St Joseph’s Woomera. I am so grateful to have had the final years of my schooling in a St Joseph’s school at Tranmere. I cherish the legacy of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop and in her words, I will “take fresh courage” as I move forward to a different future as a retiree!
Thank you everyone, go well and I wish each of you a very Happy and blessed Christmas! Cynthia
