Dear parents,
I took this photo during Primary Adoration last Thursday. It was the time of the holy hour for Kindergarten and Year 3 students to adore Our Lord. Six children from three families are pictured; each with an older sibling and a younger one.
In each case, the older sibling took extraordinary care of their younger brother - a hand gently couching his back, ensuring uniform was neat, modelling and motioning attention towards the Blessed Sacrament. Frankly, not much of the previous sentence does justice to the tenderness lavished upon the Kindergarten students by their older brother or sister.
Their positioning at the front of the church had been facilitated by the teachers, and was eagerly embraced by the students themselves. The scene, it seemed to me, was emblematic of everything we are aiming for at Saint Mary MacKillop College: Christ at the centre, formation in the faith, school, parish and family operating in harmony, even unison. Where else is this going to happen?
It felt like a privileged moment, but it was, by no means, isolated. In fact, it is more the norm. Teachers unfailingly give their all, sensitive to the needs of individuals and the cohort as a whole, and I regard it a privilege to work alongside them.
Understanding that not everything goes according to plan, I welcome the opportunity for conversation around how to better serve your family, since the means by which improvement is attained is as important as the improvement itself. Appointments can be made through the front office.
It should be a given, then, that everyone associated with SMMC is expected to speak well of each other and aim to enhance the reputation of the school. Things we all know should be avoided include car park gossip, harsh criticism of staff members, parents or students, forming tribes, maintaining grudges and making assumptions without all necessary information. Inflammatory social media posting is a scandal.
Previous to working at SMMC, I served on the senior executive team for the 80 Catholic diocesan schools in western Sydney and can say without hesitation that I have not encountered a school in the remotest like ours. SMMC is a Catholic project of national significance and continues to attract families who relocate to Albury for the purpose of enrolling their children. It is always a delight to welcome a new family and I pray that they feel something of the warmth in that delight.
As always, thank you for your support and encouragement.
Warm regards,
Ian Smith
Principal
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