It was Alice Walker who said, ‘Time moves slowly, but passes quickly’, and never has truer words been spoken about 2023 at Kolbe. As I pen this last eNews article for the year, I reflect on the significant achievements of our students and our community in what has been a challenging but rewarding 12 months. Our students continue to live out the values of The Kolbe Way, and I am so proud of their commitment to our community. As we head into the season of Advent, I invite all our families to ensure we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas – the arrival of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Everybody belongs at Kolbe – and this theme was celebrated at our Awards Night on Thursday. Sitting in the audience watching the various gifts and talents of our students being acknowledged in front of our community was such a joyous occasion. Whether you watched from Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, or from the comfort of your own home via our livestream, I trust you found the evening enjoyable. Every student at Kolbe has the opportunity to walk across this stage. Whether it is for academic achievement, their talent in Performing Arts, the service to our College or just living the values of our Patron Saint, Maximilian Kolbe, I challenge all our students to set themselves this goal before their time at Kolbe is through.
Given this our last eNews for 2023, it is appropriate to farewell staff leaving Kolbe at the end of the year. Can I please acknowledge the efforts and service of the following staff members who move onto new professional challenges or retirement next year:
- Alex Campbell (ICT/Marketing Trainee)
- Alicia Nelson (Maths Teacher)
- Anita O’DOnohue (Vice Principal)
- Ashton White (Head of Year 12)
- Emie Quinones (English Teacher)
- Emily Kahwaijan (PE Teacher)
- Erica Duffield (Special Learning Needs Teacher)
- Gemma Dillon (ICT Teacher)
- Ian Russell (Head Groundsman)
- Jamie Athanassiou (PE Teacher)
- Karen Jay (Maths Teacher)
- Luke McCallum (Music Teacher)
- Mia Dolan (PE Trainee)
- Paul Lenzarini (Futures Coordinator)
- Peter Celenza (PE Teacher)
- Rachel Petherick (Year 7 Teacher)
- Stacey Hollings (Drama Teacher)
- Tayla Fernandez (PE Teacher)
To these staff members, we wish you all the best as you move forward onto the next stage of your professional life, or enjoy a well deserved retirement. We hope that you will always carry Kolbe in your heart and we thank you for your service to our special community. It is also appropriate to give special thanks to Anita O’Donohue who leaves her position of Vice Principal at Kolbe to take up the position of Foundation Principal at Madora Bay Catholic College. We wish you all the best for this new exciting challenge.
Finally to our families, I thank you again for the support you have provided us this year. We realise the enormous trust you place in us by handing over the care of your children on a daily basis. I hope the love and care we feel for your children has been evident to you this year. We wish you a peaceful, restful and prayerful Christmas break with your loved ones. I look forward to seeing everyone back on our beautiful campus again in 2024.