Excellence in education
for children with disabilities

Part of the mission of the Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia

Westfield Staff Run for St Lucy's

St Lucy's has a new charity partner - Westfield's IT and Human Resources departments. Their staff have already helped us with our gardening and administration needs; now they are training for a charity fun run, the JP Morgan Chase Challenge on November 14. "When I found out we could support St Lucy's I thought it was a great opportunity to ask friends and colleagues to donate to such a worthy cause," said HR Training Manager, Mary Draper, who has been running twice a week in the lead up to the 5.6 kilometre run around Centennial Park. Westfield will match the runners' donations dollar for dollar and St Lucy's will use the money to buy licences for educational iPad apps. Support them at http://www.everydayhero.com.au/westfield_human_resources or http://www.everydayhero.com.au/westfield_it_4

Senator Collins Visits

St Lucy's has received a visit from Senator the Hon Jacinta Collins, the Parliamentary Secretary for School Education and Workplace Relations. Her visit came as the Government considers the implementation of the Gonski school funding reforms. The senator toured classrooms, shaking maracas with the kindergarteners and observing iPad use before joining in "The Goodbye Song", with which St Lucy's ends each day. Senator Collins then met with teachers and parents to hear about their work, their children and the challenges they face. St Lucy's Principal, Jo Karaolis, said St Lucy's was privileged to have the senator visit. "As a non-government special school, we felt strongly the need to be heard about the struggle we face each year in trying to cover a deficit of over half a million dollars and still meet the needs of our students. The senator listened closely and had a shrewd understanding. We feel confident that the carriage of reforms in education for children with disabilities is in capable and determined hands".

RAAF Visit

St Lucy's students got a taste of life in the Royal Australian Air Force when two of its members visited the school on Thursday October 18. Air Vice- Marshal Mel Hupfeld and Flight Lieutenant Skye Smith showed slides of fighter jet planes, air force fire fighters and working dogs and took questions on the second oldest air force in the world. It was an exciting opportunity, especially for our aviation-mad students, some of whom could identify each RAAF aircraft by name.

New Principal Appointed

939147366152a053d9e0295dd824d9b8_m.jpgSt Lucy's is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Georgina Reynhout as its new principal, starting February 2013. Dr Reynhout comes to us from Macquarie University's highly respected Special Education Centre (MUSEC), where she served as principal for five years. She was also a lecturer at the university's Institute of Early Childhood and has published and facilitated numerous research papers on disability education. She holds a PhD and a Masters degree in special education, a Bachelor of Science (with honours) and a graduate certificate in education. "The school board is thrilled to have appointed someone of her calibre," said board chairman, Tim Horvat. "We look forward to maintaining a strong working relationship to lead St Lucy's into the future".

A Focus on Science

Science study has taken off at St Lucy's due to a grant from the Star Scientific Foundation. The money has so far been applied to two CSIRO science shows, "Mini Beasts and Life Cycles" and "Space, Rockets and Exploration". Each show featured a myriad of activities, including the chance to touch moon rocks and spin on a gyroscope. Every age and disability was catered to and students were left with a new enthusiasm for scientific endeavour. "The Foundation looks forward to seeing the life changing experiences and skills gained for all St Lucy's school students through the Science Program in the months and years to come," said Star Scientific CEO, Pamela Horvath.

Without Words Week

St Lucy's 'Without Words Week' was a huge success with well over $100,000 raised for speech and occupational therapy. Twenty three schools from all over Sydney took part in the campaign. Their students were sponsored to stay silent or held events like cake stalls,  netball championships and lolly guessing competitions. One student from Prouille was sponsored to stay silent for a week! The most successful fundraisers were Knox Grammar who contributed close to $4,000. Seventy five people fundraised individually including  former Wallabies captain, Phil Kearns and the CEO of IML, Anton Tagliaferro. A group of St Lucy's parents hosted a silent lunch at the Abbotsford Sailing Club and some even braved the bank and Medicare without speaking. The money raised will change the face of speech therapy at the school. Equally important has been the awareness generated in the community about children with communication disabilities. St Lucy's would like to thank everyone involved.

Grandparent's Day 2012

Thursday September 20 was Grandparent's Day at St Lucy's - a chance to celebrate the unique role that grandparents play and deepen their connection to their grandchild's education. 140 people chatted over lunch and a cup of tea before visiting classrooms for some finger painting, sensory therapy and Maths and English work. The day concluded with assembly and a talk with St Lucy's Principal, Jo Karaolis, who took the opportunity to praise the grandparents' children for the remarkable job they do of parenting a special needs child.

St Lucy's Raffle

Grandparent's Day coincided with the drawing of the St Lucy's Raffle which raised $5,400 for projects at the school.

  • First prize - 2 nights at The Vintage Golf Resort - won by K. Stokes (donated by Bobbie and David Fairlie)
  • Second prize - $300 voucher for Galleria Boutique - won by B. Sousous(donated by Susan Knox) 
  • Third prize - Maui Jim sunglasses - won by J. Turtle (donated by Maui Jim)
  • Fourth prize - $100 voucher for "The Cook's Garden" - won by R. Brimble (donated by Rick and Elizabeth Nelmes)
  • Fifth prize - 4 Gold Class movie tickets - won by D. McLennan (donated by Amalgamated Holdings)

All Abilities Creative Arts Holiday Program September 2012

Enrol your child in the St Lucy's Creative Arts Holiday Program these September school holidays.  Workshops are run by professional artists and take place in our custom built Studios.  These workshops provide a great opportunity for siblings to enjoy creative fun together. 

BOOK NOW! Places fill up fast.  Print the attached enrolment form and send it to:

Creative Arts Holiday Program

St Lucy's School

21 Cleveland Street

Wahroonga, 2076

or email coordinator Alessandra Picone at alip@stlucys.nsw.edu.au for a mail out brochure.  The Creative Arts team looks forward to seeing you there!

Calling all Filmmakers

The call has gone out for entries in the 2012 Lucia's Film Festival. The St Lucy's short film competition is for children of all abilities from anywhere in the country. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, the competition gives children an additional 'language' to express their view of the world. It also fosters friendship and understanding between students from different schools. The theme is 'Through my Eyes' and entries close July 30. Download the information pack and get involved!