Principal’s Message
I warmly welcome you to St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Randwick North. I am delighted to be joining the school community in 2023 and committed to offering students an education that promotes excellence and equity in a safe and caring environment. Partnered with teachers and parents we will strive to empower students to become resilient, creative, lifelong learners who are optimistic about their future and the positive change they can make.
St Margaret Mary’s is located to the north of our twinned parish – Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Randwick. Nestled between Centennial and Queens Park, the school is a warm and inclusive community. The Brigidine tradition of holistic, lifelong learning and faith education is closely aligned to my personal beliefs and the values of stewardship and social justice are particularly evident in the life of the school.
The vision for learning is inspired by the ancient trees that shade the playground. Through this analogy students are taught that a quality education is built on strong foundations, growing together, reaching new heights and branching out to make a positive difference in our world. Parents have a strong presence as partners in learning and are an integral part of the school community.
I am excited to bring fresh leadership to a school community committed to the wellbeing and learning of all students. I welcome the opportunity to deliver exciting, purposeful learning that will prepare and enable our students to look forward with confidence and strong foundations.
Kind regards,
Mrs Kylie O’Donnell
Principal
History
Established in 1956 as a K–2 infants school, St Margaret Mary was staffed by the Brigidine Sisters who travelled each day from their convent in Randwick. The school grew to be a K–6 school in the 1960s as the population of young families in the area grew. In recent times the Parish of St Margaret Mary has been twinned with Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Randwick.
Charism
The charism of the school is drawn from the Brigidine tradition to reflect the founding Religious Order of the school and from the spirituality of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, the congregational order of our parish priest. The school continues the Brigidine tradition of valuing education in faith and building a holistic approach to lifelong learning whereby the values of respect, peace, love, stewardship and social justice are promoted.
Inspired by the example and spirit of St Margaret Mary and the charism of Brigidine Sisters, students aspire to live out our motto, ‘Justice and Love’ in their daily life.
Vision
At St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Primary School Randwick North, we continue to:
- build on the strong foundations of our diverse history
- grow together as an educating community
- enable students to reach new heights through a contemporary pedagogy and
- branch out to others to make a positive difference in our world.
Our vision for learning takes inspiration from the ancient trees in our playground.
‘Climbing the tree of life-long learning’; this phrase captures our belief that learning:
- continues for all of life
- is best when built on strong foundations
- occurs through collaboration and cooperation and
- is best when we recognise that each learner follows different and unique pathways to achieve his/her personal best.
Mission
Inspired by the life of St Margaret Mary and our Brigidine heritage, we educate according to the values of justice, love, peace, inclusion and stewardship. As a faith community we strive to make a positive difference in our world and as a learning community we promote life-long learning.
St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Primary School Randwick North works closely with our parish to assist students to know, understand and celebrate our
Catholic faith. On special feast days or celebrations, the children attend Mass as a whole school, as well as participate in family Masses throughout the term. Students are actively involved in these Masses through reading, singing, drama and listening.
Our parish priest, Fr Peter Hearn, msc, shares responsibility for the parish of St Margaret Mary and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Randwick as well as the associated schools.
Parish Based Sacramental Program
Parents wishing to present their children for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation will be invited to attend a Sacramental Information Meeting facilitated by St Margaret Mary’s Parish. Sacramental programs are based at the parish. We support the Sacramental programs by preparing the children.
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
A: 193 Avoca Street, Randwick, NSW 2031
P: (02) 9399 6775
E: parishoffice@sacredheart.org.au
W: www.sacredheart.org.au
Mass times
Saturday: Vigil 5.30pm
Sunday: 9.30 am
Thursday during school term: 9.15am School Mass