Dear Parents and Friends,
Tim Hoile retires as MDC Director
This week we sadly farewell Mr Tim Hoile who is retiring after 21 years having established and developed the Marine Discovery Centre into a well-recognised and respected excursion destination for school children to visit. All in all, Tim has given 36 years to Catholic Education in South Australia, having also taught at St Augustine’s Salisbury in the early 80s. On Tuesday evening a farewell function was held for Tim to acknowledge his contribution and to give thanks for his leadership and vision establishing the Marine Discovery Centre.
Star of the Sea School has much to be grateful for.... Often when you mention Star of the Sea, people will say, “Oh yeah, that’s where the Marine Centre is.” Over the years the relationship has been one of mutual benefit and today as the result of Tim’s work our children enjoy marine trails on the beach with Jacinta and Karno, and marine lessons in the MDC with Lisa Russell.
In his time as Director of the Marine Discovery Centre, Tim has secured over $5million in funding and sponsorship support. He has won over 44 international, national and state awards of recognition for service to education, marine science and the community. In 2001, Tim won the BHP Billiton Science Award for Primary Teachers. In 2002, he was awarded the Stormwater Champion Award for City of Adelaide and in 2014 he was awarded the Unsung Hero Award for Science Communication. In the 21 years of the MDC, over 100,000 children and adults have had a Marine Discovery Centre experience, hundreds of volunteers have found meaning and purpose and given 1000s of volunteer hours at the centre.
Peter Schwartz, an American innovator and futurist was quoted as saying, “In today’s world we face nothing less than a thorough redefinition of retirement. To be sure, people will continue to retire from their jobs. But retirement will no longer be the twilight of life, focused on rest, recreation and recuperation; it will now be a time in which people will marshal their experience and intelligence to create entirely new lives for themselves.”
This week, Tim has reached that time in his life where he gets to create an entirely new life for himself. On behalf of the entire Star of the Sea Community, I thank Tim for all he has done and achieved and for having blessed us with the Marine Discovery Centre.
To Tim’s family, in particular his wife Kathy and daughters Kimberly, Amy and Laura we offer our thanks to them for allowing Tim to spend time over the years chasing his passion and spending time with his second family the MDC.
We wish Tim well in his retirement. We hope Tim will find time to play tennis, surf his favourite spots, travel with Kathy and spend time with loved ones and friends. Tim’s work here is done, it’s time to hand over the reins and watch a new chapter for the MDC evolve. Take care and God bless.
First Semester Reports
First semester reports were distributed this week. Reports provide information to parents about how their child is progressing and achieving for the first half of the year. The teachers spend a great deal of time writing the reports and they are designed to recognise the strengths and achievements of the children and to also highlight those areas that need to be worked on and given support. I trust parents will sit with their children and discuss the reports and set goals for the second semester, whether they be in areas of commitment and effort, attitude, application to study or classroom engagement. Matt Perry, Stella Foley and I managed to read all reports before they went home and we were very impressed with the achievements and positive messages that reflect the way in which our students enjoy their learning at school and make the most of the opportunities that are offered to them by the teachers. There will be time next term to meet with teachers again to discuss student progress and address any key issues in light of the reports.
Ladies Days
Several weekends ago the P&F Committee hosted the annual Ladies Day at the 'Local Wine Co. Wine Bar' at Hyde Park. On good authority I heard that it was a successful outing for the ladies and it was a most enjoyable afternoon.
My thanks to the P&F Committee for organising the event as I can appreciate the work that goes into coordinating these types gatherings. In particular thank you to Olivia Scheuffele, Elyshia Mutton, Ross Stevens, Libby Luey and Corrin Wakely-Young. Well done to all.
Welcome Jesse Hinge and Mason Schultz
Congratulations to Abbey and John Hinge on the birth of Jesse Hilton Hinge, 7lb 9oz. After an initial scare for Jesse, both Abbey and Jesse are now doing well.
Congratulations also to Anna and Andrew Schultz on the safe arrival of Mason Jeffery Schultz 8lb 8oz. Both mum and bub are very happy and well.
Our Star of the Sea family keeps growing.
Holiday Reminders
As we head off for the holiday break I have a few reminders:
Matt Perry, Stella Foley, all the staff and I wish all families a relaxing holiday and we look forward to all that Term 3 has to offer. To those families who may be travelling these holidays, please do so safely and with care.
Have a wonderful break!
Joe De Tullio
Principal