It is with great pleasure and excitement that I can finally announce to our school community the new school logo and school shirt design. The process has been one that has included great consultation from our Catholic Schools Office, Our Bishop, Fr Shelwin, Elders and staff.
As you can appreciate, the beautiful design was created by Elder – Uncle Martin.
The Logo of the school represents Mary. The Brolga in Aboriginal culture is the symbol for our Blessed Mother Mary. The Brolga is displayed with her outstretched wings, protecting and nurturing all who belong to St Mary’s school community. She stands gracious over the crucifix which represents our own salvation. In her feathers are the colours of green and blue which represent the history of our school, the previous uniform worn and the traditional lands of the Gumbaynggirr people. The Gospel message ‘Let your light Shine’ – Matthew 5:16, recognises our past school symbol of the baptismal candle which evokes the gifts we have inside ourselves to share with one another.
The school shirt design has specific meaning of the three separate places of gathering. Bowraville at the foot of the hills, Macksville inland and Nambucca to the ocean. On the sides of the shirt are the examples of bush tucker eaten to sustain and feed indigenous people along the Nambucca Valley coastline. The feet show the journey made between sacred places of gathering and the journey we take with God here at St Mary’s school.
I would like to thank all the people who assisted in developing a clear and renewed Catholic identity which will now be recognisable and discernable to the wider community.
Thank you to our Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett, Fr Shelwin, Our Elders – especially Uncle Martin and Aunty Cheryl, Catholic Schools Office – David Condon, Paul Thornton, Vicki Comerford, Doreen Flanders, our staff and students.
I hope you all agree that this progressive change will bring a positive outlook and a renewed spirit into our school, which will be admired by all our parents/carers, staff and students and those within the wider community.
