Principal's News
Our theme for this year
Dear Parents,
On Friday I spent time with some of the staff to complete ‘Walk the Talk’. I feel privileged to be able to meet with each staff member to have dialogue about the learning progress of each student at St Kevin’s. I will continue these learning discussions this week as there have been some staff members absent. We discussed the growth and development of the students this term focusing on Reading, Writing and Mathematics. We spoke about strategies and processes that were both worthwhile or required fine tuning. This work is aligned to Lyn Sharratt ( highly-accomplished practitioner, researcher, author, and presenter) who wrote ‘Faces on the Data’ and models this approach. She speaks passionately about knowing each student and how each of them is travelling in terms of growth and evidence. I asked staff: ‘how do we move this student to the next level and what support do you require?’ Whether it’s extending a student’s thinking, or managing the flow of information to them because they’re struggling. The conversation is so vital.
We visually moved students along the learning continuum using the report Progression points. As we stood in front of the data wall, we talked about each face and we were able to share our professional knowledge collectively and what we are going to do for those faces.
We have had an event filled Term 1! I formally want to thank everyone on Staff for their work with the students and families. It has been great to be part of a team that collaborates and are present and ready to ensure the school operates to its full potential. It has been a pleasure to get to know the staff, families and parishioners this term.
Special thank you to Eva for all her assistance and patience with all the questions, listening to my ideas and giving me feedback. To the Leadership Team for being open to change, supporting the staff and doing the extra work that is required of you during a review year.
To the students for their smiles, friendliness and work especially Year 6 students who have stepped up into Student Leadership.
To the Parents and Carers, thank you for your warm nature and willingness to approach me and make me feel a part of the partnership.
Thank you to each of you and your families for all that you bring and do for the school community of St Kevin’s. It has been a privilege to work with each of you in Term 1. I look forward to Term 2. It will be a big one with Review and Reports.
Soon we will celebrate Holy Week, which ends with the resurrection of Jesus.
The Easter Season is the greatest celebration of the Liturgical Year and as a community, we pray our school family shares in abundance -
Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, 10 April and culminates with the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday, 17 April. As Holy Week and Easter are during the school holidays, I encourage families to attend the parish events, to celebrate the importance of the Easter Season. I do hope each family has a restful break and a blessed Easter period.
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Warmest regards,
Gabee Leone
EASTER REENACTMENT
All of our staff and children will take part in a Reflection arranged by Mrs Gerosolimo on Friday the 8th at 12:30pm to 1:15pm. We will complete the Easter Narrative when we return of from the hoildays on 27th of April at 12.30pm in the Church.
All Parents and Carers are invited to attend both these sessions. Please ensure you follow Government regulations.
FAMILY ASSISTANCE for Holy Thursday
Thank you to both Jo A and Miyuki O and their families for offering to assist with the Holy Thursday service. I look forward to seeing you all there.
TWILIGHT SPORTS
Please take a second to complete the Survey created by Vanessa Dal Santo. Staff and students will also be asked to complete a survey. It is so important to hear the voice of all in order to reflect on this event. The Leaders will synthesize the data and present it in a future newsletter.
Twilight Sports 2022 Parent Survey
PREP PARENT EVENING - Mingle with the Educator
This will take place on the 6th of April at 7:30pm in our school Library and all the school leaders will share the latest pedagogy and current research practiced at St Kevin’s. For catering purposes please book on https://www.schoolinterviews.com.au/ with code d2arw by Monday 05/04.
BUNNING BBQ
Thank you to all the Parents who have put up their hand to assist with the Bunnings BBQ on the 30th of April. I do see some patterns in the names that and I wholeheartedly encourage you all to give volunteering a go. While supporting the school you are also assisting your children to grow an understanding of community and service. I will be there and look forward to flying the ST KEVIN’S FLAG. Thank you to Suzanne and PFA for all your work this term and especially planning this event to raise funds for other school.
To all the St Kevin’s community please pop in to say hi on the day and have a sausage.
WEEKEND FLOODING IN THE SCHOOL MUSIC ROOM AND DOWNSTAIRS BATHROOMS
Unfortunately there was some flooding during the weekend and it has all been dried and cleaned. This has occurred a few times in the past 2 years and the area is being investigated by a plumber.
ANZAC DAY 2022
There will be a whole school gathering Tuesday 26th April 10:30am at the flagpole led by Vanessa Dal Santo and the Year 6 Students. Parents are welcome to attend.
School Captains will accompany me to the ANZAC DAY Memorial Service at Templestowe Memorial Park on Thursday 28th of April at 11:30am. We will lay a wreath at the Memorial Service on behalf of the School and Parish Community.
OPEN DAY
We had a great Open Day on the 25th March. 8 Families attended and the Year 6 Discovery Guide were amazing.
There will be a Prep Information Night for all parents and carers on Wednesday 6th April at 7:30pm - 8:30pm
Mingle with Educators.
Followed by Open Day Monday 2rd of May between 11:30am and 1:30pm.
And then Open Day Wednesday 25th of May between 11:30am and 1:30pm.
Private Tours are going well and I will continue to conduct these throughout Term 2.
Please come and collect an enrolment form if you have children of school age next year.
SHOUT OUTS
At the end of each term I will include SHOUTS OUTS for the Term. This time it is led by staff but next term I will ask Students, Parents and the community to participate in the SHOUT OUTS. It is a lovely way to thank and recognise individuals and groups for their efforts and achievements. Enjoy reading them!
Buddy Evening for all the new families in the school 2022.
SAVE THE DATE - 27 of April 6:00pm - 7:30pm in the School Hall. Invitation will be distributed this week.
SUSTAINABILITY
Our goal to go paperless continues - Invitations to Buddy Evening via email and Twilight Sport’s Survey online
PRINCIPAL NEWS
I write to inform you that Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS), have recently advertised for the position of Principal for St Kevin's. It is pleasing to see this advertisement in 2022 and we are hopeful of attracting quality candidates who exhibit the leadership skills and attributes necessary to lead the community forward. St Kevin's is a vibrant community with so much to offer to the students and families of the Parish of Templestowe Lower, and a proud history of service. I am excited that the school is embarking on this Principal selection process and will keep you informed of progress. In the interim, my role as Acting Principal continues. Please be assured of my continued efforts to support, guide and celebrate the work of our staff and the learning outcomes of our students.
RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS (RATs)
Please continue to administer the Rapid Antigen Tests twice a week or whenever any symptoms occur.. The next allocation of these tests have been distributed the last few weeks and you are welcome to pick them up from the office.
Welcome Rose to St Kevin’s! Rose has joined the Year 1 and 2 students in Junior F.
Rose enjoys going to the park, dancing and singing.
COMMUNICATION DATA - I have read the newsletter
In the last newsletter I had a short survey for parents to complete at the end of the newsletter.
Congratulations to Parents of Year 5 & 6 students AGAIN!
Can you make it three in a row? You completed the most surveys.
Or will another Level take the lead to be the highest number of parent participants reading this newsletter?
Please scan QR code and complete very quick survey.
New Survey for this Newsletter
Reminder - Camps, Sports, Excursion Fund
Who can apply
Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply. A Special Consideration category also exists. Schools can receive applications from families over terms one and two.
Families can list more than one student in the one application form if they are attending the same school.
Payments amounts for 2022 are:
- $125 per year for eligible primary school students
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) provides payments for eligible students to attend activities like:
- school camps or trips
- swimming and school-organised sports programs
- outdoor education programs
- excursions and incursions.
Please see application link below or call the school for a hard copy form. Please submit the form to Robyn in the office.
https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/about/programs/CSEF_application_form.pdf
Note: Applications can be entered from 31 January 2022. Parents/carers wishing to apply for CSEF payments for 2022 must submit their application form to the relevant school by 24 June 2022.
However, a parent/carer will only be required to submit an application form to the school in the following circumstances:
- the parent/carer is applying for the CSEF payment for the first time – i.e. an application form was not lodged with the school in the previous year; or
- circumstances have changed – e.g. there has been a change in the care arrangement of the student, a change of name or CRN, or a new sibling has commenced at the school and the parent/carer wishes to apply for the CSEF payment for the new sibling.
