Learning & Teaching 

LEARNING & TEACHING - Vira Pirrotta

THANK YOU!

As we reach the end of another incredible year, I want to take a moment to reflect and express my heartfelt gratitude to every member of our wonderful school community.

This year has been a journey filled with curiosity, discovery, and growth. Our days were brimming with excitement as we explored new ideas, celebrated achievements, and came together for meaningful community events. I am especially proud of our students, whose energy, resilience, and love for learning have been an inspiration. Each achievement—big or small—has been a testament to their hard work and determination, and they truly deserve to be celebrated.

To our dedicated teachers, thank you for your unwavering commitment to nurturing and guiding our students. Your creativity, passion, and tireless efforts in creating engaging learning environments have been extraordinary. Beyond academics, you’ve fostered a sense of belonging and partnership with families that has strengthened our community.

A special thank you goes to our incredible parents and guardians. Your trust, collaboration, and encouragement are invaluable. You’ve partnered with us to shape bright young minds and kind and thoughtful individuals. It is truly a privilege to work together in this shared mission.

Reflecting on this past year’s successes and challenges, I am filled with gratitude for the entire St. Fidelis' community. Together, we’ve created a school environment where every child feels seen, supported, and empowered to achieve their best. Whether through academic milestones, sports achievements, or simply the joy of learning, your collective contributions have made this year exceptional.

As we close this chapter, I hope you all enjoy a well-deserved holiday break filled with laughter, relaxation, and time spent with loved ones. Let’s carry forward this year's memories, lessons, and growth into the next as we continue our shared journey of learning and discovery.

Below, you’ll find just a few snapshots capturing our busy term's vibrant activities and cherished moments. These images highlight the spirit of collaboration, creativity, and joy that defines our community.

Wishing you all a joyous holiday season and a bright, Happy New Year!

Warm regards,

Vira

LITERACY NEWS - Bernadette Parnis

Celebrating a Term of Amazing Learning at St. Fidelis

As we approach the end of a busy and productive term, it’s time to pause, reflect, and celebrate the incredible learning that has taken place at St Fidelis. Our teachers have provided a wide range of learning experiences this term and throughout the year, all designed to engage students in developing important literacy skills.

Students have been busy writing different types of texts, including persuasive pieces, recounts, information reports and narratives. In reading, they have explored a variety of genres, novels, big books, nonfiction texts, picture storybooks, and guided reading leveled books. They've also enjoyed reading and interacting with digital books online. These experiences have challenged students to explain their thinking, summarise what they’ve read, and apply strategies to deepen their understanding.

Throughout the term, our teachers have conducted assessments with students from Prep to Year 6. These assessments have provided us with valuable insights into each student’s reading, spelling, and writing abilities, offering a clear picture of their progress and achievements to date. This information will help inform our approach as we continue to support their learning in the future to ensure continued improvement and success for every student.

Students should be proud of the progress they've made. Whether it's improving their understanding of texts or writing with greater confidence, their hard work is evident. Every achievement, big or small, contributes to their continued growth and success.

Congratulations to all students for completing such an impressive term of learning! As the holidays approach, remember that learning doesn’t stop. Reading and writing are fun, engaging, and life-changing activities that can be enjoyed throughout the break.

Thank you for your ongoing support this year. I truly appreciate it and look forward to working together again in 2025.

Wishing you all a joyful and peaceful Christmas with your family and friends. 

Blessings to you and your families!

Bernadette Parnis

Literacy Leader

SPORT & PE NEWS - Michael Jennings

St Fidelis Sports/Athletics Carnival

As you are aware,  the St Fidelis Annual Sports/Athletics Carnival was postponed due to extreme heat. However, finally after 2 weeks, we completed our Sports/Athletics Carnival over a 3 day event!!! 

Firstly, thank you to our students. They are to be commended for their resilience, wonderful behaviour, personal effort and team spirit on their allocated days. It is hoped that all students had an enjoyable experience..

Thank you to parents, carers and families for your continued support throughout the carnival by attending the events and ensuring the students were prepared for their allocated days.

Thank you to the staff who assisted with the events. Together with the Sports captains, you did a marvellous effort over the 3 days of events.

Thanks to Ms Pirrotta for organising ALL the timetable changes.

Thanks to all staff for your flexibility with the timetable changes. It  has been very much appreciated.

Final results:

1st - Lee Gold

2nd - Daly Red

3rd - Mannix Green

4th - MacKillop Blue

Michael Jennings

Sport Coordinator 

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Skyler who played with Buckley Park CSpecial and beat Delaney in the North West Region tennis finals on Saturday at Greenvale.

ITALIAN NEWS - Rosa Fokianos

BUONGIORNO!   

Salve a tutti! 

Finalmente…Finally, we have reached the last full school week of 2024!

Firstly, I would like to say how proud I am of all the children in Italian this year, starting from: 

Foundation: They learnt how to introduce themselves, how to count, identify colours, sizes, and shapes, as well as identify various body parts and they were also introduced to an Italian classic…Pinocchio. Bravi!

As for Grade 1/2: They learnt / revised greetings, how to express feelings in Italian, revised the Italian alphabet, described verbs they do at school, including likes and dislikes, as well as how to ask for permission to use various classroom objects and go to various places within the school. Bravissimi!

As for Grade 3/4: They revised and consolidated various greetings and when to use them, justified their emotions, (why they feel happy, sad, etc), introduced the digital platform of Languages Online to consolidate various topics, named the days of the week, months of the year and seasons, as well as used some of the new vocabulary for past, present and future tense phrases and finished off with learning how to tell the basic time using an analogue clock. Fantastico!! 

As for Grade 5/6: They learnt quite a bit about the country of Italy itself, ranging from its geographical location, physical features, famous landmarks, compass bearings, regional differences, cuisine, dialects, famous people, including a focus on Leonardo daVInci and an excursion to the interactive art gallery LUME to see some of his masterpieces. Concluding this term with revision through conversational language sketches to increase their confidence in oral skills. Ottimo ragazzi!

Speaking of Grade 5/6, I would also like to wish all the outgoing Grade 6’s all the best for High School next year. I’m sure they will do well in italiano, should they choose to do it, if they offer it at their respective new schools. AUGURI e BUONA FORTUNA RAGAZZI! 🎓

I would also like to remind you all that this giovedì (Thursday), at the Carols Celebration, the F-2’s will be singing an Italian end of year song (Viva la Scuola) and the 3-6’s will be singing a traditional Italian Christmas carol, (Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle), that some of the Italian grandparents (nonni), may even remember singing at Christmas time when they were young! I hope that the children have been practising at home. I’m looking forward to hearing them sing, hope you are too! (Not too sure if I will be there on the night though, since I have been away for the last week or so, recovering from a procedure).

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone in the St Fidelis school community, BUON NATALE e FELICE ANNO NUOVO! (Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year). Thank you for all your support throughout the year, especially with the great effort you all went to on Italian Day! May this be a special time of the year to gather with loved ones near and dear to you. God Bless!

Ci vediamo l'anno prossimo! See (most of) you next year! 

Signora Rosa 🌹🎄