Dear Families,

Welcome back to Term 2. We hope all families enjoyed a restful break and had the chance to recharge. It has been wonderful to see the students return with such enthusiasm, ready for another exciting term of learning, growth and connection.

This term is filled with rich learning opportunities, special events and moments for our community to come together. Students have already settled quickly back into routines and classrooms are buzzing with curiosity and energy.

We look forward to a productive and enjoyable term ahead, supporting every child to learn, thrive and shine.

ANZAC Day service at Galilee

Last Friday we gathered in the Stadium for a special ANZAC Day Service led by our Year 3 students. It was a beautiful and respectful service that acknowledged the brave servicemen and women who have sacrificed so much for our country.

ANZAC Day, commemorated each year on April 25, marks the anniversary of the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli during World War I. It is a time for all Australians to reflect on the courage, resilience and mateship shown by those who served, and to honour those who lost their lives in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping missions.

Our Year 3 students led the service with great maturity and reverence. Through readings, prayers and moments of silence, they helped us reflect on the significance of the day and the values that continue to shape our nation. The Last Post and a minute’s silence provided a powerful opportunity for our school community to pause and remember.

We are very proud of our students for the respect they showed throughout the service, and grateful to the staff who supported them in preparing such a meaningful commemoration.

Dendy Cross Country

Today, 54 students from Years 3–6 represented Galilee at the Dendy District Cross Country, competing against students from Catholic schools across the Bayside area of Melbourne. It was a fantastic day of participation, perseverance and school spirit, with our students embracing the challenge with enthusiasm and determination.

What stood out most throughout the day was the strong sense of teamwork and support among our students. They encouraged one another before races, cheered loudly from the sidelines, and celebrated each other’s achievements. This positive sportsmanship is a true reflection of our Galilee school spirit that did not go unnoticed.

Events like these provide valuable opportunities for students to challenge themselves, build confidence and represent their school community. We are extremely proud of all 54 students who competed and represented Galilee with such pride, determination and respect.

A big thank you to the staff who supported and supervised the students on the day, and to the families who continue to encourage and support their children in these opportunities.

Year 5 and 6 Leadership in Sport

This week, our Year 5 and 6 students took part in their first session of the CALM Youth Program, focusing on Leadership in Sport. This exciting initiative will run over five weeks, with one one-hour session each week, providing students with valuable opportunities to grow both on and off the field.

CALM Youth is a Melbourne-based organisation dedicated to supporting young people to build confidence, resilience and strong character through meaningful connection and mentorship. The acronym CALM stands for Composure, Ambition, Leadership and Mentality—key qualities that underpin the program and encourage students to develop a positive mindset and strong personal values.

Throughout the program, students will engage in interactive and age-appropriate sessions led by experienced facilitators who specialise in working with young people. These sessions are designed to be engaging and relatable, encouraging students to reflect on their choices, strengthen their sense of responsibility, and develop important skills such as teamwork, communication and leadership.

The CALM Youth Program aligns closely with our school’s curriculum, particularly within the Personal and Social Capability. It supports students in building self-awareness, managing their emotions, developing empathy, and forming positive relationships with others. Importantly, it provides a safe and supportive space for students to explore these skills in real-world contexts.

This term, our Year 5 and 6 students are also participating in weekly interschool and community sport, making this program a perfect complement to their practical experiences. The focus on leadership in sport will help students apply what they learn in meaningful ways—whether that be encouraging teammates, showing resilience in competition, or leading by example.

We look forward to seeing the positive impact this program will have on our students as they continue to develop confidence, character and strong connections with one another.

STEM Focus for Term 1

This term, all students are engaging in a STEM-based Inquiry Unit with a strong focus on Science, Design and Technology, and the important idea of making the world a better place. Through hands-on learning and real-world connections, students are being encouraged to think creatively, solve problems and explore how innovation can positively impact our world.

Our Year 1 students launched their learning in an exciting way last week with a STEM incursion in Maguire Hall. The session introduced them to the concept of forces, specifically push and pull, through a range of fun and interactive activities. Students explored how different toys work, investigating the forces behind their movement and thinking about how design plays a role in functionality.

A highlight of the experience was the opportunity to interact with a robot that operated using simple coding. Students were highly engaged as they observed how their instructions could control the robot’s movements, bringing abstract concepts to life in a very tangible way.

It was a wonderful hands-on experience that sparked curiosity and excitement, setting a strong foundation for the learning ahead. We look forward to seeing how our students continue to explore, question and create as they move through their STEM Inquiry this term.

First Eucharist

Earlier this week, we had the pleasure of gathering with our Year 4 students and their families for a special First Eucharist Family Faith Night. It was a meaningful opportunity to come together as a community and support our students as they begin an important stage in their faith journey.

This term, many of our Year 4 students will be preparing to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time. The Eucharist is one of the central sacraments of the Catholic Church, where Catholics receive Holy Communion—the consecrated bread and wine, which become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. It is a sacred moment that deepens a person’s relationship with God and strengthens their connection to the Church community.

During the Family Faith Night, students and their families were invited to reflect on the significance of the Eucharist and what it means to fully participate in the Mass. Through prayer, discussion and shared learning, the evening provided a welcoming space for families to grow in understanding and prepare for this special sacrament together.

We are grateful for the strong partnership between school and family in supporting our students’ faith development. We look forward to continuing this journey with our Year 4 students as they prepare to receive their First Eucharist in the coming weeks.

Learning and Teaching of Reading – 2026 Focus at Galilee

As you are aware, a key priority at Galilee in 2026 is strengthening the learning and teaching of reading across the school. We are committed to ensuring that every student develops the skills and confidence needed to become a capable and engaged reader.

Last term, we refined and strengthened the structure of our reading lessons to ensure a clear, consistent approach in every classroom. This work has provided a strong foundation for high-quality teaching and has supported staff in delivering targeted, explicit instruction that meets the needs of all learners.

This term, our focus has shifted to building staff knowledge and expertise. Teachers have begun completing professional learning modules through Australian Catholic University and the Australian Literacy Clinic, with a focus on the Five Pillars of Reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. These essential components underpin effective reading instruction and guide our teaching practices across all year levels.

Over the past two weeks, each teacher has also had the opportunity to observe a reading demonstration lesson. These sessions have been invaluable in ensuring consistency in our approach, allowing staff to see best practice in action and reflect on how to further strengthen their own teaching.

This ongoing professional learning, combined with a consistent, evidence-based approach, is helping us build a strong culture of reading at Galilee. We look forward to continuing this important work throughout the year and supporting all students to achieve success in reading.

Playground Upgrade

We have some exciting news for our students. Next week, new additions will be arriving in our playground space. Keep your eye out for the changes, we can’t wait to see the students enjoying the updated area.

Mother’s Day Celebrations at Galilee next week

We are looking forward to celebrating the special people in our children’s lives as we prepare for our annual Mother’s Day Morning, Mother’s Day Stall, Mother’s Day Mass led by our Year 1 students and Mother’s Day lunch. Families are warmly invited to join us for a morning of celebration in the School Stadium. There will be a range of special activities to enjoy together, along with treats for mums, mother‑figures and the important people who support our students.

At 7:45am we will start the day with a special breakfast in our Stadium.

At 9:00am, our Prep students will present a special performance, followed by our Mother’s Day Mass at 9:30am at St. Peter and Paul, prepared by our Year 1 students.

At 12noon many of our mothers will gather together for a special Mother’s Day Lunch. Please note this is a ticketed event.

We look forward to sharing this special community event with you and celebrating the incredible mothers and mother-like-figures within our community.

Our Mother’s Day Stall will take place on Thursday 7th May. Students will have the opportunity to purchase a $5 gift for their mum, mother‑figure or special person. Each class will visit the stall with their teacher to browse and select a gift. Please purchase a gift through the app by 8am on Wednesday 6th May. The event is now live, open the app (the same one used for lunch orders), enter the school code 25475963, and click on Events.If you prefer cash, please send $5 in an envelope labelled with your child’s name and grade to the school office by 9am on Thursday 7th May. Families who require two gifts, for two mothers or mother‑figures may select this option on the app. As stock is limited, please only choose this option if it is genuinely needed.

Student Teachers at Galilee

Over the past three weeks, we have been fortunate to welcome three pre‑service teachers from ACU into our classrooms. Sam, working with our Year 4 students, Maeve, supporting learning in Year 1 and Priya in Prep, have both brought wonderful energy, enthusiasm and fresh ideas to our school. It has been fantastic to have them as part of our community and we thank them for their contributions during their placement.

We are delighted that they will be joining us for a few more weeks as they continue their learning journey with us.

School Tours

Galilee School Tours will be running on Tuesday 5th April at 9:15am for prospective families. We encourage anyone in our local area who is interested in finding out more about Galilee to attend. The tours will be run by our Year 6 students and will take families into classrooms and through our facilities to give prospective families a good understanding of what school is like for our students. Staff on the school leadership team will be available to answer any questions you may have.

St. Francis Table – Supporting Our Community

Our Social Justice Leaders have begun working with St. Francis Table this term. St. Francis Table is a community service run through St. Peter and Paul’s, providing food support to those in need within our local community.

In recent months, there has been a significant increase in the number of people seeking assistance. As a result, St. Francis Table is currently seeking donations to help create food hampers for families.

If members of our community are able to contribute items such as milo, coffee or tea, it would be greatly appreciated. All donated items will be included in food hampers and distributed to those in need.

Donations can be brought to the front office from Monday morning. Thank you for your ongoing generosity and support of our wider community.

Chess Club

On 30th March, an Interschool Tournament was held at St Catherine’s Primary, Moorabbin, with an impressive 116 players taking part. We are thrilled to share that Galilee placed 2nd out of 23 schools, an outstanding achievement! Our team included: Éadaoin, Judd, Cherry, Jedd, Jai, Zuzu, Hank, Adelaide, Emmett, Isla, Milana, Ellie Rose, Alexa, Matteo, Tristan and Tommy. A special congratulations to Tommy, scoring 4.5/7 and Cherry and Tristan, each scoring 4/7. Your hard work and determination truly shone. Galilee has now qualified for the State Semi‑Finals, and we couldn’t be prouder of our team’s effort and sportsmanship.Well done to all involved, what a fantastic result.

School Uniform Reminder

From Monday 4th April, all students are expected to wear their winter uniform. Please ensure that students are wearing black leather shoes and socks without visible branding.

Thank you for your continued support in helping Galilee students wear their school uniform with pride.

What is happening in the next two weeks

Term 2, Week 3

Monday 4th April

-All students need to wear winter uniform from today

-8am Running Club (All Welcome)

-Glee Club after school for students who have signed up

Tuesday 5th April

-School Tours for prospective families starting at 9:15am

-Energy and Forces Incursion for Year 3&4

-Chess Club after school for students who are interested

Wednesday 6th April

-Year 5&6 Leadership in Sport program with Calm Youth

Thursday 7th April

-Mother’s Day Stall (pre-purchase on Schools 24 App)

Friday 8th April

-7:45am Mother’s Day Breakfast at Galilee (All Welcome)

-9am Prep Song in the Stadium (All Welcome)

-9:30am Mother’s Day Mass at St. Peter and Paul (All Welcome)

-12noon Mother’s Day Lunch (ticketed event)

-No Assembly

-Year 5&6 Interschool and Community Sport

Term 2, Week 4

Monday 11th April

-8am Running Club (All Welcome)

-Glee Club after school for students who have signed up

Tuesday 12th April

-Chess Club after school for students who are interested

Wednesday 13th April

-Year 5&6 Leadership in Sport program with Calm Youth

Thursday 14th April

-Year 6 Online Camp Information Session at 2:30pm

Friday 15th April

--8am Running Club (All Welcome)

-Assembly in the stadium at 8:55am - Year 4 presenting (All Welcome)

-Year 5&6 Interschool and Community Sport

We wish you every blessing in the coming weeks.

—Amy Burns (Principal), Holly Evans and Richard Harding (Deputy Principals)

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