Dear Families,

Welcome back to Term 2, I hope that the school holiday period has been a welcomed change of pace for you and your children. This will prove to be a longer term for the students, a total of 11 weeks. However it is one of the more crucial ‘big learning’ terms, with much of the key learning content being addressed and revised before Semester One reporting.

ANZAC Day Commemoration

Melbourne Legacy invited us to attend their 92nd Annual ANZAC Commemoration for Students at the Shrine of Remembrance today. This special commemoration service honours Australia's brave service men and women through the eyes of the young, with student guest speakers, school bands, Defence Force cadets, dignitaries and a RAAF fly-over. Legacy's patron, the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, also attended the service.

Our School Captains, Bethany & Tom, laid a wreath on behalf of the school. Following the service, we explored the Shrine of Remembrance and visited the Eternal Flame to pay our respects. Thanks to our School & House Captains Bethany, Tom, Theresa, Daniel, Alex and Thomas for attending and being outstanding ambassadors for Holy Saviour.

On Wednesday 24th April at 2.30pm, we will be gathering around the flagpole for our whole school ANZAC Day commemoration. Students are invited to bring along a flower from their garden to lay at our flagpole, parents are welcome to attend.

Term 2 School Mass & Family Bingo

Our term 2 Family Mass will be celebrated THIS Sunday 21st April at 10am. This mass will also be one of the main celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the Parish.

Following the mass there will be a fun, family-friendly and free BINGO event in the multi-purpose hall. Food and drink provided by the parish. We’d love to see as many families there as possible. For catering purposes, please email your RSVP to the parish committee.

Term 2 School Closure Days

The following days have been advertised as closure days for Term 2, please make sure they are in your diaries:

Thursday 25th April (ANZAC Day)

Friday 26th April (MACS directed TIL Day)

Friday 24th May (Staff Professional Learning & Development Day)

St Timothy’s Families Welcome BBQ & Tour

On behalf of the school community, I have invited all families from St Timothy’s to attend a Welcome BBQ and School Tour on Tuesday 23rd April from 6.00pm. It is one of the many transition events we have planned over the next few months, and it would be appreciated if we can have as many Holy Saviour families attend the evening as possible. We will especially require help with the cooking of the BBQ. Please add the date to your diary, a separate notification to RSVP and volunteer your time on the BBQ was sent out earlier this week.

School Tours & Open Days

Since the announcement of the Emmaus College P-12 beginning next year, I have been swamped with school tours! Next term, we will hold a series of Open Days and an Open evening to welcome any prospective families to our school. A flyer with more information and enrolment processes will be available shortly. In the meantime, please feel free to share the following with anyone you know who wishes to enrol at Holy Saviour/Emmaus College.

Tuesday 30th April (Tour at 9.30, then again at 2.30)
Wednesday 1st May (Info session at 7pm, followed by a tour)
Thursday 16th May (Tour at 9.30, then again at 2.30)

Prep 2025 Enrolments

We have had great interest in Prep for 2025, as well as other year levels, and we’ve had a good number of enrolments come through already. If you have a child who is eligible to start Prep in 2025, please submit your enrolment at your earliest convenience. This will enable us to develop a clear picture of classing and group sizes for 2025. Enrolments for 2025 are to be made through the Emmaus portal.

Australia’s Best Teacher

For the second year, News Corp is running its Australia’s Best Teachers campaign, recognising inspirational and innovative educators across the country.

Nominations are being accepted now, and MACS is calling on the community to nominate teachers who have had an incredible impact on our students and all our lives. A panel of expert judges will then select and announce the top 50 teachers on Sunday 30 June.

We have amazing teachers at Holy Saviour and I would like to encourage the entire school community to contribute nominations via the following link: www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/australias-best-teachers-campaign-is-back-nominate-now/news-story/f7ded458c472bc3ab10862e6735415df

Vinnies CEO Sleepout

Next month, I’m participating in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout. By going without shelter for one night, I hope to raise at least $5000 for people experiencing homelessness. The cost-of-living crisis is hitting Australians hard. Right now, homelessness is growing across all demographics. And while I’m experiencing just one night of mild discomfort, there are thousands of people who experience it every night. With your donation, more people can access homelessness support services including accommodation — so they can start to rebuild their lives. Please donate to my Vinnies CEO Sleepout today! https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/steve-evans

Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea

On Monday 13th May, we are inviting all children to celebrate Mother’s/Special Friends Day by having afternoon tea and being involved in some fun activities at school with their mum/special friend. If for some reason the children’s mother cannot attend the afternoon tea, then we encourage them to invite a significant other female such as their grandmother, aunty or a family friend etc.

The afternoon tea will begin at 2:00pm and run through until approximately 4:00pm, and will include a Mother’s Day assembly.

In order to assist with catering, we ask you to complete the form posted on Audiri by Wednesday 8th May.

2024 Sacramental Program

All the dates for the 2024 Parish Sacramental Program have been set. Please add the following dates to your diaries if you are wanting your child to receive either of these sacraments. All sacraments will be celebrated at St Christopher’s in 2024.

First Eucharist

Presentation of Candidates: Sunday 5th May, 10.30am

Family Evening: Thursday 23rd May, 7.00pm

Reflection Day: Wednesday 29th May, 9.00am-3.00pm

Sacrament of First Eucharist: Sunday 2nd June, 2.00pm

Sacrament of Confirmation – Celebrated again in 2025

Catholic Secondary School Enrolment Applications

Key Enrolment Dates for Year 5 Students in 2024 starting Year 7 in 2026

The key enrolment dates for students in Year 5 in 2024 who will be starting Year 7 in 2026 have been agreed after consultation with the Executive of the Principals Association of Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools (PAVCSS).

The timeline of events and dates are as follows:

Monday 29th January 2024 – Applications open for students commencing Year 7 in 2026.

Friday 16th August 2024 – Applications will close.

Friday 18th October 2024 – Offers will be posted to prospective Year 7 applicants.

Friday 8th November 2024 – Final date for parents/carers to accept an offer made by a school.

Parents of Year 5 students in 2024, please diarise these dates so you don’t miss out.

Final Thoughts - … A Tribute to ANZAC Day

With their hair a little whiter, their step not quite so sure

Still they march on proudly as they did the year before.

Theirs were the hands that saved us, their courage showed the way

Their lives they laid down for us, that we may live today.

From Gallipoli's rugged hillsides, to the sands of Alamein

On rolling seas and in the skies, those memories will remain.

Of airmen and the sailors, of Lone Pine and Suvla Bay

The boys of the Dardenelles are remembered on this day.

They fought their way through jungles, their blood soaked desert sands

They still remember comrades who rest in foreign lands.

They remember the siege of old Tobruk, the mud of the Kokoda Trail

Some paying the supreme sacrifice with courage that did not fail.

To the icy land of Korea, the steamy jungles of Vietnam

And the heroic battle of Kapyong and that epic victory at Long Tan.

Fathers, sons and brothers, together they fought and died

That we may live in peace together, while at home their mothers cried.

When that final bugle calls them to cross that great divide

Those comrades will be waiting when they reach the other side.

Kind regards,

Steve Evans

Principal

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Earth Day Humour