Holy Family Primary School Newsletter

Principal News

Student Highlight

We are a school of true inclusion. We have some wonderful students who are neurodiverse. I recently had a parent mention to me, how her children come home and speak so glowingly about some our students who are neurodiverse and what they teach her children. This mum works in early childhood education and she said it was her favourite part of this school. I really appreciated her feedback. But it is not about the staff all the time. We have one senior leader Kamoch, who has significant skill in supporting some of our younger neurodiverse students. She will, without prompting, go and support these students at the end of play and help them get to their line. She will one day make an incredible teacher, support worker, psychologist or even pediatrician with these skills. She is not the only one either with these talents, and I look forward to highlighting more of it throughout the year. But to Kamoch, you show real leadership in this space and we are lucky to have you as part of our school! 

 

Vision For Engagement

Last night I attended the Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Education launch for our Vision for Engagement. This launch attracted mainstream media attention with it being on the front cover of the Age yesterday. 

 

The major foci of the vision are: 

  • Teaching Respectful Behaviour
  • Fostering Belonging
  • Focusing on Attendance
  • Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing
  • Enabling Motivation
  • Targeting Individual Learning Needs

After attending the launch, I am confident that we are ahead of the curve in these areas through our initiatives and partnerships. These include: 

  • Breakfast Club to foster belonging and improve attendance
  • Berry Street Partnership for professional learning, so that our teachers understand  the causes of behaviour and strategies to improve behaviour
  • Academy Learning to improve attendance and motivation
  • Our Youth Worker Mr. Tun and Psychologist Mrs. Quek who provide targeted intervention
  • Our commitment to real inclusion
  • Our involvement in the Mental Health in Primary Schools program and Refugee Education Support Program
  • All staff's ability to know every child by name

These are achievements and work that has been acknowledged through our Monash Health Award. However, it is only the beginning, and we must constantly review our practice and improve. It is what we expect of our students each day, and something we take seriously. 

We look forward to exploring the Vision for Engagement and understanding areas that we can improve to provide our students with the best possible environment to learn and flourish.

 

School Fees

Thanks to the record number of families that now make weekly, fortnightly or monthly payments through a direct debit payment plan. I would like to thank Sam Semmens in our office for this work, and the co-operation of our families to making this commitment. 

 

We still have a few families who have not made any payment, and we kindly ask that you do so as soon as possible. As always, any family needing assistance, we want to help. Please make a time to come and see me as soon as possible. Our Executive Director does not want any family missing a Catholic Education because of cost. 

 

As part of MACS improvement in supporting schools with financial systems, they will be working with our school to improve three key areas: 

  • Improve collection rates- including historical debts
  • Make it easier for families to pay through Catholic Development Fund
  • Provide opportunities for cashless lunch orders and uniform purchases through one app

You will see some of these changes coming and we are seeking your feedback as we go. More information will come through, but it our commitment to make life easier for our families, whilst keeping costs to a minimum.  

 

Last day of Term

A reminder the the school term finishes at 1pm on Friday the 4th of July. 

 

Cyber Safety

We have partnered with our filtering service Linewize to provide some very useful Cyber Safety advice for parents. As a parent, I know this can be challenging. It is concerning when I spoke to some Year 6s who were have 14 hours of screen time a day. That is far too much. This online Safety Hub will help arm you with good information to support your child. There is assistance available with filtering. If you are interested, please see me. https://hfdoveton.onlinesafetyhub.com.au/