It has been a beautiful week, cooler mornings and stunning afternoons. The students have enjoyed playing outside and it has been wonderful hearing the laughing and chatter in the school yard. We have a busy few weeks coming up with Cross Country and Senior Winter Sports, please keep a close eye on the "Important Dates" tab in the newsletter and also on your Operoo account.

I am looking for another parent from our community to join our School Advisory Council. This group meets 6 times per year and has dialougue about what is happening behind the scenes at our school. It is an important group that communicates and provides feedback to the Principal about school life. The current Chairperson is Kristina Evans and other members include Susan Bennett, Audrey Brook, Emily Atkinson, Lousie Mendolia and Father Cruz. We can offer online attendance options if the is more preferable. Please let me know if you are interested via email principal@smbelgrave.catholic.edua.au.

Pope Leo XIV

Last Friday, we awoke to the words "Habemus Papam", We have a Pope. The Conclave for a new Pope had concluded and that Pope Leo XIV would be leading the Catholic Church into the future. We pray that Pope Leo leads the church with strength and courage.

Apraxia Awareness:

Children with childhood apraxia of speech may have difficulty with the speed, accuracy and timing of movement sequences that are required to produce speech. This will often result in delays in speech development and others will likely have difficulty understanding the child's speech.

Our friend Archie (Prep) experiences these challenges and he bought in a special book about his challenges, a chocolate for his classmates and his special walk for apraxia medal.

Fee reminder:

Just a reminder that school fees are now due. For families on weekly/fortnightly/monthly plans, nothing needs to change for you. However if you have not started making contributions can you please do so, or contact the office to set up a regular payment plan.

District Cross Country:

Congratulations to the 33 students who have been working hard a Run Club and have been selected to represent the school in District Cross Country next Friday (23rd). These students from Years 3,4,5 and 6 will be supported on the day by Mrs Wicks, Mr Dugan, Mrs Munro and Mrs Norris.

The students who are not attending Cross Country will be split into the following classes for supervision and to continue on with their learning.

Year 3's and 4's: Mrs Saville (the remaining Year 3's will join Mrs Saville on this day)

Year 5's and 6's: Mrs Jones (the remaining Year 5's from 4/5 will join Mrs Jones on this day)

Winter Sports:

Mrs Wicks will pass more information onto students and parents soon around the winter sports that is upcoming. It will be held on Thursday 29th of May at various locations depending on the sport.

Division Cross Country:

Division Cross Country will take place on Tuesday 3rd of June. Mrs Wicks will provide more information to families as the date approaches.

Walk to School Day:

National Walk Safely to School Day is an annual event in Australia that encourages primary school children to walk or commute safely to school. This year, it's on Friday, May 16, 2025. The event, championed by the Pedestrian Council of Australia, aims to promote road safety, health, and environmental benefits of active transport.

Working Bee, 24th of May:

We are holding our Term 2 Working Bee on Saturday, 24th of May @ 9:00am.

STM Swimming Program:

After a lot of parental feedback around the swimming program from the last couple of years, we have decided to make a change for 2025. We will be attending Aquatic Achievers Ferntree Gully (at St Jospeh's). We will also be attending each Monday for five weeks rather than the intensive week long program. The swimming program will commence in Term 3 (July 28th is the first lesson).

School Leadership: Long Service Leave and Pilgrimage:

Just some early news that we have a number of school leadership staff taking leave in Term 3 and 4. Mrs Belinda Saville will be taking two weeks Long Service Leave in August. I (Declan), will be taking a week of Long Service Leave at the start of September, and then will be joining a group of fellow Principals from MACS Outer East Network on a Harvest Pilgrimage around Italy for the last two weeks of Term 3. Ms Danielle George will then be taking Long Service Leave during first 3 weeks of Term 4 to undertake some travelling. There will be lots more information around the school leadership structure during these times as we get nearer to the dates.

Premier's Reading Challenge:

Registrations are now open for the Premier's Reading Challenge 2025.

This is a great way to develop your childs love for reading and storytelling.

Please see or email our Librarian Mrs Norris for more information.

lnorris@smbelgrave.catholic.edu.au

National Simultaneous Storytime 2025:

This annual event will take place Wednesday May 21st at 12pm

This year's NSS book is The Truck Cat written by Deborah Frenkel and Illustrated by Danny Snell. This is a heartwarming story about cats and humans, immigration and identity.

Prep 2026 Enrolments:

Prep enrolments for next year have started rolling in. If you have a child who is starting Prep in 2026 I recommend you start working on the application (available on our website) or at least let me know so I can keep a spot open for you.

School Choir:

Principal

Assembly