SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY (Friday 28th February)

Dear Families,

We are excited to begin the journey of sacramental preparation for our Year 4 students who will be receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist this year. These sacraments are important milestones in the faith journey of our young learners, offering them a deeper connection to their faith and the school community.

Our preparation program included an Information Evening for parents and students last Wednesday. Through prayer, reflection, and engaging activities, students will be supported in their spiritual growth. Parents and guardians are encouraged to participate in this journey, as their involvement plays a crucial role in reinforcing the lessons learned at school. At the meeting last week a booklet was handed to parents and a website shared to assist parents with preparing their child at home.

I would like to thank the families who attended our Parent Information Night, which outlined the preparation process, key dates, and expectations. There was a wonderful atmosphere on the evening as our Gathering Space was full of people sharing their faith experiences. Additionally, students were invited to attend a 'Commitment Mass' prior to receiving the sacrament of First Eucharist.

Please keep these families and Pope Francis in your prayers.

New Staff

I would like to welcome a new staff member to our Learning Support Team.

Molly joined this amazing team on Tuesday and she has a Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) which will definitely assist her in her support role.

Please introduce yourself to Molly if you see her in the classroom or out on the yard.

Staff Learning

Our staff will continue their learning journey on Friday 28th February at Sacred Heart School in Croydon.

The outline for the day is below -

Kinder to Year 2 Reading Evening

I strongly encourage parents to attend our Kinder to Year 2 Reading Evening on Wednesday 5th March. The purpose of this evening is to explain the change in how we now teach reading and spelling in the Early Years. We have had a significant change in pedagogy in the last 18 months. You may also invite friends to come along.

Child minding will be available on the night.

Save the date!

Tuesday 25th March- an evening with Maria Ruberto. Places will be limited!

Maria Ruberto is a Psychologist and Founder & Director of Salutegenics. With over 30 years of clinical experience, consultant to hellodriven.com, Beyond Blue and reachout.com. Maria is a research partner to Southern Cross University and Swinburne University and co-designer of Resilience First Aid – nationally accredited resilience program.

Further details of this session and how to book will be available next week. It's a free session for parents, and will be well worth attending. The session hosted by Holy Family will be held at Bunjil Theatre, Avila College.

Prep Family Mass

Father Justel and I would like to thank our 2025 Prep families who were able to attend the Parish Welcome Mass. This is a wonderful annual event where our parishioner have the opportunity to meet our students, families and staff.

The sausage sizzle after Mass is always a huge success!

2025 Holy Family School Jubilee Ambassador

Congratulations to Sophie Cassar who has been selected as our Year 6 Ambassador to represent our school during the Year of Jubilee.

The Ambassador Program is an extracurricular program open to Year 6, 9, 10 and 11 students enrolled at MACS or participating schools. Ambassadors must be committed to the values of Catholic education and interested in student leadership, the opportunity to gain knowledge, experience and understanding as a leader, and sharing their faith in the school community

I look forward to supporting Sophie in her role this year.

2025 FIRE Carrier Ceremony

We inducted our 2025 FIRE Carriers at assembly last Friday. The aim of the FIRE (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education) Carrier Project is to promote respect, fairness and inclusion for Aboriginal people.

These 5 students (Joshua, Lila, Amelia, Ryan and Daniel) and two staff members (Mrs Pejic and Miss Lark) will be Friends Who Ignite Reconciliation Education in our school and parish communities this year.

During the induction process the students and teachers made a commitment to learning and teaching that respects Aboriginal protocols, history and culture.

Halogen Young Leaders Day

On Monday 3rd March, our School Captains (Micah and Georgia) and Vice Captains (Xavier and Sienna) will travel into melbourne to represent our school at this year's Halogen Young Leaders Day. These students will be accompanied by myself and Miss King.

The Halogen Australia exists to inspire and influence a generation of young people to lead themselves and others well.

What does it mean to lead well?

The speaker for this event are below -

P&F Colour Explosion

We are looking forward to our major fundraiser for 2025 - Holy Family's Colour Explosion!

This is a great event to walk, dance or run with other families while raising funds for the school.

Funds raised go directly to the school. Some of the things we have been able to use previous raised funds for have been a new adventure playground, synthetic turf on the quadrangle, purchasing of decodable books, creating the Holy Family Village, ...

This event is only for current Holy Family families.

Prep-Year 2 Parents

As a follow up to the Starting School presentation with Carley in 2024, we present the Managing Big Feelings webinar. The content is tailored to parents/carers with lower primary school-aged children.

Managing Big Feelings

Presenter: Carley McGauran

Date: Thursday 6 March

Time: 7.30pm (75 min)

Please use this link to register for the webinar :

bit.ly/bigfeelings2025

Once you register (with an email address and name), you will be emailed a link to the webinar. You will also receive reminder emails. The following day, you will receive a link to access the replay. Therefore we recommend that even if you are unable to attend the live webinar, you register to ensure you can access the replay which will be available for 30 days.

Open Days

Open Days run every Tuesday at 9:30am. Please go to our website to book in for a tour.

Our 2025 School Captains (Micah and Georgia) and Vice Captains (Xavier and Sienna) will support these tours.

Soft Plastics Recycling

Thank you to those who have volunteered to help with the soft plastics recycling. Please see this terms roster below-

2025 School Year

Term One Important Dates (refer to our Google Calendar as well)

FEBRUARY

Thur 27 Welcome Function (Parents)

Fri 28 School Closure Day (Dr Nathaniel Swain PL)

MARCH

Wed 5 Prep Rest Day

Wed 5 Prep-Year 2 Parent Night (Literacy)

Wed 5 Division Swimming

Mon 10 Labour Day Public Holiday (no school)

Thur 13 Twilight Sports

Mon 17 Catholic Education Week

Arise, shine; for your

light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon

you (Is 60: 1)

Thur 20 Athletics Trial Day

Fri 21 Catholic Education Week Mass (Cathedral)

Fri 21 Harmony Day/Family Picnic

Fri 21 EMR Swimming

Fri 21 School Fundraiser (Colour Run)

Tues 25 Parent Evening (Maria Ruberto)

Fri 28 Year 5/6 Summer Sport Gala

Mon 31 P&F Easter Raffle Drawn

APRIL

Fri 4 End of Term 1 (1pm finish)

Thurs 17 Holy Thursday

Fri 18 Good Friday

Sun 20 Easter Sunday

Mon 21 Easter Monday (Public Holiday)

Tues 22 Term 2 Commences

Fri 25 ANZAC Day (Public Holiday)

Wishing everyone a restful weekend,

Julie David (Principal)

Gardening Club