ST FIDELIS NEWSLETTER

Leadership & Management

Management encompasses the following areas: Organisation, Structures, Resource Management, Staff Wellbeing, and Professional Learning.

Week 2 Term 2

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

Hope you enjoyed your long weekend. With ANZAC Day and the Pope's funeral, it was certainly a weekend to remember and give thanks. It gave us all a moment to pause, reflect on the sacrifices made for our freedom, and honour a life dedicated to faith, service, and compassion. May we carry their legacy forward in our own lives.

 

On Friday morning our School Captains represented St Fidelis at the Coburg RSL. It was a lovely moment for our children and their families, something they will always remember.

 

Today we gathered as a school community for our own ANZAC DAY service. We were honoured to have Mr Anthony Cianflone and Major Mark Robbins, a member of RSL in attendance to make this service extra special. 

 

This service helps our children understand the importance of remembrance, respect, and gratitude. It connects them with our history and honours those who served and sacrificed for our freedom.

Winter Uniform Transition -Mon 29th April 

The students will have until Monday May 5th to transition into their full winter uniform

School Closure Day -Fri May 9th

Vision For  Engagement

As I mentioned in the Week 4 newsletter last term, the Melbourne Archdiocese of Catholic Schools' (MACS) Student Engagement team, approached me to see if we would be interested in serving as a pilot school for the upcoming MACS strategic initiative, Vision for Engagement.

 

As part of the strategic deliverables underpinning Vision for Engagement, the Student Engagement team has expanded its partnership with Team Teach to support school-based training in managing student behavior, enhancing staff safety, and fostering a positive school culture.

 

Team Teach provides an accredited training framework focused on behavior support approaches, emphasizing relationship-building, de-escalation, and risk and restraint reduction. The program aims to equip school staff with:

  • A comprehensive toolkit of positive behavior support strategies
  • De-escalation techniques
  • Physical intervention methods (both nonrestrictive and restrictive)
  • Post-incident restorative approaches and ongoing support

This pilot program will evaluate the effectiveness and scalability of this new model. Bianka and Vicky, St Fidelis’ Wellbeing Leaders, participated in a three-day professional learning program last term.  

 

In recognition of the significance of this pilot, MACS has granted us an additional School Closure Day on May 9th. On this day, Bianka, Vicky & Susan Ongarto ( a MACS member from the  Student Engagement team) will guide the entire staff through the Team Teach program.

 

We look forward to engaging in this pilot program and exploring its impact on our school community.

Celebrating Our Community – A Message of Thanks and Invitation

Since 2019, our Parents and Friends Committee has been the heart of many wonderful things at our school. On behalf of all staff, we want to say a big thank you to every parent, carer, and volunteer who has contributed time, skills, and support over the years. Your efforts have created opportunities, built connections, and made a real impact. Some highlights include:

  • STEM Space – A unique, hands-on learning hub made possible by your fundraising and dedication.
  • Junior Playground – A fun, safe area for our younger students.
  • Library Books & Wet-Day Games – Enhancing play and learning during wet weather.
  • Future Projects – Plans are underway to upgrade the senior playground and outdoor spaces.

We couldn’t have achieved any of this without you.

 

Now, we’re looking ahead - and we need you! Whether you're new or have helped in other community roles, we invite you to join the Parents and Friends Committee. You don’t need loads of time - just a willingness to be involved when you can. At our next meeting, on Tuesday April 29th at 7:30pm we will elect:

  • President or Co-Presidents
  • Treasurer or Co-Treasurers
  • Secretary

It's  a great chance to meet others, have a voice, and make a difference in our school.

As always, everything we do is for the students - and we’re so grateful to be on this journey with you.

 

Have a lovely week,

Manuela