Principal's News

Dear Parents,

Whatever you did for the long weekend, I hope it was enjoyable, relaxing and that you planned it according to the weather! It is hard to know what will occur at this time of year, as Spring always provides a variety. I feel for those who LOVE the races and plan their outfits without the knowledge of the weather coming. And I'm sure those who prepare the beautiful gardens, roses and track would prefer it to be dry, so that all can be admired by the spectators attending. We live with what we get, but it has been a little bizarre! Dare I say, roll on Summer!

COLOUR RUN 

As we were unable to hold our Family Fun Day, our emphasis now moves to the final fundraiser of the year, our Colour Run, on Friday 21 November. The funds raised from our PFA activities this year will contribute towards a new Adventure Playground for the 3-6 students. The students LOVE this event ~ a chance to complete a circuit around the school and change from white or black t-shirts to a rainbow of colours, as coloured dye is aimed at their t-shirt. There are two different time slots:

P-2    1.10-1.40pm    

3-6     2.35-3.05pm 

The students need to seek sponsors for this event and can also win prizes dependent on the level of money the raise. 

We also need a LOT of helpers from our parent community for this event, and we always get them as it's so much fun to squirt the dye.

Please read the flyers in the PFA section and return the Entry Fee and Sponsor Form before the event, by 19 November. It's going to be a very BRIGHT day!

PREP 2026 - ORIENTATION SESSIONS

Our Orientation Sessions continue NEXT week, on Wednesday 12 November at 9.30am and Monday 17 November at 9.30am. 

We look forward to seeing our Prep students and parents at these mornings. Please note that we ask parents to stay at school during the Orientation Sessions, and meet with staff in the GECCO, so we can share further information with you.

2026 TRANSITION SESSION

The students will have time with their new teacher/s on the day allocated for the following year's Transition session - Monday 15 December. Parents will be informed about their child’s class for the following year on that same day.  No changes will be made after this day.  Class teachers for the following year will be made known to families via the final School Newsletter in December.

FEES INFORMATION FOR 2026

We are all aware of the costs continuing to increase and schools and businesses are not exempt from these. You received our 2026 Fees information and structure last week. 

The increase in cost of $75 or $175 for those with 1, 2, 3 (or more) children, is similar to the CPI education percentage figure which we have worked on in previous years. The Curriculum levy increases are costs we cannot assume, so these have increased marginally. 

The greatest change will be for those families in Years 5 and 6, and it is the higher cost of the Camp. Please let me share an example with you - 

This year, we took 155 students away on Camp, requiring a ratio of 1:10, plus two additional staff for Child Safety purposes if a child was sick, had to be taken to a doctor off site etc.

As such, we took 18 staff on Camp, some of whom had to be replaced for three days of the Camp and then three further days of Time In Lieu (TIL), as is required by the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement 2022, under which we work. Whilst the students had Thursday off to recover, they returned to school on Friday and six classes had to be covered while their teachers had TIL (although this was delayed for the Year 6 teachers who came to school due to ISS). In reality, a three day Camp results in three extra days TIL per teacher. The school cannot continue to absorb the cost of this requirement, so we have choices - reduce Camps to one night (still a similar issue re replacement and TIL), cancel Camps, or pass on the actual cost of staffing the Camp in some capacity. 

The price per student for our 2026 to Rumbug is slightly more expensive than Phillip Island, and we need to seek our own buses for transport. Between replacing staff and the TIL requirement, the price per student has simply had to increase. As we don't want any student to miss camp, there are ways we can support this, but it is a cost which needs to be paid by parents.

In every other aspect of school life, we operate on tight budgets and planned spending. Of course, as you do at home, we have a budget set aside for unexpected maintenance issues, and replacement of staff due to extended illness etc. Some families may be eligible for additional support through CSEF if you have a Health Care Card to reduce fees. 

If the tiered fee increase has caused your family any concern, please make a time to speak with or see me personally. We will do all we can to support you.    

ITALIAN DAY 

It is fantastic to celebrate the Italian culture and how much knowledge our students have through Italian Day, happening tomorrow! We encourage the students to come dressed in the colours of the Italian flag, or as a famous Italian. Parents are welcome to join us at 9am for an Italian Day Assembly. The P-2 students will enjoy the Italian performance booked, and the Year 3-6 students will learn how to make pasta. Everyone will love the pizza and gelato lunch, which will be given to students at 11.30am! Please enure you pack enough food for your child, as the canteen will not be open. We are very fortunate to have Signora Di Muzio leading the learning of language and culture in our school. The students become quite proficient in their knowledge by the end of Year Six, which is a great skill in preparation for secondary school language learning. We are looking forward to a fun day!

YEAR 6 GRADUATION

Please note a letter to Year 6 parents will be sent via a Compass news feed tomorrow providing further information on Graduation Activities and booking information for the Graduation Dinner. Graduation dates and activities are as follows:

Monday 8 December -  9.15am Graduation Mass in the Church and 6.30pm Graduation Dinner at the Manningham Club. 

Tuesday 9 December - Many secondary schools hold their Year Seven Orientation on this day

Wednesday 10 December   Year Six Big Day Out to Funfields    

Tuesday 16 December - End of Year Mass 9.15am and the Final Farewell on Top Yard immediately following this                 

NEW WEBSITE

It's here! The final rollover of our new website is now live. Please have a look at the photos and videos promoting our school. We are grateful to the staff, students and parents who bravely created new videos about life at St Martin's. Thank you! 

YEAR FIVE LEADERSHIP PREPARATION

This week, the Year Five students have commenced their learning and preparation for applying for the Year Six Leadership roles on offer for 2026. While some students may not want a formal role, all are leaders of the school and assist their buddies in settling into school. The students will work on speeches for the role/s in which they are interested, and then present these to their peers. The Leaders (teachers with roles in assisting the students) also attend the presentations, following which a formal vote is held. 

The announcement of the 2026 Year Six Leaders occurs at the End of Year Thanksgiving Mass on Tuesday 16 December at 9.15am.  

PUPIL FREE DAYS

Our final Pupil Free Day for the year is Monday 1 December. If you need OSHC, please register your interest with MACSEYE through Adrian.

BAPTISM

If your child has not yet been baptised, please consider whether you would like to celebrate this sacrament prior to them reaching the sacramental years. 

Please contact the Parish Office on P: 9401 6338 to arrange this with Fr Michael.

ST MARTIN'S PARISH 'THE CATHOLIC TAPESTRY'

A reminder to our families, St Martin’s Parish will be bringing the spirit of "The Catholic Tapestry" to the altar as they celebrate our patron, St. Martin of Tours on Sunday 9 November with a special Feast Day Mass.

We are all invited to come dressed in our cultural best and joyfully celebrate our diverse heritage as one faith family.

After Mass, the Parish will be hosting a Morning Tea to celebrate the different family 

cultures within our parish. If you are able to contribute, please drop off your food in the GECCO before Mass. Let’s join the Parish and make this a delicious reflection of our diversity!

FEAST DAY OF ST MARTIN OF TOURS

Next Tuesday, 11 November, we celebrate the Feast Day of St Martin of Tours. Please feel welcome to join us for a whole school Mass at 9.15am, led by the 6SM class.

So what do we know about St Martin of Tours?

Saint Martin of Tours was a Roman soldier who converted to Christianity, became a monk, and later became the Bishop of Tours in the 4th century. Born in Pannonia (modern-day Hungary), he is famous for sharing his cloak with a beggar, leading to his eventual departure from the military to pursue a spiritual path. His legacy is defined by his piety, his kindness to the poor, and his work in founding monasteries and combating paganism. 

He is the patron saint of France, soldiers and tailors.

One of his miracles occurred during his service in the military, when Martin came across a beggar who was suffering on a freezing winter’s day outside the city of Amiens in France. Moved with compassion, he cut his military cloak in two with his sword, giving half to the beggar. That night Martin had a vision of Jesus wearing the half of the cloak that he had given away, and he heard Jesus saying to the angels with him, “Martin has clothed me with this garment.” This spiritual experience inspired Martin to be baptised at the age of 18. Martin went on to build two great monasteries in France, so he is also called the father of monasticism.

The saying 'I shall not refuse the task' originated from his time as the Bishop of Tours. He didn't want to be a bishop, preferring the quiet life in the monastery, but he is quoted as saying, "Lord, if your people still need me, I do not refuse the work.  Thy will be done.”

On Tuesday during our Mass, we will also reflect and remember our past and present defence force members and the families and community organisations which support them.  Lest we forget.  

Have a wonderful weekend! God bless.

CLASS MASSES