Principal's Report

Dear Parents and Friends

Welcome to the 2026 school year!  I trust you have had a restful and wonderful break with your family and loved ones. We have had a sensational start to the school year and I am really looking forward to another fantastic year of learning and fun at St Carlo’s!  

Welcome to all our new families who have joined the school community this year.  I would especially like to welcome our Preps who commenced last week. They were all sensational - so settled and all very ready for school! They look very smart in the new school uniform! It was terrific to see so many parents attend our Prep morning tea today.

It is very important that parents take the time to read our fortnightly newsletter, which contains important information and reminders.

Welcome to our new staff members

• Taryn Travanca - Literacy Leader
• Chelsea Conforto - Year 2
• Jenna Cauchi - Year 6
• Stephanie Sanfilippo (LSO)

Welcome back 

• Stephanie Bonnett - Year 1
• Karen Cope - Year 3 
• Bern Long - Mathematics Leader 
• David Whimpey - Speech Pathologist

Staffing News

• Congratulations to Monique Ferla and her fiancé Luca who were recently engaged. We wish you both a lifetime of happiness. 

   

Our School Rules

Every member of our school community has a right to fully participate in a Catholic learning environment that is safe, supportive and inclusive. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. We believe students learn best when they feel safe and happy in a caring, supportive and engaging environment. We foster positive, tolerant and respectful relationships.

This week, all year levels will be revisiting our school Values and Behavioural Expectations:

Parent Code of Conduct

At St Carlo’s, we want what you want - and that is the best for your child! Please trust us and know that we always follow up and respond to any incident and we will always do what is right for your child. When you enrolled your child at our school, you accepted and agreed to respect and follow all school policies and procedures. 

At St Carlo’s we believe that everyone:

• has the right to be safe
• has the right to be treated with respect and be valued even in disagreement
• has the right to participate within a secure environment without interference, intimidation, harassment, bullying or discrimination
• is encouraged to be respectful, polite, courteous and considerate of others
• has the right to be supported and challenged as ongoing learners

Please note that is it never acceptable for a parent to:

• approach a child that is not your own with a view to disciplining that child for their behaviour
• approach other school parents to resolve issues arising between students at school (such matters should always be referred to school staff)
• be rude or aggressive towards any staff member

I encourage you to read our Parent Code of Conduct below which outlines the schools’ expectations. 

School Routines 

Morning Drop-Off: Please note the changes due to our Middle Courtyard Refurbishment  (More details via Audiri and in todays newsletter)

• The main entrance courtyard (Haddington Crescent) and school office will remain open as normal.
• Prep, Year 1 & Year 2: Parents may continue to drop children in the entrance courtyard or use the Drummond Street pedestrian gate.
• Year 3 & Year 4: Students may enter via Haddington Crescent, Drummond Street, or the Council Oval entrance.
• Year 5 & Year 6:  Students may enter via Haddington Crescent, however are strongly encouraged to use the Council Oval or Drummond Street entrance.
• Older students may continue to walk younger siblings to class if needed.

Afternoon Pick-Up

• Exit points will be available via:
  • Haddington Crescent gates
  • Council Oval (Soccer Pitch)
  • Drummond Street pedestrian gate
• Prep, Year 1 & Year 2: Parents may meet children in the Junior Courtyard or Entrance Courtyard.
• Year 3 & Year 4: Students will be encouraged to exit via the Council Oval or Drummond Street gate. Parents may wait in the Soccer Pitch area.
• Year 5 & Year 6: Students may exit via the Council Oval or Drummond Street.
• Siblings may continue to collect younger family members from their classrooms.

Road Safety

• Please be very careful when dropping off and collecting your children and observe the parking restrictions around the school. Traffic Officers patrol this area and issue parking infringements, so please follow the rules.
• The ‘drop-off’ zone in Haddington Crescent is for drop off only. Cars cannot be left unattended during drop off time. Haddington Crescent opposite the school, has no parking - this is a no standing zone between 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. 
• On Haddington Crescent on the school side there is no parking in the morning - this is a 2 minute drop off zone between 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
• Your cooperation in keeping this ‘moving’ by not delaying when you drop children off will ensure that this is safe and effective for the children. I would especially ask that you do not double park and have children weaving around cars, as often, simply by their size, they are hard to see. Also there is a 40km speed restriction that applies around the school that needs to be adhered to for the safety of our young people and families.
• The school car park is strictly for staff parking only. We ask that parents do not park in the staff car park area.
• Again, for the safety of everyone, please use the school crossings in both Haddington Cres and Drummond Street. Thank you for your support in ensuring the safety of our students.

School Uniform

Thank you for your support and patience as we have transitioned to a new uniform supplier, Noones, and our new uniform. There are a few items on back order, including the new school jumper. It will be available in a few weeks. Also, please note that the new uniform sock colour is navy (not white).

Thank you for ensuring that your child is wearing the correct summer uniform which includes the school hat and correct school shoes - no black runners.

• The school uniform is compulsory for all students
• The new uniform or the old uniform can be worn - not a combination of both
• The old uniform can be worn until the end of 2027 school year
• As a Sunsmart school, hats must be always worn when outdoors during the warmer months.  We encourage all students to wear sunscreen daily during times of high UV ratings. You are welcome to send sunscreen with your child in their bag. Sunscreen is available in all classrooms for students to reapply during the day.

Beginning of the School Year Mass

Next Wednesday February 11, all parents and friends are invited to our Opening of the School Year Mass at 12:00 p.m. Following our mass, our 2026 Year Six Leaders will be presented with their leadership badges. 

Parent Teacher - 'meet and greet'

Parent teacher conversations will take place on Monday February 16 and school will finish at 1:00 p.m. on this day.

• All interviews will take place in person so that you can meet your child’s teacher and visit the classroom
• Instructions on how to book an interview time were sent via Audiri on Friday
• Teachers won't be reporting on student progress. The purpose of this catch up is for you to meet your child's teacher and for you to talk about your child so that the teacher can gain an understanding of their interests and how best to support their learning.

School Fees

School fees were emailed to families today. Our School Fee Policy and Concessional School Fees Policy can be found on our school website. The school is reliant on all parents paying their school fees in full to enable us to meet our financial commitments, so it is essential that all school fees are paid in full by the required date.  

Term One Curriculum Overviews

Next week you will receive a copy of our term one overview which contains information about your child's class routine and the curriculum content of what your child will be learning this term. I know parents really appreciate receiving this information so that they can support their child's learning at home. 

Student Mobile Phones 

Students do not need phones or smart watches at school. 

• Mobile phones are not permitted for use at any time at St Carlo's
• If parents require their child to bring a mobile phone to school for a particular reason, the phone must be turned off and handed to their classroom teacher as soon as they arrive at school.
  • Please note - just because your child has a phone and they want to bring it to school, this is not a valid reason.
• Phones will be securely stored in a locked drawer during school hours. 
• This also includes smart watches with network connectivity.
• If you need to pass on a message to your child, this can be done by phoning the school office.

No Dogs at School

A reminder that under no circumstances should dogs be brought into the school grounds, nor are they to be tied up and left at the school gates. This is for the safety and wellbeing of both families and the pets themselves! We also have students with allergies to dogs and some who are very scared of them. I ask for your support with this matter and to leave the dog at home or wait away from the school grounds with your dog. 

Birthday Treats

It is not an expectation or requirement, but some parents like to send in a birthday treat to share with your child's class. Please note: 

• Items will need to be individually wrapped and not require refrigeration or special care
• They will be given out at the end of the school day

Save the Date! Our school photo day will be held on Tuesday 17th February 2026. Details can be found in today's newsletter.

Queries or feedback ?

If you have any concerns, queries or feedback, please do not hesitate to contact me or a member of the leadership team. For classroom matters, please email your child's teacher. For general information or inquiries, please email the office

office@scgreenvale.catholic.edu.au

Our Wellbeing Team

The Wellbeing Team at St Carlo Borromeo Primary School supports the wellbeing of all students. The team includes Mrs Pina Distefano, Mrs Lisa Summers, and Mrs Tayla Vella.

The team works collaboratively to ensure student wellbeing concerns are addressed effectively. To assist the team in providing the best support, all wellbeing related emails should be sent to wellbeing@scgreenvale.catholic.edu.au rather than individual team members. This allows the team to respond together and provide consistent, appropriate support for every student.

We are all looking forward to working with you and your children and to having a wonderful year at our fantastic school - St Carlo's! On behalf of Father Dishan and all the staff, I would like to wish everyone in our community a very happy, safe and successful year. 

We ask St Carlo to continue to bless our wonderful Parish and School Community.

Kevin Gleeson