Dear Families,

We hope that all our mothers and special women in the Holy Saviour community were well spoilt last Sunday on their special day. It was fantastic to see so many mums and grandmas at our Mother’s Day afternoon tea on Monday. We hope you enjoyed the festivities.

Staff Professional Learning & Development Day

Just a reminder that the school will be closed next Friday 24th May for a staff professional learning and development day. Please make alternate arrangements for your children.

Building Works

Over the next few months, there will be quite a lot of building work happening across the school in preparation for next year. Some areas will be a simple patch & paint, while other spaces will be completely stripped back and refurbished. We aim to cause as little disruption to classes as possible throughout this process. Some classes will move locations short term so that we can give the builders full access throughout the process. Thank you for your understanding.

Principal Cuppa & Chat

The next Principal Cuppa & Chat will be on Thursday 30th May @ 2:30pm, just before pick-up, please put this date in your diary. These will be an informal way for parents to catch up with school leadership over a cup of tea and coffee to discuss Holy Saviour. There will be no agendas or minutes, and (almost!) any topic is open for discussion. The only protocol of the meetings is that you cannot denigrate any child, any family or member of staff. The hope is that these forums will be a great way for parents to understand the thinking behind school decisions, programs and protocols.

Holy Saviour Parish Wine & Cheese Night TONIGHT!

Just a reminder that the Holy Saviour Parish Wine and Cheese night is on TONIGHT in the Multipurpose Hall. Come along for a great night of wine, cheese, entertainment and fun! Tickets are $30 each and include a glass of bubbly on arrival and grazing food. Please see the attached flyer for further information.

Save the Date - Holy Saviour & St Timothy’s Parents Social Event

Following the success of our welcome BBQ last Tuesday with the St Timothy’s families, the School Advisory Council will be inviting all parents from both schools to join in an evening of fun and socialisation later this term. Please keep the evening of Friday 14th June free in your diaries. This will be a child-free event, so please organise your babysitters!

$400 School Saving Bonus

Last week the Allan Labor Government announced a $400 School Saving Bonus for all school students in government schools regardless of income, but only for Health Care Card holders in Catholic schools. This is deeply unfair. We believe the payment should be means tested for all students or apply to all students. It should not be based on which school you attend. This policy punishes families for choosing to send their children to a Catholic school. Our school, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools and the peak body, the Victorian Catholic Education Authority, are working hard to oppose this policy and we need your help. We need to show the Victorian Government that punishing families who choose a Catholic school is unacceptable. Please consider contacting your local Member of Parliament to express your concern. Our school’s local MP is John Mullahy and they can be contacted by emailing John.Mullahy@parliament.vic.gov.au.

Template letters are available to assist you with making your voice heard.

School Tours & Open Days

Since the announcement of the Emmaus College P-12 beginning next year, I have been swamped with school tours! Our previously organised Open Days have now finished, but we have scheduled some new dates for June. Please feel free to share the following with anyone you know who wishes to enrol at Holy Saviour/Emmaus College.

Tuesday 4th June, 2.30pm

Tuesday 11th June, 9.30am

Tuesday 18th June, 9.30am

Prep 2025 Enrolments

We have had great interest in Prep for 2025, as well as other year levels, and we’ve had a good number of enrolments come through already. If you have a child who is eligible to start Prep in 2025, please submit your enrolment at your earliest convenience. This will enable us to develop a clear picture of classing and group sizes for 2025. Enrolments for 2025 are to be made through the Emmaus portal.

Australia’s Best Teacher

For the second year, News Corp is running its Australia’s Best Teachers campaign, recognising inspirational and innovative educators across the country.

Nominations are being accepted now, and MACS is calling on the community to nominate teachers who have had an incredible impact on our students and all our lives. A panel of expert judges will then select and announce the top 50 teachers on Sunday 30 June.

We have amazing teachers at Holy Saviour and I would like to encourage the entire school community to contribute nominations via the following link: www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/australias-best-teachers-campaign-is-back-nominate-now/news-story/f7ded458c472bc3ab10862e6735415df

Vinnies CEO Sleepout

Next month, I’m participating in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout. By going without shelter for one night, I hope to raise at least $5000 for people experiencing homelessness. The cost-of-living crisis is hitting Australians hard. Right now, homelessness is growing across all demographics. And while I’m experiencing just one night of mild discomfort, there are thousands of people who experience it every night. With your donation, more people can access homelessness support services including accommodation — so they can start to rebuild their lives. Please donate to my Vinnies CEO Sleepout today! https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/steve-evans

2024 Sacramental Program

All the dates for the 2024 Parish Sacramental Program have been set. Please add the following dates to your diaries if you are wanting your child to receive either of these sacraments. All sacraments will be celebrated at St Christopher’s in 2024.

First Eucharist

Family Evening: Thursday 23rd May, 7.00pm

Reflection Day: Wednesday 29th May, 9.00am-3.00pm

Sacrament of First Eucharist: Sunday 2nd June, 2.00pm

Sacrament of Confirmation – Celebrated again in 2025

Catholic Secondary School Enrolment Applications

Key Enrolment Dates for Year 5 Students in 2024 starting Year 7 in 2026

The key enrolment dates for students in Year 5 in 2024 who will be starting Year 7 in 2026 have been agreed after consultation with the Executive of the Principals Association of Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools (PAVCSS).

The timeline of events and dates are as follows:

Monday 29th January 2024 – Applications open for students commencing Year 7 in 2026.

Friday 16th August 2024 – Applications will close.

Friday 18th October 2024 – Offers will be posted to prospective Year 7 applicants.

Friday 8th November 2024 – Final date for parents/carers to accept an offer made by a school.

Parents of Year 5 students in 2024, please diarise these dates so you don’t miss out.

Final Thoughts - International Day of Families & CatholicCare Family Week

This week was CatholicCare Family Week, which included International Day of Families on Wednesday. Families are crucial to our wellbeing. When families are compassionate, healthy, safe and nurturing, our overall wellbeing improves, and that of our wider community.

REFLECTION ON FAMILIES

Families… like diamonds – have endured many different shapes.

Over the centuries the treasure, the gift that is family, is precious, irreplaceable, unique.

Creating strong family bonds is a slow process – there needs to be much giving and accepting, forgiving and healing, illuminated with love…

Families… enable the individual to grow, to move and form other families.

Forming families takes courage, skill, and commitment…

Imagining beauty… and mystery.

Families… have the power…to reflect… ‘rainbow’ qualities of each person and to be a shining light for others.

A family may be lost but not destroyed.

It can be discovered and reformed all over again…the search for the perfect family could mean…A person may miss seeing the beauty in the family they already have.

MARGARET MCCARTHY 1994

Kind regards,

Steve Evans

Principal

Happy Birthday!