Principals Update

Key Events - Term 2

Term 2, Week 11

• Friday 4th of July - Term 2 Concludes. Students finish at 3.30pm (Normal time)

Term 3, Week 1

• Monday 21st of July - Term 3 Commences - Students return to school
• Wednesday 23rd of July - 100 Days of Prep celebration & Parent information session on the building program @ 3.15pm in the MPR
• Thursday 24th of July - Grandparents/Special friends Day, 9.15am Mass, 10.15am classroom visits & 11.15am Morning Tea (Grandparents/Special friends only)
• Saturday 26th of July - PFA Trivia / Music Bingo night, Doors Open @ 6.15pm in the MPR

Term 3, Week 2

• Monday 28th of July - Book Fair
• Tuesday 29th of July - Book Fair
• Wednesday 30th of July - Book Fair & Yr 5 students attending Kilbreda Secondary College School musical
• Thursday 31st of July -Book Fair
• Friday 1st of August - Book Fair concludes & PFA Disco (Prep to Year 2 - 5.45pm - 6.30pm & Year 3-6 - 6.45pm - 7.30pm)
• Sunday 3rd of August - Confirmation Commitment Mass @ 9am

Dear SJV Families,

It’s hard to believe how quickly this term has passed, and with the holidays just around the corner, I’d like to take a moment to reflect and offer some heartfelt thanks. As this is our final newsletter for the term, I want to sincerely thank all our families for your ongoing support of the teaching and learning programs here at SJV. Your partnership is truly valued.

A special thank you also goes to our dedicated staff, who have gone above and beyond each week. With frequent staff absences due to illness, many have stepped into additional or unfamiliar roles—taking on extra yard duties, larger classes, and supporting students who have also missed time due to illness. Their flexibility and commitment to our students have been exceptional.

To our amazing students, thank you for your resilience and adaptability. Whether faced with a different teacher for the day or being placed in another class group, you've continued to show focus, positivity, and a love for learning. You’ve demonstrated exactly what it means to be flexible and to keep learning at the center of everything.

Wishing all students, staff, and families a safe, restful, and healthy winter break.

Instagram- We now have an SJV Instagram page on social media. So please make sure you follow and share: @sjv_parkdale

PFA Trivia Night  - We would love all parents to attend

Tickets are selling fast for the PFA Trivia night so please make sure that you get in quick and secure a ticket. It promises to be a fun night with lots of laughter. Please see the flyer below for the Try booking link / QR code. All funds raised go back into the providing the students with new desks in the classroom.

Building Program Update

In good news, our building project has been formally approved and planning permits have been allocated. We are now in the final process of appointing a construction company to build the new administration block and heart of the school (Outdoor play areas).  We are anticipating work to begin in the September school holidays (TBC).

We will be hosting an information session for parents who are interested, where we will go into more detail/plans on Wednesday the 23rd of July at 3.15pm in the MPR. All are welcome. The presentation should finish just after the bell rings to the conclude the school day. Please stay tuned for more updates in the school newsletter next term.

Grandparents / Special Friends Day

On Thursday, 24th July we will be celebrating our annual ‘Grandparent’s / Special Friends Day’. Grandparents and special friends are invited to join us for Mass in the Church beginning at 9.15am with Fr Justin. At 10.15am students and their grandparents/special friend will make there way to the classrooms and join in some activities with their grandchild/children. Morning tea will then follow at 11.00am in the Multi Purpose Room (No students allowed). 

The timetable for Thursday 24th of July is as follows:

• 9.15am - 10.15am - Mass celebrated by Fr Justin 
• 10.15am - 11am Time in the classroom 
• 11am - 11.45am Morning Tea in the MPR

All children will go out to play and the Grandparents/Special Friends will gather in the MPR for Morning Tea. The PFA will provide morning tea for the Grandparents/Special Friends. We look forward to our many Grandparents / Special Friends  spending time here at St John Vianney’s. Please view the invitation below.

SJV Athletics Carnival 

On Friday, the 2oth of June, the students participated in our annual SJV Athletics Carnival at Mentone Athletic Track. It was a beautiful day and the weather Gods were smiling upon us. The day was a great success and the students thoroughly enjoyed the events. Congratulations to all involved on the day and especially to Blue house who took out the title and won. A special thanks to Mrs Monotti for her organisation and running of the day and to the staff and parent helpers who assisted with running the events.

Congratulations

Good luck to Joaqin Ortega  who has qualifies and will be representing SJV in the State Cross Country championships on Thursday 24th July.  He has been training hard and we wish him well with his upcoming run. What a star!!!

Confirmation

The Confirmation candidates are in the process of preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.On Sunday the 3rd of August, candidates are required to attend the Commitment Mass @ 9am. If they are unable to attend on this day, they can attend a Confirmation Commitment Mass on Saturday evening at St Patrick's Mentone.

Reports

All families now have access to their child/s report digitally through our online portal (nForma). Should you have any questions about your child's report, please contact your child’s classroom teacher. If you have any issues accessing the report, please contact Laura Heiberg in the office.

School Closure Dates - Term 3

There will be two student free days this term:

• Friday 15th of August
• Monday 18th of August

Term 3 concludes on Friday 19th of September at 2pm (early time due to building works beginning)

PFA

Thank you to Jess Viviani and her PFA team for the great work that they are doing for our community. We had many parents attend the meeting the other week with many wonderful events planned. Please note the following save the dates and the SJV PFA mid year wrap up:

SJV Fete

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 21st @ 3:30pm.

If you are new to the school and haven’t been a part of the SJV Fete - now is the time to get involved.  The SJV fete is famous in this area, has been running for over 50 years annually (excluding two crazy Covid years) and is the most wonderful community event.

As a parent, you will get the chance to learn new skills, hone skills you have, make new friends and enhance the enjoyment of your own child’s school experience. There are many jobs in the lead up, on the day and the day after.  All families need to be involved to make this a successful event.

There are, however, a couple of larger roles that we need filled ASAP.  They come with a handover, so you won’t be left wondering what to do.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR:

General Committee members

Assisting with marketing

Sourcing silent auction items

Supporting stall holders

Attending meetings

None of these tasks are onerous when we work as a team.  Thanks to those parents that have already stepped up to fill some roles.  It will be a wonderful experience.

Please contact Nate Viviani with any questions Nathan.Viviani@inchcape.com, the office or send an email to me, principal@sjvparkdale.catholic.edu.au to put your name down to be a part of this great event. 

Remember, it is our big fundraising event for the year and we encourage every family to be involved in some way. 

Parents & Friends Association - SJV Dads Group

2026  Enrolments 

Our Requests for School Tours are continuing with many booking times to come and visit our wonderful school. Enrolments for Prep 2026 are now open and we encourage all families to submit their applications as soon as possible.  If you have a child or you know someone wanting to tour schools for their child, please encourage them to book a school tour by contacting Nicole in our front office (Limited places available).   

Reminders

• Dogs - Please note that for the safety and wellbeing of all members of our community, no dogs are permitted inside the school grounds and they must not be left unattended tied up at the gates. Adult supervision and holding of the leash is so important around vulnerable places such as schools.  We love dogs but we do have to take care of all members of our community.

• Bikes and Scooters - Please walk bikes and scooters when moving through the school grounds.

• Punctuality - It is expected that all students are to be at school by no later than 8.45am and not any time up to 9am. From 8.45am to 9am is crucial for students to get themselves organised, start the day with Meditation, prayer, take the roll and ready to commence their day promptly. Formal lessons begin at 9am. Any child who arrives at or after 9am is to be signed in at the office by a parent/guardian. I ask all parents to make sure that you adhere to these times.

• The next Newsletter will be shared on Thursday 24th of July.

Wishing everyone the most wonderful holiday. We hope all who are able to take a break are able to recharge their batteries and return to us in Term 3 ready for another exciting term. Take care and stay safe these holidays. We look forward to being all together back at school on Monday 21st of July.

Regards

Mick Schinck

Principal