From the Principal's Desk...

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Welcome again to all our new students, families and staff to St Helena's and welcome back to all our students and families. It has been wonderful to see everyone settle into the new year. Our students have been amazing in the way they have conducted themselves on their return to school, particularly with the very warm days we have experienced. 

All our staff have been amazing in ensuring we were all ready for the start of the school year and I wish to sincerely thank all of them for their efforts. Our Administration Staff, our Leadership Team, our Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff. You have all kicked off the new year with continued enthusiasm and commitment! As our Staff Team forms for 2024, we become even stronger as we work together for the best interests of all our students and school community. I know parents and caregivers will continue to support the staff at Saint Helena's to ensure our Home/School partnership strengthens even more in 2024! Have a read about our new staff to St Helena's in our 'Meet Our Staff' section of the eNewsletter.

I like to start every school year reminding our school community that "It takes a village to raise a child". Let's continue to work together, respecting each other's roles and ensuring that the best interests of all our students are at the forefront of all that we do.

There has been some important information shared over the last couple of weeks and I remind everyone of the importance of keeping up with the communication that we share with you. Remember to keep up to date with links to our website and other documents, as well as the updated calendar on our website, under the Parent Hub. 

Thank you to all our parents/caregivers who came along to the Parent Information sessions last night. We appreciate you taking up the opportunity to meet your child/ren's teacher/s and learning more about the exciting year ahead and what the expectations are in their learning space. We look forward to another great year with the support of our P&F Executive and support of the school community. Please take the time to have a look at our P&F section in the eNewsletter and consider putting your hand up as a Classroom Representative too. I am also looking forward to working alongside our Catholic School Advisory Council members this year. Check out our website - click here to see our CSAC at St Helena's in 2024.

Keeping our students and school community safe when we all strive to do the right thing and follow the procedures we put in place will continue to be our number one priority. I thank you in advance for your cooperation! We will continue to share information with you as the year progresses. 

Today we came together as a school community with students in Pre-Primary to Year 6, along with staff and families to celebrate our Welcoming Mass with Fr Felipe. We also had our Year 6 Captains formally installed to their positions at the end of Mass. It was wonderful to see parents/caregivers in attendance. You are always very welcome to attend!

Last year the Leadership Team and CSAC agreed on budgeting in 2024 to upgrade our much loved Kindergarten playground. It is very close to completion and we all (particularly our Kindy students and staff) can't wait to enjoy the new outdoor space next week. We are also looking forward to new furniture arriving for our Year 3/4 and Year 5/6 Breakout Spaces. Click here to have a look at the progess on the Kindergarten playground.

Parents and caregivers please note, that to assist us in enabling our teachers to disconnect from work and technology at the end of their working hours, there is no expectation that they will respond to calls, emails, texts or other communications outside of school hours. 

We are all looking forward to the year ahead and want to keep those smiles we have seen this last week on all our students' faces as they discover even more new things this year in their learning and always strive to do Something Beautiful for God in all that they say and do.

Peace & Happy Days!

Santino Giancono

Principal

Click here for a brief history of St Helena's Catholic Primary School, providing a Catholic Education in Ellenbrook since 1999.