Principal's Report

Dear Families,

Planning for 2026 Class Structures

Our staff and leadership team are currently well underway with planning class structures for 2026. This is always a detailed and considered process, involving many discussions and reflections that involves significant consideration of each child’s learning, wellbeing, and social development.

In the coming weeks, we will be ready to share our 2026 class structures, along with the teachers for each level. As in previous years, we will also hold our “Meet the Teacher” session in Week 10, giving all students the opportunity to spend time with their class and teacher for next year. This is a wonderful way to help students transition smoothly and begin to feel excited and confident about the year ahead.

When forming classes, staff take into account a wide range of factors to ensure that each child is placed in a setting where they can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We ask for your understanding of the complexity involved in building class groups.

 Some of the criteria we consider include:

• Gender balance across classes
• Academic and learning needs
• Social and emotional needs
• Friendship and peer connections
• Behavioural dynamics and groupings
• Student leadership and role modelling
• Class size and overall balance

This process is highly collaborative and carefully managed, with input from teachers who know the students best. While every effort is made to create balanced and positive class groupings, it’s not always possible to meet every individual request or preference.

For this reason, we ask that parents do not make specific requests for teachers or classmates unless there is a highly important matter that we should be aware of. In such cases, please email the Principal directly, outlining the circumstances. These requests will be noted and considered, though not necessarily accommodated.

We greatly appreciate your continued trust in our staff and leadership team as we work to ensure the best possible outcomes for all students. St Cecilia’s is blessed with a team of dedicated, talented, and caring teachers across all year levels, and we are confident that 2026 will be another successful, happy, and enriching year for every child.

2026 School Fees

As part of our annual budget review, St Cecilia’s has carefully set the 2026 School Fees to ensure we continue to provide high-quality learning opportunities and maintain our strong community focus, while keeping fees as affordable as possible.

Below is a summary of the 2026 fee structure:

Family Fees

                                         (The Family Fee covers tuition and general school operations.)

Levies (per student)

A Capital Fee of $400 per family is also charged annually to support ongoing building maintenance and future improvements to school facilities.

We’d like to inform families that school camps will be billed separately from regular school and curriculum fees. Once final costs have been confirmed, detailed invoices will be issued to participating students. This approach ensures transparency and allows families to plan accordingly.

Keeping Our School Strong

These fees enable St Cecilia’s to continue offering rich educational experiences - including specialist programs, excursions, technology upgrades, and faith-based learning - while maintaining well-resourced classrooms and modern learning spaces.

We thank all families for your ongoing support and commitment to our school community.

Payment Options and Support

We understand that each family’s financial circumstances are different, and we aim to make school fees as manageable as possible.

• Payment Options: Families may choose to pay annually, by term, or through a regular direct debit plan (weekly, fortnightly, or monthly).

• Financial Support: Families experiencing financial difficulty are encouraged to contact the school office to arrange a confidential discussion with the Principal. Fee relief or extended payment plans can be provided where needed.

   

Our goal is that no child ever misses out on a St Cecilia’s education due to financial hardship.

Fair Update

A huge thank you once again to our incredible Fair Organising Committee for their outstanding work in bringing together such a joyful and successful community event. The energy, teamwork, and generosity shown by everyone - families, staff, parish, and local supporters - truly made this year’s Fair one to remember.

While we are still finalising a few final invoices and reimbursements, we are delighted to share that the current profit stands at approximately $37,464.90. This is a wonderful result and a testament to the strength and spirit of our St. Cecilia’s community.

Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way to making our 2025 Fair such a success!

🌟 Thank You to Our Wonderful Sponsors! 🌟

We are so grateful for the incredible generosity of our sponsors who have supported the St Cecilia’s School Fair this Saturday.

 Your contributions help make this event a special celebration for our students, families and local community.

🏆 PLATINUM SPONSORS

Our heartfelt thanks to our Platinum Sponsors for their outstanding support and generosity.

🥇 GOLD SPONSORS

Thank you to our Gold Sponsors for their valued support of our Fair and Silent Auction.

Bianca Johnson & Family – St Cecilia’s (2-night Lorne Holiday Stay)

Mick Wall (TCL 75” QLED TV)

🥈 SILVER SPONSORS

We greatly appreciate the generosity of our Silver Sponsors who have provided exciting experiences and prizes.

Scott Fitzgerald – Marvel Stadium 

• 4 x Medallion Club tickets – Melbourne Renegades BBL 

• 4 x Premium Seats – Boost Mobile Aus-X Open

 • 4 x Premium Seats – Ed Sheeran “Loop” Tour

🥉 BRONZE SPONSORS

Thank you to our Bronze Sponsors for their generous contributions.

Riversdale Orthodontics

AAC Building Products (T/A NASAHI)

Janelle Cowan

Temelli Jewellery

Little Thai Princess

F45 Ashburton

Axton Finance

Globe / Impala Skateboard & Roller Skate Voucher

St Cecilia’s Netball Club

💛 SUPPORTERS

We sincerely thank all our Supporters for their generosity in donating vouchers, experiences, and products that help make our Fair and Raffles such a success.

Grazia Restaurant • Gloria’s Wine Bar • La Perla Restaurant • Malvern Hotel • East End Wine Bar • Australian Sports Camps • Bop Till You Drop • MoPA • Ready Steady Go Kids • Sharon Davis Music • Stage Left Performing Arts School • The Music Bus • Chess for Schools • Flip Out Box Hill • Genazzano FCJ College • Academy of Dance • Art’scool • Toptenn Tennis • Michelle Mitchell (Kids & Parenting Books) • MadMia Socks • Spartan School World • Habitat Space • Central Park Cellars • Classroom Cuisine • Simply Brows & Lashes • SportsFit Physio • Twiddl Hair Care (Marian – St Cecilia’s Family) • Mitch Hairdresser • Spirits Platform • Sarah Lethlean • Essendon Football Club • Running Postman • STC Cricket Club

🙏 A Heartfelt Thank You

To all who contributed — local businesses, families, and friends — your generosity and community spirit embody what makes St Cecilia’s such a special place.

 We couldn’t do it without you!

Just a few magic memories from the Fair...

Parish Partnership (repeat)

I would like to share an important message from our Parish Priest, Fr Kevin McGovern, regarding the future direction of our parish community. Please take a look in the link below to find this important information. 

In his letter, Fr Kevin outlines an exciting new chapter as St Cecilia’s Parish and St Michael’s Parish begin a process of partnering together. 

A Reminder about our SMART WATCH / DEVICE

 POLICY

Recently staff have had to remind a number of students to put their smart watches away during the day. Please note our policy regarding internet enabled devices below.

Student Use of Personal Mobile Communication and Internet Enabled Device Policy (Mobile Phones and Smart Watches)

• Smart watches, mobile phones and any other personal devices with mobile communication or internet connectivity are to be treated the same way.
• Students will not be allowed to have any of these devices with them during class time or play times during the school day.
• If parents wish for students to have such devices they must be turned off (or on silent) and kept in the student’s bag during the day.
• Any and all emergency communication between a student and parent during school hours must go through the school office.

Note: Simple digital watches and step counters that do not have communication abilities will still be allowed.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Marty McKenna

Principal

St Cecilia’s Primary School