Principal's News

Our theme for this year is 

STEP UP! BE MORE!

 

Dear Families,

I am presuming that everyone has now heard the news that I have been appointed principal at St Mark's in Dingley, commencing in 2022. I must say thank-you for the lovely emails, texts, phone calls and messages I have received from so many of the wonderful people from the St Kevin's community, both from the school and beyond. It was a tough decision to make and I am not completely ready to go, but I also know I might never be completely ready to go. I know how lucky I have been to work in such a supportive and welcoming community, with brilliant staff, fantastic children and families and wonderful parish priest/lay leader, parishioners and parish staff. To be surrounded by so many supportive, fun, wise people, who accept me for who I am, has truly been a blessing and allowed me to work from my authentic self. THANK-YOU! I look forward to being able to speak to everyone in person and say proper thank-yous and goodbyes at the end of the year.

Return to school:

We are in the process of negotiating our return to school with MACS due to our junior level composite classes and small size. We have asked for slightly different arrangements than those outlined on the Victorian Government website in order to maximise time with class teachers focussing on Maths and English and so that Bianca can teach all her Prep/One students. We will confirm the arrangements with you via email as soon as we have approval. The following is what we have asked for but please note it is NOT yet confirmed:

Week beginning 18th October:

Prep children to attend school Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

All Year 1/2 children to attend school Monday and Tuesday

 

Week beginning Monday 25th October:

Prep children to attend school Monday, Tuesday and Thursday

All Year 1/2 children to attend school Monday and Tuesday

Year 3/4 children to attend school Monday and Tuesday

Year 5/6 children to attend school Wednesday and Thursday

 

Week beginning Monday 1st November:

Monday 1st November - School Closure Day

Tuesday 2nd November - Melbourne Cup Day

Wednesday 3rd November - Years 3/4 and 5/6 at school (onsite)

Thursday 4th November - Prep/1/2s at school (onsite)

Friday 5th November - Prep - 6 - everyone back to school (all onsite)

Google Meet Assembly this week:

School Assembly - Google Meet Wednesday, October 13 · 2:45 – 3:45pm

Google Meet joining infoVideo call link: https://meet.google.com/kow-tmqa-bam

Or dial: ‪(AU) +61 2 9051 5474‬ PIN: ‪331 593 466‬#

More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/kow-tmqa-bam?pin=4065696603535

Pre-Service Teachers:

This term we will welcome a number of pre-service teachers who will be doing their placement with us. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to help develop the teachers of the future and open ourselves up even further, to grow and develop our own skills.

We welcome Emily in Senior C, Lon in Senior M, Emily in Junior TG, and Louis in Middle C, all at different times throughout the term.

School Advisory Council:

Our School Advisory Council will meet online on Tuesday 12th October at 7.30 p.m. online

Family Fun!

Bianca, our Wellbeing Leader, has been putting together some fun challenges for the children, to help lift their spirits and keep them engaged and connected. This week's challenge is fun for all the family. The challenge is to guess which of the teachers owned which car as their first set of wheels. Here's the link:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1qxJLcU3kmKNjletz8-Ns07Vb181mytnMXbYx7xBa568/edit#slide=id.ge9efeece66_0_11798

Good luck! 

Calendar changes:

All of our calendar dates for term 4 are on hold at the moment. We will do our very best to reschedule events we have missed. We will definitely make a time to get the year 3/4 billy cart event happening once the children are back at school. We will also get our sleepover in at some stage in the year! We are trying to get a camp for our 5/6 children in Victoria seeing as we have missed out on our Canberra trip. Stay posted for updates about the rescheduling of events (including our Bakers Delight Lunch), once we have some greater clarity about the current restrictions and when things will change.

Support:

If you are not feeling that great or feel you would like some help or support, the parish staff have put together the following directory:

Covid Reminders:

  • Get vaccinated
  • Please ensure you and your children stay home if unwell and get tested
  • Regularly check the Covid exposure sites list on the Vic Gov website and follow the instructions listed
  • Continue to practise good hand hygiene
  • Please do not enter any of the school buildings/learning spaces except the school office.
  • We encourage you to email or phone if you have inquiries/messages rather than come onsite.
  • Please remember you must wear a mask and register using our QR code if you need to enter the school office.

2022 Enrolments:

If you are aware of anyone who has a child starting prep in 2022  please encourage them to contact us for an enrolment pack. If you have a child starting school in 2022 - feel free to access the enrolment form on our website or by accessing the link below. 

Kindest regards

 

Frances Matisi

Principal

A message from Father Charles

Hello,

It is wonderful to have arrived here in the parishes of Doncaster and Templestowe – I heard about the move to these beautiful parishes in late June and it has taken a while to get organised to leave the parish of Meredith: but here I am at last.

I am not new to this area. My wife, Tanya, (who died of Erdheim Chester Disease in 2012, before I was ordained as a priest in 2015) and I moved to Templestowe Lower at the end of 1981. We raised our two boys in the area as they attended St Charles Borromeo School and then Whitefriars College and then went on to Monash University in different disciplines.

My original vocation was to work as an applied mathematician, first in the coal industry in Wollongong and the in the petroleum industry in various parts of the world, and of course my vocation to married life. My call towards ordained life and eventually the priesthood came in 2004 when my employer of 30 years parted ways with me. Work in petroleum failed to materialise, work in the parish was offered (pushed?) at me. The Holy Spirit was influencing me – as has been the case at all points of my life. 

This new vocation, of being shepherd to parishes, of being a parish priest, is still relatively new to me. I spent one year as assistant in the parish of Melton then five years in the Parish of Meredith, my first experience of country living and I loved it and the people.

Now! I am here. Seeking to journey with you and with you to grow in faith and to deepen our understanding and awareness of God’s work in our lives through Jesus Christ and through his Holy Spirit.

I have been appointed to two parishes with three schools: consequently I am introducing myself to each of the three schools (St Gregory the Great; St Charles Borromeo; St Kevin’s).

What do you want from me as Parish Priest? How can I support you? There are the obvious things like school Masses and other liturgies and enabling the Sacramental program for your children (and you if you wish). But how else can I help you grow and help your children grow in faith? I can’t be Bishop Tony or Fr Gerry. I can only be me: I love Jesus Christ, I want to make him known to you and your children and help you recognise the Holy Spirit working in your lives. How do  you want me to help you on the journey you are undertaking with your children and families?

You are in my prayers, front and centre!

God Bless, Fr Charles.