Principal's News

Dear Parents And Carers, 

It has been an eventful few weeks and I am so grateful to be staying at St Kevin’s as the principal.  

I have really appreciated the kind messages and well wishes received this past week and I sincerely look forward to building partnerships to develop student learning and school improvement. I am determined that working together with a common vision we will continue to support students to become confident, independent, respectful learners who take action to do their best and to make a difference in our world.  

Please contact me or the classroom teachers if you feel you would like to discuss your child’s learning or wellbeing.  

Sausage Sizzle and Cake Stall  - Election Day at St Kevin’s

Thank you to everyone who helped with preparations and worked on the Election Day with the cooking and selling at Sausage Sizzle and Cake Stall. 

It was wonderful to have so many parents and staff assist in so many different ways.  We made a healthy profit which in turn will be used to help fund the leasing of ICT resources.  Always very much appreciated.

Suzanne has written a great summary in the PFA Newsletter.  I am thankful to all who generously donated sweets, money and time and to those who kindly assisted and worked so hard to coordinate the event and make sure it ran safely and efficiently.  It was such an enjoyable day working with parents and staff and making community connections.  I reconnected with some past students and even met a gentleman whose dad helped build St Kevin’s Church.

A huge thank you to Suzanne, the PFA committee and SAC members along with parents, grandparents and community members who supported this event by making and purchasing goodies.

 “When you’re surrounded by people who share a passionate commitment around a common purpose, anything is possible.” – HOWARD SCHULTZ

Enrolment Updates

At the moment St Kevin’s Primary School is riding the wave of change with new appointments, with staff changes and preparation for Prep 2023.  We had a steady flow of   enrolments for Prep next year and I am looking forward to welcoming these new and existing families into our learning and faith community.  

Last week the first letters of offer went out to families and there are still a few school tours this week. The tours have been so successful and the families all comment on our amazing facilities and learning spaces.  It makes me so proud to be able to walk through the learning spaces and speak to all these families about the great work that is happening here.

Staff Updates

I have the great pleasure to announce the exciting news that our much loved Prep/1 Teacher and Leader Bianca Griffiths is expecting her first child.  This is such a special time for Bianca and her husband Jake and we wish her well with blessings of good health and joy as she and her family continue the amazing journey. 

Bianca will commence Maternity Leave at the beginning of Term 4. Advertising for her position is scheduled to be released this week.

The next announcement is that Vanessa Dal Santo our PE, Teaching & Learning, Numeracy Leader has decided to move to another school to work in the area of Learning Diversity.  We thank Vanessa for her work at St Kevin’s since the beginning of the year and we wish her well in her chosen area of work.  Vanessa will conclude her work at St Kevin’s at the end of this term. Her position will also be shortly advertised.

Book Fair at St Kevin’s

Thank you Jo Matarazzo (Library Technician) for planning and providing St Kevin’s families with the opportunity to participate in the Book Fair.  I have spoken to many students who have been so excited to be able to visit the Book Fair in the Library with their families.  Great job Jo! 

The BOOK FAIR will remain open Today and Tomorrow before and after school.  It is so wonderful to sit and read a book together, flick the pages, smell the print and watch those faces light up!  My favourite pastime is to share a story with my beautiful nieces and nephew!

VRQA & Child Safe Standards

Last Thursday our external reviewer Gaynor Robson-Garth was extremely complimentary about all our documentation. We were compliant in all areas of the VRQA and Child Safe standards. She commented on the detail and accessibility of evidence and was so pleased with how we creatively displayed all the data.  She explained it is one of the best VRQA audits she has done!  

Thank you to the star Leadership Team, especially Eva, Bianca and Robyn for all your work and for believing in me and the process.

Gaynor will return Tuesday and Thursday to work with School Improvement Framework Rubrics and speak to all Staff, Students and parent members of the SAC and PFA.

School Review Day will take place on 

Term 2 Week 6 - Day 1 Tuesday 31st of May, 2022

School Review Day will take place on 

Term 2  Week 6 - Day 2 Thursday 2rd of June, 2022

Term  3  Week 1 Review Feedback to Staff and SAC Team 

on Tuesday 12 July, 2022

Cross Country

Congratulations to all the Year 4-6 students who participated in the Cross Country event on Friday.  Thank you to Sonia Costa and Vanessa Dal Santo for preparing and supporting the students with Cross Country. 

Lennix  goes to the next stage in the boys 9/10 yr old section.  I believe the next event is next Tuesday 7th June.  WELL DONE Lennix and all the best for the next event.

I vouch that next year we will assist the students with training for this event from the beginning of Term 2. I know this has occurred here but unfortunately was an oversight this year. I am happy to assist with training (even though I am not a runner) and will ask staff to assist along with any parents who have a talent or passion in this area.

Reconciliation Week 

National Reconciliation Week 2022 from 27th May to 3rd June. The theme is ‘Be Brave. Make Change.’ 

This theme represents a challenge to all Australians—to ‘Be Brave’ and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can ‘Make Change’ for the benefit of all Australians. National Reconciliation week is a great time to reflect on our shared cultures, history and explore how to continue to build the reconciliation process in Australia.  Students have participated in class activities to build their understanding of Reconciliation and the FIRE Carriers will be visiting each class and working on an activity to support the students' learning.

Language Learning

When there is a the change to staffing this is an opportunity to reflect and evaluate programs. I have been fortunate to support Vanessa Low (current Mandarin Teacher) with planning and feedback about the current program.  I have noticed how complex it is to teach Mandarin and Science using the CLIL approach.  Vanessa has also discuss the challenges in this area.  She has done an amazing job and is so conscientious and creative with her teaching.  Vanessa will move to her position at the end of this semester.

The time has come to reflect and evaluate how students learn languages.  In the next few weeks Staff, Parents and Students will be given an opportunity to participate in a survey and to participate in discussion groups focusing on language learning.  We will explore the most effective methodology for implementation of languages in our current setting at primary school.  Notice I have not mentioned a specific language that is because first of all we need to consider methodology then we begin the discussion on language selection.

St Kevin's Feast Day

The St Kevin's Feast Day in on Friday. There will be a special whole school mass at 2:30pm in the church.  All Parents and Carers most welcome to attend this special mass.  The students will have fun sports activities during their lunch break led by Vanessa Dal Santo and Student Leaders and it is a Sushi Lunch Day.

St Kevin’s Production

There have been a few questions from parents and students about the St Kevin’s Production in Term 3 as students have participated in auditions with Danae Swinburne.  

The Production will go on this year and students will have an opportunity to participate in performance.   They will be able to showcase their talents in this area.  

At this stage we have advertised the position of Performing Arts Teacher and will continue with the employment process. I will inform you all about the appointment as soon as I know more.  I am passionate about the Arts. My own girls are a testament to this being involved in many performances and concerts.  So please feel at ease and know that I will provide many opportunities for each student to shine in their own way.  Feel free to call me  or email me if you have any questions.

Compass - A School Management System

This week Eva Tomazos and I will be having a meeting with the Compass representative Amanda Greig.  We will learn more about this product and its effective use in a primary setting.

Parent Committee for Graduation Class of 2022

In the next few weeks there will be an invitation for any Year 6 Parents or Carers who are interested in assisting with the preparation and planning of Year 6 Graduation. This is such a special milestone for the Year 6 students and their families and I look forward to hearing more about how this event is celebrated at St Kevin’s.  The first meeting will take place prior to the end of Term 2 via a Google Meet.  Expression of Interest forms including dates and agendas will be circulated soon. 

ATTENTION:  Front Gates will be locked after morning duty and open in the afternoon

All parents will need to bring students to the office if they are running late. 

This is a child safe issue and staff on duty in the afternoon will need to open gates at 3:15pm.

Welcome to Students 

Welcome to St Kevin's Student Teachers and Support Staff.   While you are here take every opportunity to learn, question and practise giving and receiving feedback.  Hope you enjoy your time learning with us.

• Emily Geng is a final year ACU (Australian Catholic University) student who is working with Junior G and Bianca till the end of this term.
• Louise Nixon is in her second round of Teaching student from ACU and will be working in 3/4 C with Con also till the end of this term.
• Stephanie Gaspodini begins her LSO (Learning Support Officer Placement) this week for the next four weeks.

Sustainability

Our goal to go paperless continues - just need to know who is reading the newsletter.

School Photos 

School Photos will be taken Friday 10th June 2022. This is a reminder that students are to be in FULL WINTER SCHOOL UNIFORM in terms two and three and especially on PHOTO DAY. 

A few particular reminders: • Black shoes only please. • White socks (without logos) or navy tights • School wind cheater or bomber jacket (not sports tops) • Shoulder length hair tied up with school coloured ribbons. Thanks for your support in ensuring that your child wears our uniform with pride.

See flyer for new date below:

COVID 

COVID UPDATE from MACS

The Victorian Government will continue to provide rapid antigen tests (RATs) for use by students and staff for the remainder of Term 2.

Schools will continue to be provided with the same weekly quantity of RATs.

However, from Monday 23 May 2022, it is recommended that RATs are used by students and staff when symptomatic. RATs are also required to be used for five days if a student or staff member is a close contact of a confirmed case and they are attending or working at a school.

From Monday 23 May 2022, we do not recommend that non-symptomatic students or staff conduct RATs twice a week in mainstream schools and five days a week in special schools.

Students and staff must continue to notify the Department of Health and their school if they return a positive RAT result.

Vaccination remains the best way to protect students and staff in school settings, and your ongoing support in encouraging children aged 5 to 11 to get vaccinated and staff to get their third dose remains critical.

We have air purifiers, also an important step in ensuring the safety of our staff and students. 

Face masks can continue to be used by any staff or students who wish to do so, including those who are medically at risk.

Please Stay Home If Sick

If your child has a cold, cough, runny nose or flu-like symptoms, please keep them home to avoid exposing staff, students and families to illness.  There have been a few cases of croup in the school. This is contagious and needs medical attention.

If children present at school with any of the above symptoms, parents will be contacted to collect their child from school.

We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our school healthy.

Condolences to the Trewella Family 

Condolences to Trewella Family and on the passing of Scott’s dad, Jet and Asher’s Grandfather. Our prayers and thoughts are with them at this time.  May Ernest rest in peace.

Communication

There is so much information in this newsletter I sincerely hope that the 82 families at St Kevin’s read and enjoy this edition! 

Year 3 & 4 Parents you are the winners.  You completed the most surveys last newsletter.  Well done!

DATA - I have read the newsletter 

It would be great if 82 families responded!

I PUT IT OUT THERE to all  PARENTS PLEASE CONVINCE ANOTHER PARENT TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY!

Who will have the  highest number of parent participants reading this newsletter?

Please scan QR code and complete very quick survey.

New Survey for this Newsletter    30/05/2022

                               Please scan QR code and complete very quick survey. 

All God’s blessings,

Gabee Leone

Principal