Principal's News

I found this prayer and thought it really connected with our theme in 2023.

We stand in solidarity with compassion by practising loving kindness to ourselves and all those around us.

May we all be well, happy and peaceful, may no harm come to us.

May we all also have courage, kindness, compassion, understanding, and determination to meet and overcome inevitable difficulties, problems, and failures in life.

May our parents, our students and staff, our families and friends living close and far… be well, happy and peaceful.

- Thilini Ariyachandr

In Term 1 we will focus on COURAGE and reflect on what this means and how we will show courage when learning,  when playing, when times are difficult and even when online.

Welcome to our new staff and new families

First, welcome back to all St Kevin’s families.

A special welcome to all the new families,especially to our new Prep families & the students in different levels - 

Zarias (Prep) Austin and Phoenix Harrison,

Romina and Amir Sarsharmoghadam, 

Mackay Lwandle

Rayan Mosavat and 

Annie Zhu.

I feel blessed to have a full staff on deck this year.  

Our new staff include:

Rebecca Corcoglioniti

Sun Pezzimenti

Jo Maloney

Angela Scarcella

Peter Scarfo

Aurelia Zardo

We hope all families and staff are having a great time at St Kevin’s and that you all feel welcome here!  We are so grateful that you have chosen this amazing school.  We will be working together to ensure you are supported to grow and learn.

HEAD START Student Transition at the end of the 2022

I have had such positive feedback from parents and staff about how settled the students have been at the beginning of the year.  I have been told that the students quickly settled into class routines.  I now share the HEAD START survey with you as I think it is important to hear the voice of all.  Staff have completed the survey.  Students will be given the opportunity this week.  So please take a few minutes to complete this short survey (HEAD START survey).  We will be discussing results at the next SAC (School Advisory Council) and I will summarise information in the next newsletter.

Staff Induction Day Friday 27th January 

The Staff participated in a Staff Induction Day on Friday the 27th January.  This involved the development of ideas for the 2023 school theme, a Compass briefing and time to discuss the St Kevin’s Staff Handbook and consistent practices within the school.

Professor John Munro (Australian Catholic and Melbourne University)  Monday 30th January  

We were so fortunate to have John work with us during our first professional learning day! He has an absolute wealth of knowledge and experiences in education.  He is an active educational researcher and one of the writers of the Victorian Curriculum. Our first Professional Learning Day commenced with insights on the brain and how it works.  We moved to how to provide students with opportunities to reflect and verbal their learning.  Then we reviewed processes and initiated updating our comprehension learning continuum. It was such a pleasure to have John work with our staff and we look forward to continuing to work with him to enhance teacher and leadership capacity.  He will also be working with our students in the next few months and modeling teaching practices as well as providing mentoring feedback strategies.

Leadership Day 

On Monday the 6th of February the St Kevin’s Leadership Team, Eva Tomazos, Fulvia Gerosolimo, Fiona George, Rebecca Corcoglioniti, Jo Maloney and myself, had a Leadership Day at Heidelberg Golf Club. An external reviewer last year stated that the school needed to allocate time and resources into building leadership capacity.  

We explored our  definition of leadership after listening to Simon Sinek and completed several thinking routines. There were reflective discussions on what it means to be a leader? We reflected on 2022 and set goals for 2023 in our Annual Action Plan.  The Leadership team will meet at 2pm  every Tuesday afternoon.

Principal Induction Day - 7th February

On Tuesday I attended my first day of Principal Induction at Catholic Leadership Center and participated in a Principal Commissioning Ceremony with all MACS Regional Managers, Regional Principal Consultants and mentors.  This is an 8 day project and is spread out during 2023. Each principal wrote a vision statement and we commenced work on the Principal standards.  I was allocated a mentor and look forward to working with her in 2023.

Wellbeing Day - 8th February

A massive thank you to  Fiona George, our Wellbeing Leader and Prep Teacher, for all her preparation and organisation for this amazing day.  The students and staff had a super day.  We will need to practise these wellbeing strategies. Thank you to the staff for getting involved and modeling ‘Have a go and have fun’ together!

School Mass

I look forward to seeing you all at the Opening  and Commissioning Mass on Tuesday 14th February at 9:15am. Our 2023 School captains will be announced at this mass.

Student Captains

This is a special part of being in Year 6 and leading the student voice for 2023.   The basis for appointing captains is determined by several factors based on the students' and staff votes,  ongoing performance and the role each individual has had to showcase leadership qualities and talents, school involvement and service along with respect and responsibility.  I strongly believe that the Year 5 and 6 students all have the important role of being school leaders. This is a right of passage as they model friendship, inclusivity and perseverance.

Italian 

We are beginning our study into Italian this week as we await the arrival of our Language Specialist Signorina Pizzo (Miss Pizzo) in Week 6 27/02.   This week we will be practising ‘Buon giorno’ (Good morning) and ‘Buon pomeriggio’ (Good afternoon) with our gestures.

Arrival Etiquette - This is a special note for Prep Parents

As of next Monday we (teachers on yard duty) will encourage the Prep students to say goodbye to parents and carers at the big gates.  

This develops confidence and promotes independence.  The students in other levels will be encouraged to support the preps and they can walk together to the learning spaces.  

LEAC (Languages Education Advisory Committee)

I have been invited to be a representative in the 2023 CECV Languages Education Advisory Committee (LEAC) and I am keen to share the learning and research with the St Kevin’s Staff and community.  Watch this space!

Compass

We have launched Compass! This is new learning for most of us.  There will be one Parent Calendar with all the school and community dates.    At the moment we will keep the St Kevin’s App and continually review practices in the school.

Parent Helper  & Tuckshop

Thank you to all the parents, carers and family members who have offered to assist with Tuckshop.  If you would like to assist with Tuckshop you are required to complete this short survey - Tuckshop Survey 2023. 

This week a parent helper notice will be distributed to all,  hopefully many of you will be able to support our learners by assisting in the classroom.

Goal setting

Goal setting will take place on Wednesday 15th of February between 12.30pm - 5.30pm. Year 5 & 6 will commence at 11:30pm. The teachers look forward to sharing information with you  and confirming goals for the next interim.  

Thank you!

Thank you to Nelli (Jack’s Mum) and Sadie (Rayan’s Mum) for tidying the second hand uniform shop.  You have really helped me out!  It is so easy to find items now! Thank you!

Congratulations!

Congratulations Lacey in Year Three on having her Baptism Sunday 12th of February.   We welcome you into the St Kevin’s Catholic Community and look forward to supporting you in your faith journey.  May the spirit guide you always and let your light shine.  God bless you Lacey! 

Condolences to the Hodson Family

We pray for the Hodson family on the passing of beautiful Jillian.  Jillian worked as School Secretary at St Kevin’s and retired in 2014.  Many have commented on Jillian’s warm and caring nature.  May Jill rest in peace. 

Condolences to the Natoli Family

We pray for Betty Natoli and her family. Betty was a respectful and welcoming lady who was so hospitable and generous in all she did.  Many have enjoyed her ‘biscotti’ (biscuits) and coffee.  Rest in peace beautiful Betty.

Every blessing, 

Gabee Leone