From the Principal

National Walk to School Day

National Walk Safely to School Day 2026 was on Friday, 15 May 2026, marking its 27th year in Australia. This national initiative encourages primary school children and their carers to walk all or part of the way to school to promote active habits, road safety, and reduced traffic congestion.  It was the perfect morning for a walk to school with crazy socks for a little bit of FUN!! It was so sensational seeing the number of students, parents and staff support this event and walk to school.

A BIG thanks to the number of staff and parents volunteers on the walk. A massive thanks to our wonderful Parents and Friends for putting on breakfast for our walkers when they arrived back to school. Thanks for making this a great community event.

Student Safety is VITAL!!

The safety of our students is always our highest priority. We ask all families to please take extra care during morning drop off and afternoon pick up times.

Care and Adult Supervision when Crossing Roads and in the Staff Car Park

We are concerned about children crossing the road on their own while parents wait on the opposite side of the street. For safety reasons, children should always be accompanied by an adult when crossing roads near the school.

We have also noticed some children walking out from between parked cars. This can be extremely dangerous, as drivers may not be able to see children stepping onto the road unexpectedly. Please remind your child to use safe crossing points and remain aware of traffic at all times. 

During drive thru times, vehicles are constantly moving and it is unsafe for children to walk through the car park to reach parked cars. We ask all families to follow parking and traffic rules to help keep everyone safe.

Staff Car Park is ONLY for Staff Cars

A reminder to all parents that there is no parking in the staff car park. The staff car park has just has enough spaces for staff cars during school hours. We are fortunate to have ample parking around the school. Please no not park in the staff car park. 

The drop off zone is also a no parking area. 

Please do not get out of your car. This is a kiss and go area. A quick goodbye while still in your drivers seat is vital for the efficient moving of cars in this area. 

What is a Kiss & Go zone?  These are designated areas where parents can quickly drop off or pick up their children without leaving their vehicles. 

When using these zones:

• Remain in your vehicle
• Pull forward to the front of the zone when space is available
• Be prompt and courteous and remember the 2min waiting rule

These zones help reduce congestion and improve road safety for everyone. 

Visitor Parking

The drop Off zone can be used for visitor parking 

• Before 8am for parents using Kharisma Kids 
• After 9am till 2pm for Visitors/Parents coming to the office or for appointments
• After 4pm.  for parents using Kharisma Kids 

Thank you for working together with us to ensure a safe environment for all students and families.

The Orange Door

Our school cares about the safety and wellbeing of our students and their families. 

Sometimes things at home or in a relationship are not OK or families can be worried about the wellbeing of their children or young people.

The Orange Door can help you to get the support you need, quickly and easily. It’s free and you don’t need a referral.

The Orange Door can help families. They provide support for concerns with parenting, relationships, and family violence.

The Orange Door is a free intake and assessment service for:

• families requiring support for their child or young person’s wellbeing or development 
• families needing parenting support 
• young, isolated, or unsupported families
• individuals and families experiencing family violence
• adults using family violence

• young people using violence in the home.

   

If you contact The Orange Door, they can help by:

• working with you to identify the help and support you need
• supporting you with the wellbeing and development of your child or young person
• helping you make a safety plan if someone is making you feel unsafe
• connecting you to services that can help like counselling, accommodation, mental health and drug and alcohol services, parenting support groups, services for children, financial help, or legal assistance
• supporting you to access funding for basic living expenses and some other costs

• supporting you to change abusive or controlling behaviour.

   

Each Orange Door location across Victoria has their own phone number and email. Students and their families can also visit their local Orange Door in person for support, Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm for support. No appointment is needed.

To find your local service, see: The Orange Door – Support near you.

How schools connect with The Orange Door

Our school might talk to a student and/or their family about The Orange Door.  We might encourage them to contact their local Orange Door to get advice and help if needed. 

Ideally, a student and/or their family will get in touch with The Orange Door to seek advice and support. 

Sometimes, schools might make a referral to The Orange Door without the student or their family’s knowledge or consent.  Schools will do this if:

• informing a student and/or family increases the risk to their safety or wellbeing

• not linking a student to support increases the risk of their safety and wellbeing.

   

You can learn more about:

• The Orange Door and how they can help you and your family here.

Working Bees 2026

Saturday, 23rd May

Saturday, 10th October

9 am - 12 noon

We will be holding our first Working Bee for 2026 on Saturday, 23rd May. We will be undertaking a variety of gardening and odd jobs around the school to improve our school grounds.

Parents who attend 2 working bees for the year and participate for the full 3 hours will receive a credit of the $250 Maintenance Levy.

Please respond to let us know you will be attending via nForma.

Catholic School Parents Victoria – Supporting Families in Catholic Education 

Catholic School Parents Victoria (CSPV) has been re-established to strengthen the voice of parents and carers in Catholic education across Victoria, recognising parents as the first educators and key partners in their child’s learning, wellbeing and faith journey. 

CSPV is guided by a Council of parent representatives from across the state, ensuring that the diverse perspectives of families in Catholic schools are reflected in its work and advocacy. 

We invite you to explore the CSPV website at www.cspv.catholic.edu.au where you will find a wealth of information and resources to support your parenting journey within Catholic education, including guidance on wellbeing, faith, learning and key issues impacting families. You can also subscribe via the website to join the CSPV community, receive the quarterly newsletter and be invited to upcoming events. 

You can also connect with CSPV on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook to access valuable insights, updates and practical resources. 

Together, we can continue to strengthen the partnership between families, schools and the wider Catholic community.

Introducing our New L&T Video

This new video puts a particular focus on the explicit teaching in Literacy and Mathematics at St Francis de Sales. Our pedagogy is personalised in response to the learning needs of each student and is informed by current research and the science of learning. The consistency of our framework across the school and the commitment to wanting the best learning opportunities for each child leads to the high performing results we are so proud of. The video showcases our delightful, engaged and motivated students and dedicated, professional staff. It does not capture all aspects of the school and certainly does not capture our wonderful parent community and the communication and partnerships that are a huge strength.

We are currently working on our new website and hope to launch it next Week during Education Week.

Christine White

Principal