FINAL DAY OF 2025 SCHOOL YEAR

Tuesday 16th December (1pm finish)

Dear Families,

At Holy Family Primary School, Advent invites us to pause and prepare our hearts. In this busy season, we are reminded to slow down, wait with hope, and notice God’s presence in the everyday moments of school life.

As we journey towards Christmas, may this time of waiting bring peace, light, and hope to all our families.

Advent Prayer of Hope

Loving God,

In this season of Advent,

fill our Holy Family community with hope.

Help our families to look forward

with trust and gentle expectation.

When days feel busy or uncertain,

remind us that Your light is always near.

May the hope of Jesus

brighten our homes,

steady our hearts,

and guide us towards Christmas with joy.

Amen.

Thank You Message

As we come to the end of another school year at Holy Family Primary School, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our wonderful staff and families.

To our dedicated staff — thank you for the care, commitment, and professionalism you bring to our classrooms and our students each day. Your passion for teaching and your willingness to go above and beyond makes Holy Family a place where children feel known, supported, and inspired to learn.

To our families — thank you for your partnership, trust, and encouragement. Your support of our school, your involvement in your children’s learning, and your generosity throughout the year have strengthened our community in countless ways.

Thank you to our parish priest and the Holy Family parish community for your ongoing support of our school. Your guidance, encouragement and prayerful presence enrich the faith journey of our students and staff.

Together, we have created a year filled with growth, hope, and shared achievement. I am deeply grateful for all we have accomplished as a community.

May the holiday season bring rest, peace, and joyful time with loved ones.

Thank you for your continued support.

End of Year Mass

Everyone is invited to celebrate the 2025 School Year with a Thanksgiving Mass at Holy Family Church. Mass will be held on Wednesday 10th December at 9:15am.

During this Mass we give thanks for the year that we have had - a year of learning and fun filled with hope!

Semester Two Student Reports

I have had the pleasure of reading over 250 student reports in recent weeks.

On behalf of our students and their parents, I would like to acknowledge the dedication and care shown to our students by each member of staff throughout this semester.

Please take the time to sit down with your child when their report comes home next week and celebrate his/her successes.

Below is information on how to access your child's report.

Year 6 Graduation

I warmly invite Year 6 families to join me to celebrate the Class of 2025 as they complete their primary school journey.

The Graduation Ceremony will be held on Wednesday 10th December at Avila College.

Christmas Eve Mass

Rehearsals are underway for our Christams Eve Nativity! We have over 50 students wanting to retell this religious story to our parish community.

Christmas Eve Mass is at 5pm on December 24th 2025.

This promises to be a memorable Christmas Eve for our community.

Staffing News

To the teachers and staff moving on at the end of this year: thank you for the enthusiasm, skill and wholehearted care you have given to our students.

You have been an important part of the Holy Family story, and you leave with our gratitude, prayers and very best wishes.

Sinead McCutcheon (returning to Ireland) Mrs Marks will teach Year 1M for the last 7 days this year
Andrew Wilson (teaching in Western Australia)
Jennifer Young (St Paul's, Monbulk)
Simone Tapley (family time)
Matthew Leeson (St Kevin's College)

We also have staff taking extended leave next year -

Janine Standfield
Jacqui Prosser
Beverly Gilbert

New Staff

I extend a warm welcome to the new members of staff joining Holy Family Primary School. We value the expertise, energy and fresh perspectives you bring, and we look forward to working together to support the learning and wellbeing of all students.

Laura Dell'Aquila (Visual Arts teacher)
Tara McDonald (LSO)
Georgia MacDonald (LSO)
Tania Christopher (LSO)
Claudia Heil (LSO)

External Review Process

Last Friday our Staff Leadership Team engaged in a Dialogue and Engagement session with Lorraine Kennedy (Reviewer - National Curriculum Services), Debbie Darvell (MACS Senior Manager) and Madeleine Kelly (MACS Learning Partner School Effectiveness) to set direction for Holy Family in the next 4 years.

Next Tuesday, our Staff Leadership Team will work with MACS Staff to create our School Improvement Plan based on the findings of our External Review. I look forward to sharing this plan with our community.

2026 Staff Leadership

Julie David (Principal)
Eithne King (Deputy Principal/Positive Behaviour for Learning/Mental Health for Primary Schools)
Julianne Kelly (Learning and Teaching/Literacy)
Michelle Luong (Learning and Teaching/Mathematics)
Juliette Foenander (Wellbeing/Mental Health for Primary Schools)
Amanda Mase (Digital Technologies)
Julie David (Term 1)/Verity Curtain (Term 2) (Learning Diversity)

2026 Specialist Classes

After discussions with staff and some students we have decided to introduce Visual Arts into our Specialist Classes next year.

These classes will run each week and replace Library as a Specialist Class.

Class teachers will take their stduents to the library each week and continue to celebrate 'Book Week' and National Simultaneous Storytime'.

If you would like to assist in maintaining our library on a voluntary basis then please email your interset to me jdavid@hfmw.catholic.edu.au

Student Leadership Positions for 2026

Congratulations to the students appointed as our 2026 Student Leaders. Leadership at Holy Family means service, example and commitment, and we are confident you will bring these qualities to your roles. We look forward to the positive impact you will make throughout the year. Please see the list of our 2026 student leaders on the student leaders page.

Year 1/2 Camp Day

Our Year 1 and 2 students enjoyed a wonderful camp experience filled with fun, collaboration and challenge. It was a joy to see our youngest campers supporting one another, trying new activities and building confidence. Most importantly, camp strengthened the connections within their classes and created memories they will carry with them throughout their school journey.

Holy Family Playgroup

Our school and Parish community will be launching 'Holy Family Playgroup' in 2026. This community endeavour will be held at Holy Family School once a fortnight for one hour and will be run by expereinced educators and volunteers. The sessions will commence on Friday 20th February at 9:30am.

If you have a Working With Children Check and would like to go on a roster to help out please email office@hfmw.catholic.edu.au

Discovery Tours

Please invite your family, friends and neighbours to go to our website and book a Discovery Tour with me and our Student Leaders.

Soft Plastics Recycling Pick Up

Thank you to all those families who have already volunteered this year to pick up our soft plastics recycling from school and drop off at the Monash Recycling Depot.

Please see below the roster for Term 4.

Wishing everyone a peaceful and holy Christmas,

Julie David (Principal)

2025 School Year Dates

Term Four Important Dates

(dates as correct on 20/11/2025)

DECEMBER

Thurs 4 Community Christmas Carols (6:30pm)

Wed 10 End of Year Celebration Mass (9:15am) Everyone welcome!

Wed 10 Year 6 Graduation- Avila College

Fri 12 Year 6 'Big Day Out'

Tues 16 Final Assembly (11:30am)

Tues 16 Last day of 2025 for students (1pm finish)

Wed 17 Staff Handover (2025-2026)