From our Principal

St Roch’s School theme 2026:

"United in Faith, Sharing the Light"

Dear Families,

Welcome to Issue 18 for 2026 of our iNewsletter! We hope this newsletter continues to keep you up to date with all the news, events and learning that happens at St Roch's.

It was certainly lovely to return to St Roch's after a much anticipated family time away. Sincere thanks to all for your well wishes as our family celebrated the wedding of our son Arthur to Annabel. We are beyond thrilled. Thank you to Nadine Bolton for steering the ship and to our Leadership Team, Louise Bolton, Rachel Gray, Toni Allen and Cassie Jensen for supporting the leadership of St Roch's during this time.

2026 School Spirit Sports

A note from Marjie King - PE Specialist!

What a fantastic Friday we had for our School Spirit Sports! The weather could not have been more perfect, providing us with bright blue skies and beautiful sunshine as our students hit the oval to showcase their incredible energy and team spirit.

It was a day packed full of laughter and fun. Our young athletes leaped into action across a wide range of events, showing off their skills in various running races and high-energy jumping activities. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the epic tug-o-war competition, which saw houses band together, dig their heels into the grass and pull with all their might amidst deafening cheers from the sidelines!

An event this successful only happens with a massive team effort. A huge thank you goes out to our wonderful staff and parent helpers who worked tirelessly to encourage your children, keep score, marshal events and keep the day running smoothly. We also extend our gratitude to our brilliant sports leaders, who did a fantastic job guiding their teams and demonstrating excellent sportsmanship throughout the day.

Finally, a special shout out to Mr Arthur who was a crucial part of the day in assisting with getting equipment to and from the park as well as setting up and running activities all day long.

Thank you to everyone who came along to support and cheer. 

Loughnan: 750 points

Murtagh: 733 points

Bracken: 718 points

Congratulations to Marjie for her coordination in leading this superb day!! Blessed with sunshine our School Sports Sports Day today was a huge success. We are so proud of our Year 6 House Captains, Mia & George, Grace & Harriet and Luca and Harper. 

Congratulations to Grace and Harriet on leading Loughnan to success today!! All students were exceptional. Thank you to Marjie, Sam Arthur, all staff, students and of course our families and volunteers on the day who are so supportive!!

Thank you!!

We extend a heartfelt thanks to Matt Stubbs who has organised the exquisite signage around the school! With contributions from our 2025 Year 6 Parents as the the Year 6 Leaving gift we are so proud of the way our school looks. Thank you to this amazing group of parents for supporting our school.

Thank you to our P&F Committee

To date we have received funds well over $40,000 in fundraising money that has been raised  over the last two years. We are indebted to the generosity of our families and the extended community.  We thank Dave Crew, Will Cheang and the entire P&F Committee who have worked hard over this time to raise money for our magnificent school. On the top of our list is the laying of new carpet in the Prep, Year 3, Year 4 classrooms and the Multi-Purpose room, including corridors on the 2nd level of our school. We are incredibly grateful to be able to put $25,000.00 towards the upgrade. We look forward to providing a wonderful learning space for the students throughout these rooms over the next few weeks. 

We are currently exploring options to ensure the saftey of students, staff, parents and siblings is upheld on the playground near the sandpit while students are playing ball games. As always we ask that you are diligent in supervising your children while on the playground after school. 

We would like to also acknowledge the $300.00 raised by the Year 2 students and families during the Lolly and Cake Stall at the Parish Netball/Footy Day in august. This money will be an important contribution towards our new STEAM initiative for 2027 which will include the use of 3D Printers.

We are thrilled to announce and launch an exciting new learning initiative at St Roch’s Primary School starting next year - a dedicated, hands-on STEAM Program for every student from Prep to Year 6.

Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) represent the future of learning, giving students authentic opportunities to solve real-world problems.

Delivered on-site by two specialist STEAM educators, this program brings classroom concepts to life through building, testing, coding and creating. 

St Roch's has had an exceptional STEM program over the years with Cassie Jensen and we are most grateful for her work.

This comprehensive, new program delivered by Think and Tink STEAM Education will continue to enhance our students' learning.

What your child will experience:

• Prep to Year 2: Young learners will build confidence through creative, hands-on investigations, exploring structures, simple machines, marble runs, basic circuits, introductory coding and robotics.

   

• Year 3 to 6: Upper-primary students will tackle deeper engineering and design challenges, working with structural engineering, electronics, renewable energy, 3D CAD prototyping and automation.

   

• Extension & Special Projects: Identified students seeking an extra challenge will have access to an extension pathway focusing on advanced 3D design, sustainability solutions and innovation challenges. 

   

We look forward to an exciting year in this area.

Child Safety 

Child Safety is a fundamental part of all our decisions at St Roch's. As part of our ongoing commitment to Child Safety our policies are constantly reviewed and placed on our website for your information. Feedback that you would like to provide may be emailed to me at principal@srgleniris.catholic.edu.au

OSHC 2027 at St Roch's

We are pleased to share a positive update regarding Before and After School Care services at St Roch's for 2027. 

Following the previously announced changes to MACSEYE services, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) has been working to secure a new provider to support our school community. 

We are pleased to advise that TheirCare has confirmed its commitment to providing Before and After School Care services at our school from 2027. 

This is welcome news and an important step towards ensuring families continue to have access to these valued services. MACS is now working with TheirCare to finalise the necessary agreements and transition arrangements ahead of the 2027 school year. 

Further information regarding service arrangements, enrolments and other practical details will be shared as these are confirmed. 

We understand how important these services are to our families and appreciate your patience and understanding throughout this process. 

We look forward to sharing further updates as arrangements progress. 

Congratulations Anthony Wright & Rhys Lowther

Congratulations to Anthony Wright who will be ordained a Deacon on Saturday 14 November 2026 at 10.00am at St Patrick's Cathedral. We wish Anthony all the very best for this day. This will be the first ordination within the Melbourne Oratory Project commenced by Father Michael Gallacher. 

Many of you will be familiar with Rhys Lowther and we extend our congratulation to Rhys who will be ordained a priest on this day as well. Please refer to the Parish Bulletin for further information.

A Photographic Exhibition by one of our parents - Dave Kulesza!

Staff Gifts from the P & F 

Please see the message from Jess Mount to all families which was sent recently. We are incredibly grateful to the endeavour, commitment and generosity of our parents to the staff and students of St Roch's. ❤️

Dear Parents, 

The P & F we would like to offer our families the opportunity to contribute towards end of year gifts for the staff at St Roch’s. Together, we are able to give something meaningful and special for each of the leadership team, classroom teachers, LSOs, specialist teachers and support staff who have provided a wonderful year of growth and learning for our children. You can contribute any amount you like easily and securely online via the link below. All contributions are anonymous. Gifts will be given to staff at the Christmas Carols Evening on Tuesday November 24. 

https://app.grouptogether.com/StRochsStaffEndofYearGifts

Thanks so much

Jess Mount

Welcome Prep 2027 Families!

Term 4 is always such an exciting term where we welcome the new Preps and their families into our school community. 

Last Thursday was our first Transition session and we were delighted to welcome the 2027 students and parents on this day. Nadine and I shared a session on "Preparing your child to begin School!" The new Preps enjoyed their first session with Alex Granland, Nicolle Briglia ad Mia McKenzie-McHarg in the Prep Classroom. We look forward to Session #2 this Thursday. 

Upcoming Events:

• Wednesday 11 November - Remembrance Day Liturgy 10.30am 
• Friday 13 November - Little Rochstars Last Session 8.30am-9.30am
• Friday 13 November - Teacher Appreciation Morning Tea
• Wednesday 18 November - P&F AGM at 7.00pm All welcome!
• Friday 20 November - Semester 2 Highlights Assembly 2.45pm 
• Monday 23 November - Year 6 2027 Leadership Interviews with the Principal 
• Tuesday 24 November - Year 6 2027 Leadership Speeches
• Tuesday 24 November - Carols Evening 5.30pm - 6.30pm
• Monday 30 November - Student Free Day
• Thursday 3 December - Prep Nativity 2.45pm
• Tuesday 8 December - Transition to 2027 Step Up Day 
• Thursday 10 December - Year 6 Graduation Dinner
• Friday 11 December - Year 6 Big Day Out
• Friday 11 December - Reports sent to Parents
• Monday 14 December - Year 6 Graduation Assembly 3.00pm 
• Tuesday 15 December - End of Year Liturgy 9.15am
• Last Day of the 2026 School Year - Tuesday 15 December at 1.00pm

P&F Committee Messages:

Please refer to our notice on nForma requesting families to send through their favourite family recipe for the St Roch's Family Cookbook. All recipes will need to be sent to us by Monday 30 November to office@srgleniris.catholic.edu.au

Christmas Fundraiser

Thank you to Steph Morris for organising these end of year Christmas fundraisers to get us into the Christmas spirit!!  

The St Roch's Christmas Raffle proudly sponsored by Daniel Joyce - Jellis Craig includes some incredible prizes! Tickets are available on CDFPay. 

We are so grateful! Please see the flyers below:

Student Free Days 2026

Term 4:   Monday 30 November 2026  

School Term Dates 2026 

Term 1: Friday, 30 January – Thursday, 2 April 2026 at 2.30pm

Term 2: Monday 20 April – Friday 26 June 2026 at 1.00pm

Term 3: Monday 13 July – Friday 18 September 2026 at 1.00pm

Term 4: Monday 5 October – Tuesday, 15 December 2026 at 1.00pm

Year 7, 2029 – key enrolment dates 

The Archdiocesan Enrolment Committee (AEC) has approved the key enrolment dates for students starting Year 7 in 2029

 Current Year 4 parents/ carers - Families are encourage to apply to at least two secondary schools to increase the likelihood of receiving an offer.

Applications for students starting Year 7 in 2029 will open on Wednesday 27 January 2027 and close on Friday 13 August 2027.

Offers will be posted to 2029 prospective Year 7 applicants on Friday 15 October 2027. Parents/carers will be required to accept an offer by Friday 5 November 2027.

Little Roch Stars Pre-Prep Sessions

Come along to our last Little Roch Stars sessions for 2026 this Friday 13 November from 8.30am until 9.30am with Toni Allen (Early Childhood Educator and our very own Year 6 Classroom Teacher) and Alison Swift (a wealth of experience as a Learning Support Officer).  

Warmest regards,

Angie Mastoras 

Principal

All students attending St Roch's Parish Primary School have the right to feel safe.  The care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people is a fundamental responsibility of all within our school.

 

We acknowledge the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri people, the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

St Roch’s Parish Primary School

Glenvale Road, Glen Iris 3146

Telephone: 9885 7704

Email: principal@srgleniris.catholic.edu.au

Website: www.srgleniris.catholic.edu.au