Principal Post
Dear Families,
Class Masses
This Friday is our last class Mass for 2025. Once again our Mass celebrations have been truly wonderful gatherings and go a long way in strengthening our identity and our community. Well done to all our students and teachers together with our REL Mr Rooney for their thoughtful preparation. Our last Class Mass will be hosted by Foundation W with the theme Children of God - God loves me! Come along and celebrate with us at the 9am in the church. Foundation W families will be invited to the staffroom for Morning Tea after the Mass. Please bring a plate - no nuts, fresh cream or food cooked in nut oil. List all ingredients or bring prepackaged food.
2026 School Fees and Levies
At our recent SAC meeting we reviewed and approved 2026 school fees and levies. Following MACS guidance and to ensure St John Vianney’s remains on a strong and sustainable foundation we will be introducing tiered family fees for 2026. This is a change to previous years and to provide clarity we have included the 2026 fees and charges notice for reference. Transitioning to tiered family fee model is an effective and fair way to support our school's long -term financial health. Most Catholic schools use or will be undertaking tiered family fees beginning next year. As stated it is fairer for all families and results in greater sustainability for the school,
Our fees are also influenced by the Commonwealth Department of Education's cellulation of our community's ability to financially contribute to the operating costs of the school, known as the Capacity to Contribute or CTC, which is reviewed annually. School funding is complex, so I have included a simple '"explainer" which I hope will support your understanding of how government funds Catholic and other non- government0 schools and how tuition fees support our school.
Please note for those eligible for the concessional fee the policy and amounts will be available once finalized by MACS.
In addition to this communication, please note that as per previous years a letter will be sent home to all families outlining the 2026 fees and levies which will be charged at the 2026 school year. This will be sent in November.
Congratulations - Diwali
To all our families who celebrated Diwali this week, we wish you every blessing. May the festival of lights bring you much joy and prosperity.
SJV Disco
If you want to volunteer for the SJV Disco Friday 24th October please email jwillmott@sjvmulgrave.catholic.edu.au
Set up is 2.15pm - 4.00pm
Years F - 2 Disco 4.45pm - 5.45pm
Years 3 - 6 Disco 6.00pm - 7.00pm
Clean up - 7.00pm - 7.30pm
Indonesian Day
On Wednesday 29th October we will celebrate our Indonesian day. Please ensure your child dresses in Indonesian colours!
Please read the Page about our Indonesian Day in this newsletter!
2026 Foundation Parent Information Evening
A reminder that we will have a Parent Information Evening for all parents of students beginning in 2026. This will take place next Tuesday 28th October at 7pm in the Performing Arts Area. The evening will go for approximately 1 hour.
GEM Awards
This week Jennifer from 5/6J and empathy award For being a kind friend who always helps others especially the younger students.
Valentina from 3/4W also won an empathy award for being a kind friend who always includes others in games. She also always says ‘Sorry’ when she is wrong.
Staffing
I will be on LSL from next Thursday 30th October returning on Sports Day November 7th. Jenny will be Acting Principal in my absence. Emails to my address will be forwarded to Jenny.
Jenny's email is jwillmott@sjvmulgrave.catholic.edu.au
Wellington Kindergarten Visits
Our Community partnership with Wellington Kindergarten began again this week. Our grade 5's are visiting the kinder this term to build strong community connections.
John Hannah House
This week grade 1/2 DS visited John Hannah House. They talked about Springtime and created some 'busy bees' together.
Classes in 2026!
We are firmly in the process of planning classes for next year. Placement arrangements are as follows. Each student will be asked to nominate five friends they know and work well with. We will ensure that every student is placed with at least one of these nominated peers. It is important that your child selects students they know and feel comfortable learning alongside.
Parents are welcome to submit a request for their child’s placement. Requests must be addressed to me in writing and sent to my email amullaly@sjvmulgrave.catholic.edu.au.
All requests by Thursday 6th November.
We ask that you do NOT request a particularly teachers for the following reasons. We have not finalised grade teacher placement. Teachers may move from SJV.
Please note that while all requests will be considered, our priority is to make decisions that support the educational, social, and emotional needs of all students. For this reason, requests will only be granted where there is a very significant reason.
We appreciate your trust in this process and your support in helping us create the best possible learning environment for all children. Please note that if you have made requests in previous years, you will still need to submit a new request this year, as previous requests may not be an issue now, nor carried over or perhaps even remembered.
School House Sports
Friday November 7th - Ross Reserve Athletics Track Noble Park
We ask that you drop your child at the venue (not at school) between 8:40 - 9am and if not staying arrive for pick up by 2:45pm. We anticipate that the day will conclude by 3pm.
Please note that all parents are welcome to join us on the day as a spectator or helper. If helping you do need a current WWCC. More information to follow. School Closure days term 4
Closure Days
The school will be closed on:
Monday 3rd November Cup Eve.
Tues 4th November (Melbourne Cup).
Mon 8th December (2026 Planning Day)
First Aid Update
Our staff undertook their First Aid update yesterday.
Staff Closure Day – Exploring Our Catholic Identity
On Friday 17th October, all staff participated in a school closure day centred around deepening our understanding of Catholic Identity. Building on Father Harry’s PLM and our ongoing commitment to parish and social justice initiatives, staff explored key locations within the Catholic Precinct in Fitzroy.
The day included guided tours of the Mary Glowery Museum and St Patrick’s Cathedral, along with a reflective talk from David Schutz. We gathered for daily Mass, followed by a shared lunch and reflection.
It was a meaningful opportunity for staff to reconnect with the Catholic story of our local area, reflect on their faith, and strengthen our collective mission as a Catholic school.
Use of the oval after school
Please note the large gate near the oval is locked at 3:30pm. Families should leave the oval by 3:45pm or before.