School News
Dear Families,
We are now well into Term 3 and it has been wonderful to see our students enjoying several highlights on the school calendar, including our first Prep Transition session, Bullying. No Way! Week activities, the Year 3 MAV Maths Games Day competition, Year 5 and 6 Galilee basketball tournament, and the Beachside Girls and Boys Soccer competitions. These experiences offer valuable opportunities to learn, grow, connect and excel whether it was welcoming our newest learners to Galilee, standing together for kindness and respect, or representing our school with teamwork and determination. Each event strengthened our skills and deepened our sense of community and shared values.
Prep Transition
Last week we welcomed our newest learners and their families to Galilee as we began our Prep 2026 Transition Program. These sessions are a wonderful opportunity for our future Preps to get to know our teachers, explore the classrooms, and start building friendships in a warm and welcoming environment. Our transition program is designed to help children feel confident and comfortable as they take their first steps into primary school life, while also supporting parents in preparing for this exciting milestone. A very big thank you to our Prep team for organising and facilitating these sessions.
Bullying No Way
This week Galilee took part in the Bullying. No Way! National Week of Action, standing together to create a safe, respectful and inclusive community. This year’s theme, Be Bold. Be Kind. Speak Up., reminded us that we all have a part to play in preventing bullying and celebrating diversity. Throughout the week, students engaged in activities to strengthen a culture of kindness and respect. A highlight was Odd Socks Day, where students wore odd socks to celebrate diversity and show that it’s cool to be different.
We wanted to share the prayer that staff engaged in this week, the week of Bullying. No Way!
Loving and compassionate God,
In this week where we stand united to say Bullying. No Way! We ask for your guidance and strength.
Help us to be builders of bridges where there are divides -To be voices of calm where there is noise,And to be sources of support where there is fear.
May we be mindful of the silence that speaks volumes -The quiet child who sits alone,The smile that hides a struggle,The behaviour that masks a deeper pain.
Grant us eyes to see beyond the surface,Ears to hear what isn’t said,And hearts that are open, patient, and kind.
Let our classrooms be places of inclusion,Our staffrooms be spaces of support,And our whole school community be a safe haven for every child.
Give us the courage to challenge unkindness,The wisdom to guide with fairness,And the compassion to model the love and acceptance every child deserves.
Together, may we plant the seeds of respect,Nurture the growth of empathy,And help every student know they belong.
Amen.
100 Days of Prep
On Monday we celebrated a significant milestone in our Prep students' life. We gathered together as a community to celebrate the completion of their first hundred days of school. It has been an absolute privilege to watch them learn and grow over the last 100 days and to see them make their mark on our school community. They are an exceptional group of students and we are excited to see what they achieve in the next 100 days and beyond. Thank you to the Prep teachers who made sure it was a fun day for the students filled with special activities to celebrate.
School Closure Day Tomorrow, Friday 15th August
Tomorrow is a student free school closure day at Galilee. Staff will be participating in a Faith Formation Program based on the Jubilee Year of Hope, The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Pilgrimage. Staff will be working through a range of activities led by different people in our Parish Community. This learning experience will deepen staff faith and enhance their ability to teach Religious Education to students. We are very thankful to Alex Pensini who have organised the day. We look forward to sharing our learning with you in the next Newsletter.
Please note, GOSH, our out of hours provider will be open on Friday 15th August. Please book your children in early if you intend on using this service.
School Closure Day on Friday 29th August
On Friday 29th August we have a School Closure Day at Galilee. This day has been allocated as time in lieu day to compensate teachers for the out of hours work that they do. In 2023 the enterprise bargain agreement outlined that teachers needed to be compensated for the out of hours work that they day. At Galilee, out of hours work includes attending school camps, after school information sessions or meetings and after school activities and events. For these out of hours events to take place, we are required to compensate teachers for their time. Friday 29th August is a planned day to compensate teachers for their time.
GOSH our out of hours provider will be open on Friday 29th August. Please book your children in early if you intend on using this service.
Book Week
We’re excited to celebrate Book Week at Galilee with a range of fun and inspiring activities to promote a love of reading. This year’s theme is Book an Adventure, and we have a week full of literary fun planned!
On Monday 18th August, we kick off with our Book Week Parade and Dress Up Day. Students are invited to dress as their favourite book character for our 9:00am parade – parents and carers are warmly welcome to attend.
On Tuesday 19 August, we welcome award-winning author and educator Ingrid Laguna for an inspiring session with our Year 4-6 students. While Melanie La’Brooy is now unable to attend, we are thrilled to have Ingrid join us.
On Wednesday 20 August, we’ll hold our first Galilee Book Swap. Students can bring 1–3 gently used books (in good condition and suitable for ages 5–12) to school on Monday 18 August, ready to swap with fellow readers.
On Friday 22 August, Idan Ben-Barak will visit our Prep–Year 3 students to share his wonderful stories. There’s also an optional Book Week Competition running throughout the week.
It’s going to be a fantastic celebration of storytelling, imagination, and the joy of books!
Beachside Soccer
Over the past two weeks, our students have once again impressed us on the sporting field.
This week, both our Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer Teams competed in the Beachside Soccer Competition. This competition is a level above our district level, and simply qualifying, by winning the district competition, was an outstanding achievement in itself. Before they even kicked a ball, we were already proud!
Both teams played exceptionally well throughout the day. They progressed through their pools, won their semi-final matches, and earned a place in the grand final. In a fantastic effort, both teams finished runners-up, bringing home second place. We couldn’t be prouder of their achievements. They played with teamwork, determination, and outstanding sportsmanship.
A big thank you to the coaches, staff, and parents who supported the teams on the day!
Galilee Basketball Tournament
Last Friday, we held our very first Galilee Basketball Tournament at MSAC. The event was designed to encourage all students to participate in competitive basketball against each other while having fun—and it was a great success!
We were so impressed by the students’ skill, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship throughout the day.
A huge thank you to Mr Greene for organising this wonderful event and encouraging everyone to get involved.
Galilee Garden Gala
This Saturday promises to be a wonderful evening where our community comes together to celebrate, connect, and support our students.
These events are always a highlight of the year, not just because they’re fun, but because they reflect the strong partnership between our school and our families. It’s a chance to share in the joy of learning, laughter, and community spirit.
We would like to thank Kara, Jen, Rachel, Sarah and the team of parents who have volunteered, donated, or simply bought a ticket to attend the event, your support makes a big difference to our school.
Every dollar raised during the event will go directly towards improving our school play spaces. These upgrades will help create more imaginative, engaging and inclusive areas where all our students can play, grow, and make lasting memories.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and support. We look forward to seeing you there and celebrating all the things that make our school community so special!
The Principal for the Day raffle is live. Tickets for this need to be bought by 6pm on Friday 15th, via the Schools24 Events tab (the school lunch order app)
Click below for all the other amazing prizes. They are live and kicking!
Silent Auction – Live now: 32auctions.com/GalileeGardenGala2025
Looking ahead to the next few weeks
Week 5
- Book Week - 2025 Theme: Book an Adventure
- On Monday 18th August we will have a Book Week Parade at 9am. All students are encouraged to dress up as their favourite book character. Families are invited to attend the parade
- On Wednesday 20th August we have our first Galilee Book Swap.
- Friday 22nd August- Beachside Athletics for select students
- Friday 22nd August- MAV Maths Games Day for select Year 4 students
Week 6
- Monday and Tuesday- Year 6 Life Ed lessons
- Wednesday 27th August- Year 6 Confirmation Reflection Day
- Thursday 28th August-Year 6 MAV Maths Games Day for select students
- Friday 29th August -School Closure Day
Week 7
- Tuesday 2nd September- Sacrament of Confirmation at St Patrick Cathedral, 6pm
- Wednesday 3rd September- Father’s Day Stall
Friday 4th September- Father’s Day celebrations
We wish you and your families every blessing in the coming weeks,
-Amy (Principal), Richard Harding (Deputy Principal) and Holly Evans (Deputy Principal)