Dear Families,

Weren't we blessed to have such a wonderful evening for our Advent Christmas Concert last Friday. What a great night, full of community spirit. It was terrific to see so many people including some of our 2025 Foundation families. Thank you to Gen Bryant and her band, the P&F for their organisation of food trucks and our staff particularly Jonathan Rooney for ensuring the success of such an important event!

Closure Day

A reminder that this Friday the school will closed to students. The staff will be using this day as a Planning Day for 2025.

Thank you for your support.

Staff Changes for 2025

The following staff changes will occur for 2025. In next weeks newsletter I will thank these people:

Liz Jackson has retired after more than 35 years at our school.

Beth Lacy will also retire as a part time teacher but we hope to see her return as a CRT.

Emma Sofra will take up a part time position at Resurrection Keysborough after 14 years at SJV.

Nat Papaioannou will move to a new school, St Josephine Bakhita in Clyde North, closer to her home.

Andrea Harvey will move to St Catherine's in Moorabbin.

Andrea Kinsella has been given 12 months leave and we hope to see her back in 2026.

Our LSO's Lauren Cameron will begin her teaching career at Our Lady in the Pines Donvale which is very exciting for her. Ella Tremonti will return to her home state of NSW.

At this stage Shermila Dassanayake will conclude her short term contract with us.

New staff:

We will welcome the following staff in 2025.

Shari Correlje is an experienced teacher fcurrently at St John the Baptist Ferntree Gully. Shari has taught here as a CRT.

Monica Bowen is an experienced teacher from St Peters Clayton.

Kelly Moxon is an experienced teacher currently teaching at St Mary's Hampton

Harry Mulcahy and May McMullan LSO's who joined us this past term will continue in their roles.

Leyla Klason our Secretary will return on a part time basis.

Some of our existing staff will be increasing their hours.

I will provide the 2025 staffing list including grade levels in next weeks newsletter.

Step Up Morning - Meet the

2025 Class and teacher

Next Monday morning, the students who next year will be in Year 1-6 will meet their 2025 class and teacher(s). This will take place at 10:15am - 11:10am. This is an exciting time for all students as part of their transition. The formulation of class lists as previously stated is very complex process, taking in a number of variables. All students who will be here in 2025, will have one nominated friend in their class. Please note there will be no change to class lists. Parents will also be notified of their child's class teacher via email on Monday. We have nine new students begining next year at SJV in Grades 1-6.

I know we will make them very welcome as part of the SJV family.

Foundation Transition meet the teacher and readiness

Our last Foundation Transition Session will be held on Monday 6th December beginning at 9:15am and finishing at the earlier time of 10am. This is to cater for the Year 1-6 Step up Morning.

At this transition session students will meet their class teacher for 2025. Parents will spend some time together talking about readiness and practicalities for starting school. Please meet on the basketball court outside the staffroom.

School Reports

The Semester 2 school reports will be made available to families on Monday 9th December at 4pm. The reports can be accessed via the nForma nPortal. Information regarding how to access the reports was sent to all families via email last week. If you are unsure please email Office Staff at: admin@sjvmulgrave.catholic.edu.au .

If you have any other questions, refer to the nForma FAQs page:

https://nforma.com.au/parent-faqs/

SJV Spirit Day - Tomorrow December 5

Colour Fun Run & Talent Show

All students will need a white t-shirt to participate in this event. If anyone can lend a water gun for the day could the school please borrow. This will only be used on students that wish to be squirted. Read further information in this newsletter.

We hope as many parents as possible will join us for the talent show at 12.15pm or the Colour Run at 2.15pm. Please stay after school for a BBQ $2 a sausage in bread or $2 a drink.

Sacrament of First Reconciliation (Parish)

If your child is Roman Catholic and in Grade 2 this year, this means that your child can receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation (Confession) in March 2025. Enrolments are now open. Enrolment forms are available from the parish office. Enrolments close on Friday 13 December. No late enrolments accepted.

Ph: Parish - 9546 3831

Carparking

Safety at all times!!

A reminder that despite the rush that seems to come with December, we need to be very careful in our carparks and surrounding streets. Please be mindful and patient in both the Parish Carpark and at back gate! Please obey all signs and speed zones.

Awards

This week we had three award winners. Stephanie form Grade 5 for being a considerate and caring friend who greets each day with a smile.

Lisa from grade 4 for being a great friend to other students and helpful to others.

Miss Anna for showing us everyday how you care for us with your patience and support.

M-City Community Christmas Art

SJV is part of the Community Christmas Art Program.

From December 6th- December 24th an SJV designed tree will be displayed at M-City.

Customers can vote for their favourite Tree, and all schools will win a prize.

First Place $400

2nd Place $200

All other schools $100

So get along and Vote !

Student Leadership and Captains in 2025

Students in Year 5 have across the past few days presented their Captains speeches to their peers, Grade 4 students and staff.

They have done a brilliant job. Clearly the leadership program and public speaking course have assisted these students.

The students have now voted for our captains, not only based on each candidates speech, but how they see these students as leaders. Staff will also have input. There will be 20 Captains for 2025. They will be announced on Thursday 12th December. All Year 6 six students will be 'leaders' with some students elected to captaincy roles.

Badges will be presented at the Opening School Mass on Friday 7th February 9am start.

Beginning of Year Testing Times:

At the beginning of the 2025 school year, all students will be required to participate in beginning of the year literacy and numeracy testing to monitor student learning and growth. These tasks are valuable in providing staff with information in relation to students’ understanding, growth and areas for future learning focus. We ask families to familiarise themselves with the beginning of the year testing dates below:

Students in Years 1-6 will be required to attend school on Wednesday 29th January or Thursday 30th January at an allocated time to complete literacy & numeracy testing.

Year 1 and 2 Students: Parents will be able to book an appointment for their child to complete testing on either Wednesday 29th January or Thursday 30th January. Information regarding online booking will be sent to families before the end of term.

Year 3 and 5 Students: All students are required to attend school from 8:45 - 11:00 on Wednesday 29th January. All children will be required to be picked up at 11am. No child will be allowed to walk/ ride home but must be collected by an adult.

Year 4 and 6 Students: All students are required to attend school from 8:45 - 11:00 on Thursday 30th January. All children will be required to be picked up at 11am. No child will be allowed to walk/ ride home but must be collected by an adult.

2025 - Gate Opening & Bell Times

Please note that in 2025:

The gates will open at 8.30am but the bell to enter the the classroom will be at 8.40am to ensure the school complies with the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA).

The roll will be taken at 8.45am.

All students upon arrival will be asked to play on the assembly/basketball court outside the staff room until the music begins. Supervision will start on this area at 8:30am

Mother's and Father's Day 2025 Survey

Over the last few years we have hosted a Mother's Day and Father's Day breakfast. Please fill in the following survey. These events do take a lot to prepare so we want to make sure that this is the right time for these even :

Click HERE

We have also sent this survey via seesaw.

School Advisory Council

At last evenings SAC we discussed:

The School Review process and preliminary report which was very favourable to our school. (more to be shared in 2025)
Bell times for 2025. The gates will open at 8:30am but students will access the buildings from 8:40am. More information will be provided next year.
The school Closure Days for 2025. These are on the Dates to remember page.
We had some preliminary discussions around the purpose and benefits of a Therapy Dog.

Save the date 29th March 2025

This event will be our major school fundraiser for 2025.

If you have a business and can donate any Vouchers or Goods for Raffle prizes, please contact or hand into the office reception.

If you think you can help in any other way please contact: jwillmott@sjvmulgrave.catholic.edu.au.

Last meeting for 2024!

Next Meeting: This evening at 7.00pm

To join the video meeting, click this link: https://meet.google.com/vuz-ofkz-ahf

Please see our Important Dates page for all upcoming events and Term 1 2025 testing and starting days.

Music Lessons for 2025