Current News
TUESDAY 25th NOVEMBER (No electricity - students work from home)
FRIDAY 28th NOVEMBER (SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY - 2026 Staff Planning)
Dear Families,
I can't believe how fast this year has gone!
Our teachers are finalising 2026 class lists and Semester Two student reports. Please be mindful that this is an extremely busy time of year therefore it may take the class teacher, administration and leadership staff a bit longer to respond to your email or phone call.
We have many things to look forward to in the last few weeks of 2025 -
- Year 6 Summer Sports Day
- Year 1/2 Camp Day
- Year 6 Big Day Out
- Year 4 Mini Vinnies Multicultural Day
- Prep-Year 4 Swimming
- Transition Day for New Students (Years 1-6)
- Community Christmas Carols
- Celebration Mass for the 2025 School Year
- Final Assembly to farewell Year 6 students and staff
- Staff and Year 6 Buddy Morning Tea
- Christmas Eve Mass
Work From Home
Due to unforeseen circumstances students and staff are encouraged to work from home on Tuesday 25th November. United Energy has advised the school that we will have no electricity from 8am until 4pm on this day.
Plan for the day -
- Teaching staff can be contacted via email between the hours of 8:30am and 3:30pm
- Students will be set activities to complete while at home on this day
Students are required to bring their completed work to school the following day
School Closure Day
On Friday 28th November our staff will be onsite to commence planning for 2026.
Our Leadership Team will also be involved in a Dialogue and Engagement Session with our Reviewer (Lorraine) and our MACS Senior Manager (Debbie Darvell). Actions from this feedback will assist in guiding the creation of our School Improvement Plan for the next 4 years.
Jack Mathers (MACS Positive Behaviour Learning Consultant) will also present to staff during the day. In 2026 Holy Family will begin the Positive Behaviour for Learning journey.
This is an evidence-based framework that brings together the whole-school community to contribute to developing a positive, safe and supportive learning culture. The framework assists schools to improve social, emotional, behavioural and academic outcomes for children and young people.
When PBL is implemented well, teachers and students have more time to focus on relationships and classroom instruction.
Students and staff benefit from:
- reduced inappropriate behaviour
- increased time focused on instruction
- improved social-emotional wellbeing
- positive and respectful relationships among students and staff
- support for teachers to teach, model and respond effectively to student need
- a predictable learning environment where staff and students know what is expected to deliver effective practices that can be sustained over time
https://youtu.be/Dv5FCU1M4Bc?si=Uk_tQIxhiKPu6dck
Principal for the Day
I would like to thank Mr Dais (Principal) and Miss Camilleri (Vice Principal) for working so hard on Tuesday.
Some of the responsibilities they had were -
- making whole school announcements
- assisting with 'Kiss and Drop'
- packing up after the 2026 Prep Transition session
- taking school tours
- reminding students of school expectations
- listening to and voting on 2026 School Captain speeches
- visiting classrooms to ensure every student is on task
They also had lunch with staff in our staffroom, gave free chromebook time, played two of their favourite songs over the loud speaker and handed out treats for everyone.
I am sure they slept well!
I can't wait to see who will be 'Principal for the Day' in 2026!
Christmas Eve Mass
Thank you to the students who have volunteered to take part in the retelling of The Nativity on Christmas Eve at Holy Family Parish. Father Justel is extremely happy that so many students want to take part in this Mass.
Rehearsals will commence next week under the guidance and direction of myself, Miss Lark and Miss Rawlins.
This promises to be a memorable Christmas Eve for our community.
SAC/P&F AGM
On Tuesday night we held our Annual General Meetings for our School Advisory Council and Parents and Friends Association.
I would like to thank these parents for supporting our school and providing meaningful feedback to ensure Holy Family continues to thrive.
2025 School Advisory Council Members
- Father Justel
- Julie David
- Eithne King
- Michael Newman
- Daniel Trettel
- Mark Petersen
- Amelia Younane
- Sandra Filippou
2025 Parents and Friends Executive Committee
- Amelia Younane
- Brooke Banbury
- Sarah Lane
- Daniela Trettel
Positions Vacant
We have the following positions available for 2026 -
- School Advisory Council (one meeting each term)
- Parents and Friends Association (two meetings each term)
Please email your interest to join these hardworking teams jdavid@hfmw.catholic.edu.au
We would love you to join us!
Staff Changes
Today we said goodbye to Liam Regan. Liam joined our staff this year as a Learning Support Officer. On behalf of our community, I want to thank Liam for the support that he provided to our staff and students.
Liam has accepted a position at Bunnings which is closer to his home and will commence an animation course in 2026.
We wish him all the best and will miss his amazing costume during Book Week.
Miss King and I have interviewed for new staff over the last two weeks.
I am pleased to say that we have employed four Learning Support Officers who will join our staff in 2026.
Tara McDonald and Claudia Heil have already started in their roles.
Please make these new staff members feel welcome.
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
Student Leadership Positions for 2026
This week students have been presenting speeches and undertaking interviews for the student leadership positions for 2026. Students in Years 4 and 5 have had the opportunity to vote for school captains and those in years 3-5, house captians. When voting they have been asked to vote for the best candidates for these roles. Staff have also been busy in interviewing for all other leadership positions. We will be hoping to announce our 2026 student leadership team within the next two weeks, when all students have had the opportunity to be interviewed and/or present their speeches.
Year 1/2 Camp Day
We look forward to our 1/2 camp day on Monday to Oasis Camp in Mt Evelyn. A reminder that students can wear free dress (suitable clothing for outdoor activities) and need to bring a snack, hat, water bottle and suncreen in a small backpack. Students will leave school at 9am and will return between 6:30pm-7pm.
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.
It is your 'Word of Mouth' that piques interest in others to visit and join Holy Family School.
Second Hand Uniform Sale
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 wonderful weekend,
Julie David (Principal)
2025 School Year Dates
Term Four Important Dates
(dates as correct on 20/11/2025)
NOVEMBER
Fri 21 Year 6 Summer Sport Fun Day
Sun 23 Choir busking at 10am Mass
Mon 24 Year 1 and 2 Camp Day
Tues 25 Work from Home (no electricity)
Fri 28 School Closure Day (2026 Planning)
DECEMBER
Mon 1 Swimming (Prep-Year 4) 2 weeks
Thurs 4 Community Christmas Carols (6:30pm)
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)