Leadership & Management

St Fidelis School is committed to the care, wellbeing and protection of children , young people and vulnerable people in our community.

Dear Parents,

As we begin the season of Advent, we enter a time of hopeful anticipation, preparing our hearts and minds for the arrival of Jesus. The first week of Advent focuses on the theme of looking forward to the peace and joy that Christ’s coming brings to the world.

Advent is a time for reflection, prayer, and preparing for the Christmas season. It offers an opportunity to renew our faith and deepen our connection to the true meaning of this time. We encourage families to embrace the spirit of Advent together, sharing in moments of kindness, prayer, and love.

Thank you for your continued support as we journey through this season of preparation and hope.

Celebrating Our Amazing Staff

As we near the end of the year, we want to take a moment to celebrate some very special members of our school community.

After many dedicated years in the Administration Office, Ann Russo (28 years)and Jane Prestia (22 years) will be retiring. Ann and Jane have been the heart and soul of our school office, welcoming families, supporting staff, and ensuring the school runs smoothly day after day. Their professionalism, kindness, and unwavering commitment have left a lasting mark on St Fidelis. We will honour and celebrate them at our final assembly on December 12th, and we are so grateful for everything they have done for our community.

We also send our best wishes to Vania Sparano who is going on maternity leave. Her dedication and care have made a real difference, and we know she will embrace this exciting new chapter with the same warmth she brings to our school every day.

Finally, we congratulate Sophie Kent, who is completing her time at St Fidelis. Sophie's energy, commitment, and positive spirit have contributed so much to our school, and we thank her for all she has given.

Please join us in sending heartfelt thanks, warm wishes, and congratulations to Ann, Jane, Vania, and Sophie as they move into these exciting new chapters. Their contributions will be remembered and cherished by the whole St Fidelis community.

School Advisory Board - A word Of Thanks

Last week, we held our final School Advisory Board meeting for the year. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Chris Dickinson, who has faithfully served as Chair for the past seven years. Chris has generously given his time, leadership and expertise, and his commitment to our school community has been deeply appreciated. We extend our warmest thanks as he now steps down from this role.

I would also like to acknowledge Anthony Brazel, who is completing his seventh year on the School Advisory Board. As an architect, Anthony has brought remarkable creativity, vision and professional insight to our school. He has been instrumental in major projects, including supporting the Junior School building development, the STEM Innovation Space and the play bays. His dedication to ensuring our school environment is functional, beautiful and future focused has been invaluable. As his youngest child graduates from Year Six, Anthony also concludes his time as a St Fidelis parent, and we thank him for the exceptional contribution he has made to our community.

On behalf of our community, we thank Chris and Anthony for their outstanding service and wish them every success in the future.

In 2026, we will announce the new members of the School Advisory Board.

Parents and Friends Update and Thanks

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended our Parents and Friends AGM last week. We are incredibly grateful for the amazing amount raised this year thus far ($58, 676.78)  a contribution that will allow us to move forward with our new senior playground much earlier than anticipated. This achievement reflects the generosity and commitment of our community.

A special thank you to Anastasia, Ashley  and the parents and Friends  team for their hard work, energy and dedication throughout the year.

We also say farewell and extend our thanks to Rose Piotti whose last child is leaving St Fidelis. Rose has been instrumental in many P&F initiatives over the years, and her service and enthusiasm have made a wonderful impact on our school.

Additionally, we acknowledge Tara Soares who is stepping down as a general member after serving in numerous roles across her time with the P&F. Her commitment and support have been deeply appreciated.

Please read the P&F section for full details.

Whole School Transition – Monday, 8th  December: A Positive Step Forward

Next Monday, your child will meet their new teacher for 2026. This is an exciting time, and I’d like to take a moment to share some insights into how these decisions are made.

Our dedicated teachers and leadership team spend countless hours carefully planning class groupings. They thoughtfully consider each child’s social, emotional, and academic needs, as well as their relationships with peers and staff, to ensure the best possible environment for them to thrive. While your child may not always get their preferred classmates or teacher, this is a valuable opportunity to build resilience, a skill that will benefit them throughout their lives.

As parents, you play an essential role in shaping how your child views the changes ahead. A positive attitude from you can make all the difference. Reassure your child that change brings blessings, new friendships, new learning opportunities, and the chance to grow under the guidance of a teacher who will care deeply for them. Children who see change as an opportunity, develop adaptability and resilience, key skills for their future success.

You have a choice: Will you speak with enthusiasm about the opportunities ahead, or will you model uncertainty? Your outlook will directly influence your child’s experience.

Classroom locations for 2026

We are thrilled to share some exciting developments for 2026 as our school continues to grow and flourish. For the third consecutive year, we have experienced enrolment growth, solidifying our reputation as the school of choice in our area, alongside three other Catholic schools. Families are increasingly seeking St Fidelis for our exceptional programs and our spacious, vibrant learning environment.

As part of this growth, we are pleased to announce that the Year 3 students will remain in the SLA alongside the Year 5/6 students. This dynamic and flexible learning area is designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and deeper learning opportunities.

Our Year 4 class for 2026 will be located in the newly refurbished classroom (formerly the Italian room). This space has undergone a wonderful transformation, including new large sliding glass doors, indoor bag cubbies, fresh paint, new pinboards, new carpet, and additional learning spaces just outside the classroom. This refurbishment will create a beautiful, functional environment for our students and is expected to be completed by the end of the year, ready for 2026.

Italian classes will be held in a spare room in the Junior building and in the SLA in 2026, ensuring all students continue to enjoy rich and engaging language learning experiences.

Change is natural, and children are remarkably adaptable. Let’s embrace these positive changes together as we prepare for another fantastic year at St Fidelis.

Thank you for your continued support.

Class Structures for 2026

Foundation  (2 Classes) 

Year 1 (3 classes) 

Year 2  (2 classes)

Year 3  ( 2 Classes)

Year 4 (1 class) 

Year 5/6  (2 classes)

In next week's newsletter I will announce the final list of staffing for 2026

School Fees and Levies

Please open the link below to view next years School Fees and Levies,

DATES FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS OF 2025 SCHOOL YEAR 

Have a lovely week

Manuela