Principal's Message

Dear Parents and Carers

We are now in Week 4 of Term One and Ash Wednesday is upon us as an early beginning to the Lenten season this year in the Catholic Church.

It has been wonderful to walk through the classrooms and see our students calm,settled, and fully engaged in their learning. Equally, it is fantastic to see children happily playing together in the playground, building friendships and enjoying their time at school and the new playground.

Wednesday, February 18th  – The Beginning of Lent

This Wednesday, February 18th marks the beginning of Lent in the Catholic faith and tradition. Ash Wednesday signals the start of the Lenten season, a time when Catholics are called to engage in prayer, fasting (self-denial), and almsgiving (outreach to others) practices that guide us toward personal conversion.

Lent lasts for 40 days, beginning on Ash Wednesday and culminating in Easter. This period reflects the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert, fasting and praying, before beginning His public ministry. While Lent is deeply rooted in Catholicism, many other Christian denominations also observe this sacred season.

In 2026, what does Lent mean for me?

Some reflections:

• Fasting – Am I mindful of how much food I have? Do I avoid waste and take only what I need, rather than what I want?
• Almsgiving – When I give, does it challenge me? Do I give in a way that truly makes an impact, or only in a way that is comfortable for me?
• Prayer – Do I always ask the Lord for my own needs, or do I take time to thank Him for all I have? Do I pray regularly, nurturing my relationship with God? Do I listen for His guidance and recognize when He is speaking to me?

Ash Wednesday Class Reflections

This year, each year level will take part in a brief, prayerful reflection for Ash Wednesday within their learning space. Mrs. Gasbarro will collect blessed ashes from the church, and teachers will distribute them to students during this time of reflection.

Masses for Ash Wednesday at our Parishes

ASH Wednesday 18th February BMCC

St Fidelis 9:15am

St Josephs 9:15am 

St Ambrose 7:00pm

“To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

Child Safety: 11 Standards, 11 Months

At our school, child safety is paramount. The wellbeing of every child is at the heart of all we do.

This year, we are joining in with the MACS Child Safety Campaign: 11 Standards, 11 Months. Across the year, our staff will focus on one Child Safety Standard each month, deepening our understanding and strengthening our practices to ensure the highest levels of care, protection, and accountability.

Each month, staff will unpack the standard thoroughly, and families will be kept informed through updates in this newsletter and on the Child Safety page of our school website. These updates will highlight key learnings, expectations, and how each standard supports a safe and respectful school environment for all children.

We value the partnership we share with parents and carers and thank you for working alongside us to uphold a strong culture of child safety.

Parents and friends Meeting

A big thank you to our P&F for a great first meeting of the year last week.  It was lovely to see so many parents come together to plan activities and events for the year ahead. A warm welcome as well to our new members. It's wonderful to have such a dedicated group of parents who are keen to support our school.

Fundraising | Where Does My Contribution Go?

At St Fidelis, we are fortunate to have a dedicated group of parents who work alongside the school to coordinate fundraising efforts, represent families within the community, and organize a variety of engaging events for students and their families.

Our primary goal is to foster strong connections among families and staff while encouraging active parental participation in school life through social and fundraising initiatives.

Building Community Through Social Events

Social events play a vital role in strengthening the community spirit within our school. In the past, we have hosted events such as the Foundation Family "Getting to Know You" night, Parish, School Family Social Nights, Parent Trivia Night, Carols night  and the STEM/Art Show, to name just a few.

The Impact of Fundraising

Fundraising provides essential financial support for our school, especially in areas where government funding is limited. These funds help maintain school facilities and enhance educational resources, such as:

• Refreshing and Upgrading library books
• Purchasing multiple copies of quality literature for upper-year levels
• Upgrading IT resources 
• New take home books 

At St Fidelis, we strive to offer a variety of fundraising opportunities to accommodate different family circumstances. There is never any pressure to participate in every event, and we carefully space them out throughout the school year. Some of our most successful past fundraisers include:

• Hot Food Days
• Hot Cross Bun Drives
• Easter Raffles
• School Open and Fete Days
• (Biannual) Color Fun Run – a highlight for students, parents, and teachers alike!
• Bunnings Sausage Sizzle 
• (Biannual) School fete 2025 
• Junior Playground installation (early 2025)
• Completion of Play bays (early 2025)

Major Playground Project: 2026 and beyond

Our biggest goal is to build a new playground in  Hawthorn Yard  for the older children. While reaching this goal may take a couple of years, your support will play a vital role in bringing this dream to life. 

To stay informed about upcoming events, please take a moment to read the Parents & Friends (P&F) page in the school newsletter. If you have some time to spare, we encourage you to get involved—every contribution, big or small, makes a meaningful impact!

🎉 We’re Turning 100! 🎉

In 2027, St Fidelis turns 100 and we’re starting to plan now!

We’re looking for parents and carers to join a small Centenary Steering Committee to help bring this celebration to life. If you enjoy planning, creating, organising, sharing stories, or just being part of something special, we’d love you involved.

No experience needed , just enthusiasm and community spirit.

Centenary Planning Meeting: March 16 7:00pm 2026, Staffroom 

Come along, hear the ideas, and help shape this once in a lifetime  celebration!

A Day of Peace, Pedals and Celebration

Please read a special message from our Wellbeing Leaders in today's newsletter in the Student Engagement Page of today's newsletter 

Meet and Greet | Thank you to parents and teachers

Thank you to all the parents and carers who attended Meet the Teacher last week. It was wonderful to see so many of you taking the time to connect with your child’s teacher and learn more about the year ahead.

Meet the Teacher is such a valuable opportunity to build strong partnerships between home and school. When we work together, share expectations, and communicate openly, it makes a real difference to children’s confidence, learning, and wellbeing.

We truly appreciate your time, your engagement, and the support you show our staff and school community.

2026 School Fees

The 2026 School Fees invoice will be sent home within the next fortnight.

Have a lovely week

Manuela