Dear Families,

Welcome to 2025 - our Year of Hope!

Our school theme for this year is 'HOPE' to coincide with the Jubilee Year in our Church. The concept of Jubilee marks a special year of reconciliation, pilgrimage and coming home.

Christian hope does not deceive or disappoint because it is grounded in the certainty that nothing and no one may ever separate us from God’s love.

(Pope FrancisSpes non confundit: Bull of Indiction of the Jubilee 2025)

New Staff

On behalf of our school community I would like to welcome two new staff members -

Alannah Phillips (Learning Support Officer)
Ingrid Hale (Learning Support Officer)

These staff members have been getting to know staff and some students over the last couple of days.

We hope you enjoy working at our wonderful school!

Whole School Mass

Everyone is welcome to join us for our first Whole School Mass for the year. At this Mass our School Captains will share stories from some of our Founding Parish members at Holy Family.

Mass will be held at 9:15am on Friday 14th February.

Extreme Heat

During Terms 1 and 4 all stduents must wear a school hat when outside during breaktimes.

It is anticipated that we are going to experience extreme heat next week. Please be assured that your child will not go out at breaktimes in this weather. They will stay in their airconditioned classrooms with staff supervision.

Just a reminder to send extra water and sunscreen for this weather. Students will be able to refill drink bottles during the school day.

Sensational Preps

Our Prep students have been very brave!

During this week they came to school for assessments prior to officially starting. It was pleasing to see how settled and happy the students were in their new classroom with Mrs Dimovski.

2025 Classroom Setup

Our teachers have been busy preparing their learning spaces over the last few days.

You will notice that each learning space has the following -

designated 'sit spots' on the floor
designated seating
all student tables facing the front of the classroom
the area around the board at the front of the classroom is clear of distraction

This set up is to provide a distraction free environment to enhance student achievement at Holy Family School.

Communication

Respectful communication between parents and staff is extremely important.

At Holy Family we have a number of forms of communication.

Whole School Newsletter - each fortnight
Level Newsletter - term outline
Seesaw - frequent posts of student work (parents are not to communicate with teachers via this tool)
Audiri - keep parents up to date with happenings at our school
Operoo - incursion/excursion notes, permission notes
Social Media - facebook, instagram
School Website
Email - staff will share their email address with families. Please 'schedule send' emails for staff to receive between the hours of 8am and 5pm (Monday to Friday)
Scheduled meetings - please phone the office/email a staff member to make a time to meet with your child's teacher if need be. Teachers do not have time before or after class to have a discussion about students but will always reply to your meeting request.

Whole School Assemblies

You are invited to our whole school assemblies each Friday at 2:45pm. These assemblies are held in the quadrangle and are hosted by our Student Leaders.

If the weather is too cold, wet or hot then assembly will be streamed into each classroom from the Principal's office. You are invited to join your child in his/her classroom if this occurs.

Class teachers will notify parents if their child is to receive an award.

Prep/Year 5 Buddy Program

Our Year 6 students were introduced to their buddies for this year at the end of 2024. It is incredible to witness the strong bond that these students share during the year.

Year 6/Staff Buddy Program

We will launch our Year 6/Staff Buddy Program next week with an afternoon tea hosted by our staff.

Each staff member at Holy Family will be a 'buddy' to a Year 6 student. This program provides each student with one adult they can speak to and receive encouragement from during their last year at Primary School.

New Students

Many new students and their families have joined our community in 2025. Please take the time to introduce yourself when at school.

I am sure these families will treasure their moments at Holy Family over the years.

P&F Welcome Event (Meet & Mingle)

Members of our Parents and Friends Association have been meeting to plan community events for this year. Funds raised from these events will go towards resources for our students.

The first parent only event (Meet and Mingle) is next Friday 7th February at 7pm in the Holy Family School Gathering Space. I strongly encourage everyone to come along to continue to build strong connections in our community.

Open Days

We have our first Open Day next Tuesday 4th February at 9:30am. Please go to our website to book in for a tour.

Our 2025 School Captains (Micah and Georgia) will support these tours.

Running Club

Mrs Michelsson will continue to have 'running club' each Friday morning at 8am.

This event will commence on Friday 7th February on our school oval.

Parents/carers/toddlers are welcome to join us!

Friday Morning Coffee

Parents/carers are invited to join us for a free coffee, water or cup of tea from 8:30am each Friday. This is a great opportunity to get to know others in our community.

Please gather at Kid's Cafe for a catch up after you have dropped off your child/ren.

School Car Park

Just a reminder that the school car park is reserved for staff and parish workers only. Parents need to find alternate parking across the road or in neighbouring streets, or use the 'Kiss and Drop' system. The 'Kiss and Drop' system works effectively when we can keep cars moving to the exit to Stephensons Road, especially in the afternoon. Staff needing to leave their workplace at the end of the day are having great difficulty due to the number of parents parking in the carpark. We thank you for respecting these arrangements.

International Students

Our school has welcomed students from China who are experiencing school in Australia for the next two weeks. This is a wonderful opportunity for our community to learn and grow in our understanding of the Chinese culture. Please introduce yourself if you see these families in the playground.

Holy Family's Behaviour Curriculum Implementation

Our school will continue to embed 'Behaviour Routines' to enhance the learning environment for everyone.

Staff will revisit the following routines in the first few weeks -

knock and wait before entering a classroom
line up in roll order
enter and exit learning spaces calmly
students move around the school quietly and calmly
gain student attention using cues

2025 School Captains/Vice Captains

Congratulations to our 2025 School Captains and Vice Captains -

School Captains - Micah De Lima and Georgia The
School Vice Captains - Xavier Newell and Sienna Browne

I am sure each of these young people will be amazing ambassadors for our school in 2025!

Soft Plastics Recycling

Once again we will be looking for volunteers to take our soft plastic recycling to the Monash Recycling Centre. Please respond to the Operoo note if you can assist.

Kids Cafe

Kids Cafe will be opening soon. If you would like to volunteer this term please respond via the Operoo note.

2025 School Year

Term One Important Dates (refer to our Google Calendar as well)

JANUARY

Fri 31 Students resume (Prep-Year 6)

FEBRUARY

Wed 5 Prep Rest Day

Thur 6 Year 6/Staff Buddy Afternoon Tea

Fri 7 P&F Welcome Function (Meet & Mingle)

Tues 11 Meet the Teacher (Interviews)

Wed 12 Meet the Teacher (Interviews)

Wed 12 Prep Rest Day

Thur 13 District Swimming

Fri 14 Opening of the Year School Mass (9:15am)

Wed 19 Prep Rest Day

Wed 19 School Advisory Meeting (5:30pm)

Wed 26 Prep Rest Day

Thur 27 Welcome Function (Parents)

Fri 28 School Closure Day (Nathaniel Swain PL)

MARCH

Wed 5 Prep Rest Day

Wed 5 Prep-Year 2 Parent Night (Literacy)

Wed 5 Division Swimming

Mon 10 Labour Day Public Holiday (no school)

Thur 13 Twilight Sports

Mon 17 Catholic Education Week

Arise, shine; for your

light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon

you (Is 60: 1)

Thur 20 Athletics Trial Day

Fri 21 Catholic Education Week Mass (Cathedral)

Fri 21 Harmony Day/Family Picnic

Fri 21 EMR Swimming

Fri 21 School Fundraiser (Colour Run)

Tues 25 Parent Evening (Maria Ruberto)

Fri 28 Year 5/6 Summer Sport Gala

Mon 31 P&F Easter Raffle Drawn

APRIL

Fri 4 End of Term 1 (1pm finish)

Thurs 17 Holy Thursday

Fri 18 Good Friday

Sun 20 Easter Sunday

Mon 21 Easter Monday (Public Holiday)

Tues 22 Term 2 Commences

Fri 25 ANZAC Day (Public Holiday)

Wishing your family a wonderful weekend,

Julie David (Principal)

What's happening in our community?