School News
Dear Families,
These past two weeks it has been wonderful to see our community spirit shine. Our community here at Galilee is a rich tapestry of people, cultures, experiences and talents that together make us a vibrant, exciting and nurturing place. Each day, we see the many ways our community shines: through the warmth of relationships, the diversity of backgrounds and perspectives, and the shared commitment to the growth and wellbeing of every student.
Our families bring generosity, trust and partnership; our students bring curiosity, kindness and joy; our staff bring dedication, expertise and care. Added to this are the broader connections that support us: parish links, community organisations, and volunteers; all contributing something unique that strengthens and enriches our school. It is this collective spirit, where every individual plays a part, that allows our children to thrive not only as learners, but as confident, compassionate members of their world.
As we move through the term together, we thank you for the many visible and unseen ways you contribute to our shared life and for the special something each of you brings to our community.
Shrove Tuesday
Our school community came together to celebrate Shrove Tuesday with a fantastic pancake breakfast! Families began arriving at 7:30am and it was wonderful to see so many smiling faces enjoying time together before the start of the school day.
A very special thank you to the Year 6 teaching team, along with all the staff, parents/guardians and students who generously gave their time to help organise, cook and serve. Your support, teamwork and enthusiasm made the morning such a success.
We truly appreciate everyone who contributed and look forward to continuing this wonderful tradition next year!
Ash Wednesday
The Galilee community gathered at Sts Peter & Paul’s Church for Ash Wednesday Mass, with Year 5 students leading the service. The Mass marked the start of Lent: a time for reflection, prayer and preparing for Easter, bringing the community together in Faith.
Lord, as we enter this holy season of Lent, turn our hearts toward You. Teach us to reflect deeply, to pray with sincerity and to live with love and mercy. May these forty days renew our spirit, draw us closer to Your grace and prepare us to celebrate the joy of Easter.
Amen.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
This term, our Year 3 students have been preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, an important milestone in their faith journey. This Sacrament invites students to reflect on their actions, recognise the importance of making thoughtful choices and experience God’s forgiveness, love and mercy.
Through their preparation, students are learning about responsibility, empathy and the value of repairing relationships. Reconciliation encourages children to pause, reflect and begin again. Skills that support not only their spiritual growth, but also their wellbeing and relationships with others.
We sincerely thank our staff, the parishes and families for supporting our students during this significant time. We keep our students in our prayers as they take this meaningful step in their faith journey.
We look forward to celebrating the Sacrament with them on Tuesday 3rd March at St. Joseph's Church in Port Melbourne.
Student Leadership
We congratulate all students who put themselves forward for leadership positions in 2026, recognising their courage and willingness to contribute to our school community.
Student leaders play a vital role in modelling responsibility and kindness. Our Year 1–4 SRC and Social Justice leaders will be presented with their badges at the assembly on 27th February, celebrating their commitment to serving others and making a positive difference.
Our Year 5 leaders will receive their badges at the following assembly, as they will be away on school camp.
Our Year 6 leaders guide and inspire the Galilee community through their example, supporting younger students and leading school initiatives. Even though we are only four weeks into the school year, they have already made a meaningful impact, demonstrating leadership that enriches our entire school community.
Open Day at Galilee for Prospective Families
We are warmly inviting prospective families to join us for our Open Morning on Friday 20th February. Visitors will experience a guided school tour and have the chance to meet our students and staff.
Our Open Morning is a wonderful opportunity to see Galilee in action and get a feel for our vibrant and welcoming school community. If you are interested in attending, please register on our school website. If you know someone considering Galilee for their child, we encourage you to share this invitation and invite them to sign up.
2027 Prep Enrolments – Now Open
Applications for our 2027 Prep class are now open. As places are limited, we encourage families to submit an enrolment application as soon as possible. Enrolment forms are available on our website by clicking ‘Enrol Now’.
Wearing Our Galilee Uniform with Pride
At Galilee, our uniform is more than just clothing — it represents our school community, our values, and the pride we take in being part of this special community. We thank our families for supporting us by ensuring students come to school wearing the correct uniform each day.
Over the next two weeks, we will be focusing on one specific part of our uniform: unbranded white or navy socks. We ask that families ensure students are wearing the correct socks with their uniform, helping us maintain a neat and consistent appearance across the school. Your support in this helps students feel a sense of belonging and pride in being part of Galilee.
Year 5 Camp
Next week, our Year 5 students will head off on camp, spending four days and three nights in Merricks. This camp plays an important role in students’ learning and development, providing valuable opportunities to build independence, resilience, and confidence outside the classroom. Living and learning together helps students develop responsibility, strengthen social skills, and deepen friendships in a supportive and engaging environment.
While on camp, students will take part in a range of exciting experiences, including learning how to snorkel and surf, as well as participating in team-building activities that encourage cooperation, problem-solving, and perseverance. We extend our sincere thanks to the staff who have worked so hard to organise this camp and who will be attending to support our students throughout the week. Their dedication ensures a safe, enriching, and memorable experience for all involved.
Year 4 Camp
The week after next, our Year 4 students will be heading off on camp to Aireys Inlet for a three-day, two-night adventure. During camp, students will take part in a range of activities designed to build teamwork, problem-solving skills, and confidence as they challenge themselves in new ways. Experiences will include beach games, a canoeing experience, and an exciting mountain biking challenge.
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the staff who have planned, organised, and will attend this camp. They are generously taking time away from their busy lives and families to ensure our Year 4 students have a safe, enriching, and memorable camp experience.
Parent Meet and Mingle
Our parent community is invited to gather on Monday 23rd February at Port Melbourne Bowling Club at 5:30pm - 7:30pm for our first parent event of the year. We warmly encourage all parents to attend.
This will be a wonderful opportunity to catch up, meet new people, and enjoy a relaxed and social evening together. Please ensure you have completed the form using the link below so your name can be added to the door list.
Finger food will be provided, and drinks will be available at bar prices. We look forward to seeing you there.
2026 Parent Representatives
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all parents who have put themselves forward to be Parent Representatives in our community this year. Parent Representatives play an important role in strengthening the connection between home and school, while also creating opportunities for parents to connect with one another. We look forward to officially welcoming our new 2026 Parent Representatives at an upcoming morning tea. More details will be shared soon.
Dads of Galilee (DOGS)
The Dads of Galilee (DOGS) parent group is an active and social part of our school community. This group has been running for some time and plays an important role in connecting parents across the school in a welcoming and inclusive way.
The purpose of the group is to:
- Share information and updates relevant to dads and guardians
- Coordinate and promote DOGS social events and activities
- Support school events and initiatives
Provide an easy, informal way for Galilee families to connect
Throughout the year, the group organises and promotes a number of key events, including meet-and-greets, social catch-ups, and other gatherings that are great for both new and established members of our community.
If you would like to join the Dads of Galilee group, please follow the link that has been shared on Dojo.
Galilee ALF Season Opener Pie Night
We are excited to introduce a new event to our calendar this year — the Galilee AFL Season Opener Pie Night. All members of our community are warmly invited to join us at Galilee on Thursday 5th March from 5:00–7:00pm for an evening of pies, footy-themed activities, and community fun.
We will be playing the 2025 AFL Grand Final in the stadium to celebrate the start of the 2026 AFL season and selling pies as part of our fundraising campaign this year. It promises to be a relaxed and enjoyable evening for all ages, and a great way to come together as a community to kick off the footy season.
Upcoming School Closure Day on Friday 6th March
Please note, Friday 6th March is a student free school closure day at Galilee. GOSH, our out of hours program will be running on this day. If you intend to use this service, please book your children in early using the TheirCare website.
On March 6th, staff will be updating their First Aid Training.
Term 1 Community Events
We are very excited to announce our Term 1 Community Events.
- Galilee Parents/Guardian’s Welcome Drinks on Monday 23rd February at Port Melbourne Bowls Club from 5:30-7:30pm
- Galilee ALF Season Opener Pie Night on Thursday 5th March where the whole community is encouraged to gather at Galilee from 5-7pm
- Galilee Easter Raffle Fundraiser - Prizes will be drawn in the final week of Term 1
- Galilee Hot Cross Buns Fundraiser - Hot Cross Buns will be delivered in the final week of Term 1
Please note, we are not running the colour run this year. Instead we are working with Luna Park to plan a special event just for Galilee students and their families. Stay tuned for more information.
Looking ahead to the next two weeks:
Term 1, Week 5
- Monday 23rd February- Galilee Parent Welcome Drinks at Port Melbourne Bowling Club
- Tuesday 24th February- Year 5 Camp to Merricks Lodge
- Wednesday 25th February-Year 5 Camp to Merricks Lodge. Prep Testing (No school for Preps)
- Thursday 26th February- Year 5 Camp to Merricks Lodge
- Friday 27th February- Year 5 Camp to Merricks Lodge. Year 3 Sacrament of Reconciliation Reflection Day. Assembly 8:55am with Year 6 presenting. Year 1-4 Social Justice Leaders and SRC Leaders presented with badges.
Term 2, Week 6
- Monday 2nd March- Year 4 Camp to Angahook
- Tuesday 3rd March- Year 4 Camp to Angahook. Year 3 Reconciliation at St Joseph’s Church 6pm-7pm
- Wednesday 4th March- Year 4 Camp to Angahook. Prep Testing (No school for Preps)
- Thursday 5th March- AFL Season Opener Pie Night from 5:30-7:30pm
- Friday 6th March- School Closure Day
We wish you every blessing in the coming weeks.
-Amy Burns (Principal), Holly Evans and Richard Harding (Deputy Principals)