From our Principal

St Roch’s School theme 2025:

Dear Families,

Welcome to Issue 20 of our iNewsletter! We hope this newsletter continues to keep you up to date with all the news, events and learning that happens at St Roch's.

Thoughts & Prayers...  

On behalf of all at St Roch's, we send our heartfelt condolences to all those affected by by the Bondi tragedy yesterday.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the families grieving loss and those who have been injured as well as the whole community. 

Celebrating Our Graduates

To our graduating Year 6 students: Congratulations on completing your Primary School education here at St Roch’s! You have worked hard, grown immensely, and truly earned this moment.

I would also like to thank your parents, your first and most important teachers, for entrusting your primary school years to us. It has been a true privilege.

Let us also acknowledge the dedication of your teachers and learning support officers over the years, who have provided layer upon layer of depth, care, and encouragement. To your Year 6 teacher—Toni Allen, I know you have dedicated much time to ensure that these graduates are ready for Secondary School and also enjoy these final weeks. Thank you for providing a fantastic year with this group.

Year 6 Leaders and students, you have certainly embraced every opportunity presented to you, and even when faced with challenges, you rose to the occasion. Think back on:

• Leadership initiatives like Grip Leadership and the Step-up Transition Program.
• Adventures like Camp Canberra and Sailing.
• Creative expressions in the Productions and Art Shows over the years.
• Spiritual milestones like Confirmation.
• Community work through Social Justice activities and Mini Vinnies.
• ... and the sheer fun of School Spirit Sports, Interschool Sports, and the Big Day Out tomorrow!!

You didn't just participate; you excelled

As you prepare to step out of our gates for the last time as primary students, I ask that you hold onto the heart of St Roch’s. We are a small school with a huge heart, a community of love and kindness that embraces all.

I hope you have learned that each of you is important, and that each of you has the power to make a difference in the world ahead. We are incredibly proud of the young men and women you have become.

Remember the inspiring words of Nelson Mandela:

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

Graduates, you have the power to make a difference, to create positive change, and to achieve great things. The future is bright, and it is truly yours for the taking.

Go forward with confidence, and always know that you are part of a community that believes in you and supports your journey. We are immensely proud of you and so excited to see all that you will accomplish.

Educating the next generation is a profound team effort. Everyone within the school is integral to student success: from the teachers and curriculum leaders, the guidance counsellor, the librarian, and the working bee coordinators…

Education is fundamentally a partnership between students, schools, families, and the wider community. Your work, teachers and staff, is appreciated, and the rewards, though sometimes unseen, are in the future you are creating for these young people.

I would also like to thank and acknowledge our Year 6 families who will be leaving us this year. It has been our long-standing privilege to educate your children throughout their crucial primary school years. The success of St Roch’s is built on this enduring partnership.

St Roch’s is a school that has always embraced wonderful traditions. In the spirit of celebrating our strength as a welcoming and supportive community, I would like to continue a tradition that began last year.

To acknowledge the dedication and contribution of the parents amongst you who are concluding your time in our hallowed halls this year, we would like to present you with a small token of our gratitude: a bottle of wine, aptly named 'St Roch'. Thank you for your support over the years.

Year 6 Families

The Bawden Family - 7

The Borromeo family - 7

The Cheng Family - 7

The Dabbs Family - 1

The Derrin Family - 5

The Malarska-Leader family - 7

The Setiawan Family - 8

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your contributions to the Year 6 Leaving Gift. Kimberley and Monique, your efforts have not gone unnoticed and the collection of $840.00 is incredible. This money will be put towards a school sign for our entrance!

The Graduation Evening could not have been possible without the wonderful staff who  assisted with preparations. Particular thanks to Nadine Bolton, Nicolle Briglia and Mia McKenzie-McHarg.

Toni Allen's, passion for education and for providing the best possible experiences for our students is evident in all they have achieved this year!!

Year 6, thank you for being such a wonderful cohort. We wish you all the very best as you transition to secondary school. We know you will continue to shine.

Congratulations!

Farewell Staff

We celebrated the following staff at our school assembly on Tuesday. Thank you to Christina Sorbello, Matthew Crowe, Jo Boers, Amber Mangan and Jenny Joyce. We are grateful to all these amazing people for all of their work at St Roch's. They will be missed.

THANK YOU - Our Volunteers Are the Heart of Our Community!

A strong sense of community is the cornerstone of a thriving and supportive environment, and nowhere is this more evident than within our school - St Roch's! It is the collective spirit, the shared vision, and the active participation of every member that transforms school from a collection of buildings into a truly nurturing home for learning and participation.

This spirit is profoundly bolstered by the extraordinary time and unwavering commitment of our parents who volunteer. We are immensely grateful for your selfless contributions—the countless hours spent organising events such as the recent Working Bee, assisting in classrooms, raising vital funds and serving on committees.

This dedication not only enriches the educational experience for your children and every student, but also sets a powerful example of the care and investment in the success and well-being of our school family.

Thank you, parents, for being the heart and hands of our community! Your efforts make all the difference.

Adhering to Child Safety and Security

Our commitment to Child Safety and ensuring the wellbeing of every student is our highest priority. To enhance our security measures and ensure we remain fully Child Safety Compliant during school hours, we have implemented important changes to our gate procedures.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we introduce these necessary steps to keep all students safe throughout the school day.

Key Changes to Access Procedures

To maintain a secure school environment, the following changes are now in effect:

• Perimeter Gates (Glenvale and Valency Roads) will be locked from 9:15 am until 3:00 pm.
• The only entry point during these hours will be via the Reception Gate on Glenvale Road.
• Should you need to enter the school between 9:15 am and 3:00 pm, please use the Reception Gate.

Security Note

Please be reminded that, as per safety regulations, CCTV cameras are in operation across the school grounds to monitor activity and ensure the safety of our students and staff.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and secure environment for all our learners.

Parents & Friends Committee -                                     Thank you to the Team of 2025

P&F Christmas Evening

Sincere thanks to Dee White and Janelle Sadri for organising this evening. It was truly wonderful and an absolute delight to see so many people there. Thank you again Dee and Janelle for bringing people together. The spirit of Christmas was certainly in the air.

P&F COMMITTEE 2026

P&F President - Dave Crew

P&F Vice President - Will Cheang

Class Representatives:

Prep: Bridie Parry & Kate Bollard

Year 1: Jess White & Sarah Iwaniw

Year 2: Sandy Arthur & Mairin Chevaux

Year 3: Pat Fernando &  Elissa Ivancic

Year 4: Penny Guerra & Leah Scheggia

Year 5: Jess Mount & Jess Nichols

Year 6: Tahnee Jones

Scholastic Book Orders: Nadine Guiney

2nd Hand Uniform: Jess Nichols 

General Committee Members:

Stephanie Morris

Cheri Nagle

Karina Prajoga

Bree Lynch

Emily Nugent

Student Leaders for 2026 

We look forward to the leadership of these students in 2026. This morning at our End of Year Mass, the Year 6 Leaders of 2025 passed on their light of leadership to the incoming student leaders below. Father Gallacher blessed the badges and our 2026 Student Leaders received their badges. Congratulations to all!

Colour Run Thank you!

What an amazing time was had by our students, staff and adults at this year's Colour Run. The bubble machine was an added bonus and we heard from students that the P & F had 'made their year' with this inclusion. It was an afternoon of fun and laughter. Enormous thanks to our parents for your fundraising efforts. We are grateful for the funds raised of $ 2000.00. Thank you Dave and Will for organising this fabulous event. 

End of Year Mass: 

We had a beautiful End of Year Mass this morning where our Year 6 leaders handed the Light of Leadership to the incoming leaders. Our Year 5 students were very proud to receive their leadership badges at the conclusion of Mass. Thank you to all the parents who were able to be here this morning.  

Year 6 Graduation Assembly: Tuesday 16 December 12.00pm - 1.00pm in the Hall

All families are welcome to attend to our final assembly.  Students will be dismissed at 1.00pm.

Meet the Teacher Assessment Days ( All 2026 Students) 

Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 January 2026 

We will begin the 2026 school year with the Meet the Teacher Assessment Days where the Prep to Year 6 students will met their 2026 classroom teacher at school for a scheduled one on one 30-minute meeting. These meetings will provide an invaluable opportunity for classroom teachers to meet with each student and to assess where they are in their learning journey.  The meeting will focus on each student's literacy and numeracy development and as well as support each students wellbeing with this one on one time.  Through gaining an understanding of all students capabilities teachers will have the data to best plan for the term ahead.  

Prep 2026 Literacy & Mathematics Assessments 

The Prep students will attend a Literacy and Mathematics assessment session with Alex Granland  during the Prep at Home days in February. These assessments are designed to provide information to support each's students learning needs in the areas of speaking and listening, and early ready and writing.  Parents are asked to book their child in to attend school for a one hour Literacy and Mathematics Assessment with Alex Granland. Please see an earlier email with booking details. 

School Term Dates 2026 

Term 1: Friday, 30 January – Thursday, 2 April 2026 at 1.00pm

Term 2: Monday 20 April – Friday 26 June 2026 at 1.00pm

Term 3: Monday 13 July – Friday 18 September 2026 at 1.00pm

Term 4: Monday 5 October – Tuesday, 15 December 2026 at 1.00pm

Student Free Days 2026

Term 2:    Friday, 24 April 2026

                   Tuesday, 9 June 2026

Term 3:    Monday, 10 August 2026

                    Monday 14 September 2026

Term 4:    Monday, 2 November 2026

                    Monday 30 November 2026    

May your Christmas and holidays be filled with joy, rest, renewal and may next year bring abundant blessings to you and your families!

Warmest regards,

Angie Mastoras 

Principal

All students attending St Roch's Parish Primary School have the right to feel safe.  The care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people is a fundamental responsibility of all within our school.

 

We acknowledge the Boon Wurrung and Wurundjeri people, the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

St Roch’s Parish Primary School

Glenvale Road, Glen Iris 3146

Telephone: 9885 7704

Email: principal@srgleniris.catholic.edu.au

Website: www.srgleniris.catholic.edu.au