Principal Post

Dear Families,
Welcome back to Term 4! I hope that those of us who were able to have a break from the regular routines have come back renewed and refreshed!! I trust that the holidays gave many of us time to enjoy our families and friends! Melbourne was certainly a buzz across this past two weeks. For those of us who follow the AFL, congratulations to any proud Lion supporters and commiserations to those who follow the our Cats! Commiserations also for our supporters of Melbourne's Rugby Team Melbourne Storm, who were runners up! To those able to attend the Melbourne Show, I am hope that was another great experience!
As we begin our Final Term, our hope is that our students will settle well and will continue to focus to demonstrate progress in their academic and social skills.
As always, our staff want to work closely with our parents/ families so please continue to communicate and work closely with our teachers and leaders, in the best interests of all our students and school community.
We hope our our Year 6 students have a wonderful last term as part of their Primary Education. May it be full of learning, fun and friendship! May they continue to be their best across the term!
Welcome...
We welcome Chloe and her family to 5-6 O!
We also welcome Mandala to 1-2SM!
We anticipate that your time with us at SJV will be full of support and most fulfilling.
We welcome Sarah Counihan to our staff. Sarah will work as our Library specialist (Tuesday - Thursday). I am sure we will welcome Sarah to our community.
Hi everyone,
My name is Sarah Counihan and I am very excited to be starting at SJV this term!
Just a little bit about me. I have been teaching at Christ Our Holy Redeemer School in Oakleigh East for 10 years and during that time I have held a variety of roles. I started as a classroom teacher in 1/2 for three years and then moved to 5/6 for three and a half years before I left to have a baby. When I returned from maternity leave I was the Visual Arts and Digital Technologies specialist teacher across all levels of the school, and then this year have continued teaching Digital Technologies, as well as running some Learning Enhancement groups to support or extend students in their learning.
Outside of school I love reading, wildlife, musicals, and have a passion for science, which I love to incorporate into some of my lessons.
I have a little girl who is three, and a beautiful mini schnauzer named Albie. They both have lots of energy and keep me on my toes!
I can’t wait to see you all in the library! Parents and families, hopefully you will pop in to say hello or catch me in the yard.
I am very much looking forward to meeting you all!
School Concert Recording
🎥 Don’t forget to order your concert video!
Our concerts were professionally recorded by Stagefright Concert Productions. Recordings are available in two formats:
- Digital link – $36.50
- USB copy – $42.00
Orders and payments are made directly with Stagefright Productions:
Tuesday 9th September performance:
Wednesday 10th September performance: Order Here
Please place the Schools address as the ‘delivery location’. Orders will close on Monday 20th October
Parish Fete
Please note that the SJV Parish Fete is on Saturday the 18th October 2025 - 10.00 - 4.00pm.
All are welcome to come and enjoy this Special Day!!!
Please understand that this is a Parish run event, not a school run event. School Leadership & Teachers may or may not be present but are not in charge of students at any time.
For any queries about the Fete please call the Parish office on 9546 3831.
School Closure days this term
As you will have read in the 'Dates to Remember'...Please take note
The school will be shut on Friday 17th October (Friday week).
Please remember not to order from the Canteen that day CDF will be closed off.
The staff will be offsite at a Faith Formation Professional Learning.
The school will also be closed on:
Monday 3rd November Cup Eve.
Tues 4th November (Melb Cup).
Mon 8th December (2026 Planning Day)
Reminders:
As we begin our 4th term students transition from Winter Uniform to Summer Uniform. In promoting SunSmart behaviours, all students are to wear a SJV hat when outside. We encourage students to apply their own Sunscreen before school and at recess and lunch. Anyone without an SJV hat next week will need to sit out of play under cover.
Attendance and Punctuality:
Please ensure that your child is at school everyday (unless ill or on approved leave).
It is so important that your child is at school before the music begins at 8:40am.
Safety in the Carpark and back of the school:
Be aware of students toddlers and community members
Obey all signs and speed restrictions
Be patient
Allergies
Spring is here! If your child suffers from Hay fever or seasonal allergies be please aware that this is the peak season for itchy eyes , runny noses and rashes. If allergy medication is required at school. Please bring an Allergy Action plan form signed by your doctor to the office, if you do not have one here already.
Use of the oval after school
Sometimes parents like to socialise and students like to have a play after school on our oval. What a good way to connect! Please note that students are under the care of their parent or carer after 3:15pm. Parents must be beside their child if using the oval. Parents must supervise their child closely if using the oval, adventure playground or any equipment. Students in F-2 can not use the senior adventure playground.
Please note that Kelly Sports and Camp Australia have priority should they wish to use of the oval. If this is the case parents and students are asked to vacate the oval.
Please note the large gate near the oval is locked at 3:30pm. Families should leave the oval by 3:45pm or before.
Bike Education
Bike Education began on Monday for our Year 3-4 students.Lessons will run on Mondays and Tuesday, with each class having a one-hour session. Class teachers have notified families via Seesaw of the exact day and time for their class lessons.
During the program, students will develop skills and knowledge in:
- Bike Basics
- Bike Safety
- Bike Skills
- Social Awareness
Bikes and Helmets
- If students choose to bring their own bike or helmet, these must be in safe working order.
- Helmets must be approved, well-fitted, and in good condition.
- Students who bring their own bike and helmet will need to bring them to school every Monday or Tuesday for the duration of the program.
- There are enough school bikes and helmets available for any student who does not have their own or prefers to borrow one.
John Hannah House
Grade 1/2B visited the hostel and shared their knowledge about French Impressionists with the residents. They spent time drawing together.
Connors Run
St John Vianney raised $3463 for Pediatric Brain Cancer! What a generous achievement. Thank you to all families and friends who for your efforts! Thank you to Han Le for her brilliant coordination!
1-2B Mass this Friday
Come and join us at our Mass this Friday hosted by 1-2 B. The theme is a 'Celebration of Teachers' given that International Teachers Day was October 5th. MACS schools will celebrate on Friday 30th October but its a good theme to begin our Term.
Morning Tea for 1-2 B students and their families in the staff room. No nut products, fresh cream or food cooked in nut oil. All ingredients listed!
SAC Meeting
The School Council will meet next Tuesday 13th October at 5:30pm in the boardroom
Items to be discuss include -
Fees and charges for 2026
Dental Van
Traffic Management
Feedback on Real Life, 3-6 Swimming Program & School Concert
Classes in 2026!
As we begin the process of planning classes for next year, we would like to share how student placement will be organised. Each student will be asked to nominate five friends they know and work well with. We will ensure that every student is placed with at least one of these nominated peers. It is important that your child selects students they know and feel comfortable learning alongside.
Parents are welcome to submit a request for their child’s placement. Requests must be addressed to me in writing and sent to my email amullaly@sjvmulgrave.catholic.edu.au. All requests by Thursday 6th November.
Please note that while all requests will be considered, our priority is to make decisions that support the educational, social, and emotional needs of all students. For this reason, requests will only be granted where there is a very significant reason.
We appreciate your trust in this process and your support in helping us create the best possible learning environment for all children. Please note that if you have made requests in previous years, you will still need to submit a new request this year, as previous requests may not be an issue now, nor carried over or perhaps even remembered.
School House Sports
Friday November 7th - Ross Reserve Athletics Track Noble Park
We ask that you drop your child at the venue (not at school) at 9am (Time to be confirmed) and picked up at 3pm. More information to follow.