ADVENT FAMILY PRAYER

Dear God,

Thank you for giving us these four weeks to prepare to celebrate the birth of your Son.

We are so thankful for all the people who help us along this path we are travelling to welcome Jesus.

God, bless our family and prepare our home and hearts to welcome your Son, Jesus Christ, into the world.

AMEN

Dear Parents and Carers,

This newsletter will be shared with our Prep 2025 Parents and any new families and new staff to the St Kevin’s community. We are thrilled to have you join us and look forward to getting to know you better as we work together throughout 2025.

It fills me with pride and excitement to witness our school growing. It is truly a privilege to lead a community that embodies openness, kindness, and a strong sense of belonging.

Thank you to all our parents, grandparents, uncles and aunties, carers, godparents and friends who support and assist our students. You are our biggest advocates and your recommendations either in person, at the coffee shop or online draws people into our school.

A massive thank you to SAC Chair Laura Mangiavillano and PFA President Suzanne Connelly for the time, effort and constant support given to the school.

Thank you to all the members of SAC and PFA. You are all wonderful ambassadors and I hope that you will continue to grow and assist the school. You are great models for all students.

Thank you to all our parents and carers for your support and patience throughout 2024 with all the activities and callouts we always get help and it is so freely and generously given! You are incredible individuals!

To our Year 6 Parents and Year 6 Leaders, thank you for your valuable contributions to St Kevin’s especially to the families who have completed their St Kevin’s Adventure! Please remember, you will always have a place here—both at the school and within our parish. We love hearing about life beyond primary school and encourage you to stay connected.

Next week, some of our 2023 Year 6 graduates will return to share their Year 7 experiences with our current Year 6 students. This wonderful opportunity fosters connection and provides an opportunity for our students to receive helpful advice and inspiration as they prepare for their own journeys.

Thank you to all our amazing students who are the most interesting individuals in the world! Every day is filled with entertainment and joy. I love speaking and learning with you all!

Thank you to all our staff for their dedication and contributions to fostering our students' learning and growth. Your care and commitment ensure that safety, happiness and learning excellence for each individual remains at the heart of everything we do.

Thank you to Selena, Fiona and Cathy for you super work and for being the kindest and most dedicated team! I appreciate all you do for our families!

Thank you to Eva Tomazos for her dedication and hard work this year. I appreciate her professionalism and honesty. No one works alone at St Kevin’s and I am eternally grateful for the support and care that Eva continually demonstrates towards all. We have had so many changes in timetables and staffing this year. Eva has been persistent and patient, always looking for solutions. She strives to be fair and just in leading and doing the best for our students and each staff member. Thank you again Eva!

Thank you to the Leadership Team for their work and during the year.

To those staff members who are moving on to new adventures, we wish you all the best. Hold your heads high, and take with you all that you have learned here at St Kevin’s to continue making a difference in the lives of the students you will care for in the future.

Carols and Year in Review

Congratulations everyone, what an amazing turn out and joyful experience! The students were so entertaining and shone on stage!

Well done Lucas and Aria for hosting the night! Top job!

Thank you to staff for preparing and supporting the students.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Semester 2 Reports

Semester Two Reports will be shared with Parents and Carers via the Compass Portal on Monday 16th December by 4pm.

Congratulations Students and Staff

We were thrilled to be mentioned in the news on the weekend of 8th December where we ranked 57th in Year 5 NAPLAN. This is a fantastic achievement, especially as our focus extends beyond test results to educating the whole student.

A big thank you to our incredible staff and leaders, particularly Eva Tomazos, our Literacy Leader, and Con Tomazos, our Numeracy Leader. Their dedication ensures that our instructional practices support deep learning, embedding knowledge into students' long-term memory.

As we celebrate this success, we remain committed to carefully monitoring each student's progress and encouraging them to strive for their personal best. Well done, team — what an outstanding effort!

Play Therapy

Laura and the Play Therapy Team will not be operating from St Kevin's next year. Families will attend the business Playroom Therapy at 101 Doncaster Road, Balwyn North.

We thank the team for their ongoing support and care for our families and staff. Congratulations to Laura! What a beautiful surprise to hear that Laura is expecting her first child.

Head Start

Thursday 12th December Headstart Prep 9:25am - 1:00pm

Friday 13th December Headstart Prep 9:15 - 3:30pm

Monday 16th December Headstart Prep 9:15am - 1pm

Handover 2024

This year class teachers have been given release time to complete handover of each student. In the past it took place after school and during meetings. Specialist teachers will also have scheduled time to discuss programs and strategies for student engagement.

A thorough and informative handover for teachers is indeed crucial to ensure a smooth transition for students into a new academic year. We focus on learning strengths and areas requiring support as well as social-emotional habits and needs.

Science Works Excursion Friday 29th of November

On Friday, November 29th, the whole school visited Scienceworks for an exciting day of exploration and discovery. Students were amazed by the captivating programs in the planetarium, where they learned about stars, planets, and the wonders of the universe. The main gallery was equally engaging, with interactive exhibits that sparked curiosity and plenty of hands-on fun.

Despite the excitement of the day, the return trip didn’t go as smoothly. The bus experienced a minor mechanical failure, which delayed our journey back to school. However, the students made the most of the time, sharing their favorite moments and laughing together. Most importantly, everyone returned safe and happy, with plenty of stories to tell about their Scienceworks adventure!

Feedback email from a Year 2 Parent about Science Works

As mentioned yesterday, both Nicholas and I loved the excursion to Scienceworks.

In particular, Nicholas enjoyed the Planetarium as he is very interested in learning anything about space and the universe.

He enjoyed the class session where we watched 'Tycho goes to Mars', as well as learning the information about the constellations and planets.

He liked it so much that after the rest of the school left Scienceworks, he wanted to see another Planetarium session called 'Ticket to the Universe'. This included what was presented in the previous session, plus more. The presenter explained in detail and guided us through every layer of the universe. Nicholas said it was 'mind-boggling'.

Afterwards we went to the museum shop and bought 2 books on space, which Nicholas has been reading since then.

We look forward to attending more exciting excursions next year.

Thank you Joanne for sharing Nicholas’ amazing learning experience!

School Fees 2025

Please ensure you have returned your invoice of fees letter 2025. All families are required to nominate a payment option and return the form to the office by 6th December 2024, even if you are choosing to pay in a lump sum.

We will be calling you to remind each family if we have not yet received communication from you. Here is a copy of the Invoice of Fee Letter 2025

Please email Cathy Pondelak cpondeljak@sktemplestowelr.catholic.edu.au or Gabee Leone gleone@sktemplestowelr.catholic.edu.au

Classes Structure for 2025

Prep M - Ms Sienna Montalto

Year 1/2 DM - Mrs Bianca Di Giovanni & Mr Gianni Montalto

Year 1/2 GW - Mrs Fulvia Gerosolimo & Mrs Kellyann Wilson

Year 3/4 OC - Ms Vikky Orfanos & Mr Con Tomazos

Year 3/4 A - Mrs Dominique Abbey

Year 5 GP - Mrs Fiona George and Mr Andrew Puls (1 Day)

Year 6 CP - Ms Lil Cesarin and Mr Andrew Puls (1 Day)

Science - Mr Con Tomazos

Performing Arts - Mr Andrew Puls

Physical Education - Mr Gianni Montalto

Visual Arts - Ms Vikky Orfanos

Italian News

Ciao a tutti, I hope you are all enjoying the last week or so of the 2024 school year.

For week 10 & 11 in Italian,

We will be learning some Italian language associated to Christmas some examples are:
- Buon Natale (Merry Christmas)
- Babbo Natale (Santa Claus)

The Epiphany (La Befana)
Le feste (celebrations)
La stella (star)
Cibo (food)
Angelo (angel)
Gesu (Jesus)
Decorazioni (decorations)
Regalo (presents)
Luce (light)
Buon anno (happy new year)

I hope everyone has a lovely and safe break Christmas! Buon Natale e Buon anno a tutti!

Look forward to working and learning with you all next year! Chiara Leone

Music Lessons at St Kevin’s

I have been keen to start up a music program at St Kevin’s. We are investigating keyboard, singing and guitar for now. In order to do this we need to gauge interest. Please complete the short - Music Survey 2025

I will let you know when this will commence and the structure once the responses are collated.

PBL

Term Four, Week 9 & 10

Expected Behaviour: 'I ask the yard duty teacher for assistance'

Well done Phoenix and Alexander in 5/6GS

Congratulations to Phoenix and Alexander for consistently presenting PBL expected behaviours messages over the PA. The boys enjoyed a Hungry Jacks meal for lunch last week.

Wellbeing Newsletter Update: Week

Wellbeing News

Human Development

On Wednesday 27th November we had Kate Wilde from ‘The Workshop’ facilitate a family session on Human Development for our parents, carers and students in Year 5/6 . Kate revised the content she had taught to the students during the sessions at school and parents and carers were given a chance to ask questions of Kate and seek advice on continuing these conversations at home. Thank you to the parents and students that came to our evening.

We look forward to providing these Human Development sessions again next year and I encourage the families of our students in Year 3/4 to take the opportunity to learn more about supporting our children during their years of Development.

Head Start

This week our students are having the opportunity to spend time with their teacher/s and class for 2025. At St Kevin’s we recognise how important this time is for our teachers to build rapport with their students and how valuable it is for the students to get to know their class teacher. Each night have an informal chat with your child/ren and focus on the positive aspects of head start and how this is beneficial for their wellbeing and preparation for 2025.

Holidays

I know that everyone will be enjoying the amazing benefits of family time and fun over our summer break. Returning to important routines we follow in our homes is so important for our children’s wellbeing, especially as we return to school. Locating uniforms and hats, lunchboxes and readerbags and returning to normal bedtimes, will make the transition and return to school smoother.

I wish you all a happy and holy Christmas,

Fiona George

Whole School Assembly Term 1, 2025 Dates

Wednesday 12/02/25 all at 2:30pm in the church

Wednesday 26/02/25 all at 2:30pm in the church

Wednesday 19/03/25 all at 2:30pm in the church

SEESAW

Staff News

Angela Scarcella has decided to resign from her position at St Kevin's. She has accepted a position closer to home at St Paul's the Apostle.

Thank you Angela for your work in 5/6GS this year and Prep GS last year. You have also shown patience and care for the students you supported during English intervention. We wish you well in your new role

Wonderful Staff News - Selena and Matt are having a baby!

Congratulations at this very special time! Baby Selena and Matt will arrive in May!

UPDATES

Wednesday 11th December at 12.45pm
Prep Level Mass - ALL WELCOME!
Wednesday 11th December Whole School Assembly
Wednesday 11th December at 6pm
- Grade 6 Graduation Mass -
- ALL WELCOME!
- Followed by dinner at the Veneto Club
Tuesday 17th December @9.15am
- End of Year Mass - ALL WELCOME
Tuesday 17th December @1.00pm in the Stadium
- Assembly and Guard of Honour for the Year 6 students

Finally, I would like to wish all staff, students and families a very Happy Christmas. Together with your friends and extended family, may you enjoy the peace and hope that the birth of Jesus brings to all people. I look forward to seeing you all again in 2025.

With every blessing for a safe and restful summer break.

Gabee