Leadership & Management

Week 6 Term 1

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are now in Week 6 of Term One, marking the halfway point of the term. There is much to celebrate, and we have plenty to look forward to in the coming weeks.

It has been wonderful to walk through the classrooms and see our students calm, settled, and fully engaged in their learning. Equally, it is fantastic to see children happily playing together in the playground, building friendships and enjoying their time at school and the new playground.

Wednesday, March 5th – The Beginning of Lent

This Wednesday, March 5th, marks the beginning of Lent in the Catholic faith and tradition. Ash Wednesday signals the start of the Lenten season, a time when Catholics are called to engage in prayer, fasting (self-denial), and almsgiving (outreach to others) practices that guide us toward personal conversion.

Lent lasts for 40 days, beginning on Ash Wednesday and culminating in Easter. This period reflects the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert, fasting and praying, before beginning His public ministry. While Lent is deeply rooted in Catholicism, many other Christian denominations also observe this sacred season.

In 2025, what does Lent mean for me?

Some reflections:

• Fasting – Am I mindful of how much food I have? Do I avoid waste and take only what I need, rather than what I want?
• Almsgiving – When I give, does it challenge me? Do I give in a way that truly makes an impact, or only in a way that is comfortable for me?
• Prayer – Do I always ask the Lord for my own needs, or do I take time to thank Him for all I have? Do I pray regularly, nurturing my relationship with God? Do I listen for His guidance and recognize when He is speaking to me?

Ash Wednesday Class Reflections

This year, each year level will take part in a brief, prayerful reflection for Ash Wednesday within their learning space. Mrs. Gasbarro will collect blessed ashes from the church, and teachers will distribute them to students during this time of reflection.

Parent/Child Reconciliation Workshop

The Parent/Child Reconciliation Workshop coincides with the season of Lent. On Thursday, March 6th, Maria Forde will facilitate a special workshop for parents and children. Teachers will then unpack the key themes of the session with students as they prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation on March 20th.

Thank you Foundation and Year 5/6  Buddy Mass

Thank you to all the families that attended the Foundation and Year 5/6 Buddy Mass yesterday. It was wonderful to see the strong sense of community as students, parents, and staff came together in faith and celebration. Your support and participation made the event truly special.

School Advisory Board Meeting

Last week, the School Advisory Board met for a great first meeting of the year. Their time, commitment, and valuable contributions are truly appreciated as we work together to support and strengthen our school community. 

The initiatives below aim to enhance communication, support student learning, and strengthen engagement between the school and families.

School Board Meeting – Key Discussion Points for 2025: 

1. Mobile Phone Policy Review
2. Cyber Safety & Social Media
3. Home Learning Review 
4. Parent Feedback Improvements 
5. Communication on Student Matters 
6. Team Teaching Pilot Program

Next MeetingTuesday May 6th 7:00pm 

MACS – Vision for Instruction

The Vision for Instruction Initiative by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) is designed to enhance teaching and learning across our schools. This initiative focuses on creating engaging, high-quality learning experiences that support every student’s growth. By implementing evidence-based teaching practices, fostering a love of learning, and strengthening teacher collaboration, MACS is committed to helping all students reach their full potential.

At St Fidelis, we are dedicated to delivering high-quality education that meets the needs of every child. As part of our commitment to excellence, we embrace explicit instruction, ensuring students receive clear, structured, and purposeful teaching.

A key pillar of our literacy program is a phonics-based approach, which supports students in developing strong reading and writing skills. Through systematic phonics instruction, we equip students with the foundational literacy skills they need to become confident, capable readers and lifelong learners.

To further strengthen literacy development, we have implemented the SMART Spelling approach school-wide, providing students with a structured and consistent method for improving their spelling. Additionally, we offer InitiaLit as a foundational literacy program and MiniLit as an intervention for students needing extra support in their reading development.

Please stay informed about our literacy initiatives by reading the Literacy page each week for updates, resources, and further information.

Foundation 2026 – School Tours 

School tours for Foundation 2026 have begun. I have been taking personal tours and it’s fantastic to be able to showcase our beautiful  learning spaces and facilities that St Fidelis has to offer.

If you have any friends, family that are interested in a school tour please let them know that they can either book a tour via our website, contact our office by calling 93833600 or contact me directly: mwatson@sfmoreland.catholic.edu.au

Sibling Enrolments for 2026

If you have a child starting Foundation in 2026, please submit their enrolment by the end of March. This will help us determine the number of places available for new families.

To secure your child’s place, ensure you complete the enrolment process before the deadline. Enrolment forms are available at the school office or can be downloaded from our website.

Labour Day - Monday March 10th

Monday March 10th Labour Day Public Holiday. There is no school on this day. 

School Photos - Tuesday March 18th

PLEASE NOTE: Sibling orders must be placed prior to 8am on Tuesday 18th March.

St Fidelis Primary School Fete Day  

Sunday March 23rd

11:30am-12:00pm (Sensory Time)

12:00pm -4:00pm

We’re excited to announce that this year’s fete will include a dedicated half-hour of sensory-friendly time (11:30-12:00 pm) to ensure a more inclusive experience for everyone. During this period, the environment will be adjusted to be quieter and less overwhelming, making it more accessible for those with sensory sensitivities.The sensory space will be located primarily in Saunders Yard. We look forward to celebrating together in a way that welcomes all!

Activities Include:

MARKET STALLS,

(Including Fresh Produce,  Confectionary, Fresh Bakery, )

COFFEE VAN 

ART & CRAFT ACTIVITIES

SUSTAINABILITY GARDEN

FUN BUS, PETTING ZOO, RIDE ON ANIMALS, VR EXPERIENCE 

AND MUCH MORE

ONE HOUR OF ENTERTAINMENT PROVIDED BY OUR STUDENTS AND EXPERIENCE MUSIC

CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT 

(ACTIVITES, & GAMES, KIDS SALON, DUCK GAME CHOCOLATE TOSS, FACE PAINTING) 

FOOD AND BEVERAGE AVAILABLE

School Fees 2025 - Thank you

Thank you to the families who have already paid their full school fees for 2025. For those who haven’t yet made a payment, we kindly ask that you do so as soon as possible. The school has already covered the cost of all students' stationery upfront, and prompt payment of the first installment by March 21st would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support and cooperation.

The office is open from 8:30 to 4:00 pm each day if you would like to pay in person. If you prefer to pay by direct debit, please use the bank details below. If any families need to discuss alternative arrangements for the payment of fees, please contact me directly.  

Included are the Bank details for your ease of payment:

Please note once you have made a payment, email Ann Russo 

annr@sfmoreland.catholic.edu.au with the amount you have deposited.

Concessional School Fee

Families who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for a fee concession:

•  Any family of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage
•  Any family holding a HCC and eligible for CSEF
•  Any family holding a DVA Gold Card
•  Any family identified as refugees and holding an ImmiCard

Please collect a concession fee application form to be considered for the concession fee.

PS: If you  are eligible for CSEF, please DO NOT MAKE A PAYMENT UNTIL YOU HAVE SPOKEN TO ANN OR TERESA IN THE OFFICE AS ADDITIONAL CONCESSIONS MAY APPLY THIS YEAR 

Zooper Dooper Friday

Thank you to the Parents and Friends who organise for the selling of Zooper Doopers each Friday during Term One and Term 4 for our students. 

Zooper Doopers will be sold at lunchtime for $1.00

Have a lovely week,

Manuela