St Roch’s School theme 2026:

"United in Faith, Sharing the Light"

Dear Families,

Welcome to Issue 4 for 2026 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.

Professional Learning

Our staff are a dedicated group of people who engage in professional learning that not only supports their own learning and careers, but directly impacts your children. At St Roch's we believe that learning is a lifelong journey and we aim to encourage our students to view learning in the same way.

This year, in just a few short months, our staff and myself have engaged in many opportunities for professional development that will serve our students for the future. We ensure that this professional learning is aligned with our School Improvement Plan and our Annual Action Plan. We look forward to implementing and sharing this learning with you as the year progresses.

Year 4 Camp to Sovereign Hill

I am grateful to have accompanied our Year 4 students, Teresa Hogan, Max Pinchbeck and Nadine Bolton to Sovereign Hill for a spectacular two day camp. I am deeply impressed by the way the students conducted themselves over those days.

Throughout the experience, our students demonstrated:

Responsibility: Organising their cabins and managing their personal belongings independently.
Resilience: Stepping out of their comfort zones to try new activities and foods.
Respect: Listening attentively and showing kindness to staff and peers alike.

For many, this was their first night away from home, and the respect they showed was inspiring. Thank you to the staff for their dedication and to our parents for your trust and support. You have every reason to be proud of your children!

International Women's Day

It was lovely to gather as a community on Friday to enjoy a cuppa together to celebrate International Women's Day. We are grateful to all the amazing women in our lives and the men who support us as well.

Year 5 Assembly - The "Future-Ready Mini-Entrepreneur"!

Congratulations to our Year 5 students and to Alex Keisler and Louise Bolton for the entertaining and highly engaging assembly today. Staff and parents were equally proud of the students.

Year 5 students gave us a fascinating insight into their last seven weeks of learning, particularly within the realms of Economics and Business. From distinguishing between needs and wants to understanding the basics of budgeting and consumer choice, the students have been busy honing their financial intuition. This foundation in Financial Literacy should set them all up for the future, giving them the tools to make informed, savvy decisions in an increasingly complex economy.

Division Swimming

Congratulations to all students who competed in District Swimming. Your efforts are to be commended. We congratulate Zoe, Maddie, Charlotte, Henry and Tabitha in Year 4 who competed in the Division Swimming.

Special Events

We look forward to a multitude of events and activities. Please see below details regarding the Easter Raffle, Hot Cross Buns and the Mother's Day Events! Thank you to Bridie, Kate, Sarah & Jess our Class Representatives and Jess M for all their work to ensure our community events run smoothly.

Future Open Day Tours

Please spread the word or come along to one of our Open Day Tours!

Wednesday 18 March 9.30am - 10.30am & 4.30pm - 5.30pm

Monday 27 April 9.30am - 10.30am

Thursday 30 April 9.30am - 10.30am

Friday 22 May 9.30am -10.30am

Catholic Education Week

We have much planned for this week and I take this opportunity to thank Louise Bolton. Her work as Religious Education Leader supports our school community to embrace our values and what makes St Roch's Primary School such a special Catholic school.

As we move through the rest of Catholic Education Week, I encourage each of you to find one small way to live out our mission—whether it’s through a simple act of kindness in the halls or by sharing your unique talents in the classroom. Let’s make the spirit of this week visible in everything we do.

I close my message by celebrating why we come to a Catholic school, especially reflecting this week as we celebrate Catholic Education Week.

Our school is a place where faith and learning meet, guided by this year’s theme: “Christ beside me: Walking in the footsteps of Saint Patrick.” This theme reminds us that our journey is never solitary. Whether in the classroom, on the field, or in quiet moments of reflection, we recognise that Christ is our constant companion.

In the spirit of Saint Patrick, let us carry his famous prayer in our hearts this week:

“Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me.”

As we walk in the footsteps of Saint Patrick, may we be inspired by his courage and his deep sense of mission. Let us celebrate the gift of Catholic education by being the "Christ beside" our peers, offering kindness and support to everyone in our community.

Lent is an invitation to refocus on Jesus by practicing prayer, fasting, and generosity. Giving to others—almsgiving—is a powerful reminder that our faith should be lived out loud. By sharing what we have, we follow Jesus' example of love in action. This season, as we let go of daily distractions and choose kindness, we open our lives more fully to God’s grace in anticipation of Easter Sunday.

Wishing you all a wonderful fortnight!

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

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