Principals Update

 Key Events - Term 3

Term 3, Week 6

• Friday 21st August - Wine & Chocolate drive for school Fete. Taekwondo lessons during PE in the MPR. Kilbreda and St Bede's 2027 Students (Yr 6's) 8:30-12:30

Term 3, Week 7

• Monday 24th August - Whole School Photo & Yr 6 leadership photos @ 9am (full school uniform to be worn) and District Basketball - Year 6
• Tuesday 25th August - Whole School Musical Rehearsal @ SJV (Students wear sports uniform with their production T-shirt). PFA/Fete Meeting at 7pm in the Conference room (New Admin building)
• Thursday 27th August - SJV  Whole school rehearsal at St Louis (Students wear sports uniform with their production T-shirt), SJV School Musical 7pm
• Friday 28th August - Taekwondo lessons during PE in the MPR. Assembly in the MPR @ 3pm

Term 3, Week 8

• Monday 24th August - District Basketball - Year 5/6
• Tuesday 1st September - Whole School Mass at 9.15am & PSG Meetings
• Wednesday 2nd September - Footy Parade (9am in the MPR) & inflatables Day. Students come dressed in their AFL Colours. PSG Meetings
• Thursday 3rd September - District Athletics (Selected students), PSG Meetings, Fathers Day Stall and Book Week show at 2.30pm
• Friday 4th September - Father's Day Breakfast 7.30am - 8.45am & Lucky Jars Drive for School Fete

Dear SJV Families,

It's hard to believe that we are already half way through the term with so much having taken place. Next week, our main focus will be on our  whole School Musical, Westall 66 and if you haven't booked tickets please do so as they are selling fast. Final details of the show will be shared with families early next week. Please note that this production will be professionally recorded. Details on how to purchase a professional recording of the performance will be shared with families shortly, so keep an eye out for upcoming announcements!

Congratulations to our Year 6 students who received the Sacrament of Confirmation last Sunday. It was a beautiful and significant celebration as our students took this important step in their faith journey. A special thank you to Fr Justin and Fr Andrew (Episcopal Vicar), for celebrating the sacrament with our students and for their ongoing support of our school community. We would also like to sincerely thank the many staff members who assisted with the preparation and celebration, and particularly those who gave their time to support our students and families on the day. We are very proud of our Year 6 students and pray that the gifts of the Holy Spirit continue to guide and strengthen them as they grow in faith.

Please take note further below information regarding our school Fete which will take place on Friday the 20th of November. All parents are invited to attend a combine PFA & Fete meeting next Tuesday night at 7pm in the new Conference room (new admin block).

Please make sure you read through the whole newsletter especially the PFA/Fete page as much is happening next term.

Fathers Day Breakfast and Stall

The Father’s Day Breakfast will take place on Friday the 4th of September 7.30am -8.45am. We would like to see all dads and their child/children come along for a cuppa and bacon and egg roll. Please make sure that you return the slip to the school office for catering purposes.

The Father’s day stall will take place on Thursday the 3rd of September. Mums please make sure that you give your child $5 to buy a gift for Dad at the Father’s Day Stall that will be run here at school from 10:00am in the multi-purpose room. 

Earlier this week your children have brought home the below form with details and a rsvp attachment. Please send this in by the due date so we can cater for this event accurately.

We also have wrapping parties to wrap the Fathers Day gifts on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8.45am and 2.30pm. This will take place in the Conference room. If you are able to assist, please come along. Many hands make light work! First wrapping session will be next Tuesday 25th August.

Building Update

We are excited to share that our new basketball court is nearing completion (Early to mid September) and is looking fantastic!

Although the court surface has now been completed, there is still some finishing work to be carried out over the coming weeks. This includes the application of line markings, the addition of colour to the playing surface, landscaping and gardening works, and a number of other final touches. Most of this work will be completed outside of school hours to minimise disruption to students.

While we are all eager to begin using this wonderful new space, the building surveyor has instructed us to remain off the court until all works have been completed and final approval has been given. As a result, our current student arrival and dismissal arrangements will remain in place for the time being.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through these final stages. We look forward to officially opening the court and seeing our students enjoying this fantastic new addition to our school in the very near future.

Aerobics

Congratulations to our Year 3/4 Aerobics team who had their final competition on the weekend. They finished with a second place! Thank you to their coaches Stevie Drinan and Sahara Noble for the hours of work you have given to this group of girls.

School Musical - Westall 66

In the past few weeks the students of SJV have begun whole school rehearsals for Westall 66, our full school concert for 2026.  The students are very excited to have learnt the songs, dances and script and are working hard!

Please make sure that you save the date for Westall 66 - you definitely won’t want to miss this show!

A reminder that next Tuesday we have our third whole school rehearsal for our school production here at SJV. On this day, Students can wear their School Musical T-shirt with their sports uniform.

MACSSIS SURVEYS

In the first week of September, a letter will be shared with all parents via email informing you that St John Vianney's is participating in Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS). MACSSIS is an annual process whereby schools listen to the thoughts and feelings students, families and staff have about how their school can improve. These surveys help inform the ongoing improvement of schools across the Archdiocese of Melbourne and in particular here at SJV.  We would love as many parents as possible to complete this survey when it is shared with you in the first week of September.

Footy Day / SEDA Inflatables 

On Wednesday the 2nd of September, students can wear their footy colours to school to celebrate the finals. On this day we will have our footy parade  at 9.00am in the MPR. Students will then be participating in football inflatable activities.  Parents are welcome to attend the parade at 9am.

Chocolate & Wine Donation 

The Choc Toss Stall is very popular at the fete, donating chocolate for the Stall is a great way to contribute to the fete and help generate profits. We kindly request your support in donating 2 blocks of chocolate per child on this day.

The Wine Stall which is also popular requires donations. Please note that students CANNOT bring the wine donation in to the office. This needs to be done by adults/parents and can be brought in to the office on this day.

School Fete - FRIDAY NOVEMBER 20th @ 3:30pm.

Combined PFA/Fete Meeting (Conference room) - Tuesday 25th of August @ 7pm. All welcome to attend.

Please note the following dates for donations for the fete:

Term 3

• Wine & Chocolate drive - Friday the 21st of August 
• Lucky Jars - Friday the 4th of September
• Lolly Hunt - Friday 18th September

Term 4

• Wine & Chocolate drive - Friday the 16th of October 
• Lucky Jars & Lolly Hunt - Friday the 6th of November

Please refer to the PFA Fete Page for further details.

Bunnings Sausage Sizzle

Please keep a little time aside on Sunday 13th September to help support our Bunnings Sausage Sizzle. Sign up sheet will be out shortly.

Supporting our staff while planning for the future

Currently, all Catholic schools are working through planning and budgeting activities for 2027 to ensure we are well placed to support our staff, students and school communities in the coming year. This includes looking at how we can accommodate the changes likely to flow from a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) with school staff.

We recognise the significant financial pressures many households are facing, and we are making a conscious effort to ensure these costs are not passed on through significant fee increases.

We will continue to keep our parent community informed throughout this process. As always, our focus remains on maintaining strong school communities and continuing to deliver a high-quality Catholic education for every student.

School Closure Dates - Term 3

Term 3 concludes on Friday 18th of September at 1pm (early time due to building works)

Classes for 2027

As we begin the process of planning ahead for 2027 classes, I ask any families who know that they will not be returning to St. John Vianney's in 2027 please inform me as soon as possible. principal@sjvparkdale.catholic.edu.au

2027 Enrolments 

Our Requests for School Tours continue. Enrolments for Prep 2027 are now open and we encourage all families to submit their applications as soon as possible. If you have a child or you know someone wanting to tour schools for their child, please encourage them to book a school tour by contacting Nicole in our front office. 

Uniform Shop

Our Uniform shop is open every Monday at 3.15pm for sales. If you cant make it at that time, pop into the office and fill in an order form.

Second Hand Uniforms are coordinated by one of our parents, Sahara. Please log on to Brisbane Terrace SJV Secondhand Uniform on Facebook. Sahara will approve you joining the group and you can access second hand sales through this group.

Instagram- We now have an SJV Instagram page on social media. So please make sure you follow and share: @sjv_parkdale

Reminders

• The next school assembly will be on Friday 28th of August @ 3pm in the MPR 

• Dogs - Please note that for the safety and wellbeing of all members of our community, no dogs are permitted inside the school grounds and they must not be left unattended tied up at the gates. Adult supervision and holding of the leash is so important around vulnerable places such as schools.  We love dogs but we do have to take care of all members of our community.

• Bikes and Scooters - Please walk bikes and scooters when moving through the school grounds.

• Punctuality - It is expected that all students are to be at school by no later than 8.45am and not any time up to 9am. From 8.45am to 9am is crucial for students to get themselves organised, start the day with Meditation, prayer, take the roll and ready to commence their day promptly. Formal lessons begin at 9am. Any child who arrives at or after 9am is to be signed in at the office by a parent/guardian. I ask all parents to make sure that you adhere to these times.

Regards

Mick Schinck

Principal