Galilee School News

Dear Families,

With the term now well underway and the cooler weather making its mark, it feels like the right moment to pause and appreciate the progress our students have made. Classrooms are full of purposeful learning and the weeks ahead promise plenty of opportunities for growth and connection.

Galilee Student Disco

The much anticipated Student Disco is happening at Galilee tomorrow evening. We are sure the students are going to have an absolute ball dancing up a storm in Maguire Hall. We can’t thank the team of parents and staff who have organised this event for our students. There has been many hours put into making sure the students have the very best fun time!

Some things to remember:

• Prep - Year 2 Disco: 5:30-6:30pm. Students need to be signed in and out from this event. It is a student only event. Students will be supervised by staff and pre-organised parent volunteers.
• Year 3-6 Disco: 6:45-7:45pm. Students need to be signed in and out from this event. It is a student only event. Students will be supervised by staff and pre-organised parent volunteers.
• All pre-organised parent volunteers helping at the Disco are reminded to bring their Working With Children Check Card (WWCC), sign in at the registration table on the night, and follow our child‑safe procedures to ensure a safe and enjoyable event for all students. Unfortunately, if you do not bring your WWCC, you won’t be able to assist on the night.

Sacrament of First Eucharist 

This Sunday, our Year 4 students will celebrate the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time. First Eucharist is a deeply significant milestone in the Catholic faith journey, as students receive the Body of Christ and are welcomed more fully into the life of the Church community. It is a special moment of faith, reflection, and connection with God, shared alongside family, friends, and parish members.

Throughout this term, our students have been preparing for this sacrament both at home and at school, learning about the meaning of the Eucharist, the importance of gathering as a faith community, and the ways we are called to live out the teachings of Jesus in our everyday lives.

Tomorrow, the students will participate in a First Eucharist Reflection Day, providing them with time for prayer, discussion, and preparation as they look ahead to this very special celebration.

Thank you to Marcus, our Religious Education Leader, Shane and Brian, our Year 4 teachers, and Fr Paul and Fr Eldridge for the care and support they have provided in preparing the students alongside their families.

We keep all of our Year 4 students and their families in our prayers as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time.

Galilee Parent Battle are competing in Battle of the Bands

Last Friday, we were treated to a sneak peek of our Parent Band performance. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a talented parent band at Galilee, who have spent many hours preparing to take the stage at the Prince Ballroom in St Kilda on June 4th.

Please click on the QR code below to purchase a ticket. When purchasing, we encourage you to select Galilee so that proceeds from your ticket sale can support our Galilee Music Program.

Last year, the Parent Band achieved an impressive second place, and we have all our fingers and toes crossed for another successful performance this year!

Student Behaviour Policies have been updated

We have recently updated out Student Behaviour Policies inline with all MACS Schools. These policies are all available for you to view on our Website. 

De La Salle College Visit

Today, Amy and Richard had the pleasure of meeting the new Principal of De La Salle College, Michael Ilott. They were able to tour the Year 7, 8 and 9 learning spaces, as well as the new WISE building featuring impressive STEM facilities, including a Science laboratory, Food Technology area, and innovative STEM classrooms.

They also had the opportunity to meet the School Captain and several students along the way, who proudly shared their stories and positive experiences at De La Salle. A number of boys from Galilee have gone on to attend De La Salle College in Malvern and, from all reports, are thriving there.

When considering secondary school options for your sons, we encourage you to include De La Salle College in your conversations. As a valued feeder school for Galilee, we believe De La Salle College offers a wonderful Catholic secondary education option.

Year 6 Social Justice Initiative - Cans for Cookies

Last Friday, a small group of Year 6 students hosted a ‘Cans for Cookies’ Social Justice Initiative. The students baked cookies and organised for sweet treats to be available for anyone that bought in a can. With this initiative they were able to collect a large amount of cans that will be donated to the parish of St. Peter and Paul to help those in need. Thank you to all families who were able to donate. 

Staffing Update

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Julie Ferguson for her expertise, care and patience in her work with our students and staff. Julie has made a significant impact through her professionalism and dedication and we are deeply grateful for all she has contributed to our school community. We wish Julie all the very best as she heads off on maternity leave, and we look forward to welcoming her back when the time is right.

We are delighted to welcome Chloe Moore to Galilee as our new School Counsellor and Wellbeing Officer. Chloe brings extensive expertise in supporting children and young people’s social, emotional, cognitive and language development within an educational setting. We are thrilled to have Chloe join our community as School Counsellor and Wellbeing Officer and look forward to the positive impact she will make in supporting the wellbeing of our students and families.

We are pleased to welcome Tanya Donaldson to Galilee as she joins our teaching team. Tanya will be teaching Prep K on Thursdays and Fridays, supporting the class while Becky Kavanagh undertakes the Seeds and Sprouts program and continues in her English leadership role. We are delighted to have Tanya on board and look forward to the wonderful contribution she will make to our Prep community.

We extend our sincere thanks to Niamh McCague for her wonderful contribution to Galilee during her time as a Year 4 teacher in 2025 and Art teacher in 2026. Niamh has brought creativity, care and dedication to her work, and her positive impact on students and colleagues has been greatly appreciated. As Niamh returns to Ireland, we thank her for everything she has given to our school community and wish her all the very best for the exciting chapter ahead. Mrs. Florenca-Grillo will be returning in Term 3. 

School Closure Day- Power to Kids

On Tuesday the 9th of June, Galilee staff will be participating in professional learning facilitated by MacKillop Power to Kids, focusing on trauma‑informed practices.

This important training supports our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for every child. By deepening our understanding of trauma‑informed approaches, we strengthen our ability to respond with empathy and care, ensuring all students feel valued and secure.

Please note that Tuesday, 9th of June is a school closure day for students. GOSH will be open on this day. Please ensure you book your child/ren in. 

Student Teachers

We would like to thank ACU preservice teachers Sam, Maeve and Priya for their wonderful contributions during their time at Galilee. Each of them brought enthusiasm, fresh ideas and a genuine commitment to supporting our students’ learning and wellbeing. We are grateful for the energy and care they shared with our classrooms and we wish them every success as they begin their teaching careers. 

Child Safe Standard 4

This month, we are highlighting Child Safe Standard 4, which emphasises the importance of keeping families and the wider community informed, engaged and actively involved in promoting child safety. At Galilee, we believe that safeguarding children is a shared responsibility and strong partnerships with families help create a culture where every child feels supported, heard  and protected.

Student news

Congratulations  Riaan (Year 2) for successfully passing the AMEB Preliminary Grade Piano Exam, a wonderful milestone in his musical journey.

In this practical exam, Riaan performed four contrasting pieces back‑to‑back, demonstrating confidence, focus and developing musicianship. The AMEB Preliminary Grade is an important foundation level, and passing it reflects strong commitment and consistent practice.

Here is what is coming up in the next two weeks:

Week 6

• Friday 29th May, Year 4 Eucharist Reflection Day
• Friday 29th May, School Disco
• Sunday 31th May, First Eucharist at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middle Park from 2pm. 

Week 7

• Tuesday 2nd June to Friday 6th June, Year 6 Camp at Camp Jungai
• Friday 6th June, Assembly at 8:55am, Year 5 leading the assembly and Preps presenting. 

Week 8

• Monday 8th June, King’s Birthday public holiday (Galilee Closed)
• Tuesday 9th June, school closure day (Student free day, please book your children into GOSH if you wish to use this service) 

In the spirit of service,

Amy Burns (Principal), Richard Harding (Deputy Principal) and Holly Evans (Deputy Principal)