Dear Families,

We are encountering an exciting time in our Church with the Inauguration of Pope Leo XIV. During this Inauguration Mass Pope Leo XIV said, 'Let us walk towards God and love one another'. He invites the Church to walk together along the path of God's love and remain united in one family.

Pope Leo XIV recalled how love and unity are the two aspects of the mission entrusted to Peter by Jesus.

In the Gospel, Jesus entrusts the disciples to continue the mission, to be “fishers of men” and bring the “hope of the Gospel” to all people “so that all may experience God’s embrace.”

Peter’s experience of the “infinite and unconditional love of God" enabled him to take up this mission, the Pope explained.

Pope Leo recalled how Peter is entrusted then with “loving more” and “giving his life for the flock,” a “self-sacrificing love.”

“The ministry of Peter is distinguished precisely by this self-sacrificing love, because the Church of Rome presides in charity and its true authority is the charity of Christ. It is never a question of capturing others by force, by religious propaganda or by means of power. Instead, it is always and only a question of loving as Jesus did.” (Vatican News)

In our community of Holy Family, let us put Pope Leo's mission of being united in love and unity at the forefront of everything we do. Let us be people of self sacrifice and love who bring joy to those around us.

“Brothers and sisters, this is the hour for love! The heart of the Gospel is the love of God that makes us brothers and sisters.” (Vatican News)

National Reconciliation Week

Our FIRE Carriers will lead our acknowledgement of Reconciliation Week after the Year 5/6 Concert and Discovery Camp.

The theme for Reconciliation week in 2025 is 'Bridging Now to Next'. We are urged to look ahead and continue to push towards a united and respectful nation.

Kindergarten/Child Care Links

Natalie Dib and I accepted an invitation from Paisley Park early Learning Centre in Malvern East to showcase our wonderful school.

Last Monday we joined four other schools and spoke about the culture of our school and our pedagogy. I spoke about our staff, families and students with great pride acknowledging the growth we have made together as a community.

Please let me know if you would like me to visit your local Kindergarten or Early Learning Centre.

Pentecost Sunday

On Sunday, 8th June 2025 on the Feast of Pentecost, the Parish will once more celebrate Multicultural Day.

The Community will come together in all its colours and tastes from the Liturgy of the Mass to the Food Hall of the World.

Prayers are read in various languages and by our school children, hymns are sung in Korean by our wonderful Korean Community.

The Food Hall is plentiful with so much delicious food prepared and donated for all to feast on.

If your family would like to donate/make food for the Multicultural Luncheon then please drop this off in the Parish Hall on Friday 6th June.

Please fill in this form if your child would like to read or welcome people at Mass.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccVkTV4b4QKxHbnLkNUYElrjLix3BqbjVoMWqeXMYQjZfJkg/viewform?usp=dialog

Think You Know

I am pleased to share with you that our school is continuing our connection with the Victoria Police Proactive Policing Unit.

A couple of times a year staff from this unit visit our students in Years 3 to 6 to share strategies on how to keep safe online and share the message that the police are here to help.

Yesterday our Year 3 and 4 students engaged in a presentation given by Heath.

It would be worth asking your child/ren what are the key points they can remember from the presentation yesterday.

I have also included two fact sheets to support your families in the cyber space.

Avila College (60 Year Celebration)

I am looking forward to celebrating Mass at St Patrick's Cathedral with the staff and students from Avila College on Tuesday 27th May. This prayerful gathering is to celebrate 60 Years of Catholic Education at Avila College.

Year 5/6 School Concert

It has been a busy few weeks of auditions and rehearsals but opening night is almost here!

Our creative and artistic Year 5 and 6 students look forward to presenting 'Level Up' to families and friends at Avila College on Monday 26th May.

Thank you to Miss Rawlins for supporting and directing this performance and to Avila College for providing a sensational venue for our school to use.

We hope you have a fun evening!

Year 5/6 Camp

Bags are beginning to be packed!

Our staff and Year 5 and 6 students are heading off on a 3 day adventure at Anglesea Discovery Camp on Wednesday 28th May.

While at Anglesea, our students will have the rare opportunity to explore the sand, sea, surf, bush and river environments all in one place.

Thank you to our staff who have volunteered to support our students on this experience as this means time away from their own families.

Walk Safely to School Day

A BIG thank you to Jacob (Ray White Real Estate) for donating boxes of apples to celebrate Walk Safey to School Day last Friday.

There is nothing better than seeing the smiling faces of students as they bite into delicious fresh fruit to start their school day.

Year 3-6 Parent Literacy Information Evening

We had fabulous support for our 'Beyond Phonics' evening last Wednesday.

Thank you to Natalie Dib for preparing and presenting an evening to explain how Literacy learning has changed in Years 3-6 over the last 24 months.

During the course of the evening, parents engaged in classroom activities so they could experience explicit instruction, knowledge rich curriculum, fluency partners and PhOrMeS.

This was an authentic opportunity to support parents to be 'true' partners in learning at Holy Family School.

3 and 4 Year Old Kinder Parent Evening

Last night, myself and Ms Young, invited prospective parents to an evening to find out all about Holy Family School.

I would like to thank Ms Dib for preparing the evening and Brooke and Amelia for coming along to speak about our school from a parent perspective.

Student Achievements

Our school community would like to congratulate and acknowledge 3 students who received The Grey Wolf Award. This is the highest award you can earn in the Cub Scout Section. It is considered the pinnacle of your Scouting at this stage and is a milestone in Scouting life.

The Grey Wolf Award brings together the core elements of the Achievement Pathways as well as a Personal Development Course, an Adventurous Journey and a Personal Reflection.

Congratulations Anthony, Joshua and Matthew on achieving this recognition.

Staff News

Miss King is be on leave until Term 3. While Miss King is resting, Ms Young will be Acting Deputy Principal.

I would like to thank Miss King for all of her hard work in ensuring that school camp, concerts, 'Out and About', birthday celebrations, lunchtime clubs and the SRC continue to happen while she is away.

Lost Property

Please remember to check the labels on your child's school clothes and make sure that they belong to your child. We have many students who have misplaced uniforms and school items (drink bottles).

You are encouraged to pop in and check lost property regularly.

Condolences

Please keep the Santamaria Family in your thoughts and prayers. Mrs Santamaria's

sister- in-law passed away suddenly over the weekend.

Prep 2026 Enrolments

If you have a child ready to start school in 2026 please submit your enrolment form to the office as soon as possible. We already have quite a few enrolments already.

Open Days

Open Days run every Tuesday at 9:30am. Please go to our website to book a tour.

Our 2025 School Captains (Micah and Georgia) and Vice Captains (Xavier and Sienna) will support these tours.

2025 School Year

Term Two Important Dates (refer to our Google Calendar as well)

MAY

Mon 26 Year 5/6 Concert

Wed 28-30 Year 5/6 Camp (Anglesea)

Wed 28 Division Cross Country

JUNE

Mon 2 About Real Life Program (Year 5/6)

Wed 4 Maths Family Night

Mon 9 King's Birthday Public Holiday

Tues 10 School Closure Day (Review Preparation)

Thurs 12 EMR Cross Country

Fri 13 District Soccer Round Robin (Year 5/6)

Fri 20 Winter Sport Gala Day (Year 5/6)

Sun 22 Sacrament of First Eucharist (10am)

Fri 27 Winter Sport Gala Day (Year 5/6)

JULY

Fri 4 Last day of Term 2 (1pm finish)

Hoping everyone has an amazing weekend,

Julie David (Principal)

Holy Family School Newsletter

In Faith, We believe, We belong, We learn, We grow

HOPE · 22 May 2025

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