Principal's News
School Theme: “Find Your Light. Shine!” 2026
The votes are in!
This year's theme is rich with meaning, spiritually, emotionally, physically, and academically. It speaks to discovering who we are created to be and courageously sharing our gifts with the world.
In the Catholic tradition, light represents Christ, truth, goodness, and love.
Jesus says in Matthew 5:16:
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
To “find your light”:
- Recognising that we are created in the image and likeness of God.
- Discovering the unique gifts and talents God has placed within us.
Understanding our dignity and purpose as beloved children of God.
To “shine”:
- Living out Gospel values: kindness, forgiveness, compassion and justice.
- Being a witness to Christ in our words and actions.
- Serving others with humility and love.
- Standing up for what is right, even when it’s difficult.
In this sense, shining isn’t about being the brightest or the best it's about reflecting Christ’s light to others.
Congratulations to Captains for 2026
Being a captain is both an honour and a responsibility. You have been chosen because you show leadership, integrity, kindness, and commitment to our school values.
The Role of a Primary School Captain
1. Lead by Example
- Model respectful behaviour, positive attitudes, and strong work habits
- Follow school expected behaviours and encourage others to do the same
Demonstrate responsibility in and out of the classroom
2. Serve the School Community
- Support younger students and be approachable role models
- Help at school events, assemblies, and special activities
- Represent student voices respectfully and thoughtfully
Promote inclusion, kindness, and teamwork
3. Support School Improvement
- Share student ideas to help improve our school
- Encourage pride in our learning environment
- Help promote school initiatives and positive change
Work collaboratively with staff and fellow leaders
4. Communicate with Confidence
- Speak at assemblies and represent the school at events
- Write event summaries for school website
- Listen carefully to students’ ideas and concerns
Communicate clearly, respectfully, and positively
Being a captain means choosing service over status. True leadership is not about a badge — it is about making a difference every day through your actions.
I look forward to working with each of you in 2026 as we continue to build a school community where everyone feels safe, valued, and inspired to achieve their best.
Congratulations once again — your leadership journey has commenced!
Captains for 2026
School Captains 2026
| Mackenzie John-Paul
|
Vice Captains 2026
| Kate Cleo
|
RE Captains
| Cleo Kate Rose
|
| Language Captain | Abigail
|
Sport Captains
| Lacey Seb
|
| Library Captain | Arkan
|
The ARTS Captains
| Fontaine Bowie Audrey Adele Emily Hannah Grace |
Being cybersafe is an essential part of everyday life. It’s important to stay alert, be aware of what’s circulating online, and carefully consider what we share. Inform and Empower consists of two presenters, Martin McGauran an educator & Carley McGauran a psychologist. All classes have commenced their online sessions this week.
Existing Families with Preps for 2027
If you have a kinder child (4 years old), who will be at school next year, can you please come and collect an enrolment form or complete the Enrolment form online We have 8 enrolments so far!
Enrolments close on April 30th, 2026
Dates of upcoming Open days
Term 1
Wednesday 4th March 9:30 to 11:00am
Saturday 14th March 9:30am to 12:00pm
Term 2
Tuesday 28th April 9:30am to 11:00am
Tuesday 28th April - Information night 7:30pm (adults only)
Saturday 16th May 9:30am to 12:00pm
Term 3
Saturday 18th July 9:30am to 12:00pm
Tuesday 28th July 9:30am to 11:00am
Thursday 6th August 9:30am to 11:00am
Term 4
Saturday 17th October 9:30am to 12:00pm
Wednesday 28th October 9:30am to 11:00am
Friendship List 2026
Friendship lists are a wonderful way for children to keep in touch with their classmates. They can be used to organise play dates, send party invitations, or arrange class get-togethers.
If you would like your family to be included in this year’s Friendship List, please complete the Google Form and provide your details, along with the required authorisation.
Due to the Privacy Act, family contact details cannot be distributed through the school office. Each parent/guardian must complete the Google Form individually to be included.
Please complete the short survey by Friday 6th March. The final Friendship List will be distributed in the following weeks.
Please note:
- Participation in the Friendship List is entirely voluntary.
- The list is for personal use only.
- Contact details must not be shared with any third parties or placed online.
- This is a PFA initiative.
You will be asked to provide your email address and mobile number; however, please only share information you are comfortable providing.
Thank you for your support.
Please only complete the survey for the class / classes your children belong to
NAPLAN
The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) for Years 3 & 5 students will be held in March as of this year. NAPLAN will be held on Wednesday 12th March to Wednesday 19th of March. Tuesday the 18th and Wednesday the 19th March are the days dedicated to allow any catch ups.
The Schedule will be as follows:
Wednesday 11/03: Writing 9:10am
Thursday 12/03: Reading 9:10am
Friday 13/03: Language Convention 9:10am
Monday 16/03: Numeracy 9:10am
Wednesday 18/03: Catch up 9:10am
Inter School Sports Year 5&6 Only
Day 1 - Thursday 5th of March
Day 2 - Wednesday 1st of April
St Kevin's will be competing in the following sport:
Rounders: Ted Ajani Centre 284 Thompsons Rd, Templestowe Lower VIC 3107
- We will have 2 girls teams and 1 boys team
- St Kevin's teachers/staff will be accompanying the students on the days.
Please go to Compass to give permission for your child/children to attend.
MACS Code of Conduct - Link
Each family has been provided with the school’s updated Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct outlines the expectations for respectful, appropriate, and professional behaviour within our school community.
The Code of Conduct is closely connected to the Child Safe Standards. It supports these standards by clearly setting out how adults including parents, carers, staff, and volunteers are expected to interact with children and with one another. By following the Code of Conduct, we help create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where children’s wellbeing and rights are always prioritised.
Thank you to families who have signed and returned the Code of Conduct agreement. These forms are kept on file at the school as part of our commitment to meeting Child Safe Standards and maintaining a safe school environment for all students.
You’re Invited to our annual St. Kevin’s Welcome BBQ
All families are warmly invited to St Kevin’s Annual Welcome BBQ on Tuesday 24th February, from 5:00–7:00pm, on the oval and under the shelter in the Tuck Shop Area and grassed surrounds.
What’s on the menu:
- Sausages and hamburgers with all the trimmings, cooked by our wonderful staff.
Soft drinks and water will be available for purchase for a gold coin.
What to bring:
- Your own chairs and blankets.
This is a great opportunity for families to meet Prep and Year 6 buddies, catch up, and socialise! Our PE teacher, Gianni, will organise sports equipment so everyone can join in and enjoy some fun activities together.
Come along for a relaxed evening of food, fun, and community!
👉 RSVP: Please use the link below to help us with catering and organisation.
RSVP Link – Welcome BBQ | Tuesday 24th February
Wellbeing & PBL
RESPONSIBLE
“I Move Safely.”
On Tuesday we celebrated Random Acts of Kindness day at St Kevin’s! It was wonderful to see our students embracing the power of small, thoughtful actions in our community throughout the day.
As part of this focus some classes have been exploring the book Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud. The story introduces children to the simple but powerful idea that we all carry an invisible “bucket” that can be filled through acts of kindness, encouragement and respect.
You might like to read this book at home with your child/ren. It is a lovely reminder to our young people that sharing kind words, helping friends, including others in play, and showing gratitude to staff and classmates help to fill buckets! These simple gestures may seem small, but they have a big impact on our school community.
We are so proud of the way our children continue to show respect and care for one another. Let’s keep spreading kindness every day!
The Child Safe Standards are a set of 11 requirements that organisations must follow to create a culture and environment that is safe for children.
These standards aim to prevent, respond to, and report child abuse by requiring organisations to implement policies, procedures, and practices that put children's safety and well-being first. They were developed in response to inquiries and recommendations from Royal Commissions and aim to drive cultural change within organisations that provide services or facilities for children.
We will be highlighting one Child Safe Standard each month in our school newsletter and share the MACS Care resources with you. We can all work together to make St Kevin’s a safe school for all of our students.
Please read the MACS child safety standard 1 newsletter
ITALIAN NEWS
Ciao a tutti,
I hope everyone has settled back into Term One nicely and had a great start to the year!
In the next few weeks Grade Five and Six students will be beginning the TCL Thrive Program. This is a literacy based unit that focuses on a comic called, ‘Che Cosa Fai?' (What are you doing?). They will eventually begin to create their own comic in Italian.
Students from Prep - Grade Four will be completing their mid cycle assessments reviewing our Unit 9 vocabulary:
Greetings:
Ciao - hi/bye
Buongiorno - good morning/hello
Arrivederci - goodbye
Per favore - please
Grazie - thank you
Questions:
Come ti chiami? - What's your name?
Mi chiamo... - My name is...
Come stai? - How are you?
E tu? - And you?
Sto bene - I'm well
Sto male - I'm unwell
Sto cosi cosi - I'm so-so
Formal language:
Signore, come sta? - Sir, how are you?
Signora, come sta? - Mrs, how are you?
E lei? - And you?
Classroom instructions:
Venite qua! - Come here!
Andate là! - Go there!
Ripetete insieme! - Repeat together!
Tutti in piedi! - Everybody stand up!
Tutti seduti! - Everybody sit down!
Guardate! - Look!
Ascoltate! - Listen!
Grazie,
Chiara
Ciao a tutti,
Congratulations to Abigail Year 5/6 - she came first in the freestyle class C division of her age group. Amazing effort Abigail!
Happy Chinese New Year to our Chinese families!
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Please complete the short survey by clicking on the link.
I have read the Newsletter.
In God’s hands,
Gabee Leone