Community Engagement
Italian Day
Last Wednesday staff and students enjoyed a fantastic Italian Day. This was an extra special day being Signora Sorbello's last Italian Day at St Roch's. Signora has taught hundreds of St Roch's students over the past 25 years!
Students enjoyed craft, cooking and sporting activities rotating to each activity in their level groups. Christina had planned wonderful activities to continue to consolidate our students love of the Italian language, food and culture.
Enormous thanks to Christina for her organisation of the day and to the staff who led each activity with great enthusiasm. It was a huge team effort and our students directly benefitted from the energy and passion of Christina and all the staff!
In the afternoon we were treated to a performance of La Bafana and the Christmas Nativity story. Students from Year 1 to Year 5 performed the play written by Signora Sorbello. It was an outstanding performance and has launched us into the Christmas season. Christina's husband, daughter and two grandsons joined us for the performance to celebrate this final Italian Day with Christina.
2026 Prep Transition
Over the past two Thursdays we have had the privilege of welcoming the 2026 Preps and their families into the St Roch's School Community. Our Preps of 2026 have begun their transition program and have enjoyed learning together in the Prep classroom, getting to know Miss Granland and each other.
An important aim of our transition program is to foster a sense of belonging. Research tells us that...Sustaining partnerships with families involves the whole school community working to establish an environment similar to a family setting, characterised by trust and openness, which encourages parental participation in the school's faith formation and learning activities (NCEC 2022) (MACS Vision for Engagement 2025).
While the students have been engaged in the classroom, their parents have been engaged in parent workshops to build their connection with our school and each other, and to support a successful transition to primary school.
Working Bee
We had a very successful working bee with the Prep - Year 2 families last Sunday morning . The rain kept away for two hours while we were at school which meant that the playground mulch could be spread, the new sand could be added to the sandpit and lawns could be mowed.
The parents and students worked tirelessly to complete all the tasks on the 'wish list' and we returned to school on Monday with visible results of everyone's collective hard work. Angie and I are always so grateful for the energy of care of our school displayed by our parents at every working bee. Thank you to David Crew and Will Cheang for coordinating the morning. To Deanne White and Janelle Sadri who cooked up the best sausages and to every family who braved the weather and came in good spirits to tranform our beautiful school.
Students and staff we thrilled to return on Monday morning to such a tidy and loved looking school playground.
School Spirit Sports Day 2026
We had a fantastic day at Gardiner Park on Friday 7 November. Thanks to Marjie King for preparing the students over many weeks and for organising the events of the day. It was a huge success because of her planning and preparation. Thanks to our wonderful staff and parent helpers for their support at each activity.
There was lots of great athleticism on display along with plenty of St Roch's sportsmanship. We were very proud of each of our students and their encouragement of each other throughout the day.
We received a lovely email form a parent about the our School Spirts Sports Day. Congratulations to Loughnan who won on the day.
Thanks to you, Marjie and the team for all the work that went into making Friday another gorgeous celebration of the wonderful and incredible children of St Roch's.
Year 1 in the Library
During the Year 1 library session last week, the students participated in a sequencing activity. After Mrs Rozario read the picture book, The Pigeon Needs a Bath, by Mo Willems
the students were asked to recall the procedure of the pigeon taking a bath. They were divided into three groups and together they collaborated to correctly sequence the story.
This task was enjoyed by all and touches on many of the children's skills including, sequencing, comprehension, leadership and teamwork. As you can see they had a lot of fun and success.
Gardening Club
The recent sunshine and rain has helped our garden bloom. Please come and have a look at the vegetables. They are thriving! There is always lots on offer for the students to enjoy each Wednesday at second break. Mrs Meseha plans engaging activities each week to stimulate the students interest in the garden whilst providing an inclusive space to play offering our students an alternative option at breaktime. Thank you Mrs Meseha!🌻
Thank you to our very dedicated group of students who are regular helpers in the garden. We know how powerful this opportunity is in supporting and enhancing all of our students wellbeing. We are very lucky!
Julie Meseha - Gardening Club Teacher
Icy Pole Friday
Icy poles will be on sale at 3.30pm this Friday after school. Icy poles will be for sale every Friday after school throughout Term 4. Thanks to our school and vice captains and to Miss Allen and Mr Pinchbeck for supporting this initiative. All proceeds will go towards the installation of a Gaga Pit in the playground.
Come and buy an Icy pole from Kora, Ethan, Grace or Will on Thursday!
Come and buy an Icy pole from Kora, Ethan, Grace or Will on Thursday!
Dance Club
Dance Club with Maddie from Dance Fitness Victoria is held every Thursday at lunchtime. Dance Club is open for all students from Prep to Year 2. Registrations for Term 4 are now open.
Art Club
Art Club is held every Friday at 11.10am in the Art Room. No Art Club this week due to the School Spirit Sports Day. We are grateful to our Arts Leaders Michael and Evie and our Art Specialist teacher Ms Boers for the incredible art activities they have planned for our students throughout Term 4.
St Roch's Colour Run - Wednesday 3 December
WARNING: Colour Explosion Incoming! A message from Dave Crew!
Attention all students, staff and anyone who owns white clothing they don't mind becoming colourful - St Roch's legendary Colour Run is back on Wednesday, 3rd December.
This year, we've got something EXTRA special planned that might just make you feel like you are running on Cloud 9... but we've already said too much!
The event will unleash chaos…… we mean fun!!! Right here in our own school. Prepare to be turned into walking talking rainbows as you run, skip or cartwheel your way through clouds of colour. By the end, your parents won't recognize you.
HELP! We Need Brave Adult Volunteers! Are you a parent who enjoys controlled chaos? Do you like throwing coloured powder at children? (In a fun, supervised way, of course!) Then we need YOU! Sign up to volunteer and join the madness.
The Boring But Important Bit: Logistics, timing, and instructions will be sent out closer to 3rd December.
Let's Raise Money for Our School! Now it's time to start fundraising!
Click the link below to set up your account with Schoolfundraising.com.au
We are using this portal to help us with this event and ask your family and friends to sponsor you. There are awesome PRIZES to win!
Let the countdown to colourful chaos begin!
You can also scan this QR code to take you to the Colour Run website:
Lots of fun and colour in 2024!
Lots of fun and colour in 2024!
Nadine Bolton
Deputy Principal, Learning Diversity Leader and Student Wellbeing Leader