Principals Update

Key Events - Term 1

Term 1, Week 7

• Friday 14th of March -  Naplan testing continues. School Open Day tour @ 1pm. PFA Event - Barefoot Bowls

Term 1, Week 8

• Monday 17th of March -  Year 5/6 Camp to Canberra. Students arrive at 6.15am for a 6.30am departure. Catholic Education Week
• Tuesday 18th of March -  Year 5/6 Camp to Canberra
• Wednesday 19th of March -  Year 5/6 Camp to Canberra
• Thursday 20th of March -  Year 5/6 Camp to Canberra
• Friday 21st of March -  Year 5/6 Camp return from Canberra, 4pm - 4.30pm. No Assembly. Harmony Day

Term 1, Week 9

• Monday 24th of March -  Naplan Catch Up Testing
• Tuesday 25th of March -  PSG Meetings
• Wednesday 26th of March -  PSG Meetings
• Thursday 27th of March -  PSG Meetings. Whole School Mass @ 9.15am
• Friday 28th of March -  House Cross Country, 9.30am - 11am

Dear SJV Families,

I hope that you all were able to relax and enjoy the beautiful warm weather over the long weekend. I think that it came at the right time for everyone! We are now in Week 7 of the School term and we can not believe how fast these weeks are passing by.

Next week, we celebrate Catholic Education Week. The theme for Catholic Education week this year is, Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. This theme along with our school theme for 2025, Show me your ways Lord, teach me your paths, is focused on our Vianney's value of Integrity and Excellence. As a part of Catholic Education week students will participate in Harmony Day activities next Friday. On this day,  students are encouraged to wear a touch of orange on their uniform. It can be a ribbon, socks, scrunchie or accessory such as a hat or headband. Year 5 & 6 students will be celebrating Catholic Education Week in Canberra with a variety of activities. We wish them all the best for what what will be a very exciting week exploring the nations capital

Please make sure that you read the following:

Parents & Friends Association - Hot Cross Buns

If you would like to order some Hot Cross buns, please do so by Monday the 31st of March. The buns will be delivered to school on Friday the 4th of April. Please see the flyer for further details.

Parents & Friends Association - Easter Egg Drive

Please support our Easter Egg drive. We are in the process of creating baskets full of wonderful prizes which will drawn in our raffle on the last day of term. We are seeking donations of eggs, chocolate, bunnies and chicks etc. Please send any of the donations to your child's classroom.

Parents & Friends Association - SJV Dads Group

Parents & Friends Association - Bunnings Sausage Sizzle

Thank you to our amazing parents who volunteered their time last Sunday cooking and serving sausages at Bunnings Mentone in very hot and trying conditions. Over $3500 was raised which is a fantastic effort. A special thanks to Jess Viviani and Daniella Di Silvio for coordinating this event. 

Year 5 / 6 Upcoming Canberra Camp

Our Year Five and Six students head to Canberra next week beginning Monday, 17th March and return on Friday 21st of March. As both Jill Hannan and I are joining them, Kerry Slater will be acting Principal along with Mary Moor who will be supporting her. We look forward to a wonderful week of learning and new experiences. A report will be shared in the next newsletter.

Lunch Fox

This year lunch orders are available on a Monday and a Friday. Monday's suppliers are Zagu who will be providing Sushi and Fridays suppliers are Station Stop Cafe, who provide a variety of bakery items. To order you need to down load the Lunch Fox App, select our school and set up your profile. Please note that orders need to be placed 48 hours ahead.

2026 Prep Enrolments 

Our Requests for School Tours have begun already! Enrolments for Prep 2026 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.  If you are not able to make these tours please note that you are also welcome to call to make a time that does work for you. 

Upcoming SJV School Tour Dates

Friday 14th March @ 1pm

NEW - Wednesday 26th March 9.15am

Thursday 3rd April @ 9.15am

NAPLAN 2025

All Year 3 and 5 students have been participating in the NAPLAN tests this week. We use NAPLAN to provide us with feedback about how we can improve our teaching, whilst parents are provided with a snapshot of how their child is progressing. For us, it is one assessment that makes up a thorough Assessment Schedule and should not present any stress for students, as they are well versed at completing online assessments.

Our final Naplan assessment will take place tomorrow, Friday 14th March -  Numeracy

Catch up assessments will be completed for students who are absent on the day of a test. These will take place on:

• Monday 24th March- Catch up session

nForma App for Parents

All parents are registered on nForma. If you haven't downloaded the app or you are new to the school this year, please do so now. Please make sure student medical details are up to date on this system as staff use this to access information when on excursions or if we need information in case of a medical emergency. 

School Advisory Council

It was fantastic to have our School Advisory Council Team together for our first meeting of 2025. School Advisory Councils (SAC) are an essential component of governing and operating Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. They provide a forum for consultation and participation for parish and school communities.

The new governance arrangements were developed through a consultation process with priests, principals and parents around the critical role the parish priest and principal have in leading the school’s mission, with the support of the School Advisory Council. The School Advisory Council members are parents who have been invited by the Parish Priest and Principal to join, and are held each term.

I would like to thank the following members of the School Advisory Council for 2025

Fr. Justin Ford - Parish Priest

Mick Schinck - Principal

Jill Hannan - Deputy Principal

Romesh Rodrigo - Chairperson & Parent Representative

Danielle Almiento - Parent Representative

Niki Kirkby - Parent Representative

Nathan Viviano - Parent Representative

Kirsty Zarifopoulos - Parent Representative

School Fees and Direct Debit Forms

 All levies are due to be paid in full by next Friday 21st March. The only exception to this is for families who have set up a Direct Debit through the office. Statements were resent today. If you haven't received one, please contact Nicole.

SJV Facebook Page

Reminders

• 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.

• The next Newsletter will be shared on Thursday 27th of March.

• There will be NO school assembly next Friday 21st of March as Year 6 students are on camp.

Good luck with the footy tipping and may the 2025 AFL season, be an exciting one! Go Tigers!!

Regards

Mick Schinck

Principal