SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY

Friday 24th May

Dear Families,

We have had a very busy few weeks -

celebrating the significant ladies of Holy Family School Community
Walk to School Day
altar server training
school photos
Tom Bennett (UK Behaviour Expert) presenting Professional Learning to Leaders from many schools (primary and secondary)
Year 4 Avila/Salesian Expereince Day
Inform and Empower Online Parent session
commissioning our First Eucharist Candididates
enjoying the Parish Multicultural Luncheon on Pentecost Sunday
Year 3/4 Sovereign Hill School Camp
National Simultaneous Storytime
FIRE Carrier Commissioning Ceremony at the Aboriginal Catholic Mission

Thank you to our families, staff and Parish for your support during this busy time.

Important Information

Please remember not to do a right hand turn into our school after 8am or make a right hand turn onto Stephensons Road when exiting our school carpark.

Unfortunately, there was nearly a head on collision with a parent in our school this morning and then this car entered our carpark and drove too quickly through 'Kiss and Drop' and overtook a car with some of our students trying to get out.

This is a very dangerous situation for all involved.

First Eucharist

Our students are preparing to receive the Sacrament of First Eucharist on June 2nd at 10am Mass.

Last Sunday each student was presented to our Holy Family Parish community during the weekend Masses.

On Friday 31st May the students will participate in their Reflection Day before they receive the Eucharist at Mass on Sunday.

FIRE Carriers

The story of FIRE Carriers began with a dream to bring Aboriginal culture, history and spirituality into the forefront of education in Catholic schools. It was important to teach the stories of the oldest living culture to our youngest generations to ensure the living truth, the dreams and hopes of our Indigenous people were heard. This would be a genuine pathway to reconciliation.

Our School Captains (Cecilia and Luca), Vice Captains (Nadia and Spencer) and Liturgy Leaders (Naya and Harper) have been meeting with me to develop Holy Family's draft FIRE Carrier Covenant. FIRE stands for Friends Igniting the Reconciliation through Action.

Four of these students are presenting our draft Covenant at the Aboriginal Catholic Mission today. I look forward to sharing their experience with you in our next newsletter.

Thank you to Mrs Pejic (Religious Education Leader) and Amelia Younane (parent) for supporting these students.

National Reconciliation Week (Now More Than Ever)

The National Reconciliation Week (27th May-3rd June) theme for 2024, Now More Than Ever, is a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will —and must —continue.

There have been many moments in Australia’s reconciliation journey that make us want to turn away. But when things are divisive, the worst thing we can do is disengage or disconnect.

Reconciliation supporters must stand up to defend and uphold the rights of First Nations peoples. To call out racism wherever we encounter it, and to actively reinforce the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across this continent.

Now more than ever, the work continues. In treaty making, in truth-telling, in understanding our history, in education, and in tackling racism. We need connection. We need respect. We need action. And we need change.  

Now more than ever, we need reconciliation.

The National Reconciliation Week 2024 design and artwork represent the momentum of the theme Now More Than Ever. The chevron, a universal symbol for pointing the way, signifies advancing as one as we look towards a reconciled future; and the vibrant artwork of Gubbi Gubbi artist Maggie Douglas encourages connecting with one another, understanding and continuing to move forward.

The 2024 theme design incorporating the artwork is by Carbon Creative.

https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/

National Simultaneous Storytime

A 'touch of blue' was all around Holy Family school yesterday as we celebrated National Simultaneous Storytime. The students wore 'blue' to connect with the book for this year 'Bowerbird Blues'.

Thank you to Mrs Standfield and Mrs Tapley for organising a fun day and to Miss Herrmann for signing the story for us.

Playground Update

I am pleased to share with you that we have just signed the proposal for the next stage of our playground.

Thank you to our Parents and Friends for hosting events to raise money for this project. A BIG thank to our families for spporting our fundraising efforts too!

Below is a diagram of the new section of our playground.

Mother's Day Afternoon Tea

We hope the ladies in our community enjoyed their 'Afternoon Tea'. Thank you once again for all that you do for your families and our school community.

You are all amazing!

Year 4 Avila/Salesian Experience Day

Our Year 4 students ventured to Avila and Salesian Colleges last Friday for a Secondary School Experience Day.

Thank you to our staff for accompanying these students and to the schools for making this day possible.

Walk to School Day

On Friday 10th May each student was greeted with a smile and a juicy apple to begin their day and celebrate 'Walk Safely to School Day'. Thank you to Acting Sergeant Heath Williams for joining us on this morning.

2025/2026 Enrolments Open

A reminder to our existing families that enrolments are now open for the 2025/2026 school year.

Please come into the office to receive an enrolment form from Tracey or Rana.

Open Days

Our Open Days are continuing throughout this term.

Soft Plastics Recycling

Thank you to those families who have volunteered to pick up our soft plastics and drop them to Monash Waste Transfer Station. Please find the roster for this term below.

Term Two Dates

May

Friday 24th - School Closure Day

Monday 27th - Reconciliation Week (Now More Than Ever)

Tuesday 28th - Open Day

Wednesday 29th - Division Cross County

Friday 31st - Winter Sport

Friday 31st - Eucharist Reflection Day

June

Sunday 2nd - First Eucharist Mass (10am)

Monday 3rd - Open Day

Wednesday 5th - Parents and Friends Meeting (TBC)

Wednesday 12th - Open Day

Thursday 13th - EMR Cross Country

Thursday 13th - Winter Sport Gala Day

Friday 21st - Specila Lunch Day

Monday 24th - Fire Education (Preps)

Thursday 27th - Semester One Written Reports sent home

Friday 28th - Term 2 finishes (1pm)

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend,

Mrs David (Principal)

Auslan