School News
National Reconciliation Week
What is National Reconciliation Week?
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.
Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.
The National Reconciliation Week 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.
On Monday, our staff and students gathered together to pray and acknowledge Reconciliation Week. Thank you to Mr Millane and Year 4 for coordinating and leading this special paraliturgy.
Lord, we pray for Reconciliation:
That the mistakes of the past may be recognised,
That our awareness of the journey so far, continues to grow
And that the Holy Spirit moves us to walk the talk and continue what has been started.
We ask this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
AMEN
Take-Home English Survey
Once again thank you to our Prep and Year 1 families who have been supporting our new Take-Home English Program. Thank you to the families who completed the Take-Home English survey a few weeks ago. The feedback provided will assist with any necessary adjustments that may need to take place to the program moving forward. The results are currently being collated and will be shared soon.
AFL Clinics
Next week, AFL clinics will continue in Physical Education lessons for all students. This week we had Nathan and Richmond AFLW player, Charley Ryan, work with our students and Mr O'Shea, to introduce and teach the basic rules and skills of AFL. Students are ecnouraged to wear their AFL club support team jumper over their Sports polo during their Physical Education lesson next week.
Primary School Leaders' Forum
On Tuesday 4 June, our School Captains, Joel and Alaia will attend the Primary School Leaders' Forum in the Legislative Council Chamber, Parliament of Victoria. They have been invited by Jess Wilson MP to speak about one local and one state issue that is a concern to them.
ACU Pre-service placements
Next week we welcome three Pre-service teachers from Australian Catholic University (ACU). Gemma (1EE), Amy (4JM) and Ashley (5CB) will complete 15 days as part of their University courses. Teaching placements are major components of undergraduate and postgraduate initial teacher education (ITE) courses. Not only are they an essential part of becoming qualified, but provide the hands-on skills needed for a teacher's career in the classroom.
A huge thank you to Emma Edmonds, Libby Mulhall, James Millane and Charlotte Biggs for leading and mentoring the Pre-service teachers over the next three weeks.
Division Cross Country
Congratulations to the following students who progressed through to Division Cross Country and competed at Ruffey Park in Doncaster on Monday:
Felix T (3GR)
Ethan L (3MD)
Jacob M (4JM)
Freddie G (5CB)
Will W (5CB)
Tom B (6AP)
Nadia P (6AP)
Feast of the Sacred Heart-Annual Food Drive
ONLY ONE WEEK TO GO....
Please note that our annual Food Drive will continue next week until Friday 7 June. All grocery donations will be gratefully received by the Brigidine Asylum Resource Project. Please see the flyer attached.
Food and household items needed include:
Eggs, Sugar, Flour, Cooking Oil, Tinned Fruit, Cans Of Tomatoes/Tuna/ Corn/Peas; Long Life Milk, Tea, Coffee, Cheese Biscuits, Noodles, Honey, Dates, Salt & Pepper, Spices; Shampoo, Conditioner, Shaving Cream, Toothpaste; Washing Powder, Dishwashing Liquid, Gladwrap, Tinfoil, Pegs; Disposable Nappies And Wipes
Donations can be brought to school by students, and given to their classroom teachers. We will present the donations as part of the Poor Man's Mass on Friday 7 June which is the Feast of the Sacred Heart.
Save the date! Please come along and celebrate our School's Feast Day at the 9.15am mass! Everyone is welcome!
Project Compassion 2024
As May has drawn to a close so too does Project Compassion for another year. This year the school has once again embraced the spirit of generosity and today the school banked $673 with Caritas Australia. Thank you to all the staff and students who once again organised activities and fund-raised throughout Lent and the season of Easter (that ended recently at Pentecost). Much prayer, reflection, learning, fun and fund-raising was achieved through our whole school program.
A huge thank you to the Parents' Association, whose efforts sourcing and selling Hot Cross Buns throughout Lent was much appreciated, and added significantly to our final total.
School Counsellor
Elise, our school counsellor, is available on Tuesdays in 2024. Parents are welcome to reach out to discuss if counselling is the right fit for them and their child. Please contact the School Office admin@shkew.catholic.edu.au
Term 2 School Assemblies
All parents are welcome to attend our Assemblies which take place in the MPR on Fridays at 2.30pm (see below dates). From Term 2, classes will be timetabled to present an item to the school community.
Term 2 Assemblies:
Week 8 - Friday 7 June (No Spotlight on Learning)
Week 9 - Friday 14 June (No Spotlight on Learning)
Week 10 - Friday 21 June (Wellbeing Groups-No Assembly)
Week 11 - Friday 28 June (End of Term 2 12:45pm-No Assembly)
2024 Term Dates
Term 1
Thurs 1 February (Students begin) – Thurs 28 March (12:45pm finish)
Term 2
Mon 15 April – Fri 28 June (12:45pm finish)
Term 3
Mon 15 July – Fri 20 September (12:45pm finish)
Term 4
Mon 7 October - Tue 17 December (12:45pm finish)
2024 School Closure Days
The following days and dates will be School Closure Days in 2024:
Term 2
Thursday 25 April (ANZAC Day)
Friday 26 April (Time in lieu day for staff) *
Monday 10 June (King’s Birthday Public Holiday)
Term 3
None
Term 4
Monday 4 November (Time in lieu day for staff) *
Tuesday 5 November (Melbourne Cup Day Public Holiday)
Friday 6 December (Staff Planning for 2025 School Closure Day)
Children finish on Tuesday 17 December at 12.45pm
Wednesday 18 December (Time in lieu day for staff) *
As was communicated to families towards the end of last year...
* Time in Lieu (TIL)
The new Catholic Education Multi-Enterprise Agreement 2022 (the Agreement) introduces a formal time in lieu (TIL) process for teachers. The Agreement provides that a principal may require a teacher to undertake work and attend a school activity outside the normal hours of attendance (i.e., in excess of the 38 hours or normal hours for a part-time teacher) and when this occurs, it will attract TIL.
Principals should prepare for the accrual and acquittal of TIL through their annual planning process. The timing of the acquittal of TIL is at the discretion of the principal, having regard to the operational needs of the school and causing the least disruption to the educational program of the school.
Principals may elect to acquit TIL through designating days during the year on which all staff and students are not required to attend school. For 2024, there are opportunities to acquit TIL for the whole school on the following days:
Friday April 26 (day after ANZAC Day);
Monday November 4 (day before Cup Day);
early finishes on the last days of Terms 1, 2 and 3;
end of Term 4 from Wednesday 18 December.
Please note that no primary school students should be dismissed from schools prior to Tuesday 17 December 2024 – this is their earliest finish date