Principals Update

 Key Events - Term 4

Week 3

• Thursday 23rd October -  Reconciliation Family night, 7pm - 8pm
• Friday 24th October - Japanese Incursion/Festival (Dress Up)

Week 4

• Wednesday 29th October -  Prep 2026 Information Evening @ 7pm in the MPR
• Thursday 30th October - SJV celebrating World Teachers Day & Whole School Mass @ 9.15am
• Friday 31st October - School Closure (Their Care operating)

Week 5

• Monday 3rd November - School Closure (Their Care operating)
• Tuesday 4th November  - Melbourne Cup Public Holiday
• Thursday 6th November - Sacrament of Reconciliation @ 12pm (Year 2 students)
• Friday 7th November - Lucky Jar Donations & Sweet Treats (School Fete). Lacrosse Gala Day (Year 5/6)

Dear SJV Families,

The students have settled into the term extremely well after the school holidays and have been busy focusing on their learning and assessments and various other activities. It’s an important term for all students as reporting will take place. For Year 6 students it is vitally important not only here at SJV but as a part of their transition program into their chosen Secondary colleges.

Next Wednesday the 29th of October, I will have the privilege of hosting Prep parents 2025 for an information evening. It will be a wonderful occasion to have parents old and new coming in and learning about what their child’s first year of school is all about here at SJV and the many wonderful learning opportunities that they will have. We look forward to having our Prep 2026 students visiting us for their first transition on Friday the 14th of November. 

• The next newsletter will be shared with families on Thursday 6th of November

Please make sure that you take the time to read the newsletter as there is much happening here at SJV.

Building Update

We’re excited to share that Amity Building Company will officially take possession of the site from next Monday, 27 October. Temporary fencing will be installed on this day as construction preparations begin.

Please note that the gates normally used by students will be fenced off during this time. Students and parents can access the school via a new temporary gate located next to the current Administration Building. A larger gate will also be installed in the coming weeks to improve access.

For parents needing to enter the school during the day (for early pick-ups or drop-offs), please use the keypad lock code that was shared via text last week. If you’ve forgotten the code, please contact the school office for assistance.

Today marked a special and sentimental moment for our students, as they were invited into the old office area to write their names and draw pictures on the walls before the space is transformed. It was a touching farewell to a part of our school’s history that the students will remember fondly.

We’ll continue to keep families informed with regular updates as the project progresses.

Thank you for your ongoing support, patience, and flexibility during this exciting time of change. We look forward to watching the transformation of our school unfold in the months ahead.

Celebrating Our Former Students’ Success at Kilbreda College

Last Thursday, I had the pleasure of attending the Kilbreda College Year 12 Final Assembly — a wonderful celebration of achievement, leadership and community spirit. It was a proud moment to see so many of our former St John Vianney’s students recognised for their hard work and dedication. Many received academic and leadership awards, reflecting the strong foundations and values they developed during their years at SJV.

A special congratulations to former student Leila Timms, who has been appointed Co-Captain of Kilbreda College for 2026. It was particularly touching to see two current Year 7 students, Milly Camera and Tayah Donovan, both also former SJV students, present Leila with her blazer and School Captain’s badge.

We are incredibly proud of Leila and all our past students who continue to lead, inspire and make a positive impact beyond their time at SJV.

Aerobics Try Outs for 2026

Tomorrow all children, (boys and girls) Year 2 -5 are welcome to come for an introduction session of aerobics. We hope this might encourage more to sign up for the tryouts next Tuesday at 3.45pm. Please open the following link to register for tryouts next Tuesday.

https://form.jotform.com/252788444060865

Staffing Update- Welcome Back, Mr. Drew Lane!

We’re delighted to share some exciting news — Mr. Drew Lane will be joining St John Vianney’s as our Performing Arts teacher in 2026. Many of you will remember Drew from our past school musicals and from when he taught Performing Arts here in 2022.

Drew is a highly accomplished and sought-after educator, currently teaching at St Peter’s, Bentleigh East. His return to SJV will bring fresh ideas, creativity, and enthusiasm to our Performing Arts program.

We are thrilled to welcome Drew back to our school community and know he will be made to feel very welcome by staff, students, and families alike.

Japanese Day - Tomorrow

AFL Play Coming to SJV

In exciting news AFL play starts today and will continue over the next few weeks. Students can join in the program which will take place straight after school at 3.40pm. PARENTS DO NOT NEED TO COLLECT THEIR CHILD FROM THE CLASSROOM AND TAKE THEM TO THE OVAL FOR AFL PLAY. Staff from SJV and the AFL will meet the students on the oval. Please see below for further details and how to register

SJV Fete

We are only 4 weeks out from the fete. Below is a summary of the volunteer slots we are still looking to fill.

Everyone needs to be involved! Please call or message Sascha on 0450 205 885 or let the office know which slots you would like.

Dad’s and/or Mum’s are encouraged to volunteer.

Please make sure that you check out the Fete page in the newsletter for further information on ways we require all parents to assist.

Please note the following dates for donations for the fete:

Term 4

• Lucky Jars & Lolly Hunt - Friday the 7th of November

Pupil Free Days

There will be no school for students on Friday 31st of October and Monday, 3rd November, the day before the Melbourne Cup Public Holiday. 

End of School Year 

School will finish for students at 12:00pm on Tuesday, 16th December.

Classes for 2026

As we begin the process of planning ahead for 2026 classes, I ask any families who know that they will not be returning to St. John Vianney's in 2025 please inform me as soon as possible. principal@sjvparkdale.catholic.edu.au

World Teachers Day

World Teachers' Day 2025 will be celebrated here at SJV on Thursday the 30th of October. This day is a chance to recognise and celebrate the teachers who are making, or have made, an impact on the lives of our students. World Teachers’ Day is a chance to say, ‘thank you’. 

We are very lucky here at SJV to have such amazing, dedicated and hard working teachers. On behalf the community, I would like to thank the teachers for the wonderful work that they do in educating our students academically, socially and emotionally.  

First Reconciliation

On Thursday the 6th of November at 12pm, some of our Year 2 students will receive their First Reconciliation in the St. John Vianney’s Church. This will be the second sacrament for each of our students and it is the sacrament that we all live out on many occasions every day. This sacrament is where we are saying sorry for what we have done wrong in our daily lives. Parents of candidates are invited to attend on this day.

Remembrance Day - 11th November

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month is a moment not only to pause and remember all those who have served and sacrificed in wars and conflicts across the world, but also to reflect on the historical events that led to this day of significance. Originally announced to mark the anniversary of the Armistice that ended fighting with Germany in World War I, Remembrance Day today gives us all the opportunity to acknowledge the service personnel who died while serving in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. Year 6 Social Justice Leaders will be selling merchandise for our local RSL. Poppies and other items will be available for $2, $3, $5, $10 & $20. Please support this worthy cause.

Instagram- We now have an SJV Instagram page on social media. So please make sure you follow and share: @sjv_parkdale

Prep 2026 Parent Information Evening

We are excitedly preparing to welcome our 2026 Prep families and students for their Orientation program. This program continues to be a highlight of the year, as these children take their first big steps into school life. While some students already have a sibling at SJV, we cannot underestimate how this can still be quite an overwhelming experience as the children transition away from a very small Kinder/Early Learning Centre setting into a significantly larger one. For our new (and not so new) Prep parents, we look forward to welcoming you on Wednesday 29th October at 7.00pm in the MPR. This information evening is a wonderful opportunity to meet new families and teachers who will work with your children.  

Our Prep 2026 Orientation Sessions are as follows:

• Friday 14th November 9:15am-10:45am

• Wednesday 3rd December 9.15-10.45am

2026  Enrolments 

Our requests for School Tours are continuing with many booking times to come and visit our wonderful school. 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 (Limited places available).   

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.

Regards

Mick Schinck

Principal