Dear Families,

Last Friday our school was filled with our wonderful Galilee Mothers and Mother-like-figures. It was wonderful to celebrate these special women in our children’s lives through a wonderful series of Mother’s Day events.

The day began with a community breakfast, set up and run by a group of Galilee Dads, and a range of engaging activities in the Stadium. Our Prep students then delighted everyone with a heartfelt performance. This was followed by our Mother’s Day Mass at St. Peter and Paul, thoughtfully prepared and led by our Year 1 students, who created a meaningful and reflective celebration.

Later in the day, many of our mothers came together for a special Mother’s Day Lunch at the Yacht Club in St Kilda. This event offered a wonderful opportunity for mums and mother‑figures to relax, connect and enjoy time together as part of our wider school community. The organisers did an incredible job to bring it together and make it so joyful.

These events brought our community together in a spirit of appreciation and celebration, honouring the incredible mothers and mother‑like figures who support, guide and nurture our students every day.

New Playground Equipment!

Our outdoor play space is continuing to be upgraded with new additions from Castle and Cubby, including two cubby houses, outdoor blackboards and a mud kitchen arriving last week. The cubby houses are already being used for role‑play, social interaction and small‑group games, while the mud kitchen provides a space for students to mix, create, experiment with textures and engage in hands‑on imaginative play. These features are being used daily and are supporting a wide range of collaborative and creative learning and playing experiences.

Students contributed ideas during the planning process, with direct feedback from the SRC helping shape the final decisions for equipment.

Thank you to our community for the fundraising efforts that made this project possible, in particular the Gala last winter that raised an incredible amount! Your support continues to enhance our students’ experiences.

School Tours

We welcomed 30 families to our recent school tour, a wonderful sign of strong local community interest. Our Year 6 leaders confidently guided visitors through classrooms and learning spaces. Families enjoyed seeing learning at Galilee in action across all year levels. We look forward to continuing to share everything we do at Galilee with new families during our future tours.

Child Safe Standard 3

This month, we are highlighting Child Safe Standard 3, which focuses on empowering students to understand their rights, express their views and feel confident that their voices will be heard and respected. At Galilee, this commitment is woven into everyday school life from student leadership roles and collaborative classroom discussions to the way staff actively seek and value student voice and feedback. We remain committed to building a school culture where every child feels safe, respected and heard.

Teaching & Learning

This term, all year levels are focusing on Forces for a Science-focused unit of Inquiry called ‘The ScienTriffic!’

What and how makes things move? What pulls, pushes; what surfaces make things harder and easier; what helps a craft take off and fly? And when we know the answers to some of these questions, how can that make something useful in the world?

Please look out for information on your child’s class Dojo, speak to your child about what they have been learning and ask your child’s teacher if you would like to find out more. Read below for information about the Year 3 and 4 incursion and look out for planes flying around the rooftop in the next few weeks, crafted by the Year 6s.

Year 3 Year 4 Incursion

The Year 3 and 4 students conducted experiments with circuits and magnets, as well as, chemical, kinetic, heat and gravitational energy. They tested, observed and analysed how different types of energy are produced, how they interact and how they change. This hands-on experience encourages critical thinking and scientific inquiry and was a whole force of fun!

Cyber Safety

This term, our Inform and Empower program centres on developing healthy digital habits. Students will learn how to build a balanced and positive relationship with their devices. We will explore the benefits of ‘green time’, the importance of quality sleep, and how screen use can affect wellbeing. Through practical activities and discussions, students will be supported to make informed choices that promote healthier digital routines.

Our Wonderful Parent Community

A huge thank you to all our incredible parents and carers who have been volunteering their time, energy and enthusiasm around the school. Your support makes such a meaningful difference, not just to our events but to the sense of community our students feel every day. We’d like to thank:the DOGS volunteers who helped make our Mother’s Day morning such a warm and welcoming celebration; the Parent Storeroom Team, Angela, Mel and Kara who came in to organise the parent storeroom, a space that is now more functional and ready for the busy term ahead; and the organisers of the Mother’s Day lunch - Kara, Jenn, Sarah, Rachel and Chrissie, and our chief sponsor James Nicolaou. The event wouldn’t have taken place without all of you!

Thank you to everyone who has supported recent and upcoming events, from setting up to packing down and everything in between, we truly appreciate you. These moments only come together because of your willingness to pitch in. Your contributions big and small help create the supportive school community we’re so proud of. Thank you for everything you do!

Fostering a Love of Reading

Galilee is delighted to announce that the Victorian Premiers’ Reading Challenge is officially open for 2026. This wonderful initiative isn’t a competition, it’s a personal challenge designed to inspire every child to read more, explore new stories and build confidence as a reader.

The Challenge is open to all Victorian children from birth to Year 10 and encourages students to read a set number of books by 18th September 2026.

Regular reading strengthens vocabulary, comprehension and critical thinking. It also nurtures imagination, builds empathy and helps children discover the joy of getting lost in a great story. When reading becomes a habit, it naturally fosters a lifelong love of books, one of the most powerful tools for learning and personal growth.

If you would like your child to take part, please email Becky Kavanagh at bkavanagh@gsm.vic.edu.au.

Coming up

Week 4

Friday, 15th May: Assembly 8:55am, Year 4 presenting.

Week 5

Friday, 22nd May: Assembly 8:55am, Year 2 presenting, School Parent Band playing.

Week 6

Tuesday 26th May, Beachside Cross Country - for selected students

Tuesday 26th May, National Sorry Day

Wednesday 27th May, start of Reconciliation Week

Friday 29th May, Year 4 Reflection Day

Friday 29th May, School Disco

As we sign off today, please keep the Coburn family, a past family of Galilee, in your prayers. Sadly, Brendan Coburn, father of Joel, Tom and Ally and husband of Melissa, passed away on 7th May. Brendan was a significant member of our school community who made a tremendous contribution to the life of our school and he will be deeply missed.

We wish you every blessing in the coming weeks,

—Amy Burns (Principal), Holly Evans and Richard Harding (Deputy Principals)

GOSH