School News

Dear Families,

Today we celebrate a significant milestone in our school’s story. Thirty-one years ago, in 1994, four local Catholic primary schools—Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Middle Park), St Joseph’s (Port Melbourne), St Peter and Paul’s (South Melbourne), and Sacred Heart (St Kilda West)—joined together to form one united community: Galilee. From its beginnings, Galilee has continued to shine brightly in the light of Christ, carrying forward the mission and spirit of its founding schools.

In its early years, Galilee faced the natural challenges of any newly established school—building a strong reputation and demonstrating to the wider community that it was a place of safety, care, and high-quality learning. Through the dedication of staff, families, and parish communities, Galilee not only achieved this but has grown into a school where many families are eager to enroll their children.

Across the past 31 years, our school has experienced extraordinary growth, including increasing student enrolments and major building projects that have transformed our learning environment. Today, we proudly stand as a vibrant parish and school community, grateful for all who have shaped our journey.

What began as the merging of four schools has become a leading Catholic primary school grounded in Gospel values—community, hope, justice, faith, peace, generosity, and reconciliation. These values continue to guide our culture and remain central to the way we learn, teach, and care for one another.

As we celebrate Galilee’s 31st Anniversary, we offer our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported our school throughout the years. This milestone invites us to reflect on our rich history and to look ahead with hope and excitement for the years to come.

Semester Two Student Reports

Semester Two student reports will be available on Friday 12th December. Please read the attached letter, that was emailed to all families today, to find out more information about Semester Two Student reports and how you will be able to access them.

Preparing for 2026 - Transition Sessions

We have two transition sessions coming up on Monday 8th of December for students going into Year 1-6 in 2026 and Friday the 12th of December for students going into Prep - Year 6 in 2026. These transition sessions play an important role in helping students feel prepared and excited for the year ahead. By meeting their new teachers and spending time with their upcoming class group, children can begin forming relationships and settling into their new learning space with comfort and confidence.

A great deal of thought and care goes into creating our class placements each year, with teachers considering the individual needs, strengths and wellbeing of every student. We strive to create balanced, positive classrooms where every student can succeed.

When talking with your child about the upcoming year, we encourage you to speak positively and encourage them to be excited about the upcoming change. We understand that change can be difficult for students and their families. Please know that your child will be placed with one of their nominated friends and that the teacher they have will ensure that they have a positive experience.

Carols by Stadium Lights

Carols by Stadium Light is coming up on Thursday, 11th December from 4:30pm–6:00pm, and we warmly invite you to join us for an evening filled with Christmas cheer. All children will be performing a song and a sausage sizzle will be available on the night.

During our carols, we will be collecting donations for St Vinnies. St Vincent de Paul is a beacon of kindness in our local community, standing beside individuals and families who need a helping hand. This Christmas, your generosity will help bring joy to local families, all funds raised will be used to purchase Kmart Christmas vouchers, allowing families in need to choose gifts, festive items, or essentials to make their Christmas a little brighter.

Our Recent Swimming Carnival

Two weeks ago, our school community came together for one of the most enjoyable events of the year—our Whole School Swimming Carnival at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC). The day was filled with energy, colour, teamwork and house spirit, and we could not be more proud of how our students represented Galilee.

From the moment classes set off walking to MSAC, excitement was high. Students looked terrific in their house colours, ready to give their best in every event. Throughout the carnival, our students showed outstanding sportsmanship—encouraging their teammates, celebrating each other’s efforts, and cheering loudly from the stands. Whether swimming competitively or participating for fun, every student contributed to making the day a wonderful success.

A huge thank you must go to our dedicated teachers, support staff and parent volunteers who ensured the day ran smoothly and safely from start to finish. We also extend our sincere appreciation to Seb Greene, whose organisation and leadership were instrumental in making the carnival such a positive and enjoyable experience for all.

Thank you as well to the many parents and guardians who joined us at MSAC and cheered from the grandstand. Your enthusiasm added to the atmosphere and made the day even more special for the students.

The Swimming Carnival continues to be a highlight in our school year—celebrating participation, teamwork and healthy competition. Congratulations to all our students for their wonderful effort, spirit and behaviour. We are incredibly proud of you.

Year 6 Urban Experience Week

Last week, our Year 6 students participated in Urban Experience Week, an important part of our school’s transition program as they prepare for secondary school. The program provided valuable opportunities for students to develop independence and practical life skills while exploring the city of Melbourne.

Throughout the week, students navigated public transport, found their way around key locations and managed the responsibilities that come with greater independence. These experiences supported their growth in problem-solving, organisation and teamwork.

Students also visited significant cultural and civic sites, including Parliament House, where they learned more about how our democratic system works. A range of hands-on activities allowed them to engage with Melbourne’s history, diversity and creativity. There was also time to enjoy new experiences, spend time with peers and build confidence in different settings.

We would like to thank Mr Edwards and Mr Pensini for their planning and organisation, as well as the teachers and parents who assisted throughout the week. Your support helped ensure the program ran smoothly.

Overall, Urban Experience Week was a valuable learning opportunity, and we were pleased to see our Year 6 students approach the week with a positive attitude and a willingness to take on new challenges.

Galilee Soirée 

Last night, our community gathered for the Galilee Soirée, and the event was a tremendous success. Our instrumental music students took to the stage and performed with confidence, enthusiasm and an impressive level of skill. It was clear how much effort they have put into their learning throughout the year.

Families, friends and staff enjoyed a wide range of performances, showcasing the diversity of our music program and the growth of each young musician. The supportive atmosphere in the Stadium made the evening both enjoyable and memorable for performers and audience members alike.

A warm thank you to Trent, Richard and Leonard, whose guidance and preparation played a key role in helping students feel ready and proud to perform. We also thank the families who attended and supported the students on the night.

Year Level Parent Reps for 2026

We are calling for nominations for our 2026 Year Level Parent Representatives. Parent Reps play an important role in helping to create a warm, welcoming and connected school community here at Galilee. We are very grateful to the parents who volunteer their time to take on this important role. 

If you would like to nomintate yourself for this role in 2026, please complete the Year Level Representatives Application Form. Please email a completed application form to admin@gsm.vic.edu.au by Wednesday 10th December. Please title the email: 2026 Parent Rep Application. 

Please see other documents relevant to the role: 

• Year Level Representative Registration Form *to be completed once application has been accepted
• Year Level Representative Role Description - Code of Conduct

• Parent Communication Group Guidelines 

   

Please note that as this role is a Year Level Representative position (not a class representative) your child’s 2026 class allocation has no bearing.

In situations where a year level does not have any applications, the school will approach parents/guardians on a more direct basis in order for new volunteers to take up the vacancy. In such instances, a role share or role term rotation may be created.

Transitioning from Operoo to nForma Pro

We would like to inform families that Operoo will be phased out at the end of 2025, as it will no longer be servicing Australian schools from 2026. From the beginning of 2026, Galilee will transition to the nForma Pro platform for medical information, digital forms and permissions.

Families are already familiar with the nForma Portal, as it is the system currently used for student reporting. Moving to nForma Pro will bring all key information together in one place. 

The updated portal will now include:

• Student Reports
• Medical Information and sick-bay notifications
• Digital permission forms
• Student absences

This integration will provide a more streamlined and user-friendly experience for families, making it easier to manage student information and stay updated with school notices.

To support this transition, we have attached information about the nForma App.

Further updates will be shared in the coming weeks to help everyone feel confident using the new system ahead of the 2026 school year.

New Sign-In System at Galilee

We have recently updated our sign-in system at Galilee to V-Pass, which helps ensure we meet Child Safety and Emergency Management requirements. All visitors to the school will now be required to use the new system.

Students who arrive late or leave early will also sign in or out through V-Pass. The system links directly with our attendance roll, removing the need for office staff to manually update records as was previously required.

Thank you for your cooperation as we continue to strengthen our safety and administrative processes.

Student Free School Closure Day - Friday 28th November

Tomorrow, Friday 28th November is a student free school closure day. GOSH our out of hours program will be open all day. Please book your children in early, if you wish to use this service. Please use the TheirCare website to book your children in.

Staff will be working with Glen Pearsell tomorrow. Glen Pearsall is a former Teacher Leader and board member of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority. He now works internationally as an educational consultant. Glen is the author of several best-selling books, including And Gladly Teach (2010), The Literature Toolbox (2014), Fast and Effective Assessment (2019), Tilting Your Teaching (2020), and Classroom Dynamics (2024). He also co-authored Literature for Life (2005) and Work Right (2011) and has authored an ebook on questioning, The Top Ten Strategic Questions for Teachers (2013), that has been translated into a number of different languages. Glen recently co-created an online professional development service for teachers on classroom management. Glen specialises in positive behaviour strategies, effective feedback and questioning, differentiation, coaching and leadership. 

We are very excited that all Galilee staff will be working with Glen. We look forward to sharing our learnings in the next Newsletter. 

2026 School Dates

We are currently preparing our 2026 School Calendar and aim to share all major dates in the final newsletter of the year to support families with planning for 2026. We can confirm that the first day of school for students in Years 1–6 will be Thursday 29 January, and Prep students will begin on Friday 30 January.

An overview of what is happening in the next few weeks

Week 9

• Monday 1st December- Tuesday 2nd December - Year 3 Zoo Snooze
• Wednesday 3rd December- Thursday 4 December - Year 3 Zoo Snooze
• Wednesday 3rd December - Year 6 excursion to Funfields
• Wednesday 3rd December 5-7:30pm - 2026 Prep Parent Wine and Cheese Night
• Friday 5th December - Junior Athletics Day
• Friday 5th December - 2026 Prep Transition

Week 10

• Monday 8th December - 2026 Classes Transition Session 1
• Thursday 11th December - Carols by Stadium Lights 4:30-6:00pm (all welcome)
• Friday 12th December - 2026 Classes Transition Session 2
• Friday 12th December - 2026 Prep Transition

Week 11

• Monday 15th December - Year 6 last day of Primary School. Year 6 will finish at 1pm (all other students finish at normal time)
• Monday 15th December - Year 6 Graduation-Mass and Dinner  
• Tuesday 16th December - Year 1-5 last day of the school year  All students finish at 1.30pm

We wish you and your family every blessing in the coming weeks.

-Amy Burns (Principal), Richard Harding (Deputy Principal), Holly Evans (Deputy Principal)