Dear Families,

Father's Day celebration

WOW! What a great turnout we had for our Father's Day morning. We hope our dads enjoyed the prayer service live streamed into classrooms as part of our "Out and About" News program held each week. It was also a great opportunity for our dads to share some of their child's special learning that has been achieved throughout the term. Special thanks to some of our mums who were able to help out with food and drinks.

Flourishing Learners Conference

Last Monday and Tuesday Julianne Kelly and I had the priviledge of attending the MACS Flourishing Learners Conference held at Marvel Stadium. There were over 1200 Catholic staff including Princiapls, leadership teams, teachers and MACS staff that attended the conference. International as well as local educators and researchers spoke and ran workshops throughout the 2 days.

We were fortunate to listen and learn from-

Cale Begley- Learning and Development Leader for Team Teach Australia and New Zealand

Sue Davis- Head of Resource Development, Ochre

Kristen Douglas- National Manager and Head of Headspace Schools and Communities

Amy Hawywood- Education Deputy Program Director Grattan Institute

Bron Ryrie0Jones- Instructional Coach and Teacher Educator

Emina McClean- Literacy policy and practice implementation expert

Tom Sherrington- Education Author and CPD Provider: teaching, curriculum, assessment

Professor Dylan Wiliam- Emeritus Professor of Educational Assessment at UCL Institute of Education

and many more.

Archbishop Peter Comensoli opened the second day prayer outside in the stadium before handing over to Tom Sherrington who presented a keynote on The liberating power of great technique in teaching. Julianne and I will be sharing the knowledge gained with the staff over the coming months.

Staffing News

Cate Barry- Cate has been a Learning Support Officer at Holy Family for the past four years and has decided to take a new direction for her career and explore new opportunites. We thank Cate for her support of our students and being a valued member of our LSO and staff team. We wish Cate all the best in her new career directions.

Tess McCumstie has been an LSO for the past 6 years and has worked tirelessly to enhance the learning and life skills of students she has worked closely with. Tess' quite, calm but confident approach has enabled those working with her to achieve amazing things. Tess, although moving to another educational setting, is taking on a new role in administration. We thank Tess for her committment to our students, for being an amazing staff member, and for always seeing the best in all. We wish Tess great success in her new role.

Staff taking short leave breaks-

Amanda Marvelli and Andrea Smith will be on Long Service Leave for the first 3 weeks of term 4.

Julianne Kelly will be on Long Service Leave for the first 2 weeks.

Susan Michelsson will be on Long Service Leave for the first week of term 4.

Eithne King will also be on Long Service Leave for the first week of term 4. I will be visiting Queensland to spend time treasured time with my niece who is critically unwell.

MACSSIS Data

Families have been randomly selected to participate in our School Improvement Survey this year. During this week these families should have received an email with instructions on how to complete the survey. The survey window has opened and will close on Friday 19th September 2025. It would be wonderful to have as many responses as possible, so there's still time to complete it.

Please read the attached letter which includes further information about the survey.

Free Vision Screening at Holy Family

Please read the attached information about 'Free Vision Screening' for your child. Screening will take place at school on Friday 10th October.

Psychologist/Counsellor Opportunity

Last week I was able to meet with Dr. Alexa Kambouropoulos who has been assigned to our school from onPsych, to discuss what her services will look like at Holy Family.

So far, we have only received a couple of applications for this service. Please email if you would like to access this service for your child.

Here is a little bio from Dr. Alexa-

Dr Alexa Kambouropoulos holds a Ph.D. in Psychology. Alexa is a very passionate and empathicpsychologist who works with both children and adolescents who are experiencing a range of psychological issues such as anxiety and mood disorders, autism spectrum disorders, interpersonal, learning, and behavioural disorders, study/exam stress, and adjustment difficulties (social & situational). Dr Alexa draws on psychological modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, client-centred, play and solution-focused therapy with psycho-education. Dr Alexa firmly believes that a collaborative and parental partnership approach will produce the most successful outcomes for thechild. Given Alexa’s passion is baking and creative crafts, she utilizes these as part of her play therapy inindividual and group sessions. Alexa finds these modalities encourage quieter children to engage in dialogue, develop their confidence and social skills.

Please find below, some brief information regarding the process of therapy:

1.GP referral and the parental consent form needs to be submitted before commencing therapy. The parent, guardian and or the class room teacher can be the referrer.

2. On receiving the above, Alexa meets with the child to introduce herself and build rapport.

3. Point 2 is followed up with a brief parental chat to gather more information about the child. If necessary, Alexa also seeks further insights from the classroom teacher regarding the child.

4. During the 10 sessions, Alexa regularly keeps in touch with the parent(s) and provides feedback regarding the child. Under the MHCP, there is no monetary costs involved to the parent.

5. After the completion of the 10 sessions, if the parent wishes to continue the services, Onpsych invoices the parent the same amount as what Medicare charges which is $124.306. If you have any questions, please feel welcome to call me (0417 011 665) and or email on:AKambouropoulos@onpsych.com.au

Please read the attached information and email eking@hfmw.catholic.edu.au if you would like to access this service.

'Footy Colours Day'

On Friday 19th September students may wear their favourite footy colours to school. The Parents and Friends have also organised a special treat for this day- keep your eyes on Operoo for a permission note!

2026 Prep Transition Program

We are looking forward to welcoming our new Preps for 2026 next term as they begin their transition from kindergarted to school. Be sure to say hello if you see them at our school! The 2026 Prep Information Night is on Wednesday 6th October from 6:30pm in The Gathering Space, followed by children attending transition sessions throughout October and November.

Year Prep-2 Concert- 'When I Grow Up'

On Thursday 23rd October our Year Prep-2 students will be showcasing their Performing Arts talents to our school community. Tickets are now available (limited), so please complete the Operoo note to request tickets for your family.

Prep 2026 Enrolments

If you have a child ready to start school in 2026 please submit your enrolment form to the office as soon as possible. We look forward to welcoming your family to Holy Family School in 2026.

Once you have enrolled your child -

You will be invited to attend and interview with school staff and your child to discuss how to 'best' transition your child to primary school
Your child will be invited to attend 'Step Into Prep' sessions late in Term 3
Your child will attend 5 Transition Sessions in Term 4
You will be invited to attend a Prep Parent Information Session in Term 4
Your child will meet their Year 5 Buddy at their final Transition Session in Term 4

Open Days

Open Days are held every Tuesday at 9:30am. Please go to our website to book a tour.

Our 2025 School Captains (Micah and Georgia) and Vice Captains (Xavier and Sienna) will support these tours.

Soft Plastics Recycling pick up

Thank you to all those families who have already volunteered this year to pick up our soft plastics recycling from school and drop off to the Monash Recycling Depot.

Please see below the roster for Term 4.

Wishing all students a safe and relaxing holiday break. See you next term!

Eithne King

Deputy Principal

2025 School Year Dates

Term Three Important Dates

SEPTEMBER

Fri 19 Celebrate Term 3 Mass (9:15am)

Fri 19 Final Day of Term 3- "Footy Colours Day" (1pm finish)

Term Four Important Dates

(dates as correct on 18/9/2025)

OCTOBER

Mon 6 School Closure Day (Family Connections)

Tues 7 Students return

Wed 8 2026 Prep Information Session (6:30pm)

Fri 10 Vision Screening

Wed 15 Year 3 and 4 Camp (3 days)

Tues 21 Prep Transition Session 1

Wed 22 Holy Family Video and Photo shoot

Tues 28 Prep Transition Session 2

Fri 31 World Teacher's Day

NOVEMBER

Mon 3 School Closure Day (Report Preparation)

Tues 4 Melbourne Cup Day (School Closure)

Fri 7 Prep Camp Day

Tues 11 Remembrance Day (Service at 10:45am)

Tues 11 Prep Transition Session 3

Tues 18 Prep Transition Session 4

Wed 19 SAC/P&F AGM (5:30pm)

Fri 21 Year 6 Summer Sport Fun Day

Mon 24 Year 1 and 2 Camp Day

Tues 25 Prep Transition Session 5

Fri 28 School Closure Day (2026 Planning)

DECEMBER

Mon 1 Swimming (Prep-Year 4) 2 weeks

Thurs 4 Community Christmas Carols (6:30pm)

Wed 10 Year 6 Graduation- Avila College

Fri 12 Year 6 'Big Day Out'

Tues 16 Final Assembly (11:30am)

Tues 16 Last day of 2025 for students (1pm finish)

Wed 17 Staff Handover (2025-2026)

Holy Family School Newsletter

In Faith, We believe, We belong, We learn, We grow

HOPE copy · 18 Sep 2025

In this issue