Galilee Newsletter

Principal's Report

Dear Families,

It's that time of year again.

So what is the real meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in windows and on houses, the cards in the mail, dinners with family and friends and decorations in the house?

Many people don't have the extra money to buy presents for their children, family and friends. Yet, Christmas can be a season of great joy.  It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ the child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. 

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a safe break over the summer no matter where you are and look forward to another brilliant year in 2019.

Full School Uniform Tomorrow - Friday

Children are to wear their full school uniform tomorrow. Year 6 students playing netball against the staff can bring their sport uniform to change into after the Mass. A reminder Mass begins at 9am so students need to be at school by 8.30am or taken directly to the church by a parent if they are late.

Graduating Year Sixes

Our Year 6 students have had a busy end to the year participating in fun events like the Amazing Race around the C.B.D. with volunteering parents and Year 6 staff, lunch at Taco Bill thanks to Stan (owner at South Melbourne Taco Bill), Big Day Out at Funfields yesterday with myself, Miss Biggs, Mr Coaley and Miss Otte and on Friday the Staff vs Student Netball game is planned for 2.20pm, weather permitting.

On Monday night, Year 5 and 6 students and families attended the Graduation Mass with Father Hugh. It was a beautiful celebration of the time our Year Sixes have spent at Galilee.

We look forward to further celebrations with the Year Sixes on Monday night at their Graduation Dinner. I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all of our Year 6 students a great first year at secondary school where they will create new friendships and begin to prepare for their future. 

All the best and we look forward to hearing from you when you visit Galilee.

2019 Transition

Transition for our new Preps will take place tomorrow from 11:45am-1:30pm with Miss Evans, Miss Smith and Miss Bamford. 

Transition for our current Prep-Year 5 students will occur on Monday morning.  The students in Years 1-3 will be told their 2019 class and then make their way to their new classroom at 9:30am.  Year 4 and 5 students will be told their new grade tomorrow as they will be meeting their Prep Buddies.

Parents need to be assured that as a staff we have endeavoured to place each and every student in an ideal learning environment.  Please be positive with your child about their 2019 class placement and understand that students cannot be moved from classes as there are many considerations when placing together. Through the newsletter earlier this term, parents were able to put forward requests for the separation of students with ongoing issues. Due to the busyness of concluding the school year, discussions will not be able to occur with parents over requests for change.

Year 3R Zoo Snooze

Due to the weather today and tonight, the overnight camp for 3R has been moved to Monday 17th December.  Please note that the decision for postponement was made by the Melbourne Zoo. Students will need to come to school on Monday in casual clothes with their camping gear.  The bus will pick them up at 5pm and return to school by approximately 12.30pm on Tuesday, ready for a 1:30pm dismissal.

2019 Leadership

Congratulations to the Year 5s who have acquired a leadership role for next year:

  • School Captains - Alex & Ali
  • Digital Tech - Ayrton & Jaxson
  • Social Justice - Cody & Drew
  • Visual Arts - Tivona & Sofia T
  • STEM - Ethan & Marco
  • Wellbeing - Sandy & Emily
  • Performing Arts - Abby & Aloysia
  • Heart's Captains - Dylan & Summer
  • Carmel's Captains - Amelia & Nicholas
  • Saint's Captains - Sophia G & Siena
  • Joey's Captains - Bridget & Ioanna

End of Term

Students will finish the school year at 1.30pm next Tuesday 18th December. 

If you require after care, you must book in with Camp Australia via 

https://pp.campaustralia.com.au/account/login?returnUrl=

Year 3

Year 3 enjoyed making Gingerbread Houses earlier this week:

Drama

Congratulations to the students who performed 'Annie' from the the Drama Club. They showed terrific poise and confidence in their performance in front of a large audience of parents:

Thankyou

Thankyou to the students who have shown so much growth and to the hard-working staff who have supported them. Thankyou to Fr Dean & Fr Hugh who have been such supportive role-models. Thanyou to Mrs Gerecke who has completed her second year as Deputy Principal and shown such composure and leadership, particularly in Wellbeing and Learning & Teaching. Congratulations to Mr Martello who has fulfilled the other other role (taking over from Mrs Burns on Maternity Leave) seamlessly while still teaching Italian. We wish every success to Mrs Price (on Long Service Leave for six months) and Miss Otte (on Leave for one year) and thank them both for their contributions. Thankyou to Liam & Agnes who have been outstanding School Captains in 2019. Thankyou to all Parent Reps and other Parent Association leaders such as: Emma, Maureen, Jess & Annalise who have raised so much money and increased community involvement. Thankyou to Donna who is the outgoing Chair of the SEB, who has been an outstanding leader in our community.

Also, to Paul who has been an inspiring leader of the DOGs who has introduced so many new initiatives. All together we make a great team at Galilee.

Back to School 2019

All students will attend a half hour testing session on Wednesday 30th January. You will be able to book a time that suits you through the PTO link once the site is opened. PTO will be opened for booking by the end of term. 

Year 1-6 will then begin normal school days from Thursday 31st January and Prep will commence on Friday 1st February.

 

On the Thursday, students will continue to be tested in Literacy & Mathematics. Students will also participate on incursions on Wellbeing after recess and from 9-11am. Please note that students will be with their classroom teachers from 9-11am. This is a deliberate approach to increase Student Wellbeing and to allow greater time for teachers to learn more about the students through assessments/testing.  Use our parent calendar to stay informed about upcoming dates:

 http://www.gsmelbournesth.catholic.edu.au/page/179/Calendar

 

See the last newsletter for new initiatives planned for 2019.

 

Regards,

Simon Millar

Principal of Galilee