Dear Families,

Thank you all for your understanding and cooperation this morning when we were required to activate our Emergency Management Plan before school with a lockdown. I commend all staff and students for the calm way in which they all approached the event this morning, everyone acted with maturity and without panic. Well done and thank you everyone!

No School Next Monday/ Tuesday

Please note that next Monday (Cup Eve) 31st October the school will be closed for all students. The office will not be open. Students will return to school after Cup Day on Wednesday 2nd November.

World Teachers’ Day

Today we acknowledge and celebrate the amazing teachers in our school. Every day, teachers at Holy Saviour, and across the country, are making a positive difference - creating opportunities for their students, empowering the minds of young people and proudly teaching our state's future leaders, innovators and influencers. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the teachers and support staff at Holy Saviour for the passion and dedication you bring to work each and every day. I am proud to say that I work with you, and the children and families are blessed to have you as part of their lives. Thank you!

School Review

You may have read in previous newsletters that Holy Saviour is currently in a period of school review. Every four years, Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne undertake a single model of review using the School Improvement Framework (SIF) Rubric. The School Review is used to support deep learning and ongoing monitoring of improvement throughout the four-year continuous improvement process (CIP) within the School Improvement Framework (SIF). Yesterday and today, our reviewer Gavin Healy, met with staff, parents and students to discuss a variety of school issues and areas for improvement. The past two days have been extremely valuable and positive for the school, and I look forward to welcoming Gavin back in early December when he will present his final report and recommended areas for improvement.

Victorian State Election - Voting Centre - Saturday 26th November

Holy Saviour has been selected as a voting centre for the upcoming State Election on Saturday 26th November. The School Advisory Council will be running a BBQ throughout the day and we will be seeking volunteers to assist. Please complete the following form if you have some time to spare.

Save the Date - Bunnings BBQ - Saturday 3rd December

We have been fortunate enough to be granted a second fundraising opportunity at Vermont South Bunnings on Saturday 3rd December. As well as being an iconic Aussie tradition, the sausage sizzle will enable the school to raise important funds, every cent of which goes to purchasing assets that are used by our students each day in their schooling. To make this day a success we are calling on our parent community to volunteer their time for 2-hour shifts. If you can spare some time to help us raise funds for our students, please indicate through this form.

School Advisory Council Vacancies

The School Advisory Council (SAC) provides a forum for discussion and discernment, where the parent/guardian voice and perspective are available to inform and support the decisions made by the Principal and Parish Priest for the good of School and Parish where the wellbeing and outcomes for students is paramount. The role is to give consideration to, and advice on, important School matters in order to support the Principal in the context of the MACS governance arrangements.

We are seeking new SAC Members for the 2023-2025 period, from a mixture of year levels and professional backgrounds. More information regarding the SAC can be found in its Terms of Reference. If you have an interest in being on the SAC, any of the existing members would be happy to be contacted and discuss the commitment involved. If you would like to be involved in the SAC, please complete your details in the attached form and we will be in touch shortly.

Term 4 Principal Cuppa & Chat

This term’s Principal Cuppa & Chat will take place on Friday 4th November at 9am. This is an informal gathering when parents can come in to discuss various school issues over a cuppa. Lots of good feedback and discussion is generated. We hope to see you there.

School Advertising & Flyers

We are looking for walkers who would be happy to take our new flyers and posters out to our community. We distribute to ALL kinders and childcare centres but it’s always good that they go into letterboxes as well. Feel free to pick up a few fliers in our office to give to neighbours with young children, Catholic or not, they are welcome to visit. Thank you to the parents who have already taken a pile to deliver. If you can help, please email office@hsvs.catholic.edu.au and we can get some to you.

School Tours and 2023 Enrolments

We ask that any parents who have a younger child who turns 5 before 30 April 2023, and are wishing to enrol them into Prep at Holy Saviour for 2023, to please submit an enrolment form to the school office by Friday 27th May. This will assist with our planning and organisation for next year. You can access the forms via this link, or you may collect an enrolment pack from the school office. Once complete, it can be given in or emailed to office@hsvs.catholic.edu.au.

Catholic Secondary School Enrolment Applications 2024 & 2025

Key Enrolment Dates for Year 5 Students in 2023 starting Year 7 in 2025

The key enrolment dates for students in Year 5 in 2023 who will be starting Year 7 in 2025 have been agreed after consultation with the Executive of the Principals Association of Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools (PAVCSS).

The timeline of events and dates are as follows:

27th January 2023 – Applications will open for Year 5 students commencing Year 7 in 2025.

18th August 2023 – Applications will close.

20th October 2023 – Offers will be posted to prospective Year 7 applicants.

10th November 2023 – Final date for parents/carers to accept an offer made by a school.

Parents of Year 5 students in 2023, please diarise these dates so you don’t miss out.

Key Enrolment Dates for Year 5 Students in 2022 starting Year 7 in 2024:

I take this opportunity to remind parents of children in grade 5, that Catholic Secondary College applications have now closed for Year 7, 2024. Offers were posted to prospective Year 7 applicants on 21st October 2022 and the final date for parents/carers to accept an offer made by a school is 11th November 2022 .

Final Thoughts...Don’t Forget to Slow Down!

Over the past few weeks I have been going to bed later and later, 11 o’clock, 11:30, some nights even after midnight. Then I wonder why this week I am feeling tired and rundown! I know I’m not alone in this, especially at this time of year when we are all trying to fit in so much. There’s still only 24 hours in a day, some days I feel like I’m trying to squeeze an extra 8 hours out of a day. I need to keep reminding myself to slow down, sooner rather than later!

Why? Because:

It’s good for you : Studies show that getting eight hours of sleep can actually lead to weight loss, not to mention the obvious fact that a well-rested mind leads to clearer thinking and better work.

It makes you more likeable: If you’re always tired (because you are doing too much), chances are you are often cranky. Who wants to be around someone who’s always complaining or in a bad mood? Your friends, family, and colleagues will thank you if you take a nap or say “no” once in a while.

It helps you focus on what really matters: It’s possible to strive so hard that you end up missing the most important things in life. When all you have are obligations, you forget to savour the special moments.

When we slow down, we make a few important declarations to the world (and to ourselves):

“I can’t do everything, but I can do the essential things.”
“My loved ones deserve my best, not my leftovers.”
“When I do less, I do better.”

Don’t you want to be able to say those things more? I do!

Enjoy the long weekend everyone, I hope it is a time of relaxation and rejuvenation for all.

Kind regards,

Steve Evans

Principal

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