Principal's News

01/08/23

Dear Parents and Carers,

At the moment I am at the Australian Primary Principal Association (APPA) Conference in Hobart. I have had the opportunity to listen to incredible speakers including Pasi Sahlberg from Melbourne University on ‘Future Trajectory of Education Goals to 2035’ with different high calibre CEOs from different  Educational Organisations.

I have been fortunate to spend time chatting to Dr Simon Breakspear about the direction of feedback and reflecting on learning at the conference. 

I was in absolute awe of a phenomenal speaker James Castrisson. He presented on Extreme South - The Explorers Mindset. He made me realise that some of my adversities or struggles I experience are quite minimal compared to the endurance required when battling the forces of nature in Antarctica. He also explored human potential and the importance of celebrating little victories.  James called them ‘nuggets of gold’.

This is my first APPA conference and I have really enjoyed the collegial discussions and spending time learning with the North Eastern Catholic Principals.

A massive thank you to Eva Tomazos and team for leading our wonderful school while I am away.

Updated Information for END OF YEAR DATES 

There has been an update on dates as a consequence of the EBA (Enterprise Bargaining Agreement).  This year the directive from MACS is that students are to finish school on Friday 15th of December.  At St Kevin’s the students will finish at 1:30pm on that day.  

Information about Head Start will be distributed in the next few weeks. 

International Students

Welcome to new international families that have arrived at St Kevin’s this week.  We hope you learn heaps and enjoy the immersion experience.

The international students who departed last week were extremely sad as they enjoyed their time at St Kevin’s.  They hope to keep in contact with our students and maybe return to St Kevin’s.

Thank you staff and students for being inclusive and so hospitable to the international students.

eSmart Phones and i watches - eSMART User Agreement

At the beginning of the year all Students and Parents/Carers signed a ‘An ICT User Agreement ’.  It has been noted that many students are wearing digital watches and playing on these in class.  These digital devices are to be left at home or kept in the students' school bags during the school day.

From our eSmart Policy

I understand that any personal device/s (other than my school computer) brought from home;

including mobile phones and/or watches etc, which can connect to the internet or with access to a

cellular (telecommunication) system, with or without a physical connection to a network, must have

the device switched off and securely stored during school hours.

A further note about personal devices

Personal devices must be switched off and not be used during school hours. Note that this is a Ministerial

policy formally issued by the Minister for Education under section 5.2.1(2)(b) of the Education and Training

Reform Act 2006 (Vic).

Communication to Admin - Office and Bursar

This is the new administration email address: stksecretary@sktemplestowelr.catholic.edu.au  if you need to communicate with the office please email this address and Selena and/or Tina will respond to you.  

This email is not checked on the weekend or after office hours therefore please email me if you require immediate assistance.  gleone@sktemplestowelr.catholic.edu.au

TECH CORNER

Seesaw 

Statistics for Seesaw from last two weeks

Congratulations 1/2 GL and 5/6CM on being TOP CLASSES FOR TERM 3  WEEK 2 & 3 on Seesaw!    

Compass Canteen 

Thank you Suzanne for your efforts to get Compass Canteen launched and for running the Nick’s Pasta Campaign.  

It has taken patience and tenacity to implement Compass Canteen.  Suzanne and I were misinformed during training about the cost for parents.  Thank you parents for understanding that sometimes there are changes that are unexpected.  I have called to discuss this issue and I am waiting to hear back from Compass.

Parish Council Meeting 

Last week the St Kevin’s Parish Council and the St Gregory’s Parish Council had a joint meeting to continue the discussion for the future direction of these important committees in the Church. All three Principals participated in the meeting discussing a proposal for how to enable our parishes to focus on outreach and mission more effectively. 

The proposal was received positively with many questions and suggestions.  More consultation is required and then the group will endeavour to meet to continue this discussion.  Please let me know if you are interested in joining the St Kevin’s Parish Council.

Preps 2024 Interviews in August 

Prep interviews for 2024 will take place on Monday the 7th and Monday 14th of August.  This is such an exciting time for the new and existing families.  

Changes on the horizon Prep to 5 Parents and Carers

Please send me an email or pop into the office to make an appointment to see me if your children are not returning to St Kevin’s in 2024.   We have commenced the planning stages for transition and soon we will investigate class structures.

St Kevin’s Running Club 

Running Club will recommence on Tuesday 8:15 am and will run every week till the end of term supervised by Peter Scarfo.  All students are welcome to participate (Prep to 6).

Assembly  for Term 3

Term 3 Week 5 - Wednesday 9th of August 2:30pm 

Italian for the Term 3 Week 3 & 4 

In Week 3 Students extended their vocabulary. They are now able to say the day of today (F-6), yesterday and tomorrow (Y3-6). They are able to ask and answer questions related to the days of the week.

For example, “Che giorno e’ oggi?” “Oggi e’ lunedi’.” or “Che giorno era ieri?” “Ieri era domenica.”

In Week 4 Students will extend their vocabulary about the calendar. They will learn to say what month we are in (Y3-6), the season (F-6), the weather (F-6) and also their birthday (Y3-6). 

Look forward to seeing you all on Friday.

Every blessing, 

Gabee Leone