The Principal's Desk

Dear parents, families and friends,

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Mrs Mazzeo and Miss Paglianiti for all their hard work and support over the past few weeks. With three of our school leaders absent (Miss Loretta on Long Service Leave, Mrs Witchell and Miss Librizzi attending the WYD Pilgrimage), Mrs Mazzeo as Deputy Principal and Miss Paglianiti as Learning Diversity Leader have had to take on extra tasks and responsibilities to support me in ensuring the smooth and uninterrupted daily running of the school. In particular, Mrs Mazzeo in teaching prep full time while managing all of her duties as Deputy Principal.

Birmingham Street Park Official Opening

On Friday 28th July the Birmingham Street Pocket Park was officially opened. The ceremony was attended by the Honorable Ingrid Stitt, Minister for Environment, Victorian State Government, the Honorable Katie Hall, MP for Footscray, Mayor Councilor Sarah Carter and Director of Infrastructure Patrick Jess, members of two community choirs that use St. Augustine's Hall, local residents and of course our school community. It was a spectacular July day, the sun was shining and it was very pleasant. Leo and Eilish gave speeches that impressed the VIPs. Our school choir (Chloe, Isaac, Arlo, Zara, Mariah, Darcie, Frankie, Tegan, Daisy, Ivy, Rosie, Lottie, Poppy, Stella, James L, Klaudia, Teddy, Gus, Thomas and Charlie) joined with the two community choirs to sing the final song 'You Can Count On Me'.

Change In Traffic Conditions

There are parking restriction changes in Pentland Parade, near the school with the opening of the new Birmingham park and new infrastructure in place.

The kerb outstand and the speed hump have reduced the width of the road to allow for a parked car and through traffic. To address safety along this section and provide safe crossing for bikes across the speed hump to connect the bike lane on Pentland parade and onto the new bike path within the Birmingham park, council will install ‘No Stopping’ signs as shown in red below.

Signs will be installed within the next 3 weeks, subject to contractor’s availability.

Prep 2024

Exciting News. We have gone over the capacity for one prep class. We have 27 confirmed enrolments for Prep 2024, so we will have two Prep classes next year. This is the first time in over 4 years that we have had two Prep classes and an enrolment intake of 27 plus. The Open Day earlier this year has played a big part in the increased enrolments. If all students from Prep to Year 5 return next, then we will see an increase in overall enrolments from 133 this year to about 147 next year.

School Uniform Refresh

Over the past few months I have been working with Mark from Academy Uniforms to refresh the St. Augustine's School Uniform. Below are images of the items of school uniform that will be refreshed. A vote will be held shortly to select the style of dress and beanie that will be included as part of the school uniform and to gather feedback about the new uniform items. Any items of uniform not shown below will remain unchanged and part of the school uniform options.

Tree Planting

Thank you to Greater Western Water for donating 6 native plants through their Trees For Schools Program as part of their Greening The West Initiative. Three trees have been planted in the junior yard garden bed along Somerville Road, and three tress have been planted in the garden area of the senior yard.

A reminder that all families are invited to attend our school mass next Tuesday 8th August at 9.00am for the Feast of St. Mary MacKillop.

The week following on Tuesday 15th August at 9.00am we have another school mass for the Feast of the Assumption of Mary into Heaven. This is a holy day of obligation along with Christmas Day and all Sundays.

Until the next newsletter,

Kind regards,

Matthew Stead