Principal's News

Confirmation

We pray for the Year 6 students who made the Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Kevin’s on Saturday. We ask that the Holy Spirit bestow upon these children the gifts of:  

Congratulations to all the candidates who received the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday 22nd of October. The Sacrament of Confirmation is the second of the three sacraments of Christian initiation.  Confirmation completes Baptism, by which in the laying on of hands and the anointing with Chrism Oil, which first happened at Baptism, we are confirmed with the fullness of the Holy Spirit.  Our prayers are with all families and the students who received the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

Thank you to Father Charles, Rev Tony, Rebecca, Tiziana, Nadia, Pam and to class teachers Ms Costa,Mr Puls and Ms Ibbott for the preparation of the students for this event.  A very special thank you to Ms Costa for collaborating with Mrs Gerosolimo to ensure the Confirmation Retreat ran smoothly and taking on extra responsibilities.  We appreciate the work planned by Mrs Gerosolimo before she went on leave.  Thank you to Eva and Con for assisting and supporting the students and families.  What an amazing TEAM! 

Jesus said: ‘The Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you.’ John 14:26

Parish News

Rebecca Sandwell, our Parish Secretary, has announced that she will be having a career change and put all her efforts into being a veterinary nurse.  She will be concluding her work at the St Kevin’s Parish in mid November.  I have really enjoyed working with Rebecca this year.  She is a true professional with amazing organisational and spiritual insights and an abundance of positive energy.  We all wish her well in her adventures and may God bless her and keep her safe and well. 

Someone told me that Pam Cohen nearly retired last year! Well I am so grateful that she gave St Kevin’s another year.  I got to work with her and I have learned so much about the parish and the life of St Kevin’s school.  We are going to miss Pam and her meticulous preparation and phenomenal organisational skills, her friendly gentle approach and the beautiful way she interacts with everyone.  Thank you for all you have done and all the thousands of hours you have given to St Kevin’s School and to the Parish. God bless you and look after you always!

Major Fundraiser for 2022

Our major fundraiser is quickly approaching and we have 44 families booked in! AMAZING! There are so many different fun things happening and the major event is the KABOOM Sports activity.  This is a special gift to the students and families promised by Frances Matisi and  fully endorsed by me.   I sincerely hope that as many students as possible can participate and enjoy this activity.  The event will be held out of school hours so during the event it will be the parents responsibility to supervise the children.  Staff will be onsite to assist with facilitating the evening.

Student Leader Voice

Our School Captains are eager to share their voice.  For each newsletter the school captains will review the learning and share important information. Please read their session online. It is called ‘Student Leadership News by Ruby and Conor.’  (This will be uploaded as soon as possible).

Parent / Grandparents helpers 

Just a short reminder that you are all welcome to join us for a short session or longer snippet of time during the week.  After talking to teachers it was noted that we do not have many parents or grandparent helpers at St Kevin’s  and we would love to have you help us with the learning.  There is a wide variety of activities that might interest you from listening to students read to playing numeracy and literacy games.  Please contact Eva via the office or email her -  etomazos@sktemplestowelr.catholic.edu.au if you can help.

Camp Canberra 2023 Information Evening Year 4/5 scheduled for November 14, 2022  has been  POSTPONED

EBA

I am not sure if you have heard but at the moment there is a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement for schools.  The Government Sector has already signed their agreement but the Catholic Sector are still working on it. There are a few changes that will definitely change the running of programs in schools.  One of these is camp and staff hours out of the normal week.  Due to changes in the EBA we will need to review our practice for camp in 2023 to align with the EBA and requirements from MACS.  Watch out for this space.

Swimming 2022  

The swimming program commences  Week 8  Monday 21st November and ends on Friday 2nd December of Week 9.  It will be a 9 day intensive swimming program. 

Swimming Times will be 

• 12.00pm - 12.45pm  
• 12.45pm - 1.30pm
• 1.30pm - 2.15pm

More information to follow.

Assembly

Our next school assembly will be held  in Week 7 (Wed 16/11) at 2.45pm. A special assembly will also be held on Thursday 24th November at 9.10am in the Pit for LOYO visitor. We encourage all families to attend as this will be an opportunity to meet and greet our Filipino friends. Further details to follow.

Puberty Session for Year 5 & 6 Students and Parents

The Year 5 and 6 students this term have been involved in sessions with Kate Wild.  Her program is aligned to the Victorian Curriculum Health and Physical Education and Respectful Relationship Program.   Wednesday evening Kate spoke to the students and their parents about puberty and explained the changes that happen to females and males that occur physically and mentally. She is a very engaging speaker who really understands teenage issues and has strategies to encourage communication.  Although it was a small group who attended the event all the feedback has been extremely positive.

Link to Short Survey for those parents who attended Puberty Night 

Testimonial Year 5 Parent

“The Puberty Evening was a great opportunity to learn what children have learnt during the in-class sessions.  Kate is a very engaging and enthusiastic presenter who has a wonderful rapport with the children and put them at ease with her down-to-earth manner and sense of humour.  She discusses the content and involves students in activities in an age-appropriate manner.  Hearing the varied perspectives of a range of children during discussions was very informative as was the opportunity to hear from Kate during the “parents only” part of the evening.” 

Processes to dismiss the students safely

1. Junior Students sit on the deck approx 3:25pm 
2. Middle and senior walk  down to the deck promptly.
3. All students are sitting and looking out for their parents.  This does assist teachers and CRTs. 
4. Teacher to begin escorting student to the cars (promptly) at soon as parents arrive.
5. Teacher, please do not have a conversation about learning at this time instead schedule a time for a phone call or ask the parent to park the car and then continue.
6. Teachers need to move the cars right to the yellow line so as many cars as possible are in school grounds.                                                                                                                     This process works well when we work together and support each other.

School Fee Structure for 2023

There may be adjustments to cost of 5 & 6 Camp depending on the EBA.

GRADUATION  - Support  needed 13/12/22   7pm-9pm

I am calling out to all Year 5 Parents 2022 can you please strongly consider supporting the Year 6 Graduation by helping with serving food, drinks and washing up at the Graduation.  It is such a special event for all and having the Year 5 parents assisting really builds community and unity.  I really do hope all will consider participating in this act of kindness and service.   

Letter to return to school Year 5 Parents Only 

Tuck shop

Thank you to all the parents and grandparents who have volunteered to assist with Tuck shop duties in Term 4. The roster is almost completely filled. Well done!

Parents  can you please remind students NOT to ask younger students or their classmates for money.  It has been reported to me by the volunteers on Tuck shop duty that they have witnessed this and spoken to students that this is happening. We spoke about it at assembly and staff on yard duty will be looking out!

LANGUAGES AT ST KEVIN’S

Annie and Con will be visiting St Richard’s in Kilsyth this term to observe the teaching and learning. (Co-learner Approach) They will share their learning in the next newsletter.

Transition 2022 to 2023

This year we will have a few transition sessions for students in November and December. There will also be a HEAD START program where children will spend 2 ½ days in their new classroom for 2023. 

Many high schools implement this practice and over the past few years primary schools have also taken on this practice.  It is a wonderful way for students to settle into their new class and get to know their teacher and class members.  It helps alleviate stress and anxiety.

EARLY ARRIVALS & LATE PICK UPS

Thank you for dropping your child/children after 8:45am and promptly picking them up between 3:30pm-3:45pm Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri and 3:15pm-3:30pm on Wed.

Please be aware that you cannot stop in the middle of the pedestrian crossing as this is dangerous as students and parents walk in this area.

I have noticed that some parents do a U-turn very close to the pedestrian crossing and this is also VERY DANGEROUS.  If you need to do a U-turn please move right away from the busy traffic areas before you turn.  Thank you! We all want to remain safe and look after each other.

Who is reading the newsletter?

Thank you to all parents who do complete the survey. 

Year 5/6 parents you have done it again! 

INCREDIBLE!

Which level will be the champions for Term 4?    

DATA COLLECTION  -  LINK I have read the newsletter 24/10/22 

All God’s blessings,

Gabee Leone