Principal's News

Welcome back to the St Kevin’s School community!

We extend a very special welcome to our Prep students ‘Class of 2026’ and to all new students and families joining us this year. We are delighted to have you as part of our community.

As we begin the year, there is much to look forward to, including our Welcome BBQ, Student, Parent, Teacher Conversations, School Review, Visual Arts Show, Special Celebration for St Kevin’s Day, Grand parents and Special Person’s Day, 100 Days of Prep and a major fundraising initiative that will bring us together in support of our shared goals. Alongside these milestones, there will be many opportunities to connect, socialise, and strengthen the strong sense of community spirit that makes St Kevin’s such a special place.

First Aid and CPR Training & Professional Learning based on Autism

On Tuesday 27th of January, our staff participated in a comprehensive First Aid training session facilitated by Revive2Survive. In accordance with school requirements, all staff complete full first aid training every three years, with CPR, Anaphylaxis, and Asthma training completed annually.

The sessions included a great mix of theory and practical exercises, providing valuable skills that benefit us all and help ensure the safety of our students.

Testing Days 2026

Testing for students were completed on Thursday and Friday in Term 1 Week 1. These days were set aside for teachers to work individually and in small groups with students to better understand their capabilities in maths and literacy.

During this time, teachers and LSO staff gained insight into each child’s academic needs and their way of thinking and processing. This helps the team plan an effective teaching program tailored to each student’s learning needs.

Thank you for your support in helping us understand your child’s learning needs!

Welcome back Coffee and Morning Tea

We held a delightful morning tea on Monday to formally welcome our Prep students and their families. The coffee van was a much-appreciated addition, and we thank Nick from Xpress for his support.

A sincere thank you to Suzanne and the PFA for baking and providing a magnificent spread of treats, which was enjoyed by both families and staff. The morning provided a valuable opportunity to connect, catch up, and check in with families, reinforcing the importance of strong parent partnerships as we work alongside one another to ensure the best possible outcomes for all students.

MACS Code of Conduct - Link

Each family will be provided with the school’s updated Code of Conduct, along with an agreement form to read and complete. The Code of Conduct outlines the expectations for respectful, appropriate, and professional behaviour within our school community.

The Code of Conduct is closely connected to the Child Safe Standards. It supports these standards by clearly setting out how adults— including parents, carers, staff, and volunteers—are expected to interact with children and with one another. By following the Code of Conduct, we help create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where children’s wellbeing and rights are always prioritised.

All parents and carers are required to return the signed Code of Conduct agreement. These forms are kept on file at the school as part of our commitment to meeting Child Safe Standards and maintaining a safe school environment for all students.

You’re Invited to Welcome BBQ

All families are warmly invited to St Kevin’s Annual Welcome BBQ on Tuesday, 24th February, from 5:00–7:00pm, on the oval and under the shelter in the Tuck Shop Area and grassed surrounds.

What’s on the menu:

Sausages and hamburgers with all the trimmings, cooked by our wonderful staff.
Soft drinks and water will be available for purchase for $2.

What to bring:

Your own chairs and blankets.

This is a great opportunity for families to meet Prep and Year 6 buddies, catch up, and socialise! Our PE teacher, Gianni, will organise sports equipment so everyone can join in and enjoy some fun activities together.

Come along for a relaxed evening of food, fun, and community!

👉 RSVP: Please use the link below to help us with catering and organisation.

RSVP Link – Welcome BBQ | Tuesday 24 February

Traffic Management Link

Safety is paramount at St Kevin’s. We ask all families to please carefully read the Traffic Management Plan and contact the school if you have any questions.

This plan was developed collaboratively by parents and school leadership to provide clarity and consistency for everyone. The most important message is simple: slow down and take care, so we can ensure the safety of all members of our community.

St Kevin’s Primary School Traffic Plan

Please give consent via Compass when you have read the Traffic Management Plan.

SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT

PLEASE BE SENSIBLE

MORNING DROP OFF

Park on the SAME SIDE AS THE SCHOOL
Do not park or block or make a U-turn at the pedestrian crossing in the morning.
Do not park or drop off children on the opposite side of the school gates as indicated by no standing signs.
Do not drive into the playground or parish parking after 8:30am.

Parish Staff and Parishioners require that space.

MORNING TRAFFIC

Parents/Carers can park on the side where the church is. (See Dotted line)
Parents/Carers can also use the KISS AND DROP OFF parking for 2min on the side between the zebra crossing and the staff car park (See solid line)
DO NOT PARK OR U-TURN IN THE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING.
Wait till the cars move along and park.

FOOTE ST

SINCLAIR AVE

AFTERNOON PARKING

SPEED LIMIT in school car park is 5km

All students are dismissed from the decking.
All students are to walk down the ramp in an orderly manner.
Students exiting the school must walk within the path indicated by the yellow line on the driveway.
Parents who arrive early need to park their car. - If you are parked you will need to walk to the deck to pick up your child/children.
DO NOT BLOCK THE ENTRANCE/ZEBRA CROSSING (If you arrive early - park your car).
If using the PICK UP AND GO area; line up along the DECKING and drive down to the water taps.
DO NOT BLOCK THE ENTRANCE/ZEBRA CROSSING (If you arrive early - park your car).
DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR CAR IF YOU ARE IN THE PICK UP AND GO AREA Teachers will assist the student/s to get into the car.
If your child needs to be restrained in a car seat please park your car and pick up your child from the decking area.
Disable Parking spots require DISABLED PARKING PERMITS.
At afternoon dismissal Parents/Carers are not to Stand/Block entry points - ramp or stairs.

Late arrivals and early departures

It’s so important to establish positive routines!

Arriving at school on time has a big impact on children’s social confidence, daily routines, and readiness to learn. Please remember that school gates close at 8:55am. We ask that all children are inside the gates by this time to ensure a calm and settled start to their day. Our staff are eager to help students settle in and begin learning promptly.

Punctuality helps children develop strong habits that support lifelong success. To support families, I will be contacting those whose children are regularly late so we can work together to find practical solutions.

Thank you for your continued support in making sure every child gets the best start to their school day.

ARRIVALS

On-Time Student Drop-Off & Late Student Arrival (After School Starts)

Protocols to prioritise safety and minimising classroom disruption. For timely arrival, use designated drop-off areas; for late arrivals, you must sign the student in at the main office.

On-Time Student Drop-Off (Before School Starts)

Use designated zones: Drop off your child in the school's designated drop-off area to ensure safety and maintain traffic flow.
Remain in your vehicle (if applicable): In "kiss and drop" zones, drivers should typically remain in their cars at all times while students exit the kerbside door.
Follow safety rules: Adhere to school zone speed limits and avoid dangerous maneuvers like U-turns.
Timely exit: Ensure the process is quick and efficient to allow other parents access to the zone.

Late Student Arrival (After School Starts)

Report to the office: A parent or guardian must accompany the child and sign them in at the school's main administration office.
Provide a reason: Be prepared to provide a valid reason for the lateness (e.g., medical appointment) to the office staff.
Collect a late pass: Office staff will issue a late pass, which the student must take to their classroom teacher upon entry.
Avoid classroom disruption: Do not go directly to the classroom. The procedure ensures that the teacher is aware of the student's arrival without interrupting the ongoing lesson.
Parent notification: The school will notify parents by phone if a student arrives late without a valid, pre-provided reason.
Teachers will inform me if a student has notable late arrivals so that she can contact the family for a shared discussion.

International Students

The international students from China have arrived at St Kevin’s. They have joined our Year 3, 4, 5 and 6 classes for different periods of time. The students will be with us from anywhere from two to four weeks. It will provide rich learning experiences for all students and a great opportunity to develop new friendships.

Wellbeing

Welcome to the 2026 school year! As we move back into the classroom, after a long break away from school, classroom teachers will have a big focus in helping their students re-establish positive routines. Clear morning and afternoon routines, regular sleep, and predictable school days all play an important role in supporting children’s wellbeing and subsequently their learning. It’s very normal for some students to take a little time to adjust, and we appreciate the continued partnership with our families in supporting this transition back into school life.

We are also pleased to share that our school will be introducing the MHiPS (Mental Health in Primary Schools) initiative this year. Through MHiPS, our school will have access to additional wellbeing support aimed at strengthening students’ social and emotional skills, building resilience, and supporting positive mental health. MHiPS is a partnership between Centre for Community Child Health at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute and the Faculty of Education at the University of Melbourne. Research conducted by these organisations identified that schools need to be able to better support mental health in students. This initiative also allows us to work more closely with families and staff to ensure early support is available for students who may need it.

More information about MHiPS and how it will support our school community will be shared in the coming weeks. As always, if you have any concerns about your child’s wellbeing or adjustment to school routines, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Gabee, Eva or myself.

Dominique Abbey

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader

Google Calendar

Heads up! 🎉 The Google Calendar has been updated! You can check out all the latest events and important dates via the school website or through Compass. Make sure to stay in the loop!

Ciao a tutti,

Bentornati! Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful break and a relaxing time with family and friends. We have commenced the Italian program this week!

For the first week of school, students will be revising previous language such as:

Greetings:

Ciao - hi/bye

Buongiorno - good morning/hello

Arrivederci - goodbye

Per favore - please

Grazie - thank you

Questions:

Come ti chiami? - What's your name?

Mi chiamo... - My name is...

Come stai? - How are you?

E tu? - And you?

Sto bene - I'm well

Sto male - I'm unwell

Sto cosi cosi - I'm so-so

Formal language:

Signore, come sta? - Sir, how are you?

Signora, come sta? - Mrs, how are you?

E lei? - And you

**🎶 Lunchtime Choir (Grades 3–6)**

Starts **Tuesday 10th February**, 2:00–2:30 in the **Performing Arts Room** with **Mrs Coad**. 🎤 Sing fun songs, make friends 🤝, and help choose the repertoire 🎵! Choir builds confidence 💪, teamwork 🤗, and musical skills 🎼 — all abilities welcome, no experience needed.

School Newsletter

St Kevin’s primary school newsletter contains school related articles published once a fortnight. It is very important that parents read the newsletter as it will keep you informed about what is happening in the school. The newsletter is our main form of communication with parents.

The link to the newsletter will be emailed directly to your email address via Compass. We have used the most current email address that you provided us. If you have changed your email address please let us know.

In God’s hands,

Gabee Leone