No 14. Term 3 Week 5, 16th August 2024
Principal's News
At St. Kevin’s, we deeply value the power of community and the joy that comes from coming together to celebrate significant occasions. Yesterday was a beautiful reminder of this as we joined with our sister school, St. Francis de Sales Primary School in Lynbrook, to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption.
The day was filled with shared experiences, laughter, and learning. Our youngest students—Preps, Grade 1s, and Grade 2s—from both schools gathered at St. Kevin’s, while the Grade 3 to 6 students spent the day at St. Francis de Sales. This split allowed each group to fully immerse themselves in activities tailored to their age, making the day even more special.
We were blessed with a lively and uplifting performance from the band Second Nature, who taught us some wonderful songs about our Mother Mary. The music brought everyone together in a joyful celebration, reminding us of the importance of Mary’s role in our faith and how music can unite us all. Check out this short Facebook Live Video to see our children in action.
In the classrooms, our students participated in a variety of engaging activities that deepened their understanding of the Feast of the Assumption. It was heartening to see the children from both schools working together, forming new friendships, and learning from one another. These interactions are invaluable, teaching our students the importance of community, collaboration, and the richness that diversity brings to our lives.
The highlight of the day was our shared prayer service in the church. It was a moment of reflection and reverence, as we gathered to honour Mary and the Assumption. The service beautifully captured the essence of our faith, and it was a privilege to witness the children’s reverence and participation.
Days like these are more than just celebrations—they are opportunities for our children to learn about the importance of unity, friendship, and faith. By coming together with St. Francis de Sales, we not only strengthened our bond as sister schools but also provided our students with memories and lessons that will last a lifetime.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this day so special, especially Mrs Hettiarachchi our Religious Education Leader. We look forward to many more occasions where we can come together as one community, celebrating our faith and the joy it brings to our lives.
God bless
Jason Micallef,
Principal
Artwork the children presented for display in our prayer celebration that shows the important stages of Mary's life.
Each of the chilren created flowers with special prayers to Mary and planted them in class pots to display in their classrooms.
Some more of the artwork is displayed in our special prayer celebration. The children from both schools worked on them together.
Leadership & Management
Carpark Courtesy
A heartfelt thanks to all our families for your continued patience and courtesy in the carpark, especially after school. Your cooperation is crucial in ensuring a smooth and safe pick-up process for everyone.
A gentle reminder: if you can’t find a spare parking space, please keep moving and avoid stopping in roadways, as this blocks traffic and disrupts the flow. It only takes a minute or two to loop around and re-enter the school from Hallam Road, and more often than not, a parking space will be available when you return.
Additionally, we ask everyone to be extra vigilant and keep a lookout for children. They can be difficult to see, and despite our best intentions, little ones sometimes slip away from their parents. Please keep a keen lookout and drive with caution at all times.
Thank you for your understanding and support in helping us maintain a safe and efficient carpark. Your efforts make a big difference!
Annual Report to the School Community
As part of all schools’ accountability to the Australian and Victorian governments, an annual report to the community detailing information about the previous year must be released.
St Kevin's Primary School is proud to present our 2023 Annual Report to the school Community.
School Advisory Committee
The School Advisory Committee plays a vital role in shaping the direction and policies of St. Kevin’s. We are currently looking for new members to join our team and contribute to our vibrant school community.
The committee meets once or twice per term at the school, where we discuss important matters such as policy updates, school improvements, and initiatives that impact our students' learning experience. Last week, we ratified the new school uniform policy, discussed the timing of eating breaks during the day, and explored ways to encourage our children to learn new liturgical music.
If you are interested in joining or have any queries, please feel free to reach out to the committee at sac@skhamptonpark.catholic.edu.au. Your involvement can make a meaningful difference in the life of our school!
The Father's Day Stall is coming
On Monday, August 26, students will be able to choose from a wide variety of gifts to purchase for their dad, grandfather or father figure to help them feel appreciated and loved on Father's Day (Sunday, Sept 1st).
If any parents would like to help us set up the stall on Friday, August 23, please reach out to Mr Butler to express your interest. abutler@skhamptonpark.catholic.edu.au
School Absence Notification System
We kindly remind all families to notify the school if your child will be absent. You can easily do this through the Simon Everywhere App, where you will also need to provide a brief explanation for the absence. These notifications are crucial as they automatically update the class roll, allowing the teacher to see that your child will be absent that day. This ensures that we have accurate attendance records and can account for all students.
In the coming weeks, we will be introducing a new strategy to alert families if their child is absent from school and we have not received a notification from you. This is an important safety measure to ensure that all our students are accounted for. Please make it a habit to submit these notifications promptly to help us keep everyone safe and informed. Thank you for your cooperation!
Signing Students out Early
We kindly ask families to avoid signing children out of school early via the Simon Everywhere App. Unfortunately, when you sign your child out using the app, it registers their departure at the exact time you indicate, regardless of whether they have actually been picked up.
This poses a significant safety concern—if you are delayed, your child may still be at school, but there will be no record of their presence. This could create a serious issue in the event of an emergency.
We have alerted the app developer to this risk, and they are working to resolve the problem. In the meantime, we ask that you continue to sign children out of school using the kiosk at the front desk once you arrive to collect them. This ensures that we have an accurate record of who is on school premises at all times.
Understanding Our Playtime and Eating Schedules
At St. Kevin’s, we strive to ensure that our students have ample time for both play and eating during the school day. We have two main playtimes: Morning Recess from 11:10 to 11:30 am and Lunch Play from 1:40 to 2:20 pm. To ensure that students have time to enjoy their meals, we provide them with 10 minutes to eat before morning recess and another 10 minutes before lunch play. Additionally, around 10 am, students have the opportunity to enjoy a small fruit snack while they continue with their learning tasks.
We understand that some students may bring food home at the end of the day. Rest assured, this isn’t due to a lack of time but often because they’re busy chatting with friends during their eating time! We also remind parents that, for health and safety reasons, students are not allowed to eat on the playground. This helps us reduce the risk of accidents and keeps our school grounds clean and litter-free.
New Uniform Policy
We are pleased to announce that our new Uniform Policy has been officially ratified by the School Advisory Committee. This policy outlines the standards for student dress at St. Kevin’s and is designed to foster a sense of pride and belonging within our school community while ensuring that all students are appropriately dressed for various learning activities.
Key points of the policy include:
- Consistency in Dress: Students must wear the complete summer or winter uniform without mixing items from both.
- Flexibility: Families can choose whether their children wear the winter or summer uniform based on weather conditions.
- Special Uniform Days: The sports uniform is to be worn only on designated sports or Physical Education days.
- SunSmart Guidelines: School sun hats are mandatory during Terms 1 and 4 to protect students from harmful UV rays.
- Footwear: Sneakers are to be worn only with the sports uniform, and black leather shoes with the standard uniform.
- Hair and Accessories: Guidelines are provided for hairstyles, jewellery, and other accessories to maintain a neat and safe appearance.
All families are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the full policy, which will soon be made available through the Simon Everywhere App. Your cooperation and commitment to our uniform standards are greatly appreciated as we work together to create a cohesive and respectful school environment.
MACSSIS is coming!
Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS) are conducted annually for schools in the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. This year’s MACSSIS window is from Monday 2 September to Friday 20 September 2024.
Be on the lookout for an email coming to all families in the coming week with instructions on how to participate in the MACSSIS Survey.
Get ready for Book Week!
Next Friday, we’ll be celebrating with our annual Dress as Your Favourite Book Character day, complete with a parade during assembly. All families are welcome to join us for the fun. Don’t miss it!
Education in Faith
Weekly Gospel Reflection
John 6: 51–58: Whoever eats and drinks of the body and blood of Christ has eternal life.
In this Gospel passage, Jesus calls Himself the "living bread" from heaven, offering eternal life to those who eat His flesh and drink His blood. He emphasizes that His flesh is true food and His blood is true drink, necessary for a deep connection with Him and eternal life.
This passage highlights the profound significance of the Eucharist in our faith. Jesus invites us to see the Eucharist as essential spiritual nourishment that unites us with Him and sustains our journey toward eternal life. It’s a powerful reminder of the intimate relationship we are called to share with Christ through this sacrament.
Suggestions for Parents:
- Discuss the Eucharist: Have conversations with your children about what the Eucharist means and why it’s central to our faith.
- Attend Mass Together: Make Mass attendance a regular family practice, and discuss the experience, particularly focusing on the Eucharist.
- Encourage Prayer: Teach your children to pray before and after receiving the Eucharist to help them reflect on its significance.
- Read Scripture Together: Share this passage with your children and talk about what it means to them.
- Connect with Everyday Life: Use mealtimes to remind your children of the spiritual nourishment we receive from the Eucharist.
These practices can help your children develop a deeper understanding and connection with the Eucharist and their faith.
Invitation to Attend Mass with Your Child’s Class
Invitation to Attend Mass with Your Child’s Class
We warmly invite all parents and families to join us for Mass during weeks 6–10 of this term. It’s a wonderful opportunity to come together in faith and support your child as their class attends Mass.
Here’s the schedule for the upcoming weeks:
- Week 6 (Tuesday, 20th August): Prep classes (PIB, PKK, PMC, PJS)
- Week 7 (Thursday, 29th August): Year 6 (Bishop’s Visit)
- Week 8 (Tuesday, 3rd September): Year 5 classes (5HI, 5RU, 5TI)
- Week 9 (Tuesday, 10th September): Year 1 and Year 2 classes (1LO, 1HE, 1PE, 2BR, 2DM, 2KE)
We encourage you to come along and share in these special moments with your child. Attending Mass together not only strengthens our faith community but also supports the spiritual growth of our students.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Confirmation Preparation
We are excited to be in the midst of preparing our Year 6 students for their Confirmation, a significant milestone in their faith journey. Thank you to all the families who attended our online information session last week. Your participation is greatly appreciated as we work together to support our students.
We apologise to those who experienced technical difficulties and were unable to join the session. We hope you were able to view the presentation afterwards. If you missed it entirely or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to ensure that everyone is fully informed and prepared for this important sacrament.
Please note the following key dates as part of the Confirmation preparation:
- Bishop’s Visit: Thursday, August 29, when the Bishop will meet the children at school.
- Confirmation Retreat: Tuesday, September 3, held at St. Kevin’s.
As part of their preparation, we encourage families to take their children to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on one of the two weekends prior to Confirmation. Fr. Fabian has generously offered to be available for 30 minutes before every Mass at the Church on the weekends of August 24/25 and August 31/September 1.
Please don’t leave Reconciliation to the last minute, as we have 60 children to accommodate, and we want to ensure that everyone has ample time for this important sacrament.
Learning & Teaching
Book Week at St. Kevin's will be celebrated during Week 6 (Monday 19th August - Friday 23rd August).
Some of the ways we are celebrating are:
Monday 19th Aug - A visit from author Coral Vass. See below for details about ordering her books.
Mon 19th Aug - Thursday 22nd Aug: Lunchtime activities for students who are interested.
Friday 23rd August: Book Week dress up. All students are invited to come dressed as a book character. A book week parade will be held in the hall at 2:30pm. All parents are welcome to attend.
Grade 1 Moonlit Sanctuary Excursion
Grade 1 and 2 students have been busy learning about living things! They've explored how different external features allow animals to survive in various habitats, meeting their basic needs of food, water, and shelter. They've also discussed what happens when habitats change and how this can impact animals.
On recent trips to Moonlit Sanctuary, students got a firsthand look at amazing Australian wildlife! They encountered koalas, kangaroos, and many other native animals in their natural habitat. This exciting excursion provided a real-world experience of animals and their habitats.
A huge thankyou to all the parents who came along to support our students' learning on this great experience. Your support made this opportunity possible.
Be sure to check out the photos of our Grade 1 explorers having fun with these fascinating animals!
What we are Learning in Grade 5!
As part of our Fractions and Decimals unit in Maths, with inspiration from the current Olympics games just recently held in Paris, the grade 5’s have been competing in the Potato Olympics.
Students have been completing decimal-related work such as reading, interpreting and ordering decimal numbers coinciding with a particular Olympic-inspired event.
Students have had to use measuring tapes, stopwatches and digital scales to record length/distance, time and weight and represent it as a decimal.
Student Wellbeing
A focus on our core values continues
Our current Value focus is Service, a cornerstone of our Christ-centred mission. We believe that true service extends beyond ourselves, reflecting Christ's call to love and support one another. We are encouraging our students to embody this value by being upstanders—actively standing up for others rather than remaining passive bystanders. Through this, we aim to cultivate a culture of compassion, courage, and kindness, where every student feels empowered to make a positive difference in our school community.
National Week of Action: Bullying, No Way!
This week across Australia, schools and communities are bringing awareness to the Bullying, No Way! campaign. At St Kevin’s, students will spend time across the week learning to recognise the signs of bullying and what they can do about it. This builds upon the recent NED incursion we had in week 3 this term.
It is important to notice the difference between CONFLICT and BULLYING.
Conflict can be described as a ‘normal’ part of life, where we learn to recognise one another’s perspectives and work to negotiate and cooperate.
Bullying is described as a misuse of power through repeated events that are intentionally designed to cause harm to another person.
The following two posters can help us to understand the difference between CONFLICT and BULLYING, and how we can support our young people in dealing with these situations:
This week all students will watch the following two videos: Bullying is NEVER ok and Our Special Superpower. These provide a great starting point for supporting them to develop an understanding of what to do if they encounter bullying behaviours.
At St Kevin’s, bullying is NEVER tolerated. If you feel that your child is experiencing a bullying problem, please contact your child’s classroom teacher to discuss this. It is helpful to have some notes that you have taken when talking with your child so that you are able to be clear about what has been happening. Here are some tips about how families can respond to bullying.
For more information, you can visit: bullyingnoway.gov.au
The following series of videos may also be helpful:
What is bullying? National Definition
What is Bullying? A misuse of power
What is Bullying? Ongoing and repeated
What is Bullying? Behaviors that can cause harm
Bullying - No Way! Everyone Belongs.
On Tuesday 13th August, all students participated in our whole school buddy program focussing on the Bullying No Way 2024 theme: Everyone Belongs. Grade 6 students have the role of ‘buddy mentors’ in our buddy system and take responsibility for running the buddy activities across the school.
The session began with the grade 6s reading two short stories to their buddy groups focussed on how we interact with one another and how we problem-solve when we find ourselves in moments of misunderstanding or conflict. The students in the buddying classes then worked in pairs and small groups to complete a sorting activity looking at ‘okay’ and ‘not okay’ ways of interacting.
All the grade 6s did a marvellous job of running these sessions for the younger students in our school. The buddy groups enjoyed the time together and completed the tasks supporting one another.
Problem-Solving Steps
Below are our new St Kevin’s Problem-Solving Steps. This is our guide for staff and students for how we approach problem-solving in times of misunderstanding and conflict at school. Fundamental to this is students’ understanding of their feelings - how they feel in their body and their ability to recognise the range of feelings they experience. This helps us all to understand and then respond to our feelings in pro-social and appropriate ways when we are interacting with our peers and families. Please feel free to discuss this with St Kevin’s staff if you have any questions.
Attendance Matters - Make EVERY day count!
Consistent attendance at school adds up! When students consistently attend school, they are given the greatest opportunity to achieve their best and enjoy a positive school experience. When absenteeism becomes frequent it can often be challenging to return to school and extra support may be needed to build up consistency. If in doubt, it is better to be late than not come at all!
Community
🌟 Treat your Dad/Grandad/Father figure to a Special Father's Day Brunch! 🌟
Hey everyone! The St Kevin's Parish Social Group is thrilled to invite you (going to spoil only the Dad's for this one) to our Father's Day Brunch on 31st August at 11:00 am at St Kevin’s Hall.
This isn’t just any brunch – it’s a chance to celebrate the amazing dads in our community while supporting a great cause!
The Dad’s will enjoy a delicious Buffet brunch & fun activities..
All proceeds from the brunch will go towards the repair of our church roof.
Event Details:
📅 Saturday 31st August
🕒 11:00 am
📍St Kevin’s Hall
🎟 Ticket Price: Dad’s $20
How to Get Your Tickets:
📍 In Person: Tickets will also be available after all masses.
💻Online: https://square.link/u/42tVa0MO to purchase tickets.
We can’t wait to see you there!
The Social Group
Have a good weekend!
Exciting news from Camp Australia
