No 18. Term 4 Week 3, 25th October 2024

Principal's News

This week, St. Kevin’s is bursting with excitement as we celebrate two standout events that truly showcase the heart and spirit of our school: our thrilling Colour Fun Run and the much-anticipated school performance, The Colour of Friendship!

Today’s Colour Fun Run was a day filled with joy, laughter, and bright clouds of colour! Students, parents, and staff came together for a day of lively activity and camaraderie as our students raced through a course, each turn met with cheers and clouds of vibrant colour. This isn’t just about fundraising; it’s about building community, creating lifelong memories, and celebrating health and happiness. Watching everyone come together in full, colourful stride reminds us how lucky we are to be part of such a supportive, spirited school family.

This energy continues next week as our students take to the stage for The Colour of Friendship, a performance that celebrates the beauty of diversity, friendship, and creativity. Over two nights, our young performers will shine as they bring this uplifting story to life through powerful drama, dance, and song. With the incredible voices of our school choir adding an extra touch of magic, The Colour of Friendship promises to be a feast for the senses and a reminder of what makes our school so special.

The arts are an essential part of learning here at St. Kevin’s, building confidence, resilience, and communication skills in ways that traditional learning cannot. Through this performance, students are given a chance to take creative risks, work as a team, and share their talents with others—a true celebration of the ‘whole child’ approach we hold dear.

Both the Colour Fun Run and The Colour of Friendship remind us of the joy and connection that come from being part of a community. Thank you to every family member, friend, and supporter who has made these events possible. Get ready for a week of unforgettable memories and moments that highlight the vibrant tapestry that makes St. Kevin’s such a cherished place for all.

God bless.

Jason Micallef,
Principal

Leadership & Management

Tickets on Sale Now for Our School Performance!

With limited seating, each family can purchase two tickets for $15 each. Children who will sit on a parent's knee do not need a ticket.

If your children are performing on separate nights, you’ll need to book tickets for both evenings. However, by entering the code twonights at checkout, your second night’s tickets will be free!

To book your tickets, simply scan the QR code below or follow the link. Don’t wait too long—tickets will sell fast!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! From Monday, October 28, the limit of two tickets per family will be lifted and families may purchase additional seats for family members.  

https://www.trybooking.com/CWFSR

Exciting News: School Performance to be Professionally Filmed!

We’re thrilled to announce that our upcoming school performance, The Colour of Friendship, will be professionally videoed! Every special moment, from the stunning choreography to the amazing choir performances, will be captured in high quality.

Once edited, the video will be made available for all families to download—for free! It’s the perfect way to relive the magic or share it with loved ones who can’t attend.

Stay tuned for more details on how to access your copy!

Working Bee - Saturday Nov 9!

Help us beautify our school and make it a better place for our students! We’ll be working on various projects, including gardening, cleaning, and repairs. Your contribution will make a difference!

What to Bring:

• Gloves
• Water bottle
  
• Any tools you think might help (rakes, shovels, etc.)

Why Join?

• Connect with other parents and teachers
• Enjoy a sense of community
• Help create a welcoming environment for our kids

Let us know if you can make it by responding to the Operoo form being that has been sent out. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you there!

2025 School Fees and Levies Update

As we look ahead to the 2025 school year, we want to provide families with an update on school fees and levies. Unfortunately, due to the rising costs of services and resources and an increasing gap between government funding and the actual cost of running our school, fees have had to increase a little more than families may be accustomed to. We’ve worked hard to absorb these costs for as long as possible, but these adjustments have become necessary.

We understand this news may be concerning for some and we want to reassure you that we are here to support all families. If you are ever facing financial challenges, please reach out so we can have a conversation about how we can help. Payment plans and other options are available to ensure no child’s education is affected.

If you hold a Health Care Card, please let us know, as it qualifies you for significant fee reductions.

Please note that charges for the camp and sacraments are still being finalised and will be communicated to the relevant families as soon as possible.

We appreciate your understanding and ongoing support.

Reminder: Let's Keep Our School Healthy!

As we’ve seen an increase in viral infections within our school community, it’s a timely reminder to encourage good health hygiene with your children. Simple habits can make a big difference in keeping everyone safe and well.

Please remind your children to:

• Wash their hands regularly with soap and water, especially before eating and after using the bathroom.
• Cover their mouths with a tissue or elbow when coughing or sneezing.
• Use hand sanitiser when soap isn’t available.
• Stay home if they’re feeling unwell to avoid spreading germs.

By practising these good hygiene habits, we can all do our part to keep St. Kevin’s a healthy and happy place for everyone. Let’s work together to protect our community!

Education in Faith

Reflecting on the Gospel of Mark 10:46-52

Today’s Gospel offers us a powerful example of faith and persistence in prayer. Those around Him rebuked Bartimaeus for His efforts to attract Jesus’ attention. When silenced by the crowd, however, Bartimaeus called out all the more. He is persistent and bold in His confidence that Jesus will show mercy on Him and do what He asks. When Jesus restores Bartimaeus’s sight, no elaborate action is required. In this instance, Jesus simply says that Bartimaeus’s faith has saved Him. When faith is absent, Jesus is unable to heal; we see this after His rejection in Nazareth.

As a family, you may read Mark 10:46–52, pose the following questions to reflect on the wisdom of this scripture.

• Why must Bartimaeus be persistent in calling out to Jesus? 
• What does Bartimaeus do when some try to stop him? 
• When Jesus stops and calls for him, what does Jesus do and say? 
• What is the message we can draw from this Gospel into our lives?

Prayer 

Lord Jesus, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 

We ask for the Holy Spirit's presence to help us grow in our faith and live it out each day. Help us to find comfort in Your Word and to seek Your wisdom in all that we do.

Bless our homes with peace and harmony. May we be a refuge for one another, offering support, encouragement, and unconditional love.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation

This term, our Grade 2 students have begun their journey towards receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, an important step in deepening their relationship with God as members of His family.

Fr. Fabian recently visited the children, sharing how Reconciliation allows us to strengthen and heal our relationship with God, especially when we have made mistakes. Through this sacrament, we also learn to nurture more loving and forgiving relationships with one another.

Reconciliation has four special parts that guide us in making amends and restoring peace:

• Contrition: Recognising when we've done something wrong and feeling true sorrow.
• Confession: Speaking to the priest, who represents God, and openly admitting our mistakes with a sincere heart.
• Absolution: Receiving the gift of forgiveness, which brings a sense of peace and relief.
• Penance: Taking action to make things right and rebuild our relationships.

We encourage families to continue fostering this understanding at home, practising saying sorry and offering forgiveness to one another. The stories of The Lost Son, The Lost Coin, and The Lost Sheep remind us of God’s endless love and mercy, always welcoming us back with open arms.

This sacrament is a beautiful reminder that God’s love and forgiveness are always available to us, helping us grow closer to Him and to each other.

Neron & Hinauri - We are like the lost sheep because God forgives us when we do something wrong. 

Tyshan - We are like the lost sheep because God looks after us and helps us in hard situations. 

Uriah - We are like the lost sheep because God loves us no matter what we do.

Anaiya & Zuri - When we are lost God will come looking for us like our parents and will still love us.

Olivia - God will always welcome us like how the shepherd welcomed back the lost sheep when he found it. 

Daylan - No matter what we do God always forgives us. 

Learning & Teaching

Grade 4 Sleepover: A Night to Remember!

Last weekend, our Grade 4 students enjoyed the much-anticipated school sleepover – a memorable event designed to give both students and their families a gentle introduction to the experience of sleeping away from home. The day began with exciting incursions for both our Grade 3 and Grade 4 students, blending hands-on learning with pure fun. This year, the children dabbled in science experiments, sparking curiosity and creativity, and took part in a billy cart building session, where teamwork and laughter were in high supply!

After an action-packed day, the Grade 3 students headed home, while the Grade 4s returned later that evening, ready for a special night at school. The evening kicked off with a classic pizza dinner, offering a chance to relax and unwind. Then, as the lights dimmed, Mr. Micallef captivated everyone with a bedtime story, setting the perfect tone for a cozy night in the 3/4 building.

Morning brought a warm breakfast and plenty of cheerful faces as students proudly reflected on their first night spent ‘away’ from home. This sleepover tradition is more than just a fun night with friends; it’s also a fantastic way to prepare for future camps in Grades 5 and 6. For some families, it’s a milestone that brings a bit of reassurance, especially for parents learning to let go in small, manageable steps.

A huge thank you to our dedicated teachers and helpers who made the night possible and to our Grade 4 families for their enthusiasm and support. Here’s to the start of many more outdoor adventures.

Prev

Showing images 1 - 8 of 13

Next

Colour Fun Fun fun fun Run!

The Colour Fun Run was an absolute success! The students were beaming as they were showered with colour.

Thank you to the following parents for your time and great work in making it a success on the day by helping out: Mandy, Vi, Lilian, Suzie, Daphne, Sam, Priyah, Shanelle, Jennifer, Caryn and Kristina. You were all fantastic!

Thanks to all the staff for all your support on the day and for getting into the spirit of the fun with the students!

Big thanks to Mrs Kroenert who was our mystery teacher 'slimed' on Monday and to Mr Micallef for his bravery in being 'super slimed' at the event.

We appreciate all the fundraising by our St Kevin's families. We have raised $18,500 as I write this but sponsorship is still coming in! You can still sign up and donate until Wednesday to support our school!

Create an online profile at funrun.com.au There are prizes awarded to any students who raise over $10.

Thanks to all the parents who came along and joined in the fun. Overall, it was a wonderful day and the students responded amazingly to all the challenges and activities. We are very proud of them all!

Student Wellbeing

St. Kevin’s Value Focus: LOVE

Presently, our students are being immersed in learning about the value of LOVE and in particular, how we show Love for God. We show our love for God in many ways—through daily prayers, spreading the Good News, and caring for His creation. Loving our neighbour is another powerful way we express our faith, by offering kindness, support, and encouragement to those around us. As we live out this value, let’s reflect on how even small actions can make a big difference.

Community

Christmas Raffle - Seeking Donations

As we look ahead to the festive season, we're planning an exciting Christmas Raffle. But, we need your help! We're on the hunt for businesses that would be willing to donate prizes for our raffle. If you have any suggestions or contacts, please reach out to Andrew Butler via email abutler@skhamptonpark.catholic.edu.au.

Your support is invaluable in making this event a success.

After-School Sports Program

Saver Plus Program: Helping Families Save for Education Costs

We are excited to share information about the Saver Plus program, which could help families save a considerable amount of money towards their children's education in 2025.

If parents commit to saving $50 a month for 10 months, ANZ will match it with up to $500. This money can be used for education expenses for either parents or children, easing the financial burden of school-related costs. Families who have accessed the Camps, Sports, and Excursions Fund may also be eligible for this program.

The Saver Plus program is funded by ANZ and the Australian Government Department of Social Services. It’s a great opportunity to prepare for the upcoming school year.

For more information, please refer to the information below.

Community Service