No 13. Term 3 Week 3, 8th August 2025

Principal's News

We’re Better Together

At St Kevin’s, we know that when parents and schools work hand-in-hand, children flourish. Research consistently shows that when families take an active interest in their child’s learning, whether that’s attending school events, reading together at home, or simply asking about their day, students are more motivated, have better attendance and achieve higher outcomes. They also develop a stronger sense of belonging and self-worth.

Partnership doesn’t have to mean joining every committee or being at school every week (though we always welcome that too!). For some parents, shift work, family commitments, or financial pressures make it hard to be physically present at school. We understand and want to reassure you that your involvement can take many forms. A conversation about a child’s learning over dinner, showing up to watch sports events, helping with an excursion or even sharing a skill or idea with the school are all powerful ways to contribute.

We also know some families hold back because of confidence or language barriers. Please know you are welcome here. You don’t need to know all the “school lingo” or speak perfect English; your presence, your encouragement and your unique perspective are valuable.

Whether it’s joining the Parents & Friends Association, serving on the School Advisory Committee, volunteering at an event or simply being a familiar face in the schoolyard, your involvement sends a strong message to your children: school matters, learning matters, and they matter.

If you’ve been thinking about getting more involved but aren’t sure how, we’d love to have a chat. Sometimes the first step is just saying “yes” to one small thing. Those small steps can lead to stronger connections, richer experiences for our children and a school community that truly thrives, because we are better together.

Quick Ways to Get Involved

• Help with a stall or BBQ at the next event

• Reach out to your child's teachers and offer to share a cultural story, recipe or tradition with your child's class

• Volunteer for a one-off excursion or sports day

At-Home Partnership Ideas

• Ask your child to teach you something they’ve learned this week

• Read together or swap favourite books

• Celebrate effort as much as results

Breaking Down Barriers

• Not sure what to do? Just ask, we’ll help you find a role that suits you

• No need to commit every week; one-off help still makes a big impact

• English not your first language? Bring your story, we value it!

God bless,

Jason Micallef,
Principal

Leadership & Management

Friday 22 August will be a school closure day as our staff engage in important professional development. There will be no school for students on this day.

Camp Australia will offer long day care if there is enough interest from families. Please contact them directly to register your child and confirm arrangements.

Keeping Our Community Healthy

As we move through the colder months, a friendly reminder to please keep children at home if they are unwell. If your child has cold or flu-like symptoms, such as a runny nose, cough, fever, or sore throat. They should stay home until they are feeling better.

This helps protect other students, staff, and families and supports everyone’s health and wellbeing. We appreciate your cooperation in keeping our school community safe and healthy.

Don't Forget!

In Memory of Bishop Peter Elliott

We were saddened to learn of the recent passing of Bishop Peter Elliott, who served faithfully in the Archdiocese of Melbourne for many years. Bishop Peter was well known to our community, having confirmed many of our students over the years.

His ministry was marked by deep faith, a love of the Church and a commitment to guiding young people in their spiritual journey. We give thanks for his life of service and pray for the repose of his soul. May he rest in peace and may his family and friends be comforted in their grief.

Education in Faith

Feast of St Mary MacKillop – 8 August

This week we celebrated the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Australia’s first canonised saint. Born in 1842, Mary dedicated her life to educating children, especially those in rural and disadvantaged communities. With courage and determination, she co-founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, opening schools and providing care for those in need.

Mary faced many challenges, including criticism and hardship, yet she never lost faith in God’s providence. She lived by her famous motto: “Never see a need without doing something about it.” Her example reminds us that small acts of kindness and service, done with love, can have a lasting impact.

What We Can Learn from Mary MacKillop

Mary’s life teaches us the value of compassion, perseverance and putting our faith into action. She showed that one person, moved by love and a desire to serve, can make a difference far beyond their own lifetime.

Family Discussion Prompts

• Mary MacKillop saw needs and acted. What are some needs we can see in our school, neighbourhood or home?

• What is one small thing we can do as a family this week to help someone?

• Mary didn’t give up when things were hard. Can you think of a time when you kept going even though it was difficult?

• How can we live out Mary’s motto in our everyday lives?

As we remember St Mary MacKillop, may we be inspired to see the needs around us and like her, respond with generosity, courage and love.

You're invited! Join us for Mass.

Learning & Teaching

How Children Learn Best

At St Kevin’s, we believe that learning is not just about remembering facts—it’s about building connections. When children are encouraged to link new ideas to what they already know, their understanding becomes deeper and longer-lasting. This is why we use a blend of explicit teaching (clear instruction and modelling) alongside opportunities for curiosity, discussion, and problem-solving.

Research in cognitive science tells us that learning happens best when it’s active—when children are thinking, questioning, and practising. Short bursts of focus, spaced repetition of key concepts, and plenty of opportunities to apply learning in real-world contexts all make a difference.

At home, you can help by asking open-ended questions like “Why do you think…?” or “Can you show me how you worked that out?” These questions don’t just check for the right answer—they strengthen thinking skills, build confidence, and help your child take ownership of their learning.

Together, we can nurture learners who are curious, capable, and ready to thrive in the world beyond the classroom.

Book Week is almost here!

GRADES 3 & 4 FUNDRAISER

The grade 3 and 4 students have had a very exciting and productive start to Term 3. This week, they had the opportunity to work together to make and sell Chocolate Crackles as part of a fundraising initiative to support our sister school, Campaggna Elementary, located in Cebu, Philippines. The students have put in a lot of effort, not only to prepare and sell the delicious treats but also to learn the importance of helping others in need. All funds raised from this event will go directly to purchasing essential school supplies, such as books, stationery, and even playground equipment. The students are truly proud of their hard work and the positive impact.

All the grade 3 and 4 students would like to say a big thank you to everyone who supported and contributed to their fundraising!

Check out some photos of the students having fun contributing to this event.

Student Wellbeing

Supporting Students to Flourish with the Zones of Regulation

At St Kevin’s, we want every child to flourish, not just academically, but socially and emotionally too. One of the tools we use to support this is the Zones of Regulation, a simple but powerful framework that helps students understand and manage their feelings, energy, and attention.

The Zones use four colours: Blue, Green, Yellow, and Red to describe how we’re feeling and how ready we are to learn:

By teaching children to identify their Zone, we give them language to express how they feel and strategies to move back towards the Green Zone where they can focus and learn best. This might mean taking a break, using breathing techniques, moving around, or talking to a teacher.

Our goal is not to avoid the other Zones, they’re a normal part of life, but to help students recognise them, respond in healthy ways, and return to a state where they can engage with learning and relationships positively.

When students can understand and manage their emotions, they’re better equipped to build friendships, handle challenges, and thrive, both in and out of the classroom.

Introducing Our Four-Step Behaviour Response Process

This term, we have introduced a consistent, school-wide behaviour response process that is now used in every classroom and on the playground. It sits alongside our Positive Choices Matrix, which clearly sets out the expectations for all members of our school community.

At St Kevin’s, our main focus is always on prevention, creating a safe, engaging, and supportive environment where positive behaviour is taught, encouraged, and celebrated. We know that strong relationships, clear expectations, and proactive strategies make the biggest difference.

However, when behaviour does move away from what is expected, we follow a four-step process to help students pause, reflect, and take responsibility for their choices:

1. A Gentle Reminder – A quick, encouraging prompt to help the student remember expectations and continue learning.

2. Refocus in the Room – A short time in a calm space within the classroom to reset and prepare to rejoin the group.

3. Reflect Next Door – Time in a neighbouring class to reflect, regulate and return ready to learn.

4. Guided Reflection – Time in the office until the next break, with a written reflection completed and sent home for parents to see.

For Prep–2 students, the steps reset after each break. For Years 3–6, they reset each day. Serious behaviours that impact safety or wellbeing may move directly to Step 4.

By using the same approach everywhere, students experience consistency and fairness, no matter where they are or who they are with. This process is not about punishment; it’s a backup plan that supports our preventative focus, ensuring students always have the chance to learn from mistakes, repair relationships and keep growing.

Community

Our Parents & Friends Presidents

Hello parents of St Kevin’s! My name is Natalie and I am a fellow parent to my daughter Sophia in grade 4. I have been helping with the PFA since about grade 1 I think, and I feel like it’s my little way to give back to the school. I work 4 days at Monash Children’s Hospital and love my job in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I even know some of you have had your babies there!  Sophia and I love to travel whenever we can and we try to get outside as much as we can. We love to go for walks, bike rides and love to bake when we have time.

I am sure everyone feels that life is busy with work and school and our children’s extra activities. Chaos sometimes even!! We would love to meet many more of you that might feel like they can spare an hour or two sometimes to help out with events at school. Term 3 is a busy one and many hands make light work. The more the merrier I say. No one would ever be turned away. All help would be appreciated. And it is a great way to meet other parents, who may even be a parent of your child’s friend. 

Here’s to a great second half of 2025!

Regards, Natalie.

Hi! Im Caryn and I'm co president of the PFA this year! Ive been a parent at St Kevin's since 2009! I'll continue to be a parent at St Kevin's until the end of 2034! I have 7 children, 4 that have already completed their primary years through this incredible school, one currently in grade 3 and two gorgeous little girls still to pass through these walls!

I've been a member of the PFA on and off since my eldest started at this school! I love being on the PFA. There are so many benefits! You get to meet other lovely parents! You get to help out at events that ultimately benefit our children and the school community! There is no expectation to help at every single event, you can just help out when you are available!

St Kevin's is such a beautiful school with an incredible "family" feel to it! I feel humbled to be able to do my part, and give back to a school and a community that has given so much to my family and myself. 

Regards Caryn

The 2025 Colour Fun Run is coming!

A note will be coming home next week with exciting information about our upcoming St Kevin’s School Fun Run, happening on Friday, 10 October 2025!

This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to have fun while raising much-needed funds for new playgrounds and outdoor equipment. Our fundraising goal is $22,000 and we’d love everyone to get involved!

The official launch date is Friday, 5 September, when students will receive all the details and instructions on how to get started. Families will then be asked to set up an online profile to begin collecting donations. More information, including the QR code and prize details, will be in the note coming home.

Stay tuned—there are some great prizes in store for our top fundraisers!

We look forward to your support and hope to see you there cheering the kids on!

Warm regards,

Mr. A. Butler & Mrs Kydas 
The St Kevin’s Team – Hampton Park

Mazenod College Interviews

Mazenod have advised that they will be emailing the next round of interviews to parents early next week.  These interviews will be on:

• Monday 25^th August 4.00 -8.00pm

• Tuesday 26^th August 4.00 – 8.00pm

Grade 5 families are reminded that enrolments for Year 7 2027 will close on Friday 15^th August.  Offers will be emailed on Friday 17^th October.

The Casey Pet Expo returns for another year

 Join like-minded people and our friends in fur, feathers and scales for a great day out!

Saturday 13 September 2025
11:00 am - 3:00 pm 
Wilson Botanic Park, Berwick 

Come and explore the beautiful surroundings of Wilson Botanic Park, participate in pet-related workshops and watch live demonstrations.

There will also be live entertainment, roving performers, face painting and an abundance of exciting market stalls showcasing the latest in pet products (including food, clothing and unique accessories).

If you do decide to bring your pet with you, please make sure they are on a lead.

No bookings required.