No 16. Term 3 Week 9, 19th September 2025

Principal News

Last week our Grade 5/6 students packed their bags and set off for camp at Phillip Island and what an adventure it was. There’s something about camp that brings out the best in children. It’s not just about the activities (though they were fantastic), it’s about what happens inside when they’re faced with challenges, asked to step up and given the chance to surprise themselves.

Camp is about courage. It’s about giving things a go even when they feel daunting, embracing the giant swing, pushing through tiredness, or finding your voice in front of others. These moments aren’t always easy, but they are the ones that show children just how strong and capable they really are.

It’s also about independence. For many, it was the first time they had to take real responsibility for themselves: organising their gear, managing routines, making decisions without mum or dad there to lean on. Those small moments might not look like much at the time, but they build confidence and resilience that lasts.

Most importantly, camp gives students the chance to discover more about themselves and each other. It was heartening to see kindness, humour, teamwork and bravery on display every day. Friendships grew deeper and each child came home having found something new within themselves.

These experiences matter. They are necessary. They help children grow in ways that the classroom alone cannot. They remind us that learning is as much about character and courage as it is about knowledge.

As we now head into the holidays, I hope our 5/6 students and all of our students for that matter,  carry that same sense of courage and independence into the school holidays. Whether it’s trying something new, helping out at home, or simply taking time to rest and recharge, the lessons of camp remind us all that we are capable of more than we think.

And speaking of courage and shared spirit, today we celebrated Footy Day! Students filled the school with colour as they proudly wore their team’s jumper or scarf, whether it was AFL, NRL, soccer, or rugby. It was a day of fun, laughter and camaraderie, reminding us how sport can bring people together. With the AFL finals still to play out and four big clubs, Collingwood, Brisbane, Geelong and Hawthorn, battling it out for a spot in the Grand Final, there’s plenty of excitement ahead. (I’ll admit I’m particularly hopeful about my Magpies!)

A huge thank you to the staff who gave their time, energy and care to make camp such a success and to everyone who helped bring the spirit of Footy Day alive today. It’s been a big term, one filled with learning, challenge and community and what a great way to finish before we enjoy a well-earned holiday break.

Jason Micallef,
Principal

Leadership & Management

MACSSIS - there is still time!

Have you completed the MACSSIS survey yet? In the video below, Mr Micallef explains why the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS) are so important. The window to complete the MACSSIS window has been extended until Sunday 21st September 2025.

We encourage all our families to participate in this essential feedback tool.

Supporting Kadasig and Campaggna Elementary

Since 2014, our school community has proudly supported Kadasig, a charity organisation working to improve the lives of children and families in Cebu, Philippines. Each year, we raise funds and collect basic necessity items for Campaggna Elementary School, and together we make a real difference.

This year, we are delighted to share that we have raised $3,250.60, which includes a generous contribution of $673 from staff. Thank you to everyone who has already supported this important cause.

We now invite families to contribute to our donation drive. Please see the attached flyer for the list of items we are collecting. Every item donated helps provide children with the essentials they need.

We encourage all families to give generously and continue our tradition of care and compassion. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

Bring on the Colour Fun-Run!

Our School Fun Run is coming up in 3 weeks! Thank you so much for your support so far. We have a goal of $22,000 for playgrounds and play resources!

It’s not too late to create a profile or start fundraising. Just jump on funrun.com.au to get started.

The greatest part of the event is if you are unable to donate yourself, you can share the link with trusted family, friends and colleagues.

Event Details 

Friday 10th October - 1:40pm - 3:20pm on the School Oval

• 1:50pm 5/6 classes 
• 2:05pm 3/4 classes 
• 2:20pm 1/2 classes 
• 2:35pm Prep 

​Parents are most welcome to watch and cheer from 1:40pm as each level runs the Colour Run!

What each Child brings:

• Every child wears their Colour Fun Run clothes to school please. Students may wear hoodies or jackets to school on the day to stay warm (no changing at school)
• White t-shirt
• Old runners
• Shorts that can be coloured
• Water bottle
• Towel 

We are so excited to see all the HAPPY KIDS & PROUD PARENTS on event day! 

Thank you from Andrew Butler, Koula Kydas and the P&F

SAVE THE DATE!

Thursday October 16

2025 St Kevin's Creativity Showcase

From here to infinity

Art exhibition, STEM showcase, Art critiques, Choir performance, Interactive art, Sausage sizzle

Admission tickets on sale soon

A Note About Early Pick-Ups

From time to time, we understand that families may need to collect children early from school, usually for medical specialist appointments or unavoidable commitments. These situations are sometimes necessary and we will always do our best to support them.

However, we ask parents to please avoid picking up children between 1:30pm and 2:30pm wherever possible. During this time, students are outside on the playground and it is tough to page them and bring them to the office. This also adds an extra layer of complexity for our yard duty teachers, who are already focused on supervising the safety of all children and then have to divert their attention to help locate individual students.

If an early pick-up during this time cannot be avoided, please understand it may take a little longer. Busy children often don’t hear announcements, and they move quickly from one part of the yard to another.

A helpful tip: if you know in advance that your child will be collected early, please let them know before they come to school and notify their teacher. This way, the teacher can arrange for your child to be at the office, with their belongings, ready to meet you during playtime.

Footy Day Fun!

What a fantastic way to finish Term 3! Today the school came alive with colour and excitement as we celebrated Footy Day. Students and staff proudly dressed in the colours of their favourite teams from across all the football codes: AFL, NRL, rugby and soccer, filling the school with energy, laughter and friendly rivalry.

The day kicked off with a parade of colours, complete with the theme songs of AFL teams booming as students marched around the oval. We also enjoyed a football kicking competition, which brought out plenty of skill, determination and lots of cheers from the crowd.

Of course, no Footy Day would be complete without a good old-fashioned footy lunch! A big thank you to our fabulous parent helpers who cooked up a feast for students and staff, and to our generous supporters — Australian Butchers, who supplied the meat at hugely discounted prices, and Baker’s Delight, who donated the bread. Your generosity and community spirit made the day extra special.

Most of all, thank you to our staff, parents and students for throwing yourselves into the fun with such enthusiasm. The joy, laughter and camaraderie of the day reminded us once again of the strength of our St Kevin’s community.

It was the perfect way to round out a busy term, celebrating together, sharing in our love of sport, and sending everyone off into the holidays with big smiles.

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Education in Faith

Gospel Reflection – Luke 16:1–13

In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the dishonest steward. It’s a puzzling story at first,  a steward is caught wasting his master’s goods and before he loses his job he quickly reduces the debts of others, hoping they will look after him later. Surprisingly, the master commends his shrewdness.

What is Jesus teaching here? The parable reminds us that while the steward was not honest, he was clever in preparing for the future. Jesus challenges us to use our gifts, opportunities and even the resources of this world wisely, not for selfish gain, but to build the Kingdom of God. He also reminds us that we cannot serve two masters. In the end, we must choose: do we serve God, or do we serve wealth?

Key learnings from this Gospel:

• Be wise and thoughtful in how we use what God has entrusted to us.

• Use our gifts and resources for good, not just for ourselves.

• Faithfulness in small things matters — if we can be trusted in little, we can be trusted with much.

• We cannot serve both God and money; our lives need to be centred on God.

How parents can engage in conversation at home:

• Ask your child: What does it mean to use our talents wisely?

• Talk about times when your family has made choices that put kindness and generosity first.

• Reflect together: Are there ways we can serve God this week through how we use our time, money or skills?

• Encourage your child to think of one small act of faithfulness at school, at home, or with friends, that shows they are putting God first.

By opening up these conversations, we help our children see that the Gospel is not just a story we hear at Mass, but a living invitation to shape our choices every day.

Learning & Teaching

The Preps are Cleaning up Australia!

Last week, our students took part in a special Clean Up Australia activity. The day was all about looking after the environment and learning how we can make a difference.

The teachers talked to the students about why it’s important to pick up litter, keep their spaces clean, and care for nature. Our Prep students have also been learning about being stewards of creation—understanding that God calls us to care for the earth and everything in it. They discovered that even small actions can help make the world a better place.

Then it was time to get outside and help! Wearing gloves and using bags, they worked together to pick up litter around the school. It was great to see how everyone’s teamwork made the school grounds look so clean and tidy.

The students had a fun day. A big thank you to everyone who joined in—when we all work together, we can make a real difference for our planet!

Performing Arts

We are thrilled to announce that thanks to the generous support of our Parents and Friends Association (PFA), we have been able to purchase new xylophones for our Performing Arts lessons. These instruments will greatly enhance our music program, providing students with more hands-on learning opportunities and enriching their musical education.

We deeply appreciate the PFA’s commitment to supporting our school and students.

Student Wellbeing

Looking After Ourselves These Holidays

As we head into a well-earned two-week break, it’s a great time for students to rest, recharge and take care of themselves. Holidays give us the chance to step out of routine and find balance again, something that is just as important for wellbeing as it is for learning.

Here are some simple ways students can look after themselves these holidays:

• Rest – Sleep in a little, relax and allow your body and mind to slow down after a busy term.

• Play – Do something you really enjoy, just for the fun of it. Creativity, sport, games or even building something at home can all spark joy.

• Connect – Spend time with family and friends. Share meals, talk, laugh and enjoy the people around you.

• Move – Keep active! Go for walks, kick a ball, ride a bike, or simply get outside for fresh air and sunshine.

• Try something new – The holidays are a great time to learn a new skill, help out at home in different ways, or explore a hobby you haven’t had time for.

• Reflect – Take a few quiet moments to think about what you’re grateful for, what you’ve achieved this term, and what you’re looking forward to next.

The most important thing is balance, a mix of rest, fun, activity and connection. By taking care of themselves over the holidays, students will return refreshed, energised and ready for the final term of the year.

Community