No 22. Term 4 Week 5, 4th November 2020

Principal's News

‘Every child deserves a champion. An adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection, and insists that they become the best they can possibly be.’ Rita Pearson

Teachers at St. Kevin’s are champions and World Teachers Day which we celebrated last Friday, is our opportunity to say thanks. Every day, teachers are making a difference educating and inspiring young people. They prepare students for life through the development of resilience. They help students to develop a mindset that embraces learning and provide programs that meet the needs of each child. Collaboratively and in conjunction with the school community, they are striving to develop respectful, thriving and engaged problem solvers.

Teachers play a vital role in developing the social fabric of our society. During their career a teacher will influence the lives of 1000s of students. The profession holds an enormous moral responsibility they take very seriously. After all, precious children are handed over into their care every day and they are required to invest time, effort, energy and emotion paralleled only by parenting itself.

Alongside all the usual responsibilities, we must also consider that teaching as a profession, especially this year, is undergoing a transformation from one where the teacher was the transmitter of knowledge, to a clinical science where the teacher simultaneously develops knowledge of the student in order to move their learning forward. It is every bit as complex, if not more so, than rocket science.

World Teachers’ Day offers a chance to acknowledge our teachers and say thanks. At St. Kevin's our teachers work tirelessly to provide the best learning opportunities they can for your children, whether it is the daily lessons delivered in classrooms or the special events planned to enrich their life experiences. 

‘A teacher plants the seed of knowledge, sprinkles them with love, and patiently nurtures their growth to produce tomorrow’s dreams.’ Unknown

God bless you all,

Jason Micallef,
Principal

Staggered drop off and pick up times

Again, we must thank and congratulate all our families who have adapted to the staggered start and finish times. This, along with preventing large gatherings are two mandates we must have in place for the school to be operational and open to on-site learning. 

We are not sure how much longer we need to maintain this practice but for the time being we are under instruction by the Chief Health Officer and Catholic Education Victoria that it needs to continue. 

Covid-19 Update

The current number of cases is a remarkable achievement thanks to all Victorians and as we look forward to more restrictions being lifted, we would like to take this opportunity to remind our community how important it is to maintain our vigilance and effort to prevent or minimise the likelihood of an outbreak in our community. Therefore, it is important that we continue to take measures to keep us all healthy and safe and we would like to reassure you that we continue to take the following measures:

• Staff and student temperature testing each morning
  
• Sanitiser in all rooms 
• Hand washing facilities and emphasis 
• Coughing and sneezing education 
• Cleaners on duty throughout the school day 
• Social distancing of adults in staffrooms and offices 
• Restriction of adults in classroom areas and visitors to the school
  
• Postponement of assemblies and joint class activities 
• Emphasising the importance of children playing only with students in their year level
• Restructuring specialist lessons so that children aren't sharing learning spaces across year year levels.
• Insisting that students and staff stay at home if they have any flu like symptoms.

What learning looks like!

St. Kevin's Baby News!

We are pleased to announce there will be two more additions to the St. Kevin's baby family in 2021.  Congratulations Mrs Schendel, 1/2SC class teacher, who is expecting her second child and Mrs Brobyn who is expecting her first little bub.

What a wonderful time this is for Mrs Schendel and Mrs Brobyn and their families, we wish them all the best and can’t wait for newborn cuddles!

Financial Difficulties?

The Catholic Church’s preferential option for the poor obligates Catholic schools to ensure that no baptised Catholic student is denied a Catholic education because of a family’s inability to pay school fees.

“Each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society.” Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, Encyclical Letter, 187

In recognition of the differential capacity of families to contribute to the costs of education, both the Australian and State Governments incorporate needs-based elements into their recurrent funding of the Catholic school system. This gives us a degree of flexibility when families are faced with temporary or ongoing financial hardship.

If your familiy are currently experiencing difficulty keeping up with your school fee payments in any way and are considering moving schools as a result, we ask that you please contact Mr Micallef for a confidential conversation about how the school can support you through this time and ensure continuity of your children's education.

No child will be denied a Catholic education on the basis of a family's capacity to pay school fees.

2021 School Fees and Levies

In light of the current economic circumstances, we have made the decision to freeze any increase in school fees and levies for 2021. This means that families will be charged at the same rate as 2020 for all areas.

The following additional levies will also be charged at the 2020 rate:

• $175 - Building and maintenance levy
• $120 - Swimming lessons (Prep - year 4)
• $35 - Sleepover incursion (year 4 only)
• $315 - Senior Camp (Year 5/6)
• $30 - Sacramental Levy (For all children in a Sacramental year)

($50 of the Building & Maintenance Charge can be rebated back for all families when they attend 1 working bee)

2021 Prep Orientation Program

Last week we took the exciting first step in transitioning our littlest students into school as Preps in 2021 with our annual Information Night, this year held via Zoom. It was an exciting event highlighted by lots of smiling faces all eager to learn more about what it means to part of our great learning community.

But the fun isn't over! Below is an outline of the key dates and events of the upcoming Transition Program that we are able to confirm under the current Covid restrictions. New and existing families of students starting school next year should please note the following:

Two in-school orientation days

• Friday 13th November
• Friday 20th November

Parent Information Night #2

• Tuesday 8th December 7:00pm (on Zoom)

Meet your class & teacher meeting

• Thursday 10th December 10:30am (Zoom meeting) 

St Kevin's hats available at the Office

Great News!!

We have stock of our St Kevin's microfibre adjustable hats in stock in the Office. There are two sizes available, S/M and L/XL $15.00 each.

Payment can be made by credit card over the phone directly to the Office or you may send $15 in a sealed envelope with your child to school. 

Remember, Term 1 and Term 4 requires all children to wear a hat outside at all times.

Birthdays Galore!!

September

22nd Joseph 5/6 DA

23rd Tynilyia 5/6 ME, Shawn 5/6 BU

24th Tahlia 5/6 MB, Jaidah 1/2 HE, Kiara 1/2 LO, Dulavin 3/4 MG

25th Jaiden 3/4 TI

26th Rhea 3/4 MG, Akasha PCA, Matapaesi PCA

27th Zoe 3/4 DM, Stanley 5/6 AD

28th Marc Achilles 3/4 PE, Gurneet 1/2 HE, Keisha 5/6 BU, Keyana 1/2 HE

30th Charlie 3/4 PE

October

1st Micaela 5/6 DA, Linuki 3/4 PE

2rd Alpha 3/4 TI

3rd Suganthan 1/2 RO

4th Lilly 1/2 LO, Rayan 1/2 SC, Dihein 3/4 PE, Nearra 3/4 FO

5th Jason 5/6 GA, Aiden PAT

6th Ava 3/4 FO

7th Malar 5/6 BU, Pearly 1/2 LO, cody 5/6 AD

9th Jerome 1/2 LO

11th Elly PKK

12th Amberlee 1/2 HE

13th Ayden 1/2 HE, Kacy PKK, Leon PCA

14th Mariane 5/6 MB, Letitia PKK

15th Alexander PDE, Zoe PKK

16th Nathan 3/4 PE

17th Jolene 5/6 GA, Ira PAT, Chantelle 5/6 AD, Aria PAT

18th Isabella 1/2 SC

19th Manci 5/6 DA, Leila 1/2 SC

21st Sharika 1/2AL

22nd Casey 1/2 RO

23rd Nicole 1/2 HE, Shakeena 5/6 GA

24th Hayden 1/2 HE, Ekamjot 3/4 MG

27th Christiano PCA

28th Abill 1/2 RO, Peter 3/4 MG

30th Sofia 1/2 HE, Krystal 5/6 BU

31st Shanaya 5/6 GA, Thanesha 5/6 ME

November

1st Saket 1/2FE

2nd 1/2 SC

3rd Xavier 5/6 DA, Arshpreet 1/2 AL, Jordan 3/4 BR

4th Timothy PAT, Darlice PKK

6th Gabriel 1/2 RO, Kacy 5/6 DA

7th Georgia 5/6 DA

8th Shiny 5/6 GA, Aluel 5/6 MB, Bernardino 5/6 MB

Camp Australia Activities

St John's Transition to Secondary School

Beleza Stores reopening & VIP Sale

Do you need help with transport to/from school?