No 10. Term 2, Week 9, 16th June 2021

Principal News

Quick! Think of a successful person. Someone who is really good at what they do. 

Now, in a word or phrase, tell me why that person has been so successful. What makes them so good? Obviously, I can’t hear your answer. But I’d be willing to wager that it had something to do with innate ability.  “He’s so brilliant.”, “She’s a genius.”, “He’s a natural leader.” 

These are the kinds of answers we tend to give when asked why certain individuals have enjoyed so much success. Pro athletes, tech whizzes, bold entrepreneurs, accomplished musicians, gifted writers: We marvel at their extraordinary aptitude, assuming they must have won the DNA lottery to be so good at what they do.

Deep down, many of us believe that the key ingredient to success is innate ability. So naturally, we try to stick to doing the things that come easily to us, while avoiding wasting time and energy on the things that don’t. (How many times have you heard someone say “I’m just not a math person”?  How many times have you said it?) 

This would all be fine, if success really was all about innate ability. But it isn’t. It isn’t even mostly about innate ability.

When studying achievement, as educators are required to do, one of the first things you learn is that measures of “ability” (like IQ) do a shockingly poor job of predicting future success.  So, what does predict success? Research tells us that strategies like being committed, recognizing temptations, planning ahead, monitoring your progress, persisting when the going gets tough, making an effort and perhaps most importantly believing you can improve, make all the difference between success and failure.

People who believe that their skills and abilities can grow not only succeed more, but they also enjoy their work more, cope more effectively with challenges and experience less anxiety and depression.

So, with your child's Mid-Year Report being made available in the next week, encourage your child to think back to that age-old story of the ‘Little engine that could’ and say ‘I think I can, I think I can.’ Be committed, make a plan, put in the effort and believe, and you’ll see just how far they can go.

God bless,

Jason Micallef,
Principal

CoVid-19 Update

The current state of the pandemic continues to feature as a prominent factor that dictates what we can and cannot do within and beyond our school. As always, the health and safety of our children and staff remains our number 1 priority and we maintain a conservative and 'safest' option when considering strategies to reduce the chance of virus transmission.

At present, we are expecting news from Catholic Education Victoria after the latest announcements from our Acting Premier about what the easing of restrictions means for St. Kevin's. This information, once available, will help us to know what needs to be in place for certain events to take place before the end of term. Perhaps the two most significant events are our Year 3/4 excursion to the Museum this Friday and the Year 5/6 Camp next Wednesday - Friday. 

Whatever direction we are required to take, we will be sure to communicate information via the SZ-App as soon as we can and ask families to keep a close eye on alerts that came through to your phone so that you are informed and up to date.

In the meantime, we thank all our families for your support and cooperation by following such guidelines as wearing masks, not entering classrooms buildings and signing in through the office.

Parents & Friends Bunnings BBQ

Wow, the PFA are blown away with the support of their Bunnings BBQ this past Sunday. This successful day has raised a profit of $1882, which will go towards our playground redevelopment! However, it would not have happened without the support of a number of people:

• An extra special thanks goes out to our two Captains who oversaw the smooth running of the day - Warren and Nichola, we couldn’t have done it without you!
• We thank the following families for their generosity in volunteering their time to help run the Bunnings BBQ on Sunday as well as assisting with some organisation before the event: Arun, Luna, Dupont, Mariyathasan, Rulach, Wijeyesakere, Sale, Barlow, Mendis, Eyssens,  Mendis, Attard, Savea-Passi, Guevarra, Fernando, Hong, Figura, Dhaliwal, Jawad, Weeraratne, Shan, Martin, Heeraman, Lemalu, Egodawatta, Faron, Solo, Dizon, Betsy, Barath, Keertige. 
• Woolworths at Hampton Park who generously donated $100 towards the purchase of supplies.
• Our community was also incredibly supportive, with many families coming along to purchase a sausage and drink. 
• The many donations made over and above the purchase prices - thank you!

We look forward to this becoming an annual event.

We are also pleased to provide an update on our Mother’s Day Stall, which has raised a profit of $1151 and the raffle which raised $786. Thanks again to our tireless PFA volunteers for the effort that went into these events. You too, can become involved. Keep an eye out for our future meeting dates.

AVAILABLE FROM THE OFFICE NOW!

St. Kevin's Beanie $12

St. Kevin's Scarf $18

First Eucharist Family Workshop

It was wonderful to be able to share some time together online last night during our First Eucharist Family Workshops. Facilitated by Michele, a Presentation nun, the children and their parents worked through some reflective conversations about the meaning and purpose behind this Holy Sacrament. We would like to thank our two groups who managed to ensure they could be online on time and participate as enthusistically as they did.

Celebrating Birthdays

JUNE

16th   Bien PDE, Jewels 3/4 MG, Syd 5/6 MB

17th   Orion 1/2 LO

18th   Matthias PDE

19th   Amelia 1/2 FE, Danial 1/2 RO, Abigail 1/2 HE

20th   Taylen 3/4 BB, Willis 1/2 AL

22nd   Annamaria 5/6 SP

23rd   Hazel 3/4 BB, Haya 5/6 BU

24th   Kade PCA, Maxwell 5/6 ME

25th   Evelyn 1/2 RO, Seth 3/4 FO, Rayan PCA

26th   Mason 3/4 DM

Holiday Birthdays

28th   Keeratjot 5/6 DA, Emmanuel PEA, Delwin 3/4 TI

29th   Koway 5/6 MB. Juliana PEA

30th   Kiara 3/4 FO, Tyrese 3/4 PE

July

2nd   Rehat PCA, Samuel 5/6 ME, Beatrice 1/2 AL

4th   Shayne 1/2 AL

5th   Amelia 1/2 RO, Kenan 5/6 SP, John-Benson 3/4 FO

6th   Jasmine 1/2 RO

7th   Aurora PKK, Keith 3/4 FO, Charles 5/6 BU, Avah 1/2 HE

8th   Macey 1/2 FE

9th   Aaliyah 1/2 AL

10th   Louvic 5/6 BU

New Interactive TVs!

The 1/2 and 5/6 teachers and students have been very excited to receive 10 new state of the art interactive TVs.  We are really excited with these new additions and know they will bring lots of great opportunities for learning in a fun and engaging way.

Monash University Family Fiesta

Attention all families, mid-year school holidays just got better, because Monash University Performing Arts Centres is back with Family Fiesta!

An annual festival of literature, music and theatre from June 30 to July 3 for all kids aged 0-12 years and their families.

Get involved in workshops, activities and concerts featuring some of Australia’s leading children’s authors, theatre companies, musicians and so much more. Plus free events, free babyccinos, a kids menu, plenty of parking and so much more.

Check out the full program and book now:

https://www.monash.edu/performing-arts-centres/whats-on/mlive/?tab=family-fiesta

Australian Girls Choir Open Day Saturday 19th June

Transport Assistance