No 16. Term 3 Week 9, 9th September 2022
Principal's News
Well what a week it has been. No doubt the biggest highlight has been the School Performance held over two nights at Rivergum Performing Arts Centre. Whilst I am deeply saddened that my health prevented me from attending, I am grateful for our extraordinary staff who kept me in the loop and included me as much as I was able to.
Enough about me though. The real stars as always are our students who shone brightly with their enthusiasm and flair. From the photos I saw of their families in the audience and the look on your faces and the comments left on our Facebook Page, it was clear that the students succeeded in providing you all with some very dear and cherished memories.
A famous and much loved educator by the name of Sir Ken Robinson (RIP), who happens to be a hero of mine, once said that our job is to "waken them up to what they have inside of themselves". Thanks to the likes of other amazing educators like our very own staff and especially Mrs Rosie Szabo our Performing Arts teacher, I think the opportunities to do this are alive and well at St. Kevin's and the Around the World in a Night performance was a great example of how.
Thank you too, to you the families for your support, patience and understanding as we worked through the finer details about ticketing, costumes, makeup and everything else. We are especially grateful for your understanding over the limited tickets available. As a special thank you and consolation, we are making available a professionally recorded video to all families, FREE of charge so that you can relive the event with your wider families and friends. As soon as this is available we will let you know how you can download your copy.
To finish off, I just want to say thank you for the well wishes I have received while recovering at home. I am feeling a little better each day and look forward to being back at school with my St. Kevin's family next week.
God bless.
Jason Micallef,
Principal
Around the World in a Night
Early School Pickups
We ask that families not choose to collect children early from school unless it is absolutely necessary. The process for notifying and organising students can put the office under significant strain when a number of children are leaving and is disruptive to their learning and classroom operations. It is especially difficult on Friday afternoons during assembly when we sometimes need to work very hard to keep children focused and attentive.
Where early pickups are necessary, we ask that parents make contact with teachers before hand so that all arrangements can be made to limit any potential disruption.
Thanks for your cooperation in this.
Congratulations Mrs Eades
Alanna and Jack Eades happily introduce our community to the newest member of their family. Elliot William Eades was born on the 6th of September, weight 3.06kg and 48cm long. Very happy and healthy baby. Jack and Alanna are doing well and already at home enjoying time with Elliot.
We look forward to meeting and welcoming Elliot to his St.Kevin's family very soon.
School Improvement Survey
Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys (MACSSIS)
Throughout each year, we pause to listen to our students, families and staff to gauge how our learning community is travelling. This feedback is invaluable to our progress as effective school communities.
In 2022, students, families and staff are invited to participate in MACSSIS via our secure and purpose-built online platform. You will have received an email around Monday August 29 inviting you to participate. This email contains the weblink and your personalised pin number. So far we have had 13.7% of families respond. In order for the results to be analysed effectively we need at least 30% of families to respond.
Access to the survey ends on Friday 16th September so we ask that you complete the survey before the end of Term 3.
Our community’s opinions are critical to understanding how our school is performing – MACSSIS is a key data source for guiding the ongoing work to improve our school.
If you would like more information, please contact the school.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Book Fair thank you
A very big thank you for all of the support of the Book Fair last week. The children really enjoyed the Book Fair and it was wonderful seeing them excited about books.
Father's Day Stall thank you
We hope all our dads and father figures enjoyed the carefully chosen gifts from our Father's Day Stall. A huge thank you to the mums who came in to run this: Ayk, Kim, Caryn, Kathryn, Nancy, Koreti and Rozanne. With your assistance setting up, selling and packing up, we will have raised a great amount of money. We look forward to sharing just how much in our next newsletter.
End of Term 3
TERM 3 ENDS
THURSDAY
15th SEPTEMBER
at 2.30pm
TERM 4 COMMENCES
MONDAY
3rd OCTOBER
Footy Colours Day
A message from CECV
On behalf of the Directors of Catholic Education in Victoria, please find below a link to an important letter requesting support from families in the lead up the Victorian State Elections.
R U OK? Day
R U OK? Day is celebrated on the 9th of September this year. R U OK?Day is our national day of action dedicated to reminding everyone that every day is the day to ask, “are you OK?” and support those struggling with life's ups and downs. This day is meant to bring awareness to the prevention of harm as it encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times in their lives.
Their tagline is ‘A conversation could change a life’ because having a meaningful conversation can help people through difficult times in their lives.
R U OK?’s research has shown that conversations can make a difference when someone is struggling. It’s better to ask than not ask. They help people feel more connected, supported and better about themselves and their situation.
Young people are more likely to speak to their friends and family first. That's why it's important that everyone is prepared and knows what to do if they are worried about someone. The support of friends, family and teammates can help prevent small things becoming a bigger issues.
R U OK? Day draws focus on building the motivation, confidence, and skills of the help-giver – the person who can have a meaningful conversation with someone who is struggling with life, sometimes this means having a conversation with a professional or asking someone else to help you support someone close to you.
Here is a link to some additional resources and information.
Colour Fun Run
We’re off and fundraising for our Colour Fun Run to be held Monday October 10!
We’ve had a promising start, raising $4000 in just over a week! Thank you to everyone who has already contributed. There’s still a long way to go, so I hope the rest of you will consider creating your online profile at schoolfunrun.com.au. Create it today to help your class win the competition to run first on the day.