No 1. Term 1 Week 1, 2nd February 2024

Principal News

Dear St. Kevin's School Community,

I hope this message finds you in good spirits as we embark on another exciting academic journey at St. Kevin's School. Whether you're a returning member of our cherished community or a new face joining us for the first time, I extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to each one of you.

As we gather to commence this school year, it's essential to embrace the spirit of new beginnings. The start of a school year is like the turning of a page, offering fresh opportunities for learning, growth, and personal development. Just as the dawn of a new day brings with it a burst of possibilities, so does the commencement of a school year hold the promise of uncharted adventures and discoveries.

To our new students and staff, a special welcome awaits you! St. Kevin's is not just a school; it is a vibrant community that thrives on the richness of diverse backgrounds and experiences. As we come together, we celebrate the kaleidoscope of ethnic, cultural, and linguistic influences that make our community truly unique. Your presence adds immeasurable value to the tapestry of St. Kevin's, and we look forward to learning and growing with you.

Let us remember that, in the journey of education and life, struggles are not obstacles but stepping stones to progress. The challenges we face, both in and out of the classroom, are opportunities for resilience, perseverance, and ultimately, triumph. It is through facing these challenges that we truly learn, and it is in overcoming them that we find the strength to reach our full potential.

At St. Kevin's, our focus on teaching and learning is not just about academic excellence but also about nurturing the whole person. We strive to create an inclusive, safe, and respectful environment where everyone can experience success. Together, as a community, we support one another, recognising the dignity of each person and fostering a culture of learning that goes beyond the confines of textbooks.

As we set forth on this new academic year, let us embrace the journey ahead with open hearts and minds. Let us cherish the moments of growth, celebrate our successes, and learn from our challenges. St. Kevin's is not just a school; it is a place where faith, compassion, and love guide us in our pursuit of knowledge and understanding.

May this school year be filled with joy, discovery, and meaningful connections. I look forward to sharing in the excitement of learning and growing with each and every one of you.

Wishing you all a fantastic start to the school year! God bless.

Jason Micallef,
Principal

Mass to open the school year

Families are invited to join us at our Mass to open the school year on Friday February 9 at 11:45 am in the church.

Hello from Andrew

Hello Everyone, my name is Andrew Butler and I am the newly appointed Deputy Principal  - Operations and Community Engagement here at St Kevin's. I am extremely excited to be here and I am just beginning to get to know all the staff, students and families. It’s been an amazing start! This is my 35th year in Catholic Education, yet time flies past so quickly I actually surprised myself by this fact! However, just like our wonderful students here at St Kevin's I am a lifelong learner and look forward to getting to know you all as part of the 'St Kevin’s family'. I’ll be supporting our school community in lots of ways so please get involved in our community events and connections this year to support your child’s faith, learning and wellbeing. Please come up and say hello; I’d love to meet you.

Yours in faith,

Andrew

Welcome to all our new staff

We are excited to welcome our new team members to the school community. They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will enrich the educational experience for our students. Please join us in giving them a warm and supportive introduction as they start their new journey with us.

We also welcome back four familiar faces. Alanna Eades, Amber McGookin, Elizabeth Daniel, and Coralee Brobyn who took time off in 2023 to look after their families, but we are excited to see them return to their St. Kevin's family.

Celebrating a New Beginning!

It is our absolute pleasure to share some wonderful news that has brought warmth and happiness to our St. Kevin's family over the summer holidays.

Our cherished school leader, Belinda Rowlands welcomed a beautiful baby boy, Archie Ralph into her family. We know that Archie is already bringing immense joy, love, and blessings to Belinda and her family and can't wait for the day Archie comes to meet his St. Kevin's family. 

New Bike Track at St. Kevin's!

Over summer, we crafted a fantastic bike track adjacent to the oval. Complete with a roundabout, zebra crossing, and give-way zones, it's a perfect spot for kids to practice riding skills when our Bike-Ed program kicks off later this year. Shaded seating among trees adds some comfort to those that want to take in the view. Get ready for an active and joyful school year at St. Kevin's!

Weekly Gospel Reflection

Gospel Reflection: Mark 1:21-28

This week's gospel takes us to the synagogue in Capernaum, where Jesus astonishes the crowd with his authoritative teaching. In Mark 1:21-28, we witness the transformative power of Jesus' words, as he casts out an unclean spirit.

Jesus, the embodiment of truth and grace, speaks with authority, captivating the audience. Suddenly, a man with an unclean spirit confronts him. With a simple command, Jesus frees the man from the grip of darkness, leaving the onlookers amazed.

In our lives, we encounter challenges that may seem overwhelming. Like the possessed man, we sometimes grapple with inner struggles. Jesus' authority offers solace; his words have the power to bring liberation and healing. As a community, let's reflect on how we can embody this compassionate authority in our interactions.

When discussing the gospel's message with children, explore together how Jesus' authority can inspire confidence and resilience in their daily lives. Share personal stories of overcoming challenges through faith, fostering a connection between the gospel and their experiences.

In embracing the gospel, we are called to reflect Christ's compassionate authority, bringing light to the darkest corners of our lives.

Important Term 1 Sacrament Dates

Tuesday, February 6 - Sacrament Commitment Mass and Registration Families of any student intending to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharist or Confirmation this year, are asked to attend this important event. Registration commences at 6:30pm and Mass commences at 7pm.

Tuesday, February 20 - Eucharist Formation Night Families of students in Year 3 or 4 intending to receive the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist for the first time need to attend this evening at 7pm at the school.

Tuesday, February 27 - Confirmation Formation Night Families of students in Year 6 intending to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation need to attend this evening at 7pm at the school.

Tuesday, March 12 - Sacrament of Reconciliation Sacramental celebration for Year 3 students at 7pm in the church.

Dropping Off and Pick-Up Procedures

Morning Drop Off

Time: 8:45 am onwards for all students.

Parking: Parents may park in the main car park and walk their children into the school gates.

Kiss and go: Parents may drive into the roundabout drive-through and drop children off in front of the church.

After School Pick Up

Time: School ends for all students at 3:20 pm

Parking: Parents may park in the main car park and walk into the school to collect their child.

Drive-by: No drive-by is available to pick children up.

How to be safe and reduce congestion in the car park after school

Hot Tips!

• Front Carpark: Parents are to park their cars in the allocated parking spots and escort their child/ren to their cars, using the crossing in front of the office. 
• Parish house: It is not a drop-off or collection area EXCEPT for Community buses.  Drop-off and collection or parking behind the parish house are not permitted. 
• Exiting on Edey’s Run: One of the biggest causes of traffic congestion in the car park is when cars bank up on Edey’s Run as people wait for a chance to turn onto Hallam Road. To avoid this, we ask that all families turn right onto Edey’s Run when the supervising teacher directs them to. This will ensure traffic continues to flow and eliminate congestion.

To get back to Hallam Road after exiting the car park – Turn right onto Edey’s Run. Continue to the roundabout at the end of the road and turn left onto Coral Drive. Continue on Coral Drive until you reach the traffic light intersection at Hallam Road.

You can collect your children from the following locations:

• Outside the hall - Prep, One and Two children WITHOUT brothers and sisters at the school 
• Undercover outside the library - Three, Four, Five and Six children WITHOUT brothers and sisters
• Outside the 3/4 area - Children with siblings (all grades)

Student Wellbeing

Safer Internet Day

Tuesday 6th February 2024

We have seen an increase in the number of students who are using online applications, particularly outside of school for connecting with peers, communicating, gaming and researching. 

The online space offers a range of highly engaging opportunities for people of all ages. For many of us as teachers and parents, there are opportunities and applications we could not have dreamed of in our own childhoods.

While the expansion of online applications has made our lives easier in many ways, the online space remains one of the most dangerous places for our young people if they are not guided, supported and supervised. 

Students have the opportunity to engage with and learn about how to conduct themselves online as part of our curriculum at school. This year we are again engaging with the eSmart program, a very valuable resource recently made free to all schools through the Victorian government. 

However, what our young people do online outside of school remains an area in which most schools and teachers have very little influence, even when a good curriculum is in place. Sadly, we are increasingly seeing the consequences of these online interactions impact on the wellbeing of individual students and on the relationships they have with their peers, often carrying over into school. This brings consequences for the overall wellbeing of students, their ability to focus and make the most of learning opportunities at school and has long term implications for how friendships unfold. 

The role of parents in supporting, guiding and monitoring time and the kinds of interactions children are having online cannot be overstated. We ask you to consider the statistics below which are referenced at https://www.esafety.gov.au/newsroom/whats-on/safer-internet-day.

Below are links to two flyers that you can use to guide you through discussions around online safety with the members of your family. 

If you are interested in more information about online safety, Mrs Louise Broadhurst will be available for our first ‘Cuppa and Conversation’ for 2024 on Wednesday 7th February in our Welcome Centre. 

Community

School Advisory Committee (SAC)

The School Advisory Committee (SAC) is an important group made up of representatives from the school, parish and parent community. The SAC meets up to twice per term in the evening to discuss key aspects of school life and provide advice to the Principal. Being a SAC member is also a great way for parents to learn more about how our school operates and how decisions are made. 

As you may have noticed from the photos, we have an opening for another parent to join this important team. If you are interested or would like to know more, please contact Mr. Micallef principal@skhamptonpark.catholic.edu.au. 

Introducing our current SAC members

Parents & Friends Association

The Parents and Friends Association is an essential group of parents working together to make our school a better place. The PFA has two main jobs - Fundraising and Friend raising! 

If you are interested in helping us establish this amazing team for 2025, please contact Andrew Butler or join our Facebook Group.

Whether you can contribute a little or a lot is no problem and all are welcome!

abutler@skhamptonpark.catholic.edu.au

Pancake Parlour School Rewards

Thank you for participating in our 2024 Pancake Parlour School Rewards program! Over 120 schools across Melbourne competed for cash prizes and we have some amazing news!

 We are thrilled to let you know that St Kevin’s Hampton Park Primary School has claimed 3rd prize for 2024, earning St Kevin’s  an incredible $1,000! On top of that we have also claimed the Fountain Gate minor league prize of $1,000. So that’s a total of $2,000 for our school! The funds will be used for our playgrounds and play equipment for the students.

Thanks again for all your support in 2024 and let’s keep up the momentum in 2025. We will register again for this year.

We are so excited about our prize money. We couldn’t have done it without you. If you order at the Pancake Parlour simply ask for the points from your purchase to go towards St Kevin's Hampton Park rewards.

Second Hand Uniform Shop

The Second Hand Uniform shop (adjoining the Welcome Centre) will be open each Tuesday morning before school and Friday afternoon after school. 

Lunch Box reminders

In this short video, Mrs de Reus shares with us how to pack a lunch box to ensure children have all the nourishment they need for a full day of learning and play.

A reminder about birthday celebrations

At St. Kevin’s we like to celebrate many special occasions, such as birthdays.

If you choose to bring in a treat, we ask that you only provide 1 small treat per child. These treats will be taken home for your child to enjoy.

Please do not provide BIRTHDAY CAKES that need to be cut OR lolly bags filled with treats! Please advise your classroom teacher a few days before the special occasion. 

Party Invites: if you are hosting a birthday party and are inviting students from school, please give the teacher the invites to hand out.

Remember: A treat is NOT an expectation! 

Canteen Open!

The canteen is back for 2024 and operates every Thursday and Friday. Lunches can only be purchased by pre-ordering through the Qkr! App.

Orders need to be placed by 8.50 am to ensure your order is in before the cut off time.

When you place the order, please make sure you enter your child's correct 2024 class or they may not get their order. 

See below for instructions on how to order.

Our School's Mobile Phone App

SZ App is our primary means of communicating with families for those day-to-day reminders and other pieces of information that need to communicate quickly and efficiently. 

It is crucial that all families have the app installed on all of their mobile devices.

If you do not have the app installed on your mobile devices and need help to do so, please contact the office on 9709 8600 for support.

A couple of handy tips:

- After downloading the App to search for our school, type in Hampton Park instead of our school name.

- When asked to enter the four-digit passcode, type in 4248.

St. Kevin's Facebook Page  

The St. Kevin's Facebook Page is just another way we can all keep in touch. We'll share important news, fun and interesting articles, and links to important community services. As well, we can share photos and videos that will hopefully make you smile. You can even post comments or ask questions. Like or follow our page at...

https://www.facebook.com/StKevinsPS

Student Absences

When a child is absent, parents may either call the school before 9:15 am on the day of absence, complete an absent form on SZ app, email the classroom teacher, or provide a note to the classroom teacher when the child returns to school.  A reason for the child’s absence is always required. 

Out of School Hours Care

Camp Australia provides care for St. Kevin’s Children before school and after school in our hall.

If your family requires this kind of care for your children, Camp Australia has a very simple booking structure that ensures the best family experience, whilst also providing flexibility to suit most schedules.

You have access to two different booking options, each at the same enrolment fee that is currently in place:  

• Recurring – families with a regular schedule.
• Casual – for families who have changing schedules, or only need care every so often.

Details of all fees, terms and conditions are available at www.campaustralia.com.au