No 6. Term 2 Week 1, 19th April 2024

Principal's News

Dear St. Kevin's School Community,

Welcome back! I hope this message finds you and your families well-rested and ready for the exciting term ahead. As we embark on this new journey together, I am filled with anticipation and enthusiasm for the opportunities that await us.

The beginning of a term is always a special time—a chance to reconnect, set new goals, and embrace the joy of learning. Our school community thrives on the spirit of discovery and growth, and I am privileged to witness the dedication and resilience of our students and staff every day.

This term, I want to emphasise the importance of nurturing lifelong learners. At St. Kevin's, we believe that education goes beyond textbooks and tests; it's about instilling a passion for learning that extends far beyond the classroom. Our recent Grade 5/6 city camp is a perfect example of this. Over three enriching days, our students immersed themselves in the sights, sounds, and stories of our vibrant city. Their discoveries not only ignited a natural curiosity for our home city but also deepened their understanding of its history and culture.

Nurturing this sense of curiosity and exploration is at the heart of our teaching philosophy. We are committed to utilising the latest research in cognitive science to inform our teaching practices. By understanding how the human brain learns and what motivates our students, we can tailor our approaches to maximise engagement and retention. From incorporating explicit teaching, and rich experiences and embracing technology as a tool for discovery, we strive to create dynamic learning opportunities that inspire and empower our students.

As we re-commence our educational journey this term, I encourage you to remember the importance of collaboration and support. Parents, I invite you to partner with us in nurturing a love of learning in your children. Your involvement and encouragement make a world of difference.

I am excited to witness the achievements and milestones that this term will bring. Let us approach each day with enthusiasm and determination, guided by the Gospel values of compassion, justice, and love.

In closing, I extend my warmest wishes to each member of our St. Kevin's family for a successful and fulfilling term. Together, we will embrace the adventure of learning and strive to become the best versions of ourselves.

Yours in faith and education,

Jason Micallef,
Principal

Leadership & Managament

Mobile Phones & Smart Watches

We kindly remind all parents and guardians that it is not appropriate for students to have mobile phones or smartwatches in their possession during school hours. Should there be a requirement for students to have phones with them for specific reasons, such devices must be handed to teachers at the beginning of the day. Our staff will ensure they are safely stored and returned at the day's end.

Please understand that the school cannot assume responsibility for devices left unattended in bags or not handed to teachers. For urgent communications with your child during the day, our office staff will gladly assist by relaying important messages.

Thank you for your cooperation in maintaining a focused and safe learning environment for all our students.

Birthday Treats

We love celebrating birthdays at St. Kevin's and appreciate families who wish to share treats with classmates. However, we kindly ask that birthday treats be limited to one item per student. Please note that lolly bags and party favours are not appropriate for school celebrations. To ensure a smooth process, birthday treats will be distributed by the teacher at the end of the day. Students can then enjoy these treats after school hours.

Car Park

We would like to reinforce the importance of using our school carpark appropriately to ensure efficiency and safety for everyone.

After school, please be advised that there is absolutely no picking up allowed in the roundabout adjacent to the church. This area must remain clear at all times for traffic flow and emergency access.

Additionally, only vehicles displaying a valid disabled permit are permitted to park in the designated disabled carpark. We kindly ask that parents without this permit refrain from using these spaces.

Furthermore, the carpark behind the church (Parish House carpark) is strictly reserved for those with special permits. Parents who do not hold a special permit are not permitted to park in this area.

These expectations are crucial for maintaining safety and efficiency within our school community. Compliance with these requirements is non-negotiable.

Announcement: Retirement of Mrs. Bronwyn Langdon

It is with mixed emotions that we announce the retirement of Mrs. Bronwyn Langdon, who has dedicated an impressive 46 years to the teaching profession. Mrs. Langdon has been a valued member of the St. Kevin's team since 2006, contributing her expertise and passion to our school community.

Mrs. Langdon's commitment to education and her compassionate approach have left a lasting impact on countless students and colleagues over the years. Her dedication and hard work have truly enriched the educational experience at St. Kevin's.

Please join us in celebrating Mrs. Langdon's remarkable career as she enters her final weeks with us as our junior Physical Education teacher. Her last day in the role will be Friday May 10.

ANZAC DAY BADGES FOR SALE

Our student social justice leaders will be selling Anzac Day badges to students next Monday. Badges are also on sale from the school office for $2.00.

Education in Faith

This Week's Gospel Reflection

The Good Shepherd Sunday (Jn 10:11-18)

The fourth Sunday of Easter is also called Good Shepherd Sunday. This passage of Scripture offers a powerful metaphor for selflessness, love, and the importance of spiritual leadership.  As families, you can reflect on the following key elements of this week’s Gospel to gain a deeper appreciation for Jesus' message and teachings.

The Good Shepherd: Protection and Sacrifice

Jesus compares himself to a shepherd, contrasting himself with a hired hand. A shepherd  cares deeply for the sheep, willing to lay down their life to protect them from wolves (representing danger or evil).  In contrast, a hired hand cares only for getting paid and will abandon the sheep at the first sign of trouble.

Knowing the Sheep and Being Known

The good shepherd has a close relationship with the sheep. They know each other intimately, similar to the relationship between Jesus and God the Father. This deep understanding allows the shepherd to care for the individual needs of each sheep.

Universal Love and Unity

Jesus refers to having "other sheep" who are not yet part of his fold. This signifies his message of love and salvation extending beyond any one group.  His goal is to unite all the sheep under his care, creating "one flock, one shepherd."

Selfless Sacrifice and Divine Power

The core message is Jesus' willingness to sacrifice himself for his sheep. This sacrifice is not forced upon him; he chooses to lay down his life and take it up again, demonstrating his divine power over life and death.His act of love is the reason the Father loves him.

Ask yourselves the following questions to contemplate the key understandings of the Gospel of Good Shepherd Sunday and take action to make a positive change in your families and the community. 

• What conversion of mind, heart, and life is the Lord asking of me?
• How am I being called to lay down my life for others?
• How can I become a force for unity and peace in my family, staff and community?

Class Mass Roster

Did you know that our classes are rostered to attend parish masses on Tuesday mornings at 9:15? This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to participate in the life of our parish community.

Parents and guardians are warmly invited to join us for these uplifting and meaningful gatherings. Your presence not only supports our school but also enriches our parish community.

Please mark your calendars and consider joining us for the upcoming parish masses.

Learning & Teaching

Have you ever wondered how schools can ensure all students thrive? The answer lies partly in some amazing research from cognitive science!  This image highlights three practices that benefit all learners. By using these research-backed practices, St Kevin's creates a positive learning environment that benefits all students!

Celebrating the Grade 5/6 City Camp Adventures!

We are thrilled to share glimpses of the incredible experiences our Grade 5/6 students had during their recent three-day camp in the city. From exploring iconic landmarks to engaging in exciting activities, our students had an unforgettable time immersing themselves in urban adventures.

We are immensely proud of our students and grateful for the enriching memories they've created together. We must also recognise the incredible efforts of our staff and small group of parents: Alofa, Veronica, Damian, Gloria and Aurore who made this opportunity so successful for our students.

Let's relive the excitement of their city camp journey through these captivating snapshots!

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Legacy Student Day 

Some of our year 3/4 students represented St. Kevin's at an annual service for students to honour Australia’s brave servicemen and women. The service, which took place today at the Shrine of Remembrance, featured student guest speakers, school bands and choirs along with attendance by the Defence Force cadets.

Proudly supported by Melbourne Legacy’s patron, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria along with dignitaries and a RAAF fly-over.

After School Sport to start in Week 3!

We can't wait to start our after school sport program! From May 2nd onwards each Thursday afternoon from 3:40 pm to 4:40 pm. Taking place on the basketball court behind the Prep building, children will have the opportunity to learn from experienced basketball coaches and have fun learning new skills. To take part, families need to register their children. At the moment, the program is only being offered to children in Prep to Grade 4. See the information below:

Student Wellbeing

Community

Parents & Friends Association - Book Club

A friendly reminder that Scholastic Bookclub orders are due by Monday 6th May.

Please refer to the bookclub flyers that were sent home.

News from around the Neighbourhood

ANZAC Day Services

The City of Casey will support a number of Anzac Day services being held throughout the municipality to honour the occasion.  These events are organised by local community groups and proudly supported by Council.  

Thursday 25 April

Berwick
Berwick RSL will be hosting a march and service at 10:40 am 
Location: Berwick Cenotaph, High Street, Berwick

Cranbourne
Cranbourne/Dandenong RSL will be hosting a service at 6:00 am 
Location: Cenotaph Area, High Street, Cranbourne

Cranbourne
Cranbourne/Dandenong RSL will be hosting a march and service at 10:40 am 
Location: Cenotaph Area, High Street, Cranbourne            

Hampton Park
Hampton Park Progress Association Service will be hosting a service at 6:00 am 
Location: ANZAC Memorial, Arthur Wren Hall, 16-20 Stuart Avenue, Hampton Park

Narre Warren
Berwick RSL will be hosting a service at 6:00 am. Breakfast to follow. 
Location: Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick Northeast Drive, Narre Warren