Vision, Mission, Values
Vision
St Emilie’s Catholic Primary School’s vision is to promote life-long learning, in a safe, nurturing and Christ-centred environment.
Mission
Our mission is to courageously inspire and support children to grow, as confident critical thinkers, and collaborative and creative learners who are well equipped to relate to an ever-changing world.
Values
We respect ourselves and each other
We strive for excellence
We build well-being
We create a safe environment
From The Principal
Dear Families,
For those of you who were able to join in during one of the three celebrations last week for First Holy Communion, I am sure you will all agree that they were very sacred and special moments.
These special moments where families from our school are able to join in as part of the parish are beautiful and to be cherished. The St Emilie de Vialar Parish is a very healthy, thriving and active parish and to see children who attended catechist classes as well as the children from the school come together was very symbolic of the unity between school and parish.
As always, Father Jean Noel, our community leader in the Catholic faith found a beautiful balance between sharing the word of God, where everyone in attendance could relate to, while weaving in his wonderful sense of hope, optimism and humour. Listening to Father Jean Noel is inspiring. We are so blessed to have him leading our Catholic community.
To the children who celebrated their First Holy Communion on the weekend, we say congratulations. Holy Communion is a Sacrament that you will take with you on your life’s journey by receiving the spiritual nourishment that the Eucharist provides.
To all of the families, staff and catechists who ensured the celebrations ran so smoothly and that the children were prepared and supported, we say a huge ‘thank you’.
Things are very much heating up in the St Emilie’s Footy Tipping Competition with the top five only separated by three points going into the final round. Given the closeness of this year’s AFL season, the competition is still very much anyone’s to win in the inaugural year. To those families who have joined the competition this year, we thank you for your support.
Literacy Week
This week at St Emilie’s we celebrate Children’s Book Week. The theme for Children’s Book Week in 2024 is ‘Reading Is Magic’. Being a staff member at our beautiful school and also a father to three amazing children, I have always loved watching how children can be transported by the power of a book. Currently, at my house, the book of choice is The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child, and the consistent repetition and narrative structure of the stories are essential for our little children to be exposed to in their formative years.
At St Emilie’s, we are so blessed to have an amazing Library that our children visit weekly. While we know the power of technology, for me personally, nothing beats a good paper copy of a book to let the imagination run wild. This is a balance I would imagine many of us must strive to achieve.
This week on Tuesday, the children will be participating in an incursion as well as a Book Week Parade. Please see the information below for further details about the parade.
For more information on Children’s Book Week, please visit the website https://cbca.org.au/
Book Week Parade
On Tuesday 27th August, children are welcome to dress up as a character from their favourite book. This year, our children will be treating the community to a Book Week Parade in the morning and all parents and carers are encouraged to stay for a few minutes after drop-off so that the children can show off their costumes.
At 8:40am, all children from Pre Primary to Year Six will make their way to the Undercover Area. Parents and Carers, we invite you to gather here initially and once all of the children arrive, you will be invited to spread out along the parade route which will be indicated by bollards. We ask that you please stay behind the bollards for the parade.
The children will then be sent off in their year groups to walk around the parade route and show off their costumes. The older children will then move to their Book Week incursion.
This week, we have spoken to the children about the fact that Book Week dress-ups do not have to be expensive! Where possible and as best you can, we encourage all children to try and create their costumes out of household goods! Get creative! The Book Week Parade promises to be a lot of fun!
Family Breakfast
This Friday 30th August, our community will gather for our Annual Family Breakfast. Orders for breakfast have now officially closed and we will be unable to take any further orders.
We look forward to welcoming those who are joining for Family breakfast in the Undercover Area for a chance to catch up over a cuppa.
Year One Assembly
Please feel free to stay behind after Family breakfast to watch as our Year One children engage the community with their assembly. All are welcome. Please note that due to Family Breakfast, there will be no morning tea after assembly.
Dance Troupe Performance
Our School Dance Troupe are ready to rock! This Thursday evening, this very talented group of boys and girls from our senior years will be heading to Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre and under the guidance of Miss Fallo and Mrs Green will be sharing their dace item. We wish all of the dancers all the very best on the night. We look forward to the Dance Troup sharing their talent with us as a community on Monday 16th September for our Performing Ars Assembly
School Choir
Our School Choir dazzled the audience with two songs performed live at the Vasto Club in Balcatta earlier this week. The St Emilie’s School Choir is open to everyone who is interested and the children represented our school with beautiful grace and energy on a very cold Monday morning last week. Well done boys and girls and to Mr Dabbs. We are proud of you.
School Band – Shield Play Off
In exciting news, our School Band has been invited to perform for a shield play-off this coming Friday afternoon. We wish all of the boys and girls all the very best as they get the opportunity to perform yet again for a panel of adjudicators at Trinity College.
Friday School Lunches
We are very pleased to share that Jamaica Blue in Livingston will now be providing lunches for children to order on Fridays if they wish. It has been a pleasure planning this opportunity with Jamaica Blue who are very excited to be partnering with the school. Further information on how to order school lunches can be found on the school website using this link https://stemiliescps.wa.edu.au/parents/school-lunch-orders/
Children Who Are Unwell
T’is the season for germs to spread! This week across the school we noticed a higher number of absences of children who needed to be away from school as they were unwell. This is a good chance for us to remind parents and carers that if your child is unwell, the best place for them to be is at home to recover. Children who come to school unwell find it difficult to engage fully with the demands of the school day.
If your child is unwell, has an overly runny nose, a fever or a bad cough, we ask that your child stay at home to rest and to contain the spread of germs to others in the community. It is timely for us all to remind our children about the importance of proper hygiene practices such as handwashing to contain the spread of germs at this time also.
Spirit of The Arts
The Spirit of the Arts festival is once again back in 2024. The Spirit of the Arts Festival brings together children from Catholic schools across the state to participate in an uplifting and inclusive celebration of the arts.
St Emilie’s will once again be represented by our Choir, Christian Dance Troupe, Dance Troupe and Rock Band.
Venues, dates and times for the items still to come, can be found below:
Dance Troupe: Thursday 29th August 6.30pm to 9.30pm at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
Tickets can be purchased from the 31st July. Ticketek on 132 849 or https://premier.ticketek.com.au
Staff Profiles
Over the course of the year, we have been sharing Staff Profiles of staff from our school. This week, we share with you the Staff Profile of Mrs Rebecca Catchpole. Mrs Catchpole currently works with our Pre Primary children as well as in Learning Support at the school
P & F Meeting
All are invited to our next P & F Meeting which will take place on Wednesday 28th August at 8:45am. Please come to the Administration Office if you are interested in joining the meeting. All are welcome.
Chris Burns
Principal
Staff in the Spotlight
Mrs Catchpole
- Name
Rebecca Catchpole - Role @ St Emilie’s in 2024?
Pre-Primary Mathematics on a Monday, and Support in the Learning Hub. - Favourite part about being a staff member @ St. Emilie’s?
I love being a teacher and find it really rewarding to see the students achieve and succeed in their learning. I really like planning engaging activities for the students in my care. I feel lucky to be a staff member at St Emilie’s, everyone is so kind. - What makes St Emilie’s a great community to be a part of?
Every day when I arrive at St Emilie’s, there is a sense of happiness and warmth. All of the staff, students, parents, and wider community are welcoming, which creates a sense of belonging. - Favourite pastime/hobby?
I love being active, whether it’s a walk around the river or going to a boxing class. This year, I achieved a personal goal to run long distances, I am currently up to 10km. - Favourite food?
I love Italian and Japanese. - Favourite holiday spot?
I love going to Bali. - Favourite sport/team?
Essendon - What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead at St Emilie’s in 2024?
Continuing to see the students strive and grow in their learning. It is so nice when you see the students, as a class and individually achieve their learning and personal goals. - What does the school motto ‘Growing in Grace’ mean to you personally?
‘Growing in Grace’ to me means as a person is flourishing in our Catholic Community and showing these values in our actions and words. It also means to grow gracefully as a ‘person’, personally, and as a ‘learner’, academically.
Enrolments
IMPORTANT - Calling All Sibling Enrolments NOW
Interviews for Kindy students 2025, have begun last Term, it is imperative that we have any enrolment forms for Siblings that may be due to begin Kindy next year. Please ensure you have submitted the enrolment for your child as soon as possible.
An application for enrolment can be collected from Administration or by visiting the School Website.
If you have a child who will be going into Kindy in 2025 (born between 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021), please ensure you submit an Enrolment Form application to Administration.
URSTRONG
Be an Includer
Welcome back Ninjas – each Friday our student leaders share a short message with our Year Ones to Sixes. They love catching up with you on Fridays to talk about all things friendships and URSTRONG. Here is what our students have shared this week.
Perhaps at home there will be times you too as parents can use similar language and concepts.
Hi Ninjas!
We were wondering, how many ninja moments you can recall from the past week?
- Have you had fun with your friends?
- Have you felt that you could trust someone?
- Has someone shown respect to you?
- Have you felt happy?
We know that fun, trust, respect and happiness are really key features of healthy friendships.
It got us thinking though, have you ever felt a little bit lonely or sad and had someone ask you if you’d like to join in? If you can think of a time someone has included you, put your hands on your head.
Did you know, as humans, we are actually very social creatures. We are wired to work in groups and we naturally want to feel accepted. We all want to get along and belong, and this goes for children and adults too.
Sometimes though, we might feel left out. This might not mean that you are being excluded, but it might be a case of your friends not knowing how to include you in an existing game or conversation.
So today we want to talk to you about how you can “Be an Includer”
We are encouraging our students to BE INCLUDERS and trying a few of these tips!
Here are 3 quick and easy ways that you can all be includers.
- Introduce them – this is my friend Sarah. Sarah, this is Chloe.
- Ask and pass – you might remember this game. Ask and pass is like playing catch with someone. The conversation moves back and forth, just as a ball would.
- Explain what you are doing – we are playing hide and seek. Would you like to join?
Next time you see someone by themselves or a friend comes up to you during recess or lunch, see which one you can use – introduce them, ask and pass or explain what you are doing.
URSTRONG, has a strong message that we don’t all have to be friends but we do need to be friendly.
Key Calendar Dates
Family Breakfast
On Friday 30th August, join us for a morning of joy and togetherness at the annual St Emilie’s Family Breakfast!
Celebrate our wonderful community while relishing a delicious bacon and egg burger with tea, coffee or juice. The last day for orders was Wednesday 21st August.
We look forward to drawing our Prize draw on the day, a VIP Package at the House Athletics Carnival! Enjoy an exclusive parking spot, reserved trackside seating and, a food and beverage voucher for 4 people. The lucky winner will be drawn at the Family Breakfast.
We hope to see you there.
Parent Circle
Key Calendar Dates
Term Three 2024
Parents are encouraged to subscribe to our Calendar on our Website for the most up-to-date Calendar events.
Week Seven
Literacy Week – Book Week
Tuesday 27th August – 3pm to 4pm Homework Club
Tuesday 27th August – 8.45am Book Parade
Tuesday 27th August – Book Week Incursions
Wednesday 28th August – 8.45am P&F Meeting
Wednesday 28th August – Year Three Excursion
Wednesday 28th August – 3.20pm Staff Meeting
Thursday 29th August – 6.30pm to 9.30pm Dance Troupe @PCEC
Friday 30th August – 7.30am Family Breakfast
Friday 30th August – 8.45am Year One Assembly
Week Eight
Year One/Two Hand/Eye – all week
Tuesday 3rd September – 3pm to 4pm Homework Club
Wednesday 4th September – 4pm and 5.30pm – Confirmation Workshops
Wednesday 4th September- 6pm School Advisory Council Meeting
Thursday 5th September – Parent Circle
Thursday 5th September – 4pm Confirmation Workshop
Friday 6th September – 8.45am Pre-Primary Assembly
Friday 6th September – House Field Events Day (Year Four to Six)
Week Nine
Tuesday 10th September – 3pm to 4pm Homework Club
Tuesday 10th September – Book Fair Begins
Wednesday 11th September – 4pm to 6pm Open Classrooms
Thursday 12th September – R U OK Day
Thursday 12th September – Year Five Community Cup @ St Norbert College
Thursday 12th September – Book Fair Finishes
Thursday 12th September – St Emilie De Vialar Born
Thursday 12th September – de Vialar House Day
Friday 13th September – House Athletics Carnival
Week Ten
Monday 16th September – 8.45am Performing Arts Assembly
Wednesday 18th September – 9am Missions Mass
Wednesday 18th September – 3.20pm Staff Meeting
Friday 20th September – Footy Colours Day
Friday 20th September – Term Three Concludes
Term Four – Week One
Monday 7th October – Term Four Begins
Wednesday 9th October – Edudance
Thursday 10th October – Edudance
Thursday 10th October – Year Six Graduation Photo
Fruit of the Holy Spirit
Goodness
Goodness is virtue and holiness in action. It results in a life characterised by deeds motivated by righteousness and a desire to be a blessing. It’s a moral characteristic of a Spirit-filled person. The Greek word translated “goodness,” agathosune, is defined as “uprightness of heart and life.” Agathosune is goodness for the benefit of others.
Someone with goodness will selflessly act on behalf of others. Giving to the poor, providing for one’s children, visiting the sick, volunteering to clean up demonstrates goodness. Goodness is not a quality we can manufacture on our own. James 1:17 says, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” This certainly includes a life characterised by goodness. In letting the Holy Spirit control us, we are blessed with the fruit of goodness. As others see our good works, they will praise our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
Term Three
Weeks Six to Ten = Goodness
Week Seven: Choose to Do Good – Do the Right Thing
Week Eight: Goodness is Helping Others
Week Nine: Goodness is Acting with Integrity
Week Ten: Goodness is Being Honest and Truthful
Keyed Up Music
St Emilie’s partners with Key Up Music to offer after school Music lessons.
Keyed Up Music will be teaching guitar, keyboard, voice, violin, and drum lessons after school. Please head to the Keyed Up Music Tab on our Website for more information.
Attendance
Attendance Procedures
When your child/ren are absent from school please either email the teacher firstname.surname@cewa.edu.au and stemiliesadmin@cewa.edu.au
or
Use the Absentee Form on our Website.
It is a legal requirement for parents to contact the School regarding any student absences. Parents should email the teacher and include admin by 9.00am on the day of the absence with the following information:
- Full name of student
- Year group
- Reason for absence and expected length of absence
- Your name and relationship to the student
- Parents are required to inform the school if the absence is expected to be extended.
Absentee Long Term
It is a requirement for parents to complete the Leave of Absence – Notification Form when taking planned extended holidays during the term.
Parents are required to return the below form to Administration prior to the absence.
Leaving Early
1. While we understand it is difficult to make specialist appointments outside of school hours, we strongly encourage you to do so where possible.
2. Please ensure you are emailing the class teacher along with admin, if your child is going to be taken out of school early for an appointment.
Parent Reading
This week under the Parent Reading heading, we have included an article titled, ‘Getting Along With Siblings’ by Dr Justin Coulson.
Remember, some sibling conflict is normal and even healthy. It provides opportunities for children to learn important social and emotional skills. However, by addressing bullying behaviour early on and teaching healthy conflict resolution strategies, you can create a more peaceful and supportive environment for your children to thrive.
OSHC Newsletter
Wider Community
Communicare TERM THREE Events –
Please head the Communicare Website to see a variety of Parent Information Sessions/Workshops
The Term Three upcoming FREE parenting workshops include a variety of session, including:
- Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting
- Tuning in to Kids
- Raising Children in a Digital World
- Bringing up Great Kids after Family Violence
- Keeping Kids in Mind – for parents after separation
- Let’s Talk Teens
- Mindfulness and Self-Care
- Protective Behaviours – Thornlie
- Protective Behaviours – Onlinehttps://www.communicare.org.au/get-involved/events/
Ngala Parenting Line – funded by the WA state Government
The Parenting Line offers free telephone advice and support to parents and carers of children up to 18 years of age throughout Western Australia
Our team of qualified and friendly staff are on hand to offer information, strategies, reassurance and encouragement. They help parents and other professionals find the appropriate organisation or service to meet their need.
Hours of operation are 8am to 8pm, every day. The Parenting Line operates as a Call-back service.
Ways to Contact the Parenting Line:
By Telephone: 08 9368 9368 or 1800 111 546 leave a message with Switchboard or on the Answer machine.
By Website www.ngala.com.au fill in the online form.
