Term Four Week One – Commencing Monday 7th October 2024

Dear Families,   

On behalf of the staff here at St. Emilie’s Catholic Primary School, I would like to officially welcome all families back to school for Term Four. 

We hope that you have made some special memories over the holiday break with your family and that your children are refreshed and recharged ready for Term Four which is always a busy one in the lead up to the end of the year.  

This term, in addition to our usual engaging and robust teaching and learning programs across the school, we look forward to celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation, children participating in Edu-Dance, various interschool sports carnivals, our school Colour Run organised by the St Emilie’s P & F as well as our end of year celebrations. 

We are now officially in the Noongar season of Kambarang which is traditionally when the warmer weather starts to roll in and the colours of the bush come alive. A reminder to please ensure that sun safe messages are being shared with your children and that they apply sun cream before coming to school and come with a full water bottle to school each day. 

This week, our community looks forward to a visit from the Sisters of St Joseph’s of the Apparition on Tuesday. The Sisters will visit St Emilie’s to tour classrooms and say hello to children and staff. It is vital for our staff to stay connected with the Sisters whose foundress was St Emilie De Vialar. The faith tradition of the Sisters and of St Emilie is the foundation for our school. 

We also ask that you keep the children, families, catechists and staff involved with the children who are celebrating Confirmation in your thoughts and prayers as they continue their preparations. 

Is your child returning to St Emilie’s in 2025?
As we draw closer to the end of the year, planning has commenced at the school for the commencement of the 2025 school year. If your child is not returning to St Emilie’s for the 2025 school year, can you please email the school Administration on stemiliesadmin@cewa.edu.au to notify the school. 

Fee Balances 
As we enter Term Four, it is timely for families who have remaining fee balances to work toward closing these balances for the year. The school fees that parents and carers pay at St Emilie’s are a vital source of income for our school and ensure that we can resource the school in the best way for the children in our care. 

We recognise from time to time that families may have difficulty in paying school fees. If this is the case, I would ask that you contact the Administration Office to arrange a confidential conversation with myself. 

Notification of Increase in School Fees for the 2025 School Year
At St Emilie’s, we endeavour to ensure that costs associated with children attending school are affordable and accessible for all families. This includes providing various payment options for families to settle school fees in a manner that is comfortable for them. 

In 2025, Catholic Education Western Australia has suggested a fee increase at St. Emilie’s Catholic Primary School, Canning Vale of 4%. 

At the most recent School Advisory Council meeting, the School Advisory Council endorsed this fee increase for school fees next year. 

Since 2019, there has been no increase to school fees here at St Emilie’s in line with advice from CEWA and with a focus on making our school affordable and accessible. While we understand that families are experiencing pressures with the cost of living at present, unfortunately, this rise in school fees could not be avoided. 

From a School Advisory Council point of view, we are happy to share that the largest increase to school fees for any one year level across the school remains less than $4 per week. That’s less than a cup of coffee per week! 

Walk & Ride To School Form
Walking and riding to and from school is a fantastic way to find 30 minutes of physical activity each day. While we recommend that if parents and carers are able, they walk or ride to school with their children, we understand that at times this is not possible. If your child walks or rides to school, can we please ask that you complete the associated form on behalf of your child which can be found in the School Administration Office. 

Uniform Standards
As we enter Term Four, I would like to remind parents and carers of the School Uniform Procedures for the school which can be found on the school website using this link https://stemiliescps.wa.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/St_Emilie_s_School_Uniform_Procedure_2021.pdf.  

A reminder to all families that as part of the School Uniform Procedures, there are clear guidelines for the wearing of accessories, as well as for haircuts, which all parents and carers agree to upon enrolment of their child here at St Emilie’s. Locally, our school enjoys a strong reputation and this is partly down to the standards that are expected for children around such things as uniforms. I encourage parents and carers to ensure that ‘holiday haircuts’ do not return with your child back to school this term and that you continue to support the school in upholding standards around uniforms. 

Colour Run – Change of Date 
Please note that the School Colour Run will now be held on Friday 1st November. More information will be shared close to the date. 

Call for Volunteers – Colour Run 
We are calling for volunteers to assist at our School Colour Run. Please find the link in the P&F section of the Weekly Reminders below where you can register your interest.

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 Maria Harvey. Mrs Harvey currently works as one of our Literacy Support Teachers and is a member of the school Extended Leadership Team as the Teaching & Learning Leader (Learning Support). Please enjoy learning more about Mrs Harvey this week.

Parent Circle
Parent Circle will return again in Term Four. The date of the first Parent Circle session will be on Thursday 17th October at 8:45am in the School Hall. All are welcome.