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 wellbeing
We create a safe environment
From the Principal
Dear Families,
This week’s edition of the Weekly Reminders is dedicated to all of the mothers and mother figures in our community. On behalf of the staff here at St Emilie’s, I wish you all a very happy Mother’s Day. For those of you whose mother or mother figures are no longer with you on this special day, we think of you especially over the weekend.
Last year, I shared a terrific acronym that sums up the ‘magic’ of mothers and mother figures, which was shared with me by Mrs Tonkin. The acronym is:
M – Mothers
A – Aunties
G – Grandmothers
I – Important women in our loves
C – Carers
So, to all the ‘magic’ mother figures, enjoy your special day.
On Mothers Day, we also remember the role that St Emilie De Vialar plays for us in our community. St Emilie plays a maternal role for all in our community with her role modelling and dedication to those she cared for. Her wisdom and grace especially under times of pressure and duress is something that we as a community admire daily.
2025 Mother’s Day Celebration
What a fantastic morning we had at school this morning. Thank you to the 230 mothers and mother figures that were able to join today, as well as the fathers and father figures who joined us ensuring that everyone had what they needed.
As mentioned in previous correspondence this week, the gift from the school to families on Friday was the gift of time. Having children is busy and to have opportunities to slow down and truly be present with your child are priceless. These moments can be rare, and they should not be taken for granted.
I would like to say a huge thank you to all of the staff here at the school for making today possible. Schools are very busy places with every minute spent in class being important to ensure that our children receive a quality Catholic education. Thank you for creating time and space for our families.
Congratulations to Jess and mothers who are mothers from our school who were the winners of our flower raffle.
To our mothers and mother figures, we hope this was a lovely start to what I am sure will be a beautiful weekend.
Student Leaders
Our Year Six children have started the year beautifully, leading the community with grace and bringing their best selves to the role. While all children at St Emilie’s have the opportunity to lead when it is their time, in Year Six, there are times when children are given the opportunity to take on more formal roles.
This week, at Wednesday Afternoon Assembly, the House Captains and Vice House Captains were shared with the community. These children have been given this opportunity by consistently living by our school values, as well as putting themselves forward by delivering a leadership speech late last term.
The 2025 House Captains and Vice House Captains are:
De Vialar
Joshua (C)
Meryl (C)
Leyton (VC)
Zoe (VC)
Gannon
Noah (C)
Fiona (C)
Mason (VC)
Annie (VC)
MacKillop
Ian (C)
Mila (C)
Aidan (VC)
Amy (VC)
Mazenod
Matthew (C)
Gabriella (C)
Logan (VC)
Marnie (VC)
Strategic Planning
Earlier in the week, I had the privilege of joining the Year Six Class for a strategic planning session. The Year Six children are the first stakeholders in the school who have been consulted about the future direction of the school. Given they are our senior leaders and, we have a commitment here at St Emilie’s to ensure the children are ‘active participants’ in their learning, the Year Six children were the natural starting point.
Next week, I will visit Year Five.
The purpose of these sessions is to firstly ensure that our children know who we are – a community based on the person of St Emilie. Secondly, it is a chance for these children to look to the future of our school, and have their say about a way forward.
Throughout the year, there will be opportunities for all stakeholders in the community to have their say about the future direction of the school. When your opportunity comes, please take on the invite.
For pictures of the planning session, please visit the school’s Facebook page.
Corpus Christi Performance – Radium Girls
If you are at a loss this weekend and are looking for something to do, please consider attending the Corpus Christi performance of Radium Girls. Radium Girls will be performed by the children at Corpus Christi on Friday night and Saturday. Please note that the content is aimed at a more mature audience.
For more information, please follow the link https://www.corpus.wa.edu.au/2025-radium-girls
Year One Assembly
Next week, our Year One children will lead our assembly. Please feel free to come and join with the community for the Year One Assembly. All are welcome to Friday morning Assemblies and all are invited to stay for morning tea at the conclusion of assembly.
Website Updates
Over the course of the term, there have been some updates to the school website. For further information about some of the great things happening at St Emilie’s, please visit the links below.
Vision for Learning – https://stemiliescps.wa.edu.au/our-learning/vision-for-learning/
Catholic School Improvement Plan – https://stemiliescps.wa.edu.au/our-school/school-documents/
Drone Footage from the Parish Christmas Celebration – https://stemiliescps.wa.edu.au/our-community/st-emilie-de-vialar-parish/
Literacy Position Statement – https://stemiliescps.wa.edu.au/our-learning/literacy-position-statement/
Numeracy Position Statement – https://stemiliescps.wa.edu.au/our-learning/numeracy-position-statement/
St Emilie de Vialar Catholic Parish
A reminder that our school website has a link to the parish website. The St Emilie de Vialar Parish of which our school belongs, is a very active parish with many opportunities for people to get involved in deepening their faith, participating in prayer and outreach and being part of a strong community.
For further information, please visit https://stemiliescps.wa.edu.au/our-community/st-emilie-de-vialar-parish/ and please ensure to keep checking the notice boards near the Early Years Area.
Digital Device User Agreements
As part of the school’s commitment to ensuring the safety of our children at all times, and in line with our School Code of Conduct, Digital Device User Agreements will now be sent home each year to families. These agreements aim to highlight the importance of safety in the digital world, which is not just an education piece for our children, but for us as adults entrusted with the care of our young people too.
The Digital Device Agreements also ensure that the expectations of safe internet usage for the children from the school are made clear to children, parents and carers.
These user agreements which are easy to read and jargon free, offer families a point of reference to start or continue conversations around the safe use of the internet.
Parents and carers will receive an IT User Agreement for each of their children. Families are asked to speak about the agreement and then sign and return the agreement to your child’s Class Teacher. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s Class Teacher.
Kindy Enrolment 2026 – A Call for Siblings
There has been a phenomenal response to calls for applications for Kindy enrolments for 2026. Commencing this term, the school will begin interviewing children for Kindy in 2026. If you know of anyone who is interested in attending Kindy at St Emilie’s in 2026, please encourage them to submit an application to the School Admin office as soon as possible.
We are especially calling families of children already enrolled at the school who have siblings who are Kindy age. Due to the high demand for places in Kindy in 2026, it is vital for you to submit an enrolment form to the school. Please note that just because you have a child enrolled at the school, does not mean that you automatically receive a guaranteed place for their sibling if you do not submit the application on time.
Parent Circle
Parent Circle will once again be offered in Term Two. Last term, the school experimented with running Parent Circle on alternate Wednesdays and Thursdays and this term, we will do the same.
Parent Circle will be held on the following dates:
Wednesday 21st of May @ 8:45am in the Hall
Thursday 5th of June @ 8:45am in the Hall
Wednesday 18th of June @ 10:00am (straight after Mass) in the Hall
New faces are always welcome and if you are a regular attendee to Parent Circle, we encourage you to bring a friend with you.
Chris Burns
Principal
ENROLMENTS
NOW ACCEPTING ENROLMENTS FOR KINDY 2026
If you have a child who will be going into Kindy in 2025 (born between 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022), please ensure you submit an Enrolment Form application to the office. An application for enrolment can be collected from Administration or by visiting the School Website.
URSTRONG
URStrong Focus for May
Celebrating Diversity Through Friendship – Our URSTRONG Focus This Month
This month, our URSTRONG friendship program is all about diversity, and what a fantastic opportunity it is to celebrate the unique qualities that make each of us special. We believe these differences not only enrich our lives but also help make friendships deeper and more meaningful.
URSTRONG beautifully defines diversity as:
“The amazing differences between us that make the world a better and way more interesting place.”
Why is diversity important in friendships?
Through exploring diversity, children learn empathy, understanding, and respect. They begin to appreciate that everyone brings something valuable to a relationship, regardless of background, interests, or personality. It also connects to one of
URSTRONG’s key friendship facts:
Friendship Fact #2 – Every friendship is different.
This encourages students to see that differences don’t divide us — they strengthen us.
How we support diversity at school:
- We model curiosity and respect when talking about different cultures, abilities, and perspectives.
- We celebrate our students’ unique qualities — from the languages they speak, to the holidays they observe, to their talents and interests.
- We encourage open conversations where students can share their experiences and learn from each other.
- We use inclusive books and stories that reflect a wide range of voices and characters.
(And these are just a few examples — there are countless ways diversity is embraced every day!)
Key messages for students this month:
- We don’t have to be the same to be great friends.
- Differences make friendships stronger — and more fun!
- When we’re curious, kind, and open to learning about others, we help create a school where everyone feels safe and included.
We encourage you to continue these conversations at home and celebrate what makes your child — and your family — beautifully unique.
Key Calendar Dates
Term Two 2025
Parents are encouraged to subscribe to our Calendar on our Website for the most up-to-date Calendar events.
Week Three
Monday 12th May – Maths Incursion (PP to Year Six)
Tuesday 13th May – Kindy 2026 Interviews Begin
Tuesday 13th May – Year Five Incursion
Wednesday 14th May – 8.45am P&F Meeting
Friday 16th May – Year One Assembly & Merit Awards
Friday 16th May – Eagles Cup (Year Six)
Week Four
Wednesday 21st May – Feast of Eugene De Mazenod & Mazenod House Day
Wednesday 21st May – 6pm School Advisory Council Meeting
Friday 23rd May – Year Two Assembly & Merit Awards
Friday 23rd May – Eagles Cup (Year Six)
Friday 23rd May – 3.30pm to 5.30pm Busy Bee
Week Five
Tuesday 27th May – 5.30pm Reconciliation Workshop
Thursday 29th May – 4pm and 5.15pm Reconciliation Workshops
Friday 30th May – Pupil Free Day
Week Six
Yay Week
Monday 2nd June – Western Australia Day Public Holiday
Wednesday 4th June – LifeLink Launch
Friday 6th June – Eagles Cup (Year Six)
Week Seven
Tuesday 10th June – Kindy Bunnings Incursion
Wednesday 11th June – 8.45am P & F Meeting
Friday 13th June – Year Five Assembly & Merit Awards
Friday 13th June – Eagles Cup (Year Six)
Fruit of the Holy Spirit
Gentleness
Gentleness is defined in the dictionary as “the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered.” In terms of the fruit of the Spirit, the kind of gentleness we’re interested in involves showing humility and thankfulness towards God, as well as polite, restrained and compassionate behaviour towards everyone else. If we think about gentleness is in terms of its opposites, we find that it is countered by a desire for revenge, a sense of self-importance, or the expression of anger.
Gentleness is a gift of the Spirit, but as a trait it is produced when a softened heart abides in Jesus. It may be a gift, but true gentleness also demands something on our parts: intention. Being intentionally kind, compassionate, and humble towards others, especially when they are facing struggle or difficulty.
Gentleness is the fruit of the Spirit that demands most from us. It means adopting a position where we effectively place ourselves third on the list – putting God and other people before ourselves. This isn’t something that makes us feel that comfortable. It requires humility and sacrifice, patience and compassion – qualities that we might feel that we lack (even on our best days). But the good news? God shows us the way. His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, and He never gives us gifts that we can’t use.
Term Two
Gentleness
Be sensitive and understanding to the needs of others in a gentle and caring way.
Week Three: I am Grateful
Peacefulness
Be peace-filled and cooperate with others while we find ways to work it out.
Week Four: Be Peace-filled
Week Five: Cooperate with Others
Week Six: Find Ways To Work It Out
Joy
Finding beauty in everyday things and seeing the good in every situation.
Week Seven: See The Good in Every Situation
Week Eight: Find Beauty in Everyday Things
Week Nine: There is Great Joy in Giving
Week Ten: Don’t Let Anything Take Your JOY
Parish News
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.
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.
Parent Reading
This week under the Parent Reading heading, we have included an article titled, ‘Protecting Our Youngest: Preventing School Harassment Before It Begins ?’ by Dr Justin Coulson.
By actively teaching respect, empathy, and boundaries from the start, we lay the foundation for children to grow into responsible, kind, and self-aware individuals. The challenges faced by teenagers today don’t appear overnight—they are shaped by the lessons they learn in their earliest years. As parents, we have the power to create a future where all children feel safe, valued, and respected.
OSH Newsletter
Wider Community
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.
https://childandparentcentres.wa.edu.au/gosnells/
We recommend you jump over and check out the programs that the Centre has on offer this term, including;
- The Power of Positive Parenting
- Learning to Use the Toilet
- Spending Time Apart
- Speech Pathologist Drop in with Jackie
- Fear-less: Supporting Children with Anxiety (6-14)
