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,
Welcome to the final Yay Week of 2025.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with Yay Week, this is the week where we are officially over the halfway point of the term, and on the downward slope to the end of school. It is a week where we slow the pace of life down and give thanks for the moments we have had this term. This week, Purposeful Practice across the school will be put on pause, providing extra time for your children to play, be outdoors and spend time with family. Please enjoy this gift!
Just to plant a scary thought in everyone’s minds, this time next month, the children will have finished school! The time is going by so quickly.
Parents and carers, throughout the week, I could not help but notice that our children as a collective look exhausted. On reflection, I believe that this can be attributed to the time of the year and term, the fast pace of school life (and outside life) at present, as well as the increase in hot days at school.
Naturally, just like us as adults, when children become tired, their ability to tolerate the ups and downs of life decreases. This week, in my time with the boys and girls, I have been hearing more conversations about friendship fires, learning becoming more challenging as fatigue sets in, or children telling me straight out that they are exhausted. At these points in time, I am reminded that we are working with little people, of which the school day places much demand. I ask that in this Yay Week and in the road home to the end of the year, that collectively, we are all conscious of this.
At St Emilie’s, we have very robust procedures and practices in place to ensure that our children are safe and that they are learning. These procedures and practices stand up from day one of Term One, right through until the end of the year. As always, we as a staff ask for your continued trust and partnership so we can ensure that the children have a positive and engaging finish to the school year. Please continue setting the expectations at home of how we show respect, strive for excellence, create a safe environment and strive for well being, even when we are low on energy at school.
Between now and the end of the year, I look forward to seeing the children acting ‘kind on purpose’ as they continue to ‘grow in grace’ together.
Congratulations Ms Harris
We are very proud to share that Ms Harris, our school’s Digital Technology Teacher, has been awarded the Community Choice Award for the Most Inspiring eSports Teacher at the 2025 Australian School eSports Awards. Ms Harris is an amazing advocate for all things technology and has a passion for building positive online habits and behaviours through the use of eSports.
Congratulations on this wonderful recognition Ms Harris.
2026 Year Level Reps
In 2025, our community has been served by terrific Year Level Reps right across our school, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our Year Level Reps who have worked tirelessly to represent the individual year groups this year.
Next week, we will once again be calling for nominations for Year Level Reps in 2026. An email will be shared with the community with further details, and I would encourage parents and carers to consider this role, which is a vital extension of our School P & F Committee.
Please keep your eyes peeled for more information.
CEWA Interpreter Services & Website Translation
At St Emilie’s, we are blessed to have a very diverse representation of people from over 35 nationalities. As part of our CEWA system of schools, parents and carers are able to access interpreter services free of charge when they meet with staff to ensure that the information received for your child is accurate.
To inquire further about interpreter services, please ask any one of our staff members, and we can assist you.
I would also like to remind parents that our website has a very large ‘translate’ button at the top of the page, which is able to translate the website into many different languages.
School Fee Increase 2026
At St Emilie’s, our intention is to provide a quality Catholic education for those in Canning Vale and surrounding areas that is accessible and affordable for all parents who desire it. Much thought and deliberation are given to decisions involving school fees and where parents and carers are required to contribute financially. We understand that costs of living pressures are not going away.
On advice from CEWA, using data available, it has been recommended that school fees in 2026 increase by 4.5%. This increase in school fees has been endorsed by the School Advisory Council. The School Leadership Team, Mrs Andrews and Mrs Norris, have been involved in some modelling of various price increases; however, unfortunately, to ensure that we can still offer the same level of education and care for our children, school fees must increase.
While this is something that cannot be avoided, the maximum increase that any year level will experience in their school fees will be $4 per child per week.
In good news, I would like to inform families that the Sibling Discount is now offered for Tuition, Amenities & Technology Levy. Sibling Discount was only offered on Tuition up until now.
2026 Book Lists
Book Lists for 2026 have now been sent home to families. Parents and carers, please check your email inbox for an email that was sent by Mr Munro last week. Although there is a slight change to the headphones that your child requires for 2026, the booklists, as is the case in previous years, have been set to ensure that they are affordable and accessible for all families.
Christmas & Edudance Concert – Farewells to Staff
A reminder that this year we will be hosting our biannual Christmas and Edudance Concert. This concert will take place on the school oval on the evening of Thursday 4th of December, commencing at 5:15pm.
On this evening, we will also be farewelling those staff members who will be moving on at the end of the year. These farewells usually take place at morning tea after Thanksgiving Mass, however, due to low numbers of parents and carers able to stay for morning tea, the decision has been made to farewell these staff members publicly at the concert.
Santa Visit’s Parent Circle
Families with small children are invited to join in the fun at Parent Circle on Thursday, the 27th of November, as Santa Claus himself will be stopping by St Emilie’s for the morning.
Parents and carers are invited to share in a Christmas morning tea as well as to bring a small gift for their children (please label), which Santa Claus will give out. The children will have an opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa Claus in the morning.
Movember
Over the course of the week, you may have noticed that some of the gentlemen at school have developed a very odd, hairy line on their upper lips. Yes, that is right, the ‘St Em’s Mo Bros’ are back in 2026 and raising funds for men’s health through Movember, which is a great cause.
Personally, I am glad that it has not been windy this week, as I have been concerned that my attempt at a moustache may blow away, however, I live in hope that the moustache will develop over the course of the month.
If you would like to donate to the St Em’s Mo Bro’s, please visit our Movember page here.
AI Parent Workshop
On Saturday, November 22nd (1:30 – 3:30pm), St Emilie de Vialar Parish is hosting an afternoon workshop at the School Hall titled “Making Sense of AI”, presented by Dr Anne Burlinson on behalf of the WA AI Hub.
The parish would like to extend this invitation to school families, as the session will provide valuable insights into navigating an increasingly AI‑mediated world with wisdom and discernment.
Father Jean‑Noel Marie has spoken very highly of this workshop, which he attended a few months ago and found deeply enlightening. At his request, we are running it again so that more people may benefit.
No RSVP is necessary. Please scroll down for further information.
Chris Burns
Principal
ENROLMENTS
NOW ACCEPTING ENROLMENTS FOR KINDY 2027
If you have a child who will be going into Kindy in 2027 (born between 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023), 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
November Theme: Kindness 🤗
We hello again, Ninjas!
This month, our URSTRONG theme is kindness. A simple but powerful way to make our school a happier, more connected place. Kindness is about being friendly, considerate, and thoughtful. It doesn’t need to be a big gesture; it can be as small as helping a classmate, inviting someone to join a game, or offering a smile and a kind word.
Kindness not only makes others feel good, it boosts our own wellbeing too! Studies show that acts of kindness can make us happier and reduce stress. Even better, kindness spreads – one small act often inspires another.
We’re also reminding students that kindness starts with themselves. Being kind to yourself – taking a break, speaking gently to yourself, or celebrating small wins – helps you be kinder to others.
Let’s make November a month full of small acts that make a big difference!
P&F News
Parent Circle
End of Year Catch Ups
Key Calendar Dates
Term Four 2025
Parents are encouraged to subscribe to Calendar on our Website for the most up-to-date Calendar events.
Week Six
Yay Week
Wednesday 19th November – Edu-Dance
Thursday 20th November – Edu-Dance
Friday 21st November – Lego League
Week Seven
Monday 24th November – Keyed Up Music Recitals
Tuesday 25th November- Keyed Up Music Recitals
Wednesday 26th November – Edu-Dance
Wednesday 26th November – 6pm School Advisory Meeting
Thursday 27th November – Edu-Dance
Thursday 27th November – Keyed Up Music Recitals
Week Eight
Wednesday 3rd December – Edu-Dance
Thursday 4th December – Edu-Dance
Thursday 4th December – Christmas Concert
Week Nine
Tuesday 9th December – 4.45pm Graduation Mass and Assembly
Wednesday 10th December – PP and Kindy Celebration Day
Thursday 11th December – Year One – Six Afternoon Celebration
Thursday 11th December – End of Year Reports on SEQTA Engage
Friday 12th December – 9am Whole School Thanksgiving Mass
Friday 12th December – 3pm Semester Two Concludes
Fruit of the Holy Spirit
Patience
As we continue to nurture the spiritual and emotional growth of our school community, we turn our attention to one of the most transformative Fruits of the Holy Spirit—Patience.
Patience is not passive. It is an active choice to remain calm, compassionate, and open-hearted, especially when faced with challenges, misunderstandings, or differing opinions. In our daily interactions—whether with students, colleagues, or families—we are invited to reflect the patience of Christ, who listened, loved, and led with gentleness.
In a world that often values speed and certainty, the Gospel calls us to slow down and listen. Listening to the point of view of others is a sacred act. It allows us to see beyond our own experiences and to honour the dignity of each person. When we listen patiently, we create space for healing, reconciliation, and deeper connection.
The Bible offers us wisdom and encouragement:
- “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.” — Proverbs 14:29
- “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” — James 1:19
- “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4
Let us model this fruit of the Spirit in our school community. Let us be people who listen before we speak, who seek understanding before offering judgment, and who respond with grace rather than frustration.
In our classrooms, this might look like giving students time to express themselves fully. In our staffroom, it might mean pausing to hear a colleague’s concern with empathy. In our homes, it might mean choosing calm over conflict.
Patience is not always easy—but it is always powerful. It is a gift we can offer one another, and a reflection of the Spirit working within us.
Term Four
Patience
Staying calm and persistent when things are difficult and listening to the views of others.
Week Six: Listen to the Point of View of Others
Week Seven: Go with the Flow
Week Eight: Slow Down – No Need to Rush
Week Nine: Persist with Things That Are Difficult
Week Ten: Stay Calm Under Pressure
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, ‘Your Child Needs Community — Here’s How To Create It.’ by Dr Justin Coulson.
OSH Newsletter
Wider Community
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)
