Term One Week Six – Commencing Monday 9th March 2026

Dear Families, 

This week, like many of you, my attention has been drawn to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the worrying news coming from that region. St Emilie’s is a very diverse community, and I know that there will be some people in our community with family and friends who have been affected by this conflict. The world in 2026 is a very small place. We pray for their safety and pray for your strength at this time, too. 

Of all of the stories that stood out in the news this week, I could not reconcile the senseless loss of life of children while they were attending school in Iran. The images of these children and their families broke my heart. These images were in direct opposition to the joy-filled experience that I have the privilege to encounter at St Emilie’s each day.  

 At that moment, I could only reflect on the safe sanctuary that is St Emilie’s and how lucky we are here in Canning Vale that our children attend this school. Yes, we are not perfect, but our challenges are nothing compared to what others face around the world in accessing education, and I feel we must take time to remember this and be grateful. 

I feel so proud to be a part of this community, especially given how diverse this community is. At last count, we had 35 nationalities represented in our community, as well as 19 religions. Our school is a model for grace and for unity, where, as adults, we collectively do our very best for the children in our care. 

This week, it was highlighted to me how accessible information is to our children, with some children speaking with myself and other staff members across the school about their worries from what they had seen on the news or social media. At this time, it is important for me to remind families about the accessibility of information and ask you to be extra vigilant at home, given the saturation of information about the conflict in the various media. 

As a staff, we need your help to ensure that our children continue to come to school, and not carry the worries and burdens of events elsewhere, over which we have no control or influence. Our children are young, and unlike adults, they do not have the capacity to process news and determine reality. This is our job to teach them as they grow, and at St Emilie’s we strive to ensure that our children are protected. 

I ask that as a community this week, you keep the humanity of all around the world first and foremost in your thoughts and prayers. Lent is a time when we live in hope, and during the toughest times, we must hang on to hope to see us through. 

Project Compassion 2026
As is the case across all Catholic schools at this time of year, we have commenced our efforts with Project Compassion for the Lenten season. Project Compassion is an opportunity for us to stand in solidarity with those around the world who need our prayers, and assistance financially. When opportunities arise throughout Lent to support Project Compassion, I ask that you do your best to support. 

Last week, collection boxes and further information were sent home with the children for Project Compassion. 

To learn more about how you can ‘unite against poverty’ during Lent in 2026, please click here.

Thank you to the Women of St Emilie’s – International Women’s Day 
This Sunday is International Women’s Day!  

It will be of no surprise to you all that the vast majority of staff here at St Emilie’s are women. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the wonderful women of St Emilie’s, on staff and in the community, for your contribution to our community. This morning, the gentlemen at St Emilie’s had the privilege of treating the amazing women at St Emilie’s with a delicious morning tea, topped off with Mr Munro’s scones.  

Our school is named after a wonderful woman, a faithful, courageous, devoted and resilient woman who turned her back on a life of comfort and wealth to make the world a better place. On International Women’s Day, we also give thanks to the influence of Saint Emilie on our community. 

Yay Week
This week is Yay Week! 

To those new to our community, Yay Week is a week where we celebrate the halfway mark of the term and all of the wonderful growth that has been made so far this term. 

Parents and carers, please note that there will be no Purposeful Practice this week for the boys and girls. 

Emilie’s Story – Books for Sale
For those of you who have visited the Administration Office of late, you may have noticed a copy of the St Emilie’s Biography, which is on display. This biography was written locally and is a relatively easy read for those who are interested in learning more about the foundress of our school. 

On the weekend of the 7th and 8th of March, copies of the biography will be on sale at the Parish Church during the various Mass times. I would encourage those members of our community who are keen on some further reading to purchase a copy. 

2026 NAPLAN (Year Three and Year Five)
This week, children in Year Three and Year Five will be participating in the 2026 NAPLAN Online Assessments. NAPLAN is a national standardised testing schedule which takes place for all children across Australia in Year Three and Year Five. 

Naturally, some of our children will be feeling worried about the upcoming NAPLAN assessments, and I would like to remind parents and carers that all we ask from a school point of view is that children do their best. That is all we can ever ask. 

The NAPLAN received by the school from NAPLAN helps the school gain a point in time snapshot of each individual child, as well as the cohorts in the school collectively. This data affirms the great work taking place here at the school, as well as ensures that we can look for any gaps in our teaching and learning, which we can identify going forward. 

Please keep the children participating in NAPLAN this week in your thoughts and prayers. 

Complaints & Disputes Process at St Emilie’s
As part of the Re-Registrastration Standards for Non-Government Schools in Western Australia, schools are required to create and make accessible to their community a process that addresses complaints and disputes in the school. 

This process can be found on the school website here. 

St Emilie’s Choir & Band – An invitation to children Year Four to Year Six
A reminder for children in Year Four to Year Six that all children are invited to join in with the School Choir in 2026. 

Children who are able to play an instrument are also most welcome to join the School band. 

Both the choir and band meet together on Wednesday mornings before school. Please contact the school for additional information. 

School Photos 2026
Parents and carers, please note that the deadline for online ordering is on Thursday, the 12th of March and can be done through the leaflet sent home with your children last week. 

P & F Footy Tipping
This year, our school will once again be hosting a P & F Footy Tipping competition. The first round of the AFL season is this week. 

If you would like to join the P & F Community Footy Tipping, please see the flyer below. At $1 per round ($24) for a footy season of fun, this is the best value in town! 

No Family Picnic in 2026. All Families invited to attend Parish 25th Year Celebration: Please Register by contacting the Parish Office
At the commencement of each year, the community at St Emilie’s gathers to celebrate the new year, catch up with old friends and meet those new members of our community during the Family Picnic. 

This year, our parish celebrates a very special milestone as we turn 25 years old! On Sunday the 15th of March, the parish will be celebrating this wonderful milestone with a celebration to be held on the school grounds. All school families are invited to attend! 

In order to support our parish in the best way we can and get as much school representation to the celebration as possible, the decision has been made not to host our usual Family Picnic at the start of the year, in the hope that school families will use the parish celebration as a chance to come together to commence the year. While we know that school families very much look forward to the Family Picnic, it is important that we support our parish, and by attending the upcoming celebration, this is a perfect way we can support. 

Please note that families intending to attend the celebration are required to register their attendance by contacting the Parish Office. 

Further information can be found on the parish website here. 

Parent Circle
The first Parent Circle for 2026 will take place this Thursday, the 12th of March. Parent Circle is a great opportunity for parents and carers of children from the school to join together, share a cuppa and have a laugh. 

Parent Circle will take place in the Small Hall after school drop off, and all member sof the community are welcome. 

CEWA Colouring Competition
Once again, Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) will be hosting an Easter Colouring Competition for children across catholic Schools to enter. 

For more details about how to enter the competition, please visit https://www.cewa.edu.au/easter/ 

Beyond The Screen with Dan Principle @ Corpus Christi College
Corpus Christi College is hosting a free parent and community workshop, Beyond the Screen with Daniel Principe. 

Daniel Principe is a highly regarded presenter who works with young people, families, and schools to address topics such as online influences, relationships, consent, and digital wellbeing. His sessions are engaging, practical, and designed to support families navigating an increasingly complex digital world. 

Please find further information below 

Corpus Christi College invites parents, carers, and community members to a free workshop, Beyond the Screen with Daniel Principe. 

Discover practical ways to support young people in a digital world, with insights into online influences, consent, relationships, and fostering empathy and respect. 

Thursday, March 26 

6.30pm – 8.30pm 

College Theatre, Corpus Christi College 

For more information, visit www.corpus.wa.edu.au/events