Term Three Week Three – Commencing Monday 3rd August 2026

Dear Families,  

For those parents and carers who dropped their children off at school on Thursday, you would have been greeted by an army of staff wearing green who made time during the very busy morning to welcome children to school for the International Day of Friendship. 

The International Day of Friendship is an important day here at St Emilie’s, and 2026 was our third day of celebrating this very special day. Not only does the day of friendship shine a light on the importance for children to be able to create, build and maintain healthy and positive friendships based on trust and respect, but it also highlights our school’s significant investment of time and resources into embedding the URSTRONG Whole School Friendship approach. 

The URSTRONG Whole School Friendship approach provides our children, staff and families with a common language and framework around friendships. As you will all know, the ability to form positive friendships is a lifelong skill. While friendships have their ups and downs, and some friendships simply don’t help us to find the green zone on the Friend O Meter, it is important for children to be able to have the opportunity to practice these skills in a safe place where they are known and cared for. 

Recent wellbeing data that was collected at our school shows us that at St Emilie’s we are doing a lot right when it comes to providing the social and emotional conditions for our children to feel ‘seen, known and connected with’ in line with our School Vision for Learning. It is very validating for us to hear the children speaking and using the URSTRONG language, and it pleases us even further when we hear the adults in our community using the same language. 

Thank you for your support of the URSTRONG approach here at St Emilie’s, and for your willingness to involve yourselves in the International Day of Friendship this week. 

A special thanks to Ms Goodes and Mrs Yock for leading the day and to all of the staff who gave up their time after school this week to make the day happen. 

Interschool Cross Country
What a beautiful day it was on Thursday for Interschool Cross Country at Tomato Lake. As a community, we should be so proud of our children and their efforts, their sportsmanship as they represent our school. 

On the day, we had some terrific individual efforts and, as a collective, our school finished in third place. 

Thank you to Mr Davis and to Mr Lowry for preparing our children for Cross Country. 

Catholic Performing Arts Festival
Today, our School Band represented St Emilie’s at Orana Catholic Primary School and what an amazing job they did! Our band children should be so proud of showcasing their musical talents on the big stage under the guidance of one of St Emilie’s coolest customers, Mr Dabbs. 

This week, our Christian Dancers head up to Mercy College in Koondoola to share their item with the Catholic Performing Arts Festival. The Christian Dance Group is made up of around 20 Year Six girls, which is an incredible number, and they are guided ever so gracefully by Ms Fallo and Mrs Green. Good luck on Wednesday, girls! 

On Thursday, things get a bit more rowdy from the children at St Emilie’s as our Dance Troupe and Hip Hop Troupe entertain the masses at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre. These two groups of dancers have been working nonstop to perfect their items, and the nights when they perform are always full of energy and joy.  These items are led by Ms Dreyer, Ms Fallo and Mrs Green. 

As always, we can expect a large and very vocal St Emilie’s contingent of parents and carers who are supporting. 

The opportunity for our children to share their God given gifts at the Catholic Performing Arts Festival is another way that our school provides an opportunity for children to step into the uncomfortable, accentuate their strengths and do their best. 

Good luck boys and girls! 

2027 Return to School Dates
Earlier in the year, information was shared that in 2027, CEWA schools, including St Emilie’s, would be introducing a three week mid term break, with anticipated benefits around teaching and learning outcomes, as well as community wellbeing. 

I can now share some important dates that I would ask parents and carers to make note of for 2027. 

Please see below 

First Day for Children in 2027 – Thursday the 28th of January
Last Day for Children in Term One – Friday the 9th of April 

First Day of Term Two – Monday the 26th of April
Final Day of Term Two – Friday the 25th of June 

First Day of Term Three – Monday the 19th of July
Final Day of Term Three – Friday the 24th of September 

First Day of Term Four – Monday the 11th of October
Final day of Term Four – Friday the 10th of December 

Please note that these dates are different from the term dates in Department of Education schools. 

Religious Education Assessment (Year Three and Year Five)
Religious Education is the number one Learning Area here at St Emilie’s, with the children participating in daily learning on Religious Education, as well as concepts from this Learning Area being integrated across the curriculum. 

This week, children in Year Three and Year Five will take part in the annual Religious Education Assessment. This assessment, similar to other standardised testing that is completed here at the school, will provide a snapshot into the growth of the children collectively and individually. This data will be analysed by staff at the school to ensure we celebrate areas of growth with our children, as well as address any gaps that are evident. 

Thank you to the staff involved in organising this assessment for our children. 

Staff Spotlight
This week we are very pleased to share that the Staff Spotlight is on Mr Jack Cameron, who is joining us for Term Three from the University of Notre Dame Australia and will be working with Ms Fallo in Year Four Gold. 

Please scroll down to see Mr Cameron’s profile below. 

Can you help? In need of a Bobcat, Dingo and Trailer
As part of an exciting project to improve the accessibility and usability of our precious native bush area at St Emilie’s (details for community coming soon), we are seeking assistance with sourcing large rocks to place in the area. We have sourced some rocks at a property in the Perth Hills, about 20 minutes away, however, we need assistance in collecting the rocks and transporting them to St Emilie’s. If you are able to assist, or know someone who can, please contact the Administration Office.

CEWA Parent Code of Conduct 
At St Emilie’s, all members of our community are expected to conduct themselves in line with the School Code of Conduct, which essentially sets out a minimum standard of conduct for all here at the school. To commence Term Three, a Parent Code of Conduct will be introduced here at St Emilie’s, which has been developed for all schools in the CEWA system. This Parent Code of Conduct will provide specific information for parents about how they can continue to support their child and the community here at St Emilie’s. 

In the coming weeks, the Parent Code of Conduct will be introduced in further detail. 

WA Student Assistance Payment 
The WA Student Assistance Payment helps parents and carers with cost-of-living pressures associated with sending their children to school. All Western Australian school students in Kindergarten to Year 12, with a valid WA student number, are eligible for this cost-of-living payment. 

You can claim $250 for each secondary student and $150 for students attending primary school or Kindergarten. The payment will be available through the ServiceWA app, with parents and carers encouraged to set up or update their ServiceWA account and have an active Digital ID. Claims open on Monday 20 July 2026. 

All claims must be received by Friday 25 September 2026. For further information, please visit https://www.education.wa.edu.au/wasap/ 

Australian Government Census – 11th of August 
On the 11th of August, the Australian Government will be hosting its five-year census. The census aims to provide a snapshot of the demographics of the country. 

As a Catholic community, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference have asked schools to urge all Catholics within the community to identify themselves as Catholic people. This will provide the most accurate picture of the population of those people within Australia who are Catholic. 

Flu Vaccinations
The Department of Health (DOH) emphasises that annual flu vaccination remains critical to ensuring community protection against the flu. There have been recent changes made that aim to increase access to influenza vaccination for school aged children:  

• FluMist® eligibility has been expanded to include children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 years, including all Catholic Education school children in primary and secondary schools. 
• Free influenza vaccines have been extended for all Western Australians, aged six months and older, until 31 July 2026, providing an additional opportunity for families who have not yet been vaccinated.  

Further information can be found here.