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, the School Leadership Team had the pleasure of meeting with representatives from children across the school during our Leadership Team Planning Day. The children joined us for morning tea, and while we shared morning tea together, we were able to reflect on all things St Emilie’s in line with our School Vision for Learning.
The children (as always) blew us away with their insights into the school and how positively they spoke of their experiences at St Emilie’s. What we felt most proud of was that our children felt known by our school staff here at St Emilie’s, and that they felt safe. Being known and feeling safe are standards that we hold ourselves to account with at St Emilie’s, as when children feel this way, learning follows.
Our children were also able to articulate all of the ways they know we are a Catholic school. They explained that we share prayer together, we have Catholic signs and symbols in the school, spoke about the Fruits of the Holy Spirit and even mentioned that we are Catholic in our school name.
A connection that was missing, though, was the link back to God and that our community is a community based in the belief of God, and moulded in the footsteps of God’s followers, such as Saint Emilie de Vialar. Parents and carers, this is a great opportunity for us at home and at school to continue to impart to our children that all we do is based on the Gospel teachings. For example, why are we respectful? Yes, it is the right thing to do, but ultimately, as a Catholic community, we are respectful because God calls us to act like this.
At St Emilie’s, our point of difference in the local area is that we are proudly a Catholic school, and we are unique in the suburb of Canning Vale.
On Tuesday, 11th of November, St Emilie’s will host a Remembrance Day Prayer Service for the children at the school. This prayer service will be led by our Year One children, and we are very proud of our children and their efforts in this space in leading our community.
Mrs Yock has kindly sourced poppies for each child here at St Emilie’s. Poppies will be handed out to the children on Tuesday 11th of November. In order to support the Red Poppy Appeal, which is a way that we can support all of our veterans, we are inviting children to donate a gold coin during Week Five. Gold coin donations can be brought to school during Week Five and handed to your child’s Class Teacher, the Administration Office or to Mrs Yock in person in Year Five Gold.
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.
Colour Run Success
Congratulations to all in our community. The annual Colour Run has raised over $12,000 for the school, which will go to ensuring that our children continue to have all they need for their school journey.
On Monday, the prizes for Colour Run will be drawn at Monday Afternoon Assembly. In 2026, each class will have the chance to win a prize. Each child who returned a sponsor form will go into the draw for the prize.
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 on Thursday. 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.
P & F Community Meeting
The final P & F Community Meeting for 2025 will be held this Wednesday. All in our community are invited to attend, especially if you have any interest in joining the P & F Committee in 2026. The meeting will commence at 8:45am in the Administration Office.
Kindy Playdate
This Thursday, we look forward to welcoming our 2026 Kindy cohort to St Emilie’s for the Kindy Playdate. The Kindy Playdate will take place in the Early Years Area with school staff, representatives from the P & F and OSH Club, all joining for the morning.
Parents and carers, we are known as a very welcoming and inclusive community. It is all of our responsibility to ensure that these children and families feel welcome at St Emilie’s, and I would encourage you to say hello if you see a new face on Thursday morning.
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.
Term Four Parent Circle
Parent Circle is once again taking place this term with some very exciting opportunities for community members to gather and enjoy one another’s company. Please see the Parent Circle dates below:
Thursday 13th November – Cooking Demo
Thursday 27th November – Christmas Party (Santa Visit)
Further information can be found in the P & F section of the Weekly Reminders when you scroll down.
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 Five
Tuesday 11th November – Remembrance Day
Wednesday 12th November – Edu-Dance
Wednesday 12th November – 8.45am Whole Community P&F Meeting
Thursday 13th November – Edu-Dance
Thursday 13th November – 9am to 10am Kindy in 2026 Play Date
Week Six
Yay Week
Wednesday 19th November – Edu-Dance
Thursday 2oth 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 – PP Celebration Day
Tuesday 9th December – 4.45pm Graduation Mass and Assembly
Wednesday 10th December – 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
Faithfulness
As we continue to explore the Fruits of the Holy Spirit, this week we turn our hearts to Faithfulness—a virtue that invites us to live with unwavering trust in God and steadfast commitment to His ways.
Faithfulness is not just about belief; it’s about living out that belief every day. It’s choosing to trust God’s timing, even when we don’t understand it. It’s remaining loyal to our values, our relationships, and our responsibilities, even when it’s hard. And it’s about being dependable—someone others can count on—because we ourselves rely on the One who is always faithful.
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”
— Hebrews 10:23
In a world that often celebrates instant gratification and shifting values, faithfulness calls us to something deeper and more enduring. It reminds us that God is always faithful to us—through every joy and every trial—and we are called to mirror that faithfulness in our own lives.
“Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.”
— Psalm 119:90
At school, in our families, and in our community, we can live out faithfulness by:
- Keeping our word, even in small things.
- Showing up for others with consistency and care.
- Praying regularly, even when we don’t feel like it.
- Trusting God, especially when life feels uncertain.
Let us encourage one another to be people of faithfulness—rooted in trust, rich in love, and resilient in hope.
“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”
— 1 Corinthians 4:2
May we continue to grow in this beautiful fruit of the Spirit, trusting that God is always with us, guiding us with love and purpose.
Term Four
Faithfulness
Developing your relationship with God and sharing your gifts with others.
Week Five: Trust in God
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, ‘Our Kids are Falling in Love With Robots’ 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)
