Term Four Week Five – Commencing Monday 4th November 2024

Dear Families,    

This week we enter the half way mark for Term Four. Can you believe it! 

So much has already happened at our school this term and we still have so many engaging and exciting learning opportunities and community events to look forward to. 

Today was a special day for our Catholic school, not only because we had the Colour Run, but because today is The Feast of All Saints. 

The Feast of All Saints will take on extra significance for many of our Year Six children who have most recently celebrated their Confirmation and taken on the Confirmation names of those Saints who inspire them. From this point forward, these children will be able to use this day and the feast day of their chosen Catholic Saint to draw on strength and inspiration on how to live their lives. 

At assembly this week, I spoke with the children about some of the amazing efforts that have taken place by children at St Emilie’s so far this term. I spoke about the efforts where children were bringing our motto of ‘Growing in Grace’ outside of the school and into the community. Bringing our Catholic identity out into the community to benefit those around us is one way we can go from being a good Catholic school to being a great Catholic school! 

The message to the children at the assembly was that there were Saints currently sitting among them. Young boys and girls who have been called to go out and do good for others because of the formation they receive from home, the parish and the school. So far in their short lives, they have done miraculous things! 

This Sunday, we also reflect on the Feast of All Souls. On this day, we keep in mind those who have passed away and who are no longer with us. We pray for these people and we remember them. Across our community, we have been informed of a few people who have recently passed who were special to our community members. We pray for the strength of these people to have the courage to continue without their loved ones by their side. 

Colour Run
How good was the Colour Run today! With the sun splitting the trees and a nice hot day for the children to cool off, the school was transformed into a tapestry of colour, energy and good vibes! 

This year, we had more than 55 people volunteer to assist at the Colour Run. This number does not count the community members who put up their hand to assist with the Kindy and Pre-Primary children. Our littlest people were so well supported today. 

This is an outstanding response yet again from the community here at St Emilie’s. It is days like these when parents and carers join with the children and school staff that our children will truly remember. A huge thank you must go to everyone involved in the planning, especially our P & F Executive Team of Jain Chow and Pam Lawrence. 

Thank you, parents and carers for your efforts with sponsorship and fundraising. Once again, we had a great response and the money raised will go straight back into ensuring the children have what they need for their learning. 

Thank you. 

Thanksgiving Mass & Community Morning Tea – Important Date Change
Please note that due to unforeseen circumstances, the traditional end of year Thanksgiving Mass and Community Morning Tea will now take place on Wednesday 4th December at 9:00am instead of Friday 6th December as originally communicated. 

Lock Down Drill
As part of our commitment to ensuring that everyone who comes on-site here at St Emilie’s is kept safe at all times, this Tuesday afternoon, our Work Health and Safety Representative, Mrs Jo Roberto, will lead our community in a lockdown drill. 

While it is important that we practice locking down the school, I ask parents and carers not to be alarmed. This is a requirement for all schools should the need ever arise which can be for a whole host of reasons. 

We will speak with the children before the drill so that the children understand what is happening and the drill will be conducted in a way that is age appropriate and does not heighten anxiety. 

See You Soon Mrs Matkovich
Next week is the last week at St Emilie’s for Mrs Matkovich before she commences her Parental Leave in preparation for the arrival of her new baby. Mrs Matkovich, her husband James and Baby Ari are all very much looking forward to meeting their new family member and we wish them all the best for the exciting times ahead. 

Do you or someone you know need help with providing uniforms?
In 2023, a very kind and generous offer was made by one of our community members who would like to remain anonymous to supply uniforms for a child in our community whose family may be doing it tough. In 2024, this very generous person has once again made contact with the school to share this offer with the community. 

If you or someone you know is having a difficult time at present and has concerns about providing uniforms for a child in 2025, please email me at chris.burns@cewa.edu.au and we will be able to assist. All emails sent to myself will be treated as strictly private and confidential. 

Is your child returning to St Emilie’s in 2025?
As we draw closer to the end of the year, planning has commenced at the school for the commencement of the 2025 school year. If your child is not returning to St Emilie’s for the 2025 school year, can you please email the school Administration at stemiliesadmin@cewa.edu.au to notify the school. 

Fee Balances
As we enter Term Four, it is timely for families who have remaining fee balances to work toward closing these balances for the year. The school fees that parents and carers pay at St Emilie’s are a vital source of income for our school and ensure that we can resource the school in the best way for the children in our care. 

We recognise from time to time that families may have difficulty in paying school fees. If this is the case, I would ask that you contact the Administration Office to arrange a confidential conversation with myself. 

Uniform Standards
As we enter Term Four, I would like to remind parents and carers of the School Uniform Procedures for the school which can be found on the school website using this link https://stemiliescps.wa.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/St_Emilie_s_School_Uniform_Procedure_2021.pdf.  

A reminder to all families that as part of the School Uniform Procedures, there are clear guidelines for the wearing of accessories, as well as for haircuts, which all parents and carers agree to upon enrolment of their child here at St Emilie’s. Locally, our school enjoys a strong reputation and this is partly down to the standards that are expected for children around such things as uniforms. I encourage parents and carers to ensure that ‘holiday haircuts’ do not return with your child back to school this term and that you continue to support the school in upholding standards around uniforms. 

Parent Circle
Thursday 14th November – Mindfulness 

Thursday 28th November – Christmas Lunch and visit from Santa 

Staff Profiles
Over the course of the year, we have been sharing Staff Profiles of staff from our school. This week, we share with you the Staff Profile of Mrs Kara Tilyard. Mrs Tilyard has been a part of the community here at St Emilie’s for a number of years and in various roles. Currently, Mrs Tilyard works as a Support Teacher across a number of different classes.