Term Four Week Two – Commencing Monday 14th October 2024

Dear Families,   

This week is a very exciting week at St Emilie’s in the lead up to Confirmation which will be celebrated on Sunday, 20th October and Sunday, 27th October at 11:00am in our Parish Church. 

 As with all Masses and celebrations of the Sacraments, it would be fantastic to see as many community members from the school in attendance for the Masses to support the children, families, catechists and staff during this wonderful time. This is a time when Confirmation candidates renew the promises made for them by their parents and Godparents at Baptism. Over the next two Sundays, the children will renew these promises themselves. 

If you would like to learn more about Confirmation, please click on the link to view a video prepared by the Archdiocese of Brisbane https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFo-9H-lZlk 

During the week, our children and staff were treated to a visit by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Apparition. On Tuesday, Sister Lilian, Sister Elizabeth, Sister Martina and Sister Pat joined the staff for morning tea and then were shown around the school by Sister Geetha. The Sisters were truly touched by the welcome that they were given, as well as by how much our staff and children knew about the person of Saint Emilie. 

Our school was founded in the faith tradition of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Apparition and it is vital that we continue to ensure our school is in keeping with the values of the Sisters as we go forward. Our Catholic identity is what makes our school unique in the Canning Vale area. 

2024 Public Rosary Procession
This Saturday, 12th October, the parish has invited all members of our school to join them for a nationwide rosary chain followed by a procession around the surrounding area. All children who attend from the school are invited to wear their school uniform for the procession. 

Welcome to our new Families
I am pleased to share that we have three new families who have joined us here at St Emilie’s to commence Term Four. A very warm welcome to our new families. Please find your home here at St Emilie’s in this very caring community. 

Class Term Overviews
A Class Overview for each year was sent home last week. This overview provides parents and carers with an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the teaching and learning program for your child’s class as well as any other information that is required to ensure that Term Four runs smoothly in your child’s class. 

2025 Class Requests
The period for parents and carers to lodge official class requests for 2025 has now opened. If you have any class requests for your child for 2025, these need to be sent in writing to the school admin account at stemiliesadmin@cewa.edu.au. While we will certainly take your requests into account when we are organising classes for 2025, requests are not guaranteed. The period for official class requests to be sent to school will close on Monday 28th October. 

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 on 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. 

Notification of Increase in School Fees for the 2025 School Year
At St Emilie’s, we endeavour to ensure that costs associated with children attending school are affordable and accessible for all families. This includes providing various payment options for families to settle school fees in a manner that is comfortable for them. 

In 2025, Catholic Education Western Australia has suggested a fee increase at St. Emilie’s Catholic Primary School, Canning Vale of 4%. 

At the most recent School Advisory Council meeting, the School Advisory Council endorsed this fee increase for school fees next year. 

Since 2019, there has been no increase to school fees here at St Emilie’s in line with advice from CEWA and with a focus on making our school affordable and accessible. While we understand that families are experiencing pressures with the cost of living at present, unfortunately, this rise in school fees could not be avoided. 

From a School Advisory Council point of view, we are happy to share that the largest increase to school fees for any one year level across the school remains less than $4 per week. That’s less than a cup of coffee per week! 

Interschool Competitions – Chess, First Lego League & Year Six Basketball
We are only in Week Two and already, interschool competitions for Term Four are already kicking off. We wish all of the children who are participating in the Interschool Chess Competition, the First Leo League robotics and coding competition and the Year Six Basketball Team all the very best as they represent St Emilie’s. 

Edu-Dance
Edu-Dance also commences this week with the children participating in a weekly lesson as they prepare an item to share with the community at the end of the term.  

School Tours
Please share the news that this Thursday we will be conducting school tours through the school. These tours are designed for any potential families who are interested in enrolling their child for 2025 and beyond. The School Tours will take place on Thursday, 17th October at 9:30am and 4:00pm. 

Walk & Ride To School Form
Walking and riding to and from school is a fantastic way to find 30 minutes of physical activity each day. While we recommend that if parents and carers are able, they walk or ride to school with their children, we understand that at times this is not possible. If your child walks or rides to school, can we please ask that you complete the associated form on behalf of your child which can be found in the School Administration Office. 

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. 

Colour Run – Change of Date 
Please note that the School Colour Run will now be held on Friday 1st November. More information will be shared close to the date. 

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 Jo Roberto. Mrs Roberto works as an Education Assistant in Year One Gold and is also our school Work Health & Safety Representative. Please enjoy reading all about Mrs Roberto.

Parent Circle
Parent Circle will return again in Term Four. The date of the first Parent Circle session will be on Thursday 17th October at 8:45am in the School Hall. All are welcome.