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,
To our Irish families and the Irish diaspora in our community, I wish you all a very happy St Patrick’s Day on Monday. As well as being a cultural celebration for many in our community to celebrate their Irish roots, this celebration also has great significance for the early roots of our Catholic church in Australia. Many of the early religious in Australia were of Irish descent and have contributed significantly to the church here in Perth and around the state and country. Happy St Paddy’s Day everyone!
This week, we also celebrate Gannon House Day which celebrates the contribution of Sister Margaret Mary Gannon. Sister Margaret Mary Gannon was instrumental in the early life of our school and in getting our school up and running. Staff have been exploring the contributions of Sister Margaret Mary Gannon and the Fruits of the Holy Spirit which she connects to.
Sister Margaret Mary Gannon was a member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Apparition and for a while actually lived in the old farmhouse on the school site. This original house was located near the current Year Four Class and at that time, our school and our community looked very different. This day is dedicated to a very special lady.
NAPLAN 2025
We are once again in the midst of our NAPLAN assessment period with children from Year Three and Year Five taking part in the annual NAPLAN assessments. The children, under the guidance of school staff, will participate in these assessments early into next week. I ask that as a community we keep the children and staff in your thoughts and prayers so that they can continue to do their best.
Year Six Camp
Our school leaders, the Year Six children will depart this week to take part in the Year Six Camp. The children will travel via Point Walter on Wednesday to Woodman Point Campsite where they will enjoy challenging activities and a chance to build on their mateship and togetherness as a cohort.
The children in Year Six have made a brilliant start to the year and we wish the children and staff all the best as they depart for Camp.
Kindy Enrolments 2026
We are now calling for Kindy enrolments for our 2026 Kindy cohort. If you know of anyone with a child due to commence Kindy in 2026 who would like to join our vibrant and diverse community, please encourage them to submit an enrolment application or contact the school for further details.
P & F Committee
On Wednesday, an email was sent to all members of our community calling for nominations to join the P & F Committee. If you would like to nominate or have further questions about what this involves, please check the email sent on Wednesday 12th of March.
Parent Handbook
The 2025 Parent Handbook is now available on the school website. The Parent Handbook can be found at https://stemiliescps.wa.edu.au/parents/parent-handbook/
CEWA Easter Colouring In Competition
This Easter, CEWA is once again encouraging children from Catholic schools across the state to submit an entry for the CEWA Easter Colouring In Competition. This is a great way to provide a creative opportunity for those children who are interested.
Please find the link below for further details:
https://www.facebook.com/CatholicEducationWA/videos/548957884863273/?rdid=XBBjweLNxlI78GbD#
P & F Footy Tipping
The AFL season has commenced and if you’re still willing to participate it is never too late to join the fun. We will close the Trybooking link next week, so this is your very last chance to join the St Emilie’s Footy Tipping Competition.
Please follow the link below to join.
https://www.trybooking.com/CZEJG
Parent Circle – Thursday 27th of March
Last week’s Parent Circle on Wednesday was a great success with some new faces joining for a cup of tea and something to eat during the morning.
If you are keen to connect with parents in the community over a cuppa, please feel free to join the crew at Parent Circle on Thursday 27th of March in the Small Hall. Younger children are more than welcome to join their parents.
School Advisory Council Spotlight
Over the next few weeks in the Weekly Reminders, we will be sharing with you a profile from the members of our School Advisory Council. The School Advisory Council is formed by very dedicated volunteers who bring their own God given gifts to the role. These parents and carers sit on the council and act as an advisory body for school staff concerning the direction and governance of the school.
This week, we will share the profile of Mr Chris Day with you. Thank you, Chris, for your contribution to our school.
Chris Burns
Principal
School Advisory Council in the Spotlight
Mr Chris Day
- Name
Christopher Day - Role on the St. Emilie’s Catholic Primary School Advisory Council in 2025?
I will be a general member of the SAC in 2025. - How many years have you been a member of the School Advisory Council?
I have been a member of the SAC since 2024. - Favourite part about being a member of the St. Emilie’s Catholic Primary School Advisory Council so far?
Being involved in the process to select a new uniform supplier, and seeing the results flow through to the students wearing them has been incredibly satisfying. - Favourite pastime/hobby?
Relaxing with a good movie if I need to wind down, or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu if I need to let off some steam. - Favourite food?
Roast pork belly (if it’s on a pub menu, there’s no decision to be made)! - Favourite holiday spot?
Busselton, WA - Favourite sport/team?
It’s a pretty even split between the Fremantle Dockers and Perth Heat. - What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead at St Emilie’s in 2025?
Watching our eldest son Thomas graduate from Year Six, and being involved through the SAC in creating the best environment that we can for the kids to learn and thrive.
ENROLMENTS
NOW ACCEPTING ENROLMENTS FOR KINDY 2026
If you have a child who will be going into Kindy in 2025 (born between 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022), 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
SAVE THE DATE
URSTRONG’s whole-school friendship strategy has improved the social climate in schools around the world, connecting over a million kids, parents, and teachers with a common language of friendship. We are proud to be a URSTRONG School, empowering your children with friendship skills through their award-winning Friendology curriculum.
You are invited to attend an ONLINE Language of Friendship parent-child workshop for URSTRONG Schools on Thursday 27 March at 6:00pm. Dana Kerford, Founder of URSTRONG, will be live from Canada to teach you and your children skills + language to foster healthy, feel-good friendships.
This workshop will take place online via Zoom. You will be sent a link to join very shortly.
You are also invited to keep the conversation going at home with a FREE membership for URSTRONG Families. Take advantage of activities, videos, & articles to continue empowering your child with friendship skills.
After the workshop, we encourage you to:
- Activate your FREE Parent Membership and explore all the resources available to your family.
- Encourage Green-Zone Friendships with this activity: Must-Haves, Deal-Breakers, & Ice-Cream!
- Try out this interactive tool: Friendship Fire or Mean-on-Purpose?
- Pop over to URSTRONG’s BLOG with news & advice and be sure to check out their PRESS page for interviews & podcasts!
We believe that empowering our students with these skills will create a culture of kindness at our school and we hope you will be part of this whole-school initiative!
P&F News
Footy Tipping
P & F Footy Tipping
The excitement is building around St Emilie’s as the start of the AFL season has commenced. Can the Dockers win their first flag? Can the Eagles resurrect themselves after some disappointing seasons? Who knows!
The P & F Footy Tipping competition is a great way for the community to have some fun with the AFL season as well as raise some money for the school.
Please use the QR code above so you can sign up to join in the fun and give yourself an opportunity to win some great prizes.
Family Circle
Key Calendar Dates
Term One 2025
Parents are encouraged to subscribe to our Calendar on our Website for the most up-to-date Calendar events.
Week Seven
Monday 17th March – Year Three and Five NAPLAN
Tuesday 18th March – Year Three and Five NAPLAN make up
Tuesday 18th March – Gannon House Day
Wednesday 19th March – Year Six Camp
Wednesday 19th March – Year Three and Five NAPLAN make up
Thursday 20th March – Year Six Camp
Friday 21st March – Year Six Camp
Week Eight
Tuesday 25th March – Two Way Parent Teacher Interviews Begin
Tuesday 25th March – Interschool Swimming Training
Wednesday 26th March – 8.45am P&F Meeting
Wednesday 26th March – Year Five Incursion
Thursday 27th March – URSTRONG Language of Friendship Online Parent/Child Workshop
Friday 28th March – Year Four Assembly and Merit Awards
Week Nine
Tuesday 1st April – Interschool Swimming Training
Wednesday 2nd April – School Advisory Council Meeting
Thursday 3rd April – Interschool Swimming Carnival
Friday 4th April – Year Three Assembly & Merit Awards
Week Ten
Monday 7th April – Year Six Interschool Cricket Carnival
Friday 11th April – 8.45am Holy Week Tableau
Friday 11th April – 3pm Term One Concludes
Fruit of the Holy Spirit
Self Control
Self-control is the capstone virtue of the Spirit, and it is the key to your spiritual integrity. It is the virtue that determines how effectively you build all the other spiritual virtues into your life. Without self-control, you will not operate with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness.
Self-discipline is the Greek word egkrateia, which means the self-discipline to exercise power over yourself. It is keeping yourself under control. It is Spirit-empowered self-mastery over your inner desires, thoughts, actions, and words. It is the cornerstone spiritual virtue in your battle against the old nature.
Your spiritual integrity is largely determined by your commitment to biblical self-discipline. Without this foundational virtue, there will be very little growth in grace. Before other disciplines can be applied, whether in the home, business, community, or church, there first must be Spirit-empowered self-control.
The biblical virtue of self-control is taught throughout the book of Proverbs. “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city” (Proverbs 16.32). The word for “spirit” is ruach, and in this context it refers to your inner thoughts, emotions, and impulses. The Proverb challenges us to manage our emotions and not let our emotions manage us. The fruit of the Spirit is produced when you respond to God working in your life and you learn to “rule your spirit.”
Term One
Self Control
Reflecting on my words and actions and how they affect myself and others.
Week Seven: Act Don’t React
Week Eight: Trust Is Something You Earn
Week Nine: I Can Wait
Week Ten: Finish The Things You Start
Term Two
Gentleness
Be sensitive and understanding to the needs of others in a gentle and caring way.
Week One: Be Sensitive to the Needs and Feelings of Others
Week Two: Express your Feelings Gently
Week Three: I am Grateful
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, ‘Now You See Them, Now You Don’t’ by Dr Justin Coulson.
The investment we make now—in patience, creativity, and consistent expectations—yields dividends in the form of capable, responsible young people who understand that contributing to their community begins at home. By transforming household work from dreaded obligation to meaningful participation, we prepare our children not just for independent living, but for a lifetime of positive engagement with the world around them.
OSH Newsletter
Wider Community
Ngala Parenting Line – funded by the WA state Government
The Parenting Line offers free telephone advice and support to parents and carers of children up to 18 years of age throughout Western Australia.
Our team of qualified and friendly staff are on hand to offer information, strategies, reassurance and encouragement. They help parents and other professionals find the appropriate organisation or service to meet their need.
Hours of operation are 8am to 8pm, every day. The Parenting Line operates as a Call-back service.
Ways to Contact the Parenting Line:
By Telephone: 08 9368 9368 or 1800 111 546 leave a message with Switchboard or on the Answer machine.
By Website www.ngala.com.au fill in the online form.
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)
