Term One Week Ten – Commencing Monday 7th April 2025

Holy Week Tableau
This Friday, the children in Year Five will be leading the Holy Week Tableau in the School Hall commencing at 8:45am. For those in our community who are unaware, a tableau is a style of drama in which the children use their bodies to depict a story or sequence of events. 

On Friday, our children will share with us the story of Holy Week and the events that ultimately lead to Jesus crucifixion and rising again on Easter Sunday. 

The tableaus are not a performance in the traditional sense where the audience claps and cheers. This depiction of Jesus final days is a solemn occasion on which we reflect on the cross he will be carrying. 

All are invited to attend and join us on Friday.  

Sacrament of Reconciliation – Change of Dates
For the parents of children who are celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation this year, please note that due to some unforeseen circumstances, the dates for the Parent Workshops have needed to be altered. 

The new dates for the Parent and Child Workshops are indicated below: 

• Tuesday 27th of May @ 5:30pm 
• Thursday 29th of May @ 4:00pm & 5:15pm 

Additional information will be sent out closer to the dates for parents and carers to register for the workshops. 

Interschool Swimming Carnival
What a fantastic result for our school at the Interschool Swimming Carnival yesterday. Our school finished the day in second place with some fantastic individual results posted by some St Emilie’s children, winning Champion and Runner-Up Champion medals. 

This collective result yesterday was earned through hard work and perseverance with a great turnout of boys and girls turning up for the morning swimming training sessions at Riverton Leisureplex. 

Thank you to Mr Davis and to Mrs Yock for the generosity of time in training the children in the mornings this term. 

School Advisory Council
On Wednesday evening, the School Advisory Council gathered for the first time this year to commence the years’ work with the advisory council. The School Advisory Council is comprised of community members who sit in an advisory capacity to the School Leadership team. 

This year, the members of the council are: 

Leah Bishop – Chair
Melinda Curren – Deputy Chair
Stefanie Malelo – Secretary
Christopher Day – General Member
Nicole Grima – General Member
Beau Jose – General Member
Father Jean Noel – Ex-Officio
Gillian Norris – Ex Officio
Stuart Munro – Ex-Officio
Sara Tonkin – Ex Officio
Chris Burns – Ex-Officio 

We thank these wonderful people for their time and energy to ensure that our school continues to offer the children and families in our care a quality Catholic education right here in Canning Vale. 

Interschool Cricket Carnival
This Monday, we wish our Year Sixes luck as they travel to Sutherlands Park for the Interschool Cricket carnival. 

School Carpark Upgrades
Over the school holidays, some work to improve the car park here at St Emilie’s will take place. The work that is planned is done so with the aim of making it clear about how the car park should flow. This clarity will enhance the safety of all on site here at the school. 

In comparison to most schools, we have a very large car park with a lot of bays to park. We know that at peak times, the car park can be busy, however, we do need to count ourselves lucky with the space we have. 

Early next term, we will share details with the community about some of the upgrades. A huge thank you must go to Beau Jose, Melinda Curren, Stefanie Malelo and Stuart Munro for the time and energy spent in planning and organising the upgrades for the carpark. 

Homework Club Review
Over the past few years, Homework Club has been available for children in Year Four to Year Six to nominate for in Term Two and Three. The purpose of Homework Club was for children to attend for an hour and make a start with their Purposeful Practice/homework and ask for assistance if need be. 

Earlier this year, staff had an initial conversation and reflection in to how Purposeful Practice should look at St Emilie’s. We will continue to review Purposeful Practice early next term to ensure that this model aligns with our School Vision for Learning and current educational best practice. At the same time, staff will review Homework Club and whether Homework Club actually complements our philosophy of Purposeful Practice. 

Further information will be shared about whether Homework Club will be offered in 2025 early next term after staff have had time to review Homework Club. 

For further information on Purposeful Practice in the Parent Handbook.

Children Wearing Watches to School
It has been noted that a number of children are wearing watches to school. The definition of watch in this case also includes Smart Watches, Fit Bits and other accessories that have the capability to tell the time. 

A reminder that children are able to wear watches to school. Watch straps must be neutral colours (white, grey, black or navy blue). The reason for this is that we do not want watch straps to become a distraction from learning or to become a competition between the children as to whose is the brightest or most trendy. To ensure the safety of children at all times, watches should not be able to connect to the internet or to a mobile network. If they are able to, this function must be switched off and locked. Watches should also not have video games or cameras on them as this is not only distracting, but is also unnecessary and presents the temptation for misuse. 

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 Endorsed Purchases
At Wednesday’s meeting, purchases that will be made using funds contributed by the P & F by the school were tabled and endorsed by those presents. 

Throughout the year, the money raised by the P & F will go toward: 

• Contributing to the Reading Eggs subscription for all children Pre-Primary to Year Six 
• Contributing to the Mathletics subscription for all children Pre-Primary to Year Six 
• Financial support for three classes to attend the CREEC Earth Day Summit 
• Purchasing of a class novel set for Year Six 
• The purchase of digital technology equipment for children between Kindy to Year Two by Ms Harris 
• Provision of pancakes on Shrove Tuesday 
• The purchase of fridges for the Library and Pre-Primary 
• Provision of Harmony Day icy poles 
• A new BBQ for the school 
• Outside mats for the Pre-Primary space 
• A Pre-Primary to Year Six Maths Incursion from Dr Maths 
• Kindy outdoor play equipment 
• Year One and Year Two outdoor play equipment 
• Year Two readers 
• Welcome signage in home languages for the school 

Parent Circle – Wednesday 9th of April
A reminder that the final Parent Circle will take place on Wednesday 9th of April in the Small Hall. Siblings are invited to attend to join in for an Easter Egg Hunt. 

Principal Leave – (Mrs Sara Tonkin Short Term Principal – Week Ten)
In Week Ten, I will be on leave from school. Mrs Tonkin will take up the position as Short Term Principal in Week Ten. Going forward, in my absence, Mr Munro and Mrs Tonkin will alternate in the role as Short Term Principal should I be on leave for an extended period of time. 

Perm-A-Pleat Schoolwear Opening Hours
Perm-A-Pleat Schoolwear, our school uniform provider will be open over the holidays for trading. However, will be closed over the Easter weekend, on the following dates: 

18/4/25 Good Friday
19/4/25 Easter Saturday
20/4/25 Easter Sunday
21/4/25 Easter Monday

Please find more information and general opening hours click here.

Important Dates
Please add these dates to your diary for this week and the commencement of the term. 

• Friday 11th of April – Holy Week Tableau
• Friday 11th of April – Term One Concludes 
• Monday 28th of April – Term One Commences 
• Monday 28th of April – ANZAC Day Prayer Service