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 at St Emilie’s, we celebrate Laudato Si Week.
This year Laudato Si’ Week is extra special as we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Laudato Si’ in the Year of Jubilee. It is also a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge with gratitude the incredible inspiration of Pope Francis in caring for Our Common Home.
The Laudato Si Week theme for 2025 is ‘Turn Debt into Hope’. This is a powerful response to one of the most pressing issues of our time, the devastating impact of unsustainable debt on developing nations. As Catholics and supporters of social and ecological justice, we have a moral responsibility to stand with those who are suffering and think of ways we can protect our Earth for the future.
During Laudato Si’ Week and beyond, join us in as we strive to turn the burden of debt into a beacon of hope for a brighter, more just future.
Within the school, the pin up board that is outside of the Library on the Year Three side of the walkway has a focus on sustainability and Our Common Home. I recommend visiting this pin up board for more information about Laudato Si Week in 2025 and for other fantastic initiatives happening at St Emilie’s in the area of sustainability. There is a lot going on!
This week, children will hear messaging from fellow students and staff about the importance of caring for Our Common Home.
Feast of Eugene De Mazenod
‘Learn who you are in the eyes of God’
This Wednesday, our school will celebrate one of our four House patrons, Eugene De Mazenod. Eugene De Mazenod is an integral part of the story of Saint Emilie De Vialar. Eugene De Mazenod, who was also French, was a friend and ally to Saint Emilie De Vialar during her toughest times. A true friend who encouraged and guided Saint Emilie, even when the stakes were high.
On Wednesday, the children and staff from Mazenod House will lead our school in prayer and wear their blue colour with pride while collecting for those in need.
Quality Catholic Education School Review (QCESR)
This week, our school will be visited by a panel of external educators from CEWA while the school undergoes the QCESR process. This process is a chance for external professionals from the field of Catholic education to affirm all of the great things that are happening at St Emilie’s’ as well as address any areas for future focus. We look forward to welcoming our visitors on Wednesday and Thursday this week. Please say hello to our visitors if you should happen to see them around our school this week.
National Simultaneous Story Time
This year, National Simultaneous Story Time takes place on Wednesday, 21st of May. Held annually, a picture book that is written and illustrated by an Australian author is showcased, and children from around the country stop what they are doing to enjoy story time.
This year, the focus picture book for the day is The Truck Cat by Deborah Frenkel. For more information on this wonderful event, which promotes reading for our children, please visit https://alia.org.au/Web/Web/Events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=NSS25
Busy Bee
As we did in 2024, this Friday, we will be hosting a Busy Bee at St Emilie’s. All in our community are welcome to come and join after school at 3:30pm with Mr Cogger to complete some small jobs around the school.
The Busy Bee is a great opportunity for children to show extra care to the school grounds through caring for our school, as well as meet new families from the community and have some fun. At the conclusion of the Busy Bee, families are welcome to stay behind for a sausage sizzle.
If you are interested in attending the Busy Bee, please register using the link.
Families will need to bring some clothes they are happy to get dirty, gardening gloves, enclosed shoes and any gardening tools that will help with general gardening jobs e.g. rakes, shovels etc (these are not essential).
Parents and carers, please note that a parent is required to stay with their child should they wish to attend the Busy Bee.
Year Two Assembly
All are invited to the Hall next Friday 23rd of may after drop off for the Year Two Assembly. As always, morning tea will be served afterwards with all in our community invited to stay.
Website Updates
Over the course of the term, there have been some updates to the school website. For further information about some of the great things happening at St Emilie’s, please visit the links below.
Vision for Learning – https://stemiliescps.wa.edu.au/our-learning/vision-for-learning/
Catholic School Improvement Plan – https://stemiliescps.wa.edu.au/our-school/school-documents/
Drone Footage from the Parish Christmas Celebration – https://stemiliescps.wa.edu.au/our-community/st-emilie-de-vialar-parish/
Literacy Position Statement – https://stemiliescps.wa.edu.au/our-learning/literacy-position-statement/
Numeracy Position Statement – https://stemiliescps.wa.edu.au/our-learning/numeracy-position-statement/
St Emilie de Vialar Catholic Parish
A reminder that our school website has a link to the parish website. The St Emilie de Vialar Parish of which our school belongs, is a very active parish with many opportunities for people to get involved in deepening their faith, participating in prayer and outreach and being part of a strong community.
For further information, please visit https://stemiliescps.wa.edu.au/our-community/st-emilie-de-vialar-parish/ and please ensure to keep checking the notice boards near the Early Years Area.
Digital Device User Agreements
As part of the school’s commitment to ensuring the safety of our children at all times, and in line with our School Code of Conduct, Digital Device User Agreements will now be sent home each year to families. These agreements aim to highlight the importance of safety in the digital world, which is not just an education piece for our children, but for us as adults entrusted with the care of our young people too.
The Digital Device Agreements also ensure that the expectations of safe internet usage for the children from the school are made clear to children, parents and carers.
These user agreements which are easy to read and jargon free, offer families a point of reference to start or continue conversations around the safe use of the internet.
Parents and carers will receive an IT User Agreement for each of their children. Families are asked to speak about the agreement and then sign and return the agreement to your child’s Class Teacher. Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s Class Teacher.
Kindy Enrolment 2026 – A Call for Siblings
There has been a phenomenal response to calls for applications for Kindy enrolments for 2026. Commencing this term, the school will begin interviewing children for Kindy in 2026. If you know of anyone who is interested in attending Kindy at St Emilie’s in 2026, please encourage them to submit an application to the School Admin office as soon as possible.
We are especially calling families of children already enrolled at the school who have siblings who are Kindy age. Due to the high demand for places in Kindy in 2026, it is vital for you to submit an enrolment form to the school. Please note that just because you have a child enrolled at the school, does not mean that you automatically receive a guaranteed place for their sibling if you do not submit the application on time.
St Emilie’s Waste Sorted Fun Fact
Earlier this term, some of the children in our older grades participated in a Waste Sorted Incursion. During this incursion, our visitors from Waste Sorted led our children through a waste audit in the school, where the children sorted through our items thrown in the bin for landfill. The results of this audit are back, and each week, we will share what was discovered at our school in the hope that we bring awareness to our collective impact on our environment.
Did you know…..
During our waste audit, we counted 64 snack wrappers from one day in the bin. This works out to be approximately 11,904 wrappers being sent to landfill each year from St. Emilie’s Catholic Primary School alone!
Parent Circle
Due to the QCESR Review taking place at St Emilie’s this week, The Parent Circle meeting spot will move off site to Dome Cafe in Canning Vale. Catrina will be waiting for anyone wanting to catch up over coffee at 8:45am. Catrina will be wearing a name badge so people can recognise her easily.
Parent Circle will be held on the following dates:
Wednesday 21st of May @ Dome Cafe in Canning Vale
Thursday 5th of June @ 8:45am in the Hall
Wednesday 18th of June @ 10:00am (straight after Mass) in the Hall
New faces are always welcome and if you are a regular attendee to Parent Circle, we encourage you to bring a friend with you.
Conversations With Boys Event
Corpus Christi College are pleased to invite our community to an insightful and empowering workshop led by Mike Dyson, founder of Good Blokes Co and a nationally recognised advocate for healthy masculinity and social-emotional wellbeing.
The event details are listed below.
- Event Name: Better Conversations with Boys
- Date: Tuesday, 27 May
- Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
- Location: Caroline Payne Theatre, Corpus Christi College
- Cost: Free. Bookings essential: https://events.humanitix.com/betterconvo
- Who: Parents and Guardians (Open to all—no affiliation with Corpus Christi College required)
Mike Dyson brings over 15 years of experience in fostering meaningful connections, offering a practical and heartfelt approach to tackling complex topics. This workshop provides valuable insights into the culture shaping boys’ behaviour and wellbeing, equipping parents with easy-to-apply frameworks for initiating honest, impactful conversations.
Chris Burns
Principal
UP AND COMING
Busy Bee
The St Emilie’s Busy Bee will be held on Friday, 23rd May from 3.30pm to 5pm. We need parent volunteers to assist on the day. We could not run this event without your help, so thank you very much for your time if you choose to help!
We are asking volunteers to come and assist Mr Cogger with a few jobs like mulching and pruning. Volunteers are asked to bring a pair of gloves each and, where possible, a shovel, pruning tools and a wheelbarrow.
After the Busy Bee, we will have a Sausage Sizzle and refreshments.
Please complete the form below by Wednesday, 21st May, to register your attendance and the number of Sausage Sizzles required.
We thank you in advance
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
🥷💚 URSTRONG – Sometimes we experience BIG EMOTIONS!! 💚🥷
In Year Two, we are learning that it’s okay to feel all kinds of emotions — and we’re also learning how to manage them in strong, healthy ways. 💪✨
Sometimes, we all experience BIG emotions – like sadness, frustration, anger, or worry. These feelings can feel really overwhelming, and we feel it in our bodies like your heart is racing or your tummy is turning. When that happens, it’s important to stop, take a breath, and give yourself a moment to calm down and reset.
In Year Two, we’ve been learning how to recognise these big feelings and explore healthy ways to manage them. As part of our learning, the students made a list of things that help them feel calm and safe when they’re going through strong emotions.
Here are some of their great ideas:
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Taking deep breaths or counting to 10
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Having a quiet moment in a calm space
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Talking to a trusted adult or friend
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Drawing, colouring, or writing down their feelings
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Getting a drink of water
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Thinking of something that makes them feel happy or safe
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Using positive self-talk like “I can handle this” or “It’s okay to feel upset”
Learning to notice how we’re feeling — and knowing what helps us feel better — is part of becoming a strong and kind friend, and taking care of ourselves and each other.
It’s okay to feel big emotions — what matters is how we manage them.
Key Calendar Dates
Term Two 2025
Parents are encouraged to subscribe to our Calendar on our Website for the most up-to-date Calendar events.
Week Four
Wednesday 21st May – Feast of Eugene De Mazenod & Mazenod House Day
Wednesday 21st May – 6pm School Advisory Council Meeting
Friday 23rd May – Year Two Assembly & Merit Awards
Friday 23rd May – Eagles Cup (Year Six)
Friday 23rd May – 3.30pm to 5.30pm Busy Bee
Week Five
Tuesday 27th May – 5.30pm Reconciliation Workshop
Thursday 29th May – 4pm and 5.15pm Reconciliation Workshops
Friday 30th May – Pupil Free Day
Week Six
Yay Week
Monday 2nd June – Western Australia Day Public Holiday
Wednesday 4th June – LifeLink Launch
Friday 6th June – Eagles Cup (Year Six)
Week Seven
Tuesday 10th June – Kindy Bunnings Incursion
Wednesday 11th June – 8.45am P & F Meeting
Friday 13th June – Year Five Assembly & Merit Awards
Friday 13th June – Eagles Cup (Year Six)
Week Eight
Tuesday 17th June – Feast of St Emilie
Tuesday 17th June – Year Five Incursion
Wednesday 18th June – 9am St Emilie De Vialar Mass
Wednesday 18th June – 6pm Advisory Council Meeting
Fruit of the Holy Spirit
Peacefulness
The word ‘peace’ appears nearly 429 times in the Bible, which helps us understand why the phrase “Peace be with you” is so important in the faith community.
One of the strongest human desires is for peace, whether it be peace between nations, peace between neighbors or even peace within our minds. Peace is listed in the top three characteristics of the fruit of the spirit. Without love, joy and peace, the rest of the fruits are not possible. God has also called us to be peacemakers.
In Philippians 4:6-7 we are told, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
God’s perfect peace is an amazing gift that is hard to understand. How can people find peace of mind when things are falling apart around them? The fruit of the Spirit of peace provides the inner peace of mind and contentment even in less-than-peaceful situations.
If you are having anxiety, take a moment to sit and be still. The peace that can comfort you during this time comes from the Holy Spirit within us. Having peace doesn’t mean that you will not have conflict, stress or difficult times. Peace is knowing that our God is in control.
Term Two
Peacefulness
Be peace-filled and cooperate with others while we find ways to work it out.
Week Four: Be Peace-filled
Week Five: Cooperate with Others
Week Six: Find Ways To Work It Out
Joy
Finding beauty in everyday things and seeing the good in every situation.
Week Seven: See The Good in Every Situation
Week Eight: Find Beauty in Everyday Things
Week Nine: There is Great Joy in Giving
Week Ten: Don’t Let Anything Take Your JOY
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, ‘Safety Second: Why “Safety First” Is Bad For Your Child’ by Dr Justin Coulson.
Research from the University of British Columbia shows that children deprived of risky play develop poorer risk assessment abilities, decreased physical literacy, and—most alarmingly—heightened anxiety disorders. Professor Mariana Brussoni captures this perfectly: “Children should be kept as safe as necessary, not as safe as possible.”
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)
