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,
With Week One now behind us, we move on to Week Two of the term.
Week One was a terrific week here at the school with the children settling very quickly back into their teaching and learning routines. The weather was beautiful to start the school term and it was really nice to reconnect with children, parents and carers again after the school holiday break.
Thank you parents and carers for ensuring that your children have all they require to commence this school term.
As a staff, we joined with one another twice this week in prayer. On Monday, staff gathered in the staffroom to pray for the passing of Pope Francis and reflect on his legacy for us as educators. That is, to educate with hope, optimism, empathy and compassion.
We also joined on Wednesday afternoon with one another for our Gathering Prayer to commence the term. This prayer unites our staff around our mission, vision, values and motto here at the school, and provides an opportunity for staff to reflect on our School Vision for Learning.
Children also had the chance to pray this week for Pope Francis in their classrooms and on Monday, the Year Six children led our school so reverently and respectfully at our ANZAC Day Prayer Service.
Parents and carers should have already received the Term Two Parent Information from their child’s Class teacher. Parents and carers are asked to read over this information to ensure that you are up to date with what is happening in your child’s class this term. Included in this information will be an overview of your child’s learning for the term.
Welcome to our Community
This term we welcome Mr Gochez and Ms Tonkin (not to be confused with Mrs Tonkin our School Assistant Principal) to our community. Both Mr Gochez and Ms Tonkin join us from the University of Notre Dame, where they are studying as part of the School of Education. Mr Gochez joins Year Three Blue with Mr Hewitt and Ms Tonkin join Year Four Blue with Mrs Green.
I know that you will ensure that Mr Gochez and Ms Tonkin feel very welcome here at St Emilie’s
2025 Mother’s Day Celebration
On Thursday, information was emailed home to families about the 2025 Mother’s Day Celebration at St Emilie’s. This year, our celebration for mothers and mother figures in the community has evolved slightly, with a focus on creating an opportunity for mothers and mother figures and their children to spend time with one another during the school day.
On Friday 9th of May, mothers and mother figures are invited to come to school, collect their children from their classroom and then move the Library, Learning Hub or Multi Purpose Room, where your child will have the opportunity to draw or paint a portrait of you. This will become a keepsake for you for years to come and allow you to spend time with your child here at school.
Mothers and mother figures are then invited to join with other mothers and mother figures from the school for morning tea and a chat.
To book a time slot to come and join with your child, please read the email sent on Thursday. On Friday morning, we have left some time slots open before school for people to access, as we recognise that we have many working mothers here at school. The earlier time slots will hopefully provide those mothers who work on Friday to join their children before school. I would ask that these early time slots be left open for mothers who can only attend early in the morning, and if you are able too, that you book a later time slot to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to join the fun.
Fathers and father figures are encouraged to put their hand up to assist on the morning. Fathers and father figures will be asked to assist with showing mothers and mother figures where to go, ensuring that everyone has what they need for the art pieces and in serving morning tea. Come on, dads, this is your time to shine! If any fathers or father figures are able to assist, please contact the School Admin Office.
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 safe use of the internet.
Parents and cares 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.
Help Needed Please
We are after some umpires for our Year Six Eagles Cup games coming up in a few weeks. If you are able to umpire netball, soccer or football on Friday the 16th May, Friday the 23rd May and/or Friday the 13th June from 1pm to 2.30pm please contact our PE/Health teacher Mr Paul Davis on paul.davis@cewa.edu.au. Netball will be at St Emilie’s, Soccer and Football at Sutherlands Park.
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.
Car Park Upgrades
Over the course of the school holidays, the school car park has undergone some upgrades to enhance safety, as well as ensuring that it is crystal clear how the traffic is meant to flow at the school. This is the first stage of two stages, with the second stage taking place next year.
If you ever walk to school, you will notice that a new gate has been commissioned and will be left open for people to use. This gate is accompanied by a crosswalk for pedestrians. Pedestrians are asked not to use the main drive through gate to come in and out of the school. This is extremely dangerous given the potential speed of cars coming off Amherst Road at the roundabout. A big thanks to Beau Jose from the Advisory Council for being out on the new crosswalk each day.
School Tours
If you know of someone who would like a tour of the school, please let them know that on Tuesday 6th of May, school tours will be conducted at 9:30am and at 4:00pm.
Parent Circle
Parent Circle will once again be offered in Term Two. Last term, the school experimented with running Parent Circle on alternate Wednesdays and Thursdays and this term, we will do the same.
Parent Circle will be held on the following dates:
Thursday 8th of May @ 8:45am in the Hall
Wednesday 21st of May @ 8:45am in the Hall
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.
Chris Burns
Principal
SCHOOL TOURS
PROSPECTIVE PARENTS TOURS
St Emilie’s warmly welcomes prospective parents to tour our beautiful school and discover the heart of our community.
If you know someone who may be interested in enrolling their child at St Emilie’s, please feel free to pass on the details.
For families with children commencing Kindy in 2026 who have already submitted an enrolment form and are awaiting an interview, please note that a tour is included as part of the interview process.
We will be hosting two exclusive school tours on Tuesday, 6 May 2025.
Please use the link below to reserve a place for either the 9:30am or 4:00pm session.
Tours will begin at the front of the St Emilie’s School Administration building.
Eventbrite Ticket Information
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 Focus for May
Celebrating Diversity Through Friendship – Our URSTRONG Focus This Month
This month, our URSTRONG friendship program is all about diversity, and what a fantastic opportunity it is to celebrate the unique qualities that make each of us special. We believe these differences not only enrich our lives but also help make friendships deeper and more meaningful.
URSTRONG beautifully defines diversity as:
“The amazing differences between us that make the world a better and way more interesting place.”
Why is diversity important in friendships?
Through exploring diversity, children learn empathy, understanding, and respect. They begin to appreciate that everyone brings something valuable to a relationship, regardless of background, interests, or personality. It also connects to one of
URSTRONG’s key friendship facts:
Friendship Fact #2 – Every friendship is different.
This encourages students to see that differences don’t divide us — they strengthen us.
How we support diversity at school:
- We model curiosity and respect when talking about different cultures, abilities, and perspectives.
- We celebrate our students’ unique qualities — from the languages they speak, to the holidays they observe, to their talents and interests.
- We encourage open conversations where students can share their experiences and learn from each other.
- We use inclusive books and stories that reflect a wide range of voices and characters.
(And these are just a few examples — there are countless ways diversity is embraced every day!)
Key messages for students this month:
- We don’t have to be the same to be great friends.
- Differences make friendships stronger — and more fun!
- When we’re curious, kind, and open to learning about others, we help create a school where everyone feels safe and included.
We encourage you to continue these conversations at home and celebrate what makes your child — and your family — beautifully unique.
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 Two
Tuesday 6th May – Prospective Parents School Tours
Tuesday 6th May – Year Five Excursion
Thursday 8th May – Parent Circle
Friday 9th May – Mother’s Day Morning Tea
Week Three
Monday 12th May – Maths Incursion (PP to Year Six)
Tuesday 13th May – Kindy 2026 Interviews Begin
Tuesday 13th May – Year Five Incursion
Wednesday 14th May – 8.45am P&F Meeting
Friday 16th May – Year One Assembly & Merit Awards
Friday 16th May – Eagles Cup (Year Six)
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
Friday 6th June – Eagles Cup @ Xavier
Fruit of the Holy Spirit
Gentleness
Gentleness is defined in the dictionary as “the quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered.” In terms of the fruit of the Spirit, the kind of gentleness we’re interested in involves showing humility and thankfulness towards God, as well as polite, restrained and compassionate behaviour towards everyone else. If we think about gentleness is in terms of its opposites, we find that it is countered by a desire for revenge, a sense of self-importance, or the expression of anger.
Gentleness is a gift of the Spirit, but as a trait it is produced when a softened heart abides in Jesus. It may be a gift, but true gentleness also demands something on our parts: intention. Being intentionally kind, compassionate, and humble towards others, especially when they are facing struggle or difficulty.
Gentleness is the fruit of the Spirit that demands most from us. It means adopting a position where we effectively place ourselves third on the list – putting God and other people before ourselves. This isn’t something that makes us feel that comfortable. It requires humility and sacrifice, patience and compassion – qualities that we might feel that we lack (even on our best days). But the good news? God shows us the way. His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, and He never gives us gifts that we can’t use.
Term Two
Gentleness
Be sensitive and understanding to the needs of others in a gentle and caring way.
Week Two: Express your Feelings Gently
Week Three: I am Grateful
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, ‘Are you a good listener?’ by Rachel Samson.
Be gentle with yourself. Many people didn’t experience deep listening in their childhood and enter adulthood with a limited capacity for listening to and being with others’ emotions. We tend to fall back on the communication styles and habits that we experienced in our family of origin, even if these are unhelpful in our
adult relationships. Notice when these old tendencies are present and appreciate that it takes time to learn to communicate differently. Thankfully, deep listening does not require perfection; it requires awareness—and a willingness to practice coming back to those we love again and again.
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)
