Dear Families,

Welcome back to Term Three and all that lies ahead everyone! We hope you managed to have a really relaxing break and that you were lucky enough to be able to enjoy some quality family time with your precious children, whether at home, or away on a vacation holiday.

As I watch my own grandchildren grow and change so very quickly, it continues to remind me how important it is to seize every moment in their glorious company as an opportunity to love them, laugh with them, teach and model, play, imagine, create, read, encourage and support.

It is certainly very easy to get sucked into the vortex of our long 'to do' lists and to be overtaken by the big and little worries that life presents to us along the way, however if we can continue to learn to 'step back', take the long view and open our eyes to the sheer gift that being a parent is, we can learn to slow down and really make the most of time spent in our children's wonderful company.

Childhood lays the foundation for accumulating memories that last a lifetime. Despite all the different challenges, hardships and curveballs that life presents us with, may we strive to create memories for our kids that are as loving, happy, safe and positive as they can be, even despite the many challenges of daily life.

Upon our return to school this week, staff learned that the 13 year old cousin to one of our St Emilie's families, recently passed away. This young boy, who had bravely been battling brain cancer for a number of years now, was of course, greatly loved and cherished by his family and friends. The funeral was held yesterday, and as you can imagine, his passing leaves family, relatives and friends dealing with a devastating and profound loss. We have extended our heartfelt condolences from us all and you are asked to please hold them in your thoughts and prayers.

Juxtaposed against this very sad news, is the safe and joyful arrival of new baby Sienna, sister to Sophie Li in Kindy Blue. Congratulations Nancy and Peter and we wish you all the very best as you navigate your way through all that comes along with a newborn and juggling to get to school!

We are also awaiting the news of a staff member's baby very soon - Mr and Mrs Naden are expecting their first child any day now! All the best Dan and Cassie! Other happy holiday news was the beautiful wedding of Miss Corkhill to her fiancee Luke. Louise is now known as Mrs Armistead and we wish her all the love in the world for the exciting years ahead.

As Principal, I am in the privileged position of walking beside families, especially those who are doing it tough for a variety of reasons. While most of us will never know the various circumstances others find themselves in, the reality is that all families go through tough 'stuff' at various times in their lives and it can place a lot of pressure and worry on their shoulders. Whether dealing with heartache, loss, marriage strains, financial difficulty, illness, job insecurity, physical and mental health challenges or other, it is important for us all to learn to withhold judgement, and to be mindful of keeping our eyes and hearts open to simply treating one another with ongoing kindness, respect and understanding.

The school Cross Country today was a great opportunity to cheer our kids on here at school! Despite a shaky start the weather cooperated and there were some great individual performances. However, every child who participated earned a point for their team and this achievement is highlighted and celebrated as much as if they had won the race!

Below you will see a plea for families to please support the parish through their annual raffle. We haven't had much luck with families selling a book of tickets so now we are asking all families to please buy one individual ticket @ $5.00 a ticket. These will be sold before and after school next week outside the office so please support. Cash and EFTpos can be used.

Enjoy your weekend everyone and despite the wet weather, we hope you break out the monopoly boards, the card games, jigsaws and the craft box and find many moments to simply be very grateful for!

Kindest regards

Tania Thuijs

Principal

On Monday staff looked a little closer at the whole area of Student Wellbeing and the strong relationship between wellbeing and learning.

We know that as a parent you want your child to be happy, to make good friends, to learn and to enjoy all that school life offers them.

Family and school have a significant role to play in laying the foundation of a child’s wellbeing, from their earliest years. When your child feels connected to their family, peers and teachers they feel safe and secure and they know they’ll be supported throughout their learning journey. Safe and trusting relationships create a positive learning environment where wellbeing can flourish.

Parents are reminded that a healthy diet, good quality sleep and daily exercise are fundamental building blocks to student wellbeing. Please ensure that these three things are prioritised and modelled in your family.

We have picked up where we left off prior to COVID last year and invited the daughter of the man who invented NUMERO, Julie Richards, to return to run professional development workshops for staff so that we can have a whole school rollout of this wonderful game!

Numero is an excellent mental maths game that has the potential of significantly boosting mental maths ability when played regularly.

A focused Numero program is adaptable for any ability and suitable for ages 3 to adult;

is a fun educational activity for the whole family; increases children’s confidence in the classroom; encourages tactical thinking and thinking ‘outside the box’; complements our numeracy program.

We look forward to working with Julie again next term and to watching Numero games appearing in classrooms.

Pasi is a Finnish educator and author. He has worked as a schoolteacher, teacher-educator, researcher, and policymaker in Finland and advised schools and education system leaders around the world.

He served as a senior education specialist at the World Bank, as a lead education expert at the European Training Foundation (Torino, Italy), as a director general at the Finland’s Ministry of Education and Culture (CIMO), and as a visiting professor of Practice at Harvard University.

He is a recipient of several prestigious awards for his lifelong service in education. His most recent books include "Let the Children Play: How more play will save our schools and help children thrive", "Finnish Lessons : What Can the World Learn from Educational Change in Finland” (2021), and "In Teachers We Trust: The Finnish way to world-class schools" (2021, with Tim Walker). He is Professor of Education Policy at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

I look forward to sharing some of the key messages with you!

Thanks to Mr Davis for all his organisation on the day.

Please follow the link below to the timetable for the Interschool Cross County for next Thursday 29th July.

http://web.stemiliescps.wa.edu.au/?p=39020

As you will be aware, Term Three is traditionally filled with a number of events. While school activities can now be attended by families, it is important that we remain prepared for change, as COVID related situations continue to unfold across Australia and things can change very rapidly.

While we will be continuing to try to avoid postponing or altering any events, we ask for your understanding and support if this needs to happen.

Physical distancing of 1.5 metres between adults from different households should be maintained where possible and good hygiene practices to be maintained.

Thank you!

If you are feeling a little anxious or worried in regards to the COVID situation you may like to check out some of the resources below:

There are 4 PP grids this term:

Week 4 and 5

Week 6 YAY WEEK - no Homework and no Homework Club this week!

Week 7 and 8

Week 9 and 10

http://web.stemiliescps.wa.edu.au/?p=39012&preview=true

TERM 3

Week 2

Tuesday 27th July

Homework Club 3-4pm

Wednesday 28th July

Bishops Religious Literacy Practise Assessment - Year 5 (to ensure internet capability)

Eucharist Workshops 4pm and 5.30pm - in the Learning Hub - Year 4 families.

Staff Meeting 3.20pm - 4.30pm

Thursday 29th July

Interschool Cross Country @ Tomato Lake Years 4-6

Eucharist Workshops 4pm in Learning Hub - Y4 Families

Friday 30th July

Kindy Body Balls and Brains - Fundamental Movement Workshop 9.00am

Bishops Religious Literacy Practise Assessment - Year 3 (to ensure internet capability)

Week 3

Monday 2nd August

9.00am Christian Dance at Mercy College

Tuesday 3rd August

Pre-Primary Celebrating 100 Days of School

3.00- 4.00pm Homework Club

Wednesday 4th August

8.00am Year 3 Community Mass

Thursday 5th August

Year 3 & 5 Bishop Literacy Assessment

Friday 6th August

Mackillop House Day

8:45am Year 2 Assembly

Prizes are different denominations of CASH and all proceeds support our parish!

Families are asked to please bring $5.00 or use EFTpos to buy tickets.

Your support is really appreciated!

If you have a child starting next year please ensure that you have completed an enrolment form. We still have some spaces so please spread the word!

Kindy enrolments are an exciting time for our school - we love to meet new families and touch base with our existing families!

School social workers focus on the student in the school environment and work collaboratively with principals and teachers to minimise the impacts of personal, family and school difficulties and, where possible, remove any barriers to learning.

With students as their focus, school social workers provide consultancy, advice and support to principals, teachers and other school staff and to families so that they can best meet the needs of individual and groups of children and young people. There is a strong emphasis on individual student and family counselling and support. This is an amazing opportunity for kids, staff and families and one we have wanted in our school for some time.

Please find below the Parent Referral and Consent Form to access our School Social Worker.

You are asked to read the procedure carefully and also note that Kylie only works two days a week. While she will do her very best to accomodate all family referrals, patience may be required as she prioritises her case load and allows time for observation visits, classroom support and playground involvement.

Heights of the desks are as follows:

680 mm

580 mm

480 mm

If you wish to purchase one or more, please contact the school office by email detailing how many you are interested in.

Please tell your neighbours and friends also!

Desks can be collected from the back gate next Friday when the Busy Bee is being held.

All proceeds will go the P&F for fundraising purposes.

Many thanks to everyone who grabbed a desk at the Busy Bee.

If you are interested please let the Office know!

Keyed Up Music Lessons

Keyed Up Music will be teaching keyboard, guitar and voice lessons this term after school. Lessons start at $18.65 for groups of four per lesson. If you are interested in your son/daughter learning an instrument, ring Savanna on 6107 8841 or 0479 171 424 or enrol at www.keyedupmusic.com.au/enrolment-form

After-School Soccer Coaching Clinics (Term 3)

All Kindy to Year 2 children were given a registration form for an After-School Soccer Coaching Clinic starting Tuesday the 3rd August (3.10pm – 4.10pm). We will conduct it on the school grounds.

The activity is coordinated and run by Physical Education and/or Soccer Specialists; all with their Working with Children Checks. The Clinic focuses on Maximum Participation during Organised and Fun 8 x 1 Hour sessions. The cost for the clinic is $80.00 per child.

If you are interested in letting your child learn and play this World Game in fun sessions and you have not yet registered, then please register online at www.play4life.com.au or complete the registration form and return it to reception. (Spare registration forms are available at reception). If you have any queries, please call Play 4 Life on 6162 0932.

After-School Netball Coaching Clinics (Term 3)

All Year 2 to Year 4 children were given a registration form for an After-School Netball Coaching Clinic starting Wednesday the 4th August (3.10pm – 4.10pm). We will conduct it on the school grounds.

The activity is coordinated and run by Physical Education and/or Netball Specialists; all with their Working with Children Checks. The Clinic focuses on Maximum Participation during Organised and Fun 8 x 1 Hour sessions. The cost for the clinic is $80.00 per child.

If you are interested in letting your child learn and play this Beautiful Game in fun sessions and you have not yet registered, then please register online at www.play4life.com.au or complete the registration form and return it to reception. (Spare registration forms are available at reception). If you have any queries, please call Play 4 Life on 6162 0932.