2025 Newsletter Term 4 Week 1

Remember .......

The Senior Swimming Program for Years 3-6 starts on Monday

Our Strategic Intent

At St. Vincent’s we know our students which enables us to support and provide them with a consistent, safe and faith-filled community equipping them to be engaged and successful learners

From the Principal

Welcome back to St Vincent's as we enjoy Term 4 together. For some families, it will be your last few months with us, but for others, this term will be their first time as part of our community.

As a community, we have had such a positive start to the term, and in particular, our Year 5/6s have been busy. Please take some time to flick through the photo gallery of their week, which included a trip to Melbourne to see Annie the Musical as well as District Cricket. The opportunity to see a world-class performance at the Princess Theatre is not a regular thing for a primary school to do, so can I commend Mrs. Burke for championing this adventure. Rumours are they are targeting another show for 2026!

Sadly this week we farewell Mrs. Paula Vella from our school. Paula only started this year, contributing as part of our Wellbeing structures. Unfortunately for us, her growing work, family, and study commitments became too difficult to manage, so with a heavy heart, she made this decision. We thank Paula for her many known and unknown contributions to our students, staff, and families. Good luck Paula for your professional and personal journey ahead.

Last Sunday, it was great to see some St Vincent's families involved and participating in the Jubilee of Migrants event hosted by our Morwell Parish. It was a superb day in regards to both the event and the weather. Thank you to those families and their extended family and friendship networks who contributed in any way, and special thanks to Cam Greenslade and Harry Cooper who had volunteer roles either in the band or driving the Fairy Floss machine!

On the topic of helpers... I've tapped the talented Tyson Webb (off Gag-Ga Pit fame!) to install our new flagpoles for our new celebration space behind the stage. I have neither the technical know-how nor muscles to assist Tyson. My skills are limited to providing positive encouragement, so if you are available to assist, please let me know. Also, we have the mulch pile still needing some action—if you have some spare time and energy, please let me know and I can supply the wheelbarrow and tools. Thanks to those students, staff, and other helpers who have already chipped in to spread some mulch around the school and church gardens. Doesn't a fresh layer of mulch just lift the look of a garden in Spring?

Wishing all students and families a positive finish to 2025. Let's all enjoy the ride without rushing through the weeks.

... and finally, Year 3 to 6 to pack your bag for swimming on Monday!

Thanks, Dave

SchoolTV: World Mental Health Day

This resource is made available to St.Vincent's families as the school partmers with the SchoolTV platform

SPECIAL REPORT: World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is marked every year on 10 October as a reminder of the importance of mental health to our overall wellbeing. It is a day that encourages families, schools, workplaces and communities across the globe to start conversations, reduce stigma and highlight the support available for those who may be struggling.

Mental health challenges can affect anyone: children, teens, and adults alike. Recognising this helps us create more compassionate and supportive environments.

Parents and caregivers play a central role in shaping the mental health of their children. World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to pause and reflect on the pressures young people face in today's world and how we can best support them. Whether it's helping children find balance between school, technology, and rest; encouraging open conversations about feelings; or modelling healthy coping strategies ourselves - small steps at home can make a big difference.

By engaging with resources and discussions on this day, families can strengthen their understanding of mental health and contribute to a culture where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength, not weakness.

This Special Report highlights the importance of World Mental Health Day and offers practical suggestions for how your family can acknowledge and support it together.

Sun Smart Reminder

St.Vincent's encourages good practices around exposure to UV.

Our key strategies involve wearing hats, encouraging the application of sunscreen and providing shaded play areas. We encourage families to apply and supply their chosen sunscreen to their children, as the school does not supply sunscreen.

School hats must be worn during Term 1 and Term 4, although we actively encourage students to wear them in times of increasing UV ratings.  Having your hat at school from Father's Day to Mother's Day is a great guide.

Update: End of Year Fun Day - Colour Run Disco

Get excited .... this day is going to be huge!!

FRIDAY 28TH NOVEMBER 

This year Destiny Kirkup has created the most magnificent concept to celebrate the end of the year and to farewell the Year 6's with a (colourful) BANG!  Music, Colour, Laughs and Sausages - A recipe for a successful day.

Many hands do make light work plus your kids would love to see you involved.  We will need help leading into the day, on the day and after the fun.  Check your work roster and request this day off!

Please reach out to Destiny or Mr. Cooper to get involved.

Thanks to the generosity and support of different families and business we have been in the position of regularly reducing what will be the final costs for families which is such positive news. 

Can we already offer our early thanks to:

Maria & Chris Dunn

Peta Roberts

Lauren & Ben Marks

Valley Tyrepower Morwell

Chamika & Gyan Fernando

Jason Norder (JLJ Services)

Justin Presley (Woolworthes)

Rod & Bec Alexander and Safe Edge Training

.... plus the huge volunteer list that is growing!!

Medical Profiles on PAM

When we prepare for upcoming excursions and camps, we review all student medical information. Please take a moment to log into your child's Medical Profile to ensure all details are accurate and up-to-date.

We have noticed a few common discrepancies, particularly regarding medication and allergies. For example, please be sure to list medications like Panadol in the Medications section, not under Allergies.

Having the correct information on file is crucial for your child's safety and well-being. Thank you for your cooperation.

Please reach out to the Office staff if you have any questions or require assistance.

Term 4 Mass Roster

Transition Schedule for 2026 Foundation

Our Patch News

Great news coming from the team at Our Patch HQ.  We have been approved to lift our attendance numbers.  This will come as great news for families that have at times hit a hurdle when they are trying to lock in permanent or casual days.

A reminder that Our Patch also offers Before School sessions that families may like to use to take pressure off a chaotic start to the day. Imagine a calm start to the day balancing school dropoff and getting to work on time (with a coffee).

Reconciliation Program for Year 3's

A busy week in Year 5/6!

Annie the Musical, then District Cricket

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Before and After School Traffic Management

Just a continued reminder about the need for everyone to be safe and vigilant when in the carpark.  We all have a shared responsibility to ensure all our children and families are safe.  The first few minutes at start and end of the day are very busy times, and as the weather turns wet and cold we have more cars accessing closer positions to the school.  Please take your time and not rush.

In the morning, we ask all parents to drop off at the start of the Kiss & Go Zone, close as possible to the exit gate.  This allows more students to exit vehicles safely at the same time, eliminating the build-up of traffic lined up in the car park.  The Kiss and Go Zone (marked with yellow paint) is also wide enough for cars to overtake each other, which again will help eliminate congestion.

Cars are not permitted in the Kiss & Go Zone in the afternoon.  This allows for the increased space for students to be collected, eliminating the congestion at the bottom of the ramp.

We ask drivers not to park on the nature strips and 'No Standing' areas between the driveways on either side of Rowell Street as this reduces driver visibility creating unnecessary risks for our children.

All Ability Cricket

Morwell Fire Brigade OPEN DAY