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Last Sunday’s Gospel
In the gospel of Luke we hear that Jesus spoke about the need to be prepared to give up everything to follow him. It is representative of other important times in our lives. When we strive to do something important we focus and leave other things behind. Sometimes it requires a house move, a change of job, selling something so we can afford something else. When we say yes to some things we must say no to other things. Sometimes it is even sleep! Think of having a newborn baby! So we must let go of what stops us being close to Jesus remembering the relationship with Him is the most important of all.
From the Principal and Assistant Principal…
Car Park Parking, Kiss and Ride and Child Safety Before School
We have noticed an increase in the number of families accessing the Church carpark of an afternoon. A condition of using this car park is that entry occurs prior to 2:15pm and exit must occur after 2:45pm. Entering and exiting the car park between 2:15- 2:45pm is a safety concern with many pedestrians including students walking home needing to cross and interrupts that flow of traffic for Kiss and Ride. We are not allowing staff to enter or exit at this time either.
We have also noticed an increase in the number of students being dropped off prior to 8am. These students have been reported by neighbours as running up and down the footpath, playing handball and continually crossing over the crossing. We ask families to drop students off no earlier than 8am. Restrictions on teacher duties restrict our ability to provide supervision before 8am and there is also an equity issue with families paying for supervision through OOSH. Please book your children into OOSH if you need care for them prior to 8am. There are subsidies available and OOSH can advise you of these.
Attendance
As a Diocese, we aim for every child’s attendance to be 95% or greater. Currently our student attendance rate is 92%. We need your support in ensuring that students only stay at home when they are unwell. Not attending school because of a birthday is not an acceptable reason for staying at home.
When students arrive late or have a significant number of days off they miss out on learning opportunities. Parents have a legal responsibility to explaining absences. Providing an explanation to the school for any absence within seven calendar days of the first day of the absence. The primary method by which a parent may provide an explanation is through Compass. Verbal explanations and emails are also accepted.
Assembly update
We would like to provide you with an update on some procedures that we will be implementing in light of the feedback that we have received from families.
- Moving forward, we will no longer be cancelling assemblies. In the event of extreme weather conditions, we will instead invite the presenting grade, along with the students receiving awards, to the Hall. Families are still welcome to attend, but instead of the assembly being held on the basketball court, we will be in the Hall. Siblings of students receiving St Eugene awards will also be collected by an SSO so that they can watch their sibling receive their award in the Hall.
- We will also be emailing families of the students who are receiving their Gold, Silver and Bronze awards (along with Merit awards, as normal). This will mean that families will receive an email of any award that their child will be receiving.
- The grade hosting the assembly has also been asked to look at the agenda for the assembly a week beforehand and along with the Principal (or Assistant Principal) a decision will be made to determine if the assembly needs to begin earlier to allow enough time for everything to be shared and celebrated. This will then be communicated via Compass if an earlier assembly is required.
Summer Uniform Changeover
As mentioned last week, students can begin wearing their summer uniform. With the weather still being uncertain, students are able to wear their summer or winter uniform from now until the end of the term. Please do not mix and match the uniforms, e.g. Long pants with a short-sleeve shirt. As of Term 4, all students will return to school in their Summer uniform.
Kinder Green Teacher Update
Ms Barber will be on leave for the remainder of Term 3. Ms Emily Nilsson will be teaching the class and had the opportunity of spending the day with them for a handover. Please feel free to pop in and say hello!
Michelle Rolfe and Emilia Ahern
Principal and Assistant Principal
Upcoming Events:
Grandparents' Day and Book Week Celebration Update
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are so excited to invite PARENTS and GRANDPARENTS’ to our Grandparents' Day and Book Week celebration on Friday 12 September 2025. It will be a wonderful day for us to celebrate the special bond our students have with their grandparents and to foster a love for reading and literature.
The day will be packed with a variety of events, so we have a detailed schedule to ensure you don't miss a thing! Our day will begin at 8:00 AM with an opportunity for students and families to visit our Book Fair prior to the start of the school day. Please note that the Book Fair will be open for purchases from 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM and again from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM for families who wish to buy books.
At 10:00 AM, all our special guests are invited to the school hall for a delicious morning tea. This will be a lovely time to mingle, and we are especially proud to announce that our school choir will be performing for our guests.
Following morning tea, we will gather for our Grandparents' Day Liturgy, led by our Year Two students, at 10:30 AM in the school shelter. We ask that all parents, grandparents and visitors entering the school grounds on the day sign in via a QR code that will be provided during the morning tea and at the gates.
The highlight of the day will be our annual Book Character Parade, which will begin at 11:30 AM on the top playground. We can't wait to see all of the creative costumes your children have put together!
After the parade, from 12:30 PM to 1:10 PM, we will open up the classrooms for families to visit and join their child in a special Book Week-related activity. This is a great opportunity to see what your children have been learning and to participate in an activity together.
Finally, at 1:10 PM, families are welcome to join their children for a picnic lunch on the top playground. Please remember to bring your own chairs and picnic lunch, as well as a blanket to sit on.
For dismissal on the day, please note that students will need to be signed out by their classroom teacher. You will need to receive a token from your child's classroom teacher, which you will then present at the gate upon leaving. Please ensure that anyone collecting your child is on the authorised pick-up list, or you have sent in a letter telling us who is authorised to pick up your children..
We look forward to seeing you all there for a day of fun, celebration, and reading!
NSWCPS Netball Carnival
Last Tuesday 2 September, I had the privilege of attending the NSWCPS Netball Carnival with a team of Year 5 and 6 students. This gala day saw MIEV compete in 4 games. We faced some strong competition, but our girls bravely showed up and represented our school with pride and great sportspersonship. We won all 4 of our games convincingly and ended up as Champions of our pool.
I would like to thank each of the students below, including Poppy W and Kiara R, who trained with the team but unfortunately, we were unable to attend on the day due to sickness/injury.
Congratulations to:
Marisa M, Addy T, Indy A, Maia T, Zara S, Winter D, Hina V, and Aurora T.
The Council of Catholic School Parents, in partnership with Beyond, is offering a free webinar for parents and carers of students in Years 3 – 6.
Prepared for parents of Years 3 – 6 primary school, the webinar empowers parents to recognise and nurture their child’s unique strengths and talents, guiding them toward greater confidence, motivation, and resilience.
Nurturing Strengths – Primary Parent Webinar
Date: Wednesday 10 September 2025
Time: 12.30 pm – 1.15 pm