Emmaus Catholic Primary School
Term 4, Week 9 Newsletter: Friday 8 December 2023
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGES
Dear Parents & Caregivers
As we approach the end of our first academic year at Emmaus Catholic Primary School, it is both a pleasure and a privilege to reflect on the incredible journey that we have undertaken together. The 2023 school year has been one of transition, growth, resilience, and numerous achievements for our students, staff and community.
How blessed are we to be in this special school community?
During the last few months, I have been reflecting on the last year and a half at Emmaus Catholic Primary School. The long hours and hard slog of work to have the school up and ready for the beginning of the school year, the numerous numbers of people who helped us, the beautiful children that we have enrolled and the exemplary staff that we have on board. We truly have the nucleus to a beautiful community of which we need to continue building. In this time of reflection, I came across a quote that spoke volumes to me and summed up our journey this year at Emmaus CPS.
‘Everyone comes with them at least one, and probably many pieces, to someone’s puzzle. Sometimes they know it, sometimes they don’t…and when you present your piece to another, whether they knew it or not, whether they know it or not, you are a messenger from the most high.’
I believe that this quote is telling us that through giving another a piece of ourself, we connect, build relationships and bring Jesus alive here in Dayton. When we reflect on the man, Jesus himself, we think of his words, actions and teachings. He touched so many people and continues to touch us today in 2023 by the way we deal with each-other.
Jesus taught us about gratitude and how to be grateful. I honestly could write so much to express how grateful I am for all that we have accomplished and experienced together this year. We have experienced joy and also some tough times throughout the year especially in our initial period of commencing our school. All of which we are grateful. As parents and caregivers, your kindness, generosity and trust in us with your kids drive us to make Emmaus Catholic Primary School the best it can be.
2023, has been so busy and has flown by with such pace. Hence, my message to you all during the Christmas season, is to take time to stop and just have a break. Just be in the moment with your loved ones and ensure that it is quality time. May we all find quietness, peace and opportunities to spread kindness. All of us love Christmas, but I hope you find some time to be still and just be.
Most, if not, all of us are raised by our parents to be kind to others and to look after each other. I can recall growing up, my mother and father telling my sisters and I that by being kind to others can transform a person’s day or life. Give in kindness and you will be filled with joy they would say. Although that was hard to understand at an early stage of life, I thank God that my parents entrenched that message into me.
There is no better example of the kindness and love that our children and families have shown than the Christmas hampers that we have collected for the vulnerable in our community. You have made someone’s Christmas morning and day, a special one this year. Imagine their faces!!!
Thank you so much!
Over this Christmas break I ask you to keep in mind the connection to Jesus and the true meaning of Christmas. We remember that God gave us His only son to teach us to serve others. As you spend the coming days with family and friends, connect with them and bring Christ alive. Christmas shouldn’t always be about presents but instead presence.
St Vincent de Paul Volunteers address our students
Vinnies volunteers thank you!
THANK YOU P&F and SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL
As a school community I would like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful P&F Committee who have done an outstanding job in our foundational year. The time and effort and more importantly community building that the P&F have been able to create has been nothing short of outstanding. I must also add a huge thanks to all our families who have supported the P&F and I am certainly looking at this community growing together in the future.
It is also with great gratitude that I thank our interim School Advisory Council members for their time, support and guidance throughout this year. Led by Mr Joe Bartucciotto as our Chairman, this Council has done an invaluable job for our school, and we are all so appreciative.
TO FAMILIES LEAVING THE SCHOOL
To families within our school, who move on at the end of the year, thank you for what you have given to us as a community. Thank you for your support during your time with us. May you be blessed with good times and much happiness. We wish you all the very best for the future. To our kids who leave us, your new teachers are going to love teaching you!
As families leave Emmaus CPS, we also will have many new families coming to our school for the first-time next year. As some of you may be aware, we are growing at a faster rate than we expected. That is credit to you as a community and to our wonderful staff, who in a short time have made this school a special place to be. Next year there will be many new families and students joining us right through from 3K – Year 6. We very much look forward to them joining us and the special qualities that they will add to our school community.
STUDENT/PARENT HOLIDAY CHALLENGE
Earlier this week Mrs Hackner and I visited the Year 3, 4 and 5 classes to have a general chat with the students and thank them for their efforts this year. We also discussed their work habits and spoke about developing good work habits moving into 2024. If your child is in the year 3 – 5, ask them what Mr C spoke to them about. If they don’t mention it, ask them about getting out of bed and picking up their oars.
A challenge that we have given the children is a reading challenge. We have asked the children to try and read every day or every second day. The reason for this is outlined in the chart below where you can see what happens to Lucy who does not read over the break compared to Mary who continues to read. Research will tell you that students will regress over the break, hence especially with reading it would be good for them to keep at this. You as parents need to make this happen.
END OF YEAR REPORTS 2023
End-of-Year Academic Reports will be issued today via SEQTA Engage. I have been so encouraged to see so many positive comments in the student’s reports stating how they have worked to the best of their abilities this year. That is so pleasing to read. End of year reports give us an opportunity to celebrate the positives and acknowledge the wonderful gifts our children have. Please keep in mind that a ‘C’ grade, as outlined by Mrs Hackner in her letter home, is a great result for the students.
Parents have been advised to activate this platform by setting up an account (first time users) or logging as previously done with accessing mid-year reports (for those who already have an account). Further information was given this week (please see below the attached letter).
Please peruse your child's report thoroughly, and with your child, again, please celebrate the successes identified and discuss the areas for focus for the new 2024 school year. A great discussion to have around your child's achievements! Parents are advised to download and save all SEQTA reports for future reference.
2024 BOOKLISTS & STUDENT SUPPLIES
Before your child commenced at Emmaus CPS in 2023, parents were issued with a Campion Booklist which indicated books and stationery supplies to be purchased for the academic year. There are changes this year that are beneficial financially and practically for our families!
Working with Campion, we will now have student booklist and stationery items bought in bulk with the fee somewhat reduced for families. The items will be delivered to the school over the Christmas / New Year break and all items organised by the school staff. Teachers will distribute items as needed within the classroom throughout the 2024 school year. Imagine the much lighter bags being carried in on Day 1 next year!
A 'Parents to Supply' List is provided for each child across the grades and includes supplementary materials for parents to provide. Please see the lists attached below this article for your child(ren's) relevant year level.
2024 SCHOOL UNIFORMS
JFE Uniforms have extended their operating hours at their premises in Osborne Park throughout January. Please see the flyer below. Attached is also a copy of the Emmaus CPS uniform requirements across the grades.
TERM 1, 2024 PARENT CALENDAR
Attached below this article is the Term 1, 2024 Parent Calendar. Considering the number of weeks before the new school year commences, please be mindful that some dates and events are subject to change, so please check future newsletter notices for updates.
2024 Public Holidays and Pupil Free Days are as follows:
TERM 1
Friday 1 March - Staff PD Day
Monday 4 March - Labour Day
Friday 29 March - Good Friday
TERM 2
Thursday 25 April - ANZAC Day
Friday 31 May - Staff PD Day
Monday 3 June - WA Day
Friday 28 June - Staff PD Day
TERM 3
Friday 6 September - Staff PD Day
Friday 20 September - Staff PD Day
TERM 4
Monday 7 October - Catholic Day
KINDY PARENT INFORMATION SESSION & STUDENT ORIENTATION
The Parent Information Session and Orientation Day for Kindy (4K) students will be run next year. Please take note of these days and times:
4K Parent Information Session - Tuesday 23 January 6:00 pm (Hall) - Parents only
4K Student Orientation - Thursday 25 January (4K classrooms). Children attend with one parent.
- Session 1: 9:00 am - 10:00 am
- Session 2: 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Next week, each 4K teacher will email parents with a digital pack of relevant Orientation documents. The email will include:
- Which 4K class (4K Green or 4K Blue) your child is assigned to, and staggered start times for the first day next year.
- The time of your child's Orientation Session on 25 January.
Please look out for the email. Our 4K staff are looking forward to meeting you next year!
MEET THE 2024 EMMAUS STAFF
THANKSGIVING LITURGY & CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Oh What A Special Night! Wow! What an amazing performance our Kindy to Year 5 students put on last Thursday night for our first Emmaus Christmas concert. A big congratulations to all our superstar performers, they have worked so hard in Term 4 planning and rehearsing for the big event – no easy feat! And I am so proud of each and every child for their enthusiasm and energy as they performed, and the joy they spread through song and dance.
Thank you to staff for their support in preparing for the evening, and a special mention to Ms Glasson who helped to coordinate the whole school Nativity. Thank you Emmaus students for making the night so special and giving me goosebumps through every item of the night.
“Brilliant! I wasn’t expecting that!”
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Mrs Freeman
All smiles
Our little drummer boy
Waiting for their turn on stage
Cheesy grins
Singing and dancing as the sun sets
LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL FUN
Final assembly
We made ice-cream & enjoyed eating it!
Final assembly
Dance, dance, dance
Last day of school - big smiles
Just watching my friends
P&F UPDATE
CHRISTMAS MASS TIMES - all welcome
ST HELENA OF THE HOLY CROSS PARISH, ELLENBROOK
See below the timetable or click on the attachment to view the larger version.
ST MARY'S CATHOLIC PARISH, GUILDFORD
This comes to you and to your families with good wishes and blessings from Fr. Aulraj and the parish community of St Mary's Guildford. Fr Aulraj extends a warm welcome and invitation to everyone to join their parish community for Christmas celebrations.
Wishing you all a very happy and blessed Christmas. 🎄
COMING EVENTS
Monday 22 January 2024 - Emmaus CPS office re-opens
Tuesday 23 January - 4K Parent Only Information Session @ 6:00 pm in the Hall
Thursday 25 January - 4K Student Orientation Session with one parent to attend (email to come)
Thursday 25 January - JFE Uniform Shop @ Emmaus from 8:00 - 10:00 am
Wednesday 31 January - First day of school for 4K to Y6
Thursday 1 February - First day of school for 3Ks who have already turned 3 years
Merry Christmas to all and God bless!
Sandro Coniglio
Principal