
St Denis School Newsletter
Term 1 Week 7
- Year 6 Camp
- Thank you to our community
- Swimming Carnival reults
- Reconciliation
- Playgroup
- Pre Kindy 2026
Lenten Prayer
God of our journey
we are all pilgrims of hope
brought together by your love
and your wish that we may all be one.
We pray that in this Year of Jubilee
when we are called to greater justice
and care for our common home
that we may Unite Against Poverty.
May we work in unity for the freedom of the oppressed
and the renewal of creation.
May our compassionate minds and generous hearts
help bring about a world where all can live in peace.
May our Lenten pilgrimage of fasting, almsgiving and prayer
bring us closer to your loving heart.
Amen
IMPORTANT DATES
WEEK 7
Friday 21 March
Harmony Day - Wear Orange
Saturday 22 March 6.30 pm & Sunday 23 March 9.00 am
Reconciliation commitment mass
WEEK 8
Tuesday 25 March 5.30 pm
Year 3 Parent/Child workshop
It’s hard to believe we’re already in Week 7! The past fortnight has been filled with energy, excitement, and a wonderful sense of community at St Denis. Each morning as I drive to school, I feel incredibly grateful to be part of such a vibrant and welcoming school, getting to know our students, staff, and families. My children are always keen to hear about my days at St Denis and love listening to the stories each night—it’s a joy to share the special moments that make our school so unique.
Year 6 Camp
Attending the Year 6 camp was truly special, as we watched our students step outside their comfort zones, challenge themselves, and support one another. From overcoming fears to embracing new adventures, their resilience and teamwork were inspiring to witness. A heartfelt thank you to Mrs Mac, Mrs Lanigan, and our incredible staff for their dedication in planning and guiding our students through such a meaningful experience—one they will treasure for years to come.
A Huge Thank You to Our Amazing Community!
A massive thank you to Tegan W and Gloria O for coordinating an outstanding sausage sizzle and cake stall! Thanks to the generosity of our parents, over 380 packets of cakes, biscuits, and slices were lovingly baked, donated, and sold. A dedicated team of parents worked tirelessly on the stalls and barbecue, with generous contributions making the day a huge success.
Of course, so much happens behind the scenes in the days before and after an event like this, and I am reminded of the spirit of Jesus alive in the gift of service. The generosity, dedication, and hard work of our families truly reflect the heart of our school community.
We are incredibly fortunate to be part of such a supportive and enthusiastic community. The funds raised will go towards a new playground for all our students to enjoy—what an exciting project! It will be hard to top this effort at the upcoming Federal Election, but we’re always up for a challenge!
Swimming Carnival
Last week’s swimming carnival was another highlight, brimming with excitement, team spirit, and outstanding sportsmanship. It was fantastic to see our talented swimmers give their best efforts in the pool, while the encouragement from their peers created an uplifting and joyful atmosphere. A huge thank you to Mrs Mac for making this an inclusive event for all, and to our staff and parent volunteers for their support on the day. Congratulations to all participants for their enthusiasm and determination—you made the day truly memorable!
A huge thank you to our dedicated parent helpers and teaching staff, whose efforts ensured the carnival ran smoothly. Well done to all our swimmers for their fantastic participation—we can’t wait for next year’s event!
Reconciliation
This week, we gather for our Reconciliation Commitment Mass, a significant milestone in our students’ faith journey. In Week 8, families will also take part in the Parent-Child Workshop, offering a valuable opportunity for reflection and preparation. We keep our students in our prayers as they embrace this sacred sacrament, deepening their connection with their faith and community.
Harmony Week
Reminder: Wear Orange on Friday!
To celebrate Harmony Day, PP-Year 6 students will embark on a Language Trail! They will discover new greetings, take on fun challenges, and complete their Harmony Day Passport as they explore the diverse languages and cultures within our school community.
P.S. Keep an eye out for our ‘Welcoming Garden’ at the school entrance on Friday! Students have created self-portraits to celebrate diversity and show that while we may all be different, everyone belongs.
Come, Stay, and Play!
A huge thank you to Mrs Anderson, assisted by Mrs Cooley, for their dedication in running our wonderful playgroup in the library. It has become so popular that this week, we are moving to the school hall to allow for more space and to make use of the outdoor area.
Families from both our school and the wider community are warmly invited to Come, Stay, and Play! A $2 donation per child is appreciated to help fund fun materials and activities.
Last week, I absolutely loved spending time with the babies and toddlers, watching the beautiful interactions between children and families. If you’re interested in attending (or know someone who might be), please call our administration for more information.
Pre-Kindy 2026
We are currently conducting interviews for our Pre-Kindy program for 2026, which will be held on Wednesdays. We are also exploring the possibility of offering an additional session on Fridays, depending on interest and financial considerations. If you have a child who turns three in 2026, please ensure you have completed an enrolment form. For any questions or further information, please contact our administration office.
Warm regards,
Sarah Potts
PRINCIPAL
Swimming Carnival - From Mrs Mac
On Wednesday 12th March, classes from Year 4-6 attended the annual Swimming Carnival held at Bold Park Aquatic. It was a fantastic day filled with excitement, sportsmanship, and incredible achievements. Despite the cloudy weather, the enthusiasm of our swimmers shone brightly, with students giving their best in both competitive races and fun novelty events.
The strong faction spirit was on full display, with cheers echoing around the pool as students encouraged their teammates. Congratulations to Nolan, who took home the shield with an impressive 384 points, followed by Keane on 347 points and Philip with 322 points.
There were some amazing individual results:
YEAR 4 GIRLS
Champion Ava
Runner Up Chloe
Third Elle
YEAR 4 BOYS
Champion Flynn
Runner Up Harvey
Third Jack
YEAR 5 GIRLS
Champion Piper
Runner Up Lily
Third Macie
YEAR 5 BOYS
Champion Charlie
Runner Up Blake
Third Ricardo
YEAR 6 GIRLS
Champion Zara C
Runner Up Sofia
Third Ariana
YEAR 6 BOYS
Champion Orlando
Runner Up Luca
Third Maxim
Year 6 Adventure Camp – A Week of Challenge, Friendship, and Fun!
Last week, our Year 6 students set off on an epic adventure camp, packed with challenges, personal growth, and loads of fun! From the moment they arrived, the energy and enthusiasm were high as they embraced a range of outdoor activities, all designed to build confidence, teamwork, and resilience.
Some of the standout moments included the Flying Fox, where students zoomed through the air with huge grins, and the Crate Climb, which put their balance and problem-solving skills to the test. Over at the Rock-Climbing wall, they showed incredible determination, pushing past their fears to reach the top. The Giant Swing was a real heart-pounding experience, with screams of excitement ringing through the air! Students also got to test their aim in Archery, celebrating every bullseye, while Caving took them on an underground adventure, crawling through tunnels and discovering hidden spaces.
All throughout camp, the students showed amazing resilience, constantly encouraging each other to step out of their comfort zones and try something new. Whether it was cheering on a mate, working together on a challenge, or just offering a few kind words, the spirit of teamwork and friendship was everywhere.
Congratulations to all our Year 6 students for their enthusiasm, determination, and willingness to embrace new challenges. A huge thank you to Mr Potito, Mrs Potts, Mrs B and Ms Lanigan for making this experience so special.
TEACHER LED PLAYGROUP
We have had a beautiful start to Playgroup! It’s been so special to see families coming together, little ones (and parents!) making new friends, and everyone enjoying songs, stories, and playtime.
🌟 Please note our new time and location:
📍 Now in the HALL
⏰ 8:40am – 9:40am every Thursday.
Everyone is welcome!
We can’t wait to see you at our next session for more fun and connection!
St Denis Footy Tipping
Welcome to the St Denis AFL Footy Tipping 2025! We have an exciting season ahead that includes great prizes and events. You don't need to know anything about AFL to participate with weekly prizes that can be won based on luck. This is a great fundraiser for the school, so please consider participating or sponsoring and invite anyone you know that might be interested! We have participants from all over the country. Good luck tipsters!
Sign up using this link:
“Grab your entertainment membership today!
St Denis receives 20% of every membership sold and goes directly to our fundraiser”