St Denis School Newsletter
Term 4 Week 9
- Principal Thank Yous
- Christmas Concert Wrap Up
- St Vincent De Paul Christmas Appeal
- MJR Surf Camp
- Congratulations Isla
- Farewell Year 6 Families
- 2025 Important Dates
Loving God,
As we come to the end of another school year, we pause to give thanks for the many blessings that have filled our days. For the laughter and learning shared, for challenges overcome and for the friendships that have grown, we are truly grateful.
We thank you for our students, who have brought life and joy to our school. May they carry the knowledge, values and love they have received here into their future journeys.
We thank you for our staff, whose dedication and care have been a reflection of your love. Grant them rest and renewal as they prepare for the year ahead.
We thank you for our families, whose support and partnership are at the heart of our community. May their homes be filled with peace and joy this Christmas season.
As we look to the birth of Christ, fill our hearts with hope and light. Help us to remember the true meaning of this time and to share your love with all we meet.
May our school continue to grow as a place of faith, learning, and community in the years to come.
Amen
IMPORTANT DATES
· THURSDAY 5 DEC – MEET THE TEACHER (9:40AM – 10:30AM)
· FRIDAY 6 DEC – GRADUATION MASS (9:00AM – ST DENIS CHURCH)
· FRIDAY 6 DEC – STUDENTS CONCLUDE
Dear Parents and Members of our School Community,
As we come to the end of another wonderful school year, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on all we have accomplished together and express my appreciation to our entire school community. It has been an extraordinary year filled with learning, growth and countless memorable moments.
I would like to especially thank our incredible students, whose energy, curiosity and kindness have made every day so rewarding. It has been a joy to see their achievements, celebrate their milestones and watch them grow into confident and compassionate individuals.
To our dedicated staff, thank you for your unwavering commitment and tireless efforts to nurture and inspire our students. Your hard work and passion are truly the heart of our school.
To our families, your support and partnership have been invaluable. It is through your encouragement and involvement that we continue to thrive as a community.
This term has been particularly meaningful for me as I stepped into the role of Acting Principal. I want to sincerely thank each of you for the kindness and support you have shown me during this time. Your trust, encouragement and collaboration have made this experience both rewarding and humbling. I have loved serving our community in this capacity and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity.
As we look ahead to the holiday season, may we all find time to reflect on the blessings of the past year and the hope and joy that Christmas brings. May your holidays be filled with peace, love and happiness and may you return refreshed and ready for a new year of opportunities.
Thank you for being such an integral part of our school’s success in 2024. I wish you and your loved ones a safe and joyous holiday season.
MRJ SURF CAMP
What an incredible time our Year 5 students had at surf camp this term! The excitement was palpable as they hit the waves, many trying surfing for the very first time. Guided by experienced instructors, the students not only learned how to ride the surf but also discovered the importance of teamwork, resilience and perseverance.
It was heartwarming to see friendships deepen and confidence grow as they stepped out of their comfort zones. A huge thank you to our dedicated staff – Miss Hubbard, Miss Murphy and Mrs Bakuonwicz and parent volunteers who ensured the camp was safe, fun and memorable for everyone.
Year 5, you’ve made unforgettable memories and we couldn’t be prouder of the spirit and energy you brought to our MRJ surf camp! What an adventure to end the year on!
CONGRATULATIONS, ISLA DANIEL!
We are delighted to share the wonderful news that Isla Daniel, a talented Year 6 student at our school, has been awarded a prestigious Music Scholarship to Mercedes College for 2025. This achievement is a testament to Isla’s exceptional dedication, hard work and passion for music. Her talent has been a shining light in our school community and we couldn’t be prouder of her accomplishments.
FAREWELL TO YEAR 6 FAMILIES
We take a moment to bid a fond farewell to the families of our graduating Year 6 students: the Adams, Aylmore, Burns, Chesney, Daniel, Di Dio, Farrugia, Hallam, Ioannakis, Rouse, Timkov, Troughton, Wiley-Baldwin, and Zounis families.
Your journey with our school has been filled with countless moments of learning, growth and community spirit. Over the years, your children have contributed so much to our school, leaving a legacy of leadership, kindness and inspiration for younger students to follow.
As your children move on to the next exciting chapter of their education, we wish them every success and happiness. May they carry the values and friendships formed here with them wherever they go. While it is always bittersweet to say goodbye, please know that you will always be a cherished part of our school family. Thank you for being such an integral part of our community.
CHRISTMAS CONCERT WRAP UP
What a spectacular way to celebrate the Christmas season! On Monday night, our school community gathered for an unforgettable Christmas Concert that truly showcased the incredible talents of our students.
From the very first note to the final bow, the evening was filled with joy and festive cheer. Our students dazzled us with their amazing dance skills, presenting energetic and polished performances learned through the Footsteps program. Their confidence and enthusiasm lit up the stage and brought smiles to everyone in the audience.
Adding to the magic, our junior and senior choirs sang beautifully, filling the air with the spirit of Christmas through their harmonious performances. Their dedication and hard work shone through every song and they reminded us all of the true meaning of this special season.
A heartfelt thank you to our staff, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring this event to life and to our families for your support and encouragement. Seeing so many smiling faces in the audience reminded us of the strong, vibrant community we share.
To our students, congratulations on a job wonderfully done. You have made us all incredibly proud and brought the Christmas spirit to life in the most beautiful way.
LAST FEW DAYS! ST VINCENT DE PAUL CHRISTMAS APPEAL 2024
St Denis is proud to participate in the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal again. We are coming together to prepare festive hampers for over 45 local families who have sought help from the St Vincent de Paul Society. Our parishioners will also contribute to filling these hampers with nourishing food.
Join us in this endeavour to support our community and spread some holiday cheer to those in need!
Donation Details: Please drop off your donations in the designated baskets located in all classrooms from Monday, 11 November to Wednesday, 6 December 2024.
Suggested Non-Perishable Food Donations:
- Pasta and Pasta Sauce
- Tinned Ham and Tuna
- Canned Vegetables
- Rice, Flour, and Oil
- Long Life Milk, Juice, and Custard
- Tea, Coffee, Sugar, and Milo
- Instant Noodles and Rice
- Cereals
- Tomato Sauce
- Jam, Honey, Vegemite, and Nutella
- Canned or Packaged Fruits
- Nuts and Dried Fruits
- Christmas Cakes and Puddings
- Soft Drinks and Cordials
- Snacks like Potato Chips
- Sweet and Savoury Biscuits
- Chocolates
Let’s come together to make this holiday season memorable for all! Thank you for your generosity and enthusiasm.
ADVANCED NOTICE – START DATES 2025
Students commence Term 1 2025: Wednesday 5 February
ADVANCED NOTICE – SWIMMING LESSONS 2025
Swimming lessons commence for students in Year 1 to Year 6 on Wednesday 5 February. More information to follow in the new year.
ADVANCED NOTICE – PARENT PLANNER
The St Denis Parent Planner is now complete and uploaded on the school website. Please note that although dates have been set, planning so far in advance may require some dates to change. We encourage you to regularly check the website for updated events and notifications.
Many Thanks
Eugene Potito
Principal
SUMMER READING QUEST
It is a State Library initiative, and all City of Stirling Libraries are taking part. Osborne Library is the closest branch to your school. Your students can visit the library over the school holidays and take part in the Summer Reading Quest to ensure their reading levels continue to shine.
The Summer Reading Quest is a unique reading program that tracks both hours read and number of days read consistently, promoting reading habits and giving both avid and reluctant readers encouragement and achievement.
There is also a side quest on the back of the reading log, filled with literacy activities that promote reading as part of everyday life and get readers heading outdoors, getting active, and being creative. You can make a recipe, write a short story, read outside, build from instructions and more.
If you’ve got a young reader under 5 there is also an activity just for you! The Summer Steps card is filled with daily fun pre-literacy activities that promote early childhood development.
Summer Reading Quest is great for any reader - reluctant, avid, or in between. Every reading log and Summer Steps card that gets submitted goes into the major state prize draw and you can choose how you participate. Blast off and choose your own adventure this summer at Osborne Library.
“Grab your entertainment membership today!
St Denis receives 20% of every membership sold and goes directly to our fundraiser”