St Richard's Kilsyth

Holy Week, also known as Passion Week, is a solemn time for Christians around the world as they remember the final days of Jesus' life on earth. It begins with Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and concludes with Easter Sunday, when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

During Holy Week, churches hold special services and events to mark this important time in the Christian calendar. On Maundy Thursday, Christians remember the Last Supper, where Jesus shared a meal with his disciples and washed their feet. Good Friday is a day of solemn reflection, as Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus and the sacrifice he made for all humanity.

Throughout Holy Week, Christians are encouraged to reflect on their own lives and the sacrifices they can make to serve others, following Jesus' example. It is a time to renew one's faith and deepen their relationship with God.

Despite the solemn nature of Holy Week, it is also a time of hope and joy as Christians look forward to the promise of Easter Sunday and the resurrection of Jesus. As we journey through Holy Week, may we take the time to reflect on the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ and renew our commitment to follow him in our daily lives.

Week 1

Monday 24th April - No school for students

Tuesday 25th April - ANZAC DAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Wednesday 26th April- Student return (1.00pm finish) Student Led Conversations 1.30pm - 6.00pm

Thursday 27th April - Student Led Conversations 3.45pm - 5.45pm

Week 2

Monday 1st May  -  Monday morning Assembly

Thursday 4th May - Mother's Day Evening - 5.30pm - 7.30pm

Friday 5th May - Eucharist Reflection Day (Year 4 Sacrament students)

                                Interschool Sports v Croydon (away)

Saturday 6th May - First Eucharist Mass 6.00pm

Sunday 7th May -  First Eucharist Mass 11.00am

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Today we finished the school term with a whole school assembly in the Mary MacKillop Hall. It was wonderful to celebrate the recent events at school and hear at each fortnightly assembly the wonderful achievements of our students. I am very proud of our students and the way they have conducted themselves both in the classroom and playground throughout the term. 

We look forward to moving into our new Junior Learning Area next term and using these new facilities.

Reminder - Change to commencement of Term 2

Monday 24th April is a school closure day for students. This day will be set aside for staff to support one another to set up the classroom spaces and to vacate the Mary MacKillop Hall,  library/STEM,  front reception and office areas. 

Tuesday 25th April is also a school closure Day (Anzac Day Public Holiday). 

Therefore classes will resume on Wednesday 26th April. Students will finish at 1.00pm on this day for Student Led Conversations to begin at 1.30pm.

Staffing News

Mrs Vikki Bearman will be taking long service leave from Monday 1st May to Tuesday 9th May. Vikki is attending a family wedding for her daughter Millie. Mrs Cathy King, an experienced teacher who has consistently worked at St. Richard’s, as a replacement teacher for a number of years, will be replacing Vikki during this time.

Wishing all our families a safe and restful Easter long weekend and holiday period.

Best Wishes

Marcus Gill

St. Richard’s Primary school values parent and school partnerships. We aim to provide opportunities where you are able to be part of your child’s learning and report on their achievements. The Student Led Conversations are the first of four formal reporting times throughout the school year. The others being the Semester One & Semester Two written reports and the Teacher Led Parent/Student Conversations at the end of Term 3.

The Student Led Conversations will take place on  Wednesday 26th April ( 1.30pm -6.00pm)  and Thursday 27th April (3.45pm - 6.00pm). If you are unavailable to meet with your child’s teacher on this day could you please email your teacher directly to arrange a mutually convenient time.

These 15 minute conversations will be a combination of face to face and via Google Meet with your child’s classroom teachers. 

The Interviews will be held on;

Wednesday 26th April  1.30pm - 3.15pm (face to face)

Wednesday 26th April 3.45pm - 6.00pm (online)

&

Thursday 27th April  3.45pm - 4.30pm (face to face)

Thursday 27th April 5.00pm - 6.00pm (online)

Booking Details attached

The following works were completed recently

• painting to walls
• flooring - carpet & vinyl
• concrete stairs
• cladding
• ceiling tiles 70% complete
• electrical fit off
• internal doors installed
• tiling completed
• plumbing fit off

The School Advisory Council (SAC) met on Wednesday 22nd March. Below is a summary of what was discussed.

School Advisory Council (SAC)  22/3- Minutes Summary 

SAC New Representative - The SAC is seeking a new Rep from the Year 3/4 Level.

Correspondence - A parent requested clarification regarding the procedure for informing parents of their child receiving class awards. Marcus to communicate procedure via the newsletter.

Principal Report - Marcus shared a written report to the SAC members under the five key school spheres; Education in Faith, Leadership and Management, Learning & Teaching, Student Wellbeing and School Community.

Parent Association (PA) Update -Rudy discussed the following activities that the PA are currently working on: Ride2School Day, Easter Raffle, St. Richard’s Feast Day Lunch, Colour Run

Building Project Update - see newsletter article

Items For Discussion - 

New Teacher Agreement - The SAC approved the Time in Lieu (TIL)  proposal presented.  Marcus will communicate to all families about changes early in Term 2.

Items For Discussion (Policy) - 

Suspension of Students Policy  - The Policy was shared with the SAC and edits were made. The policy will be ratified at the next meeting and then shared with the school community and uploaded to the school website.

Expulsion of Students Policy - The Policy was shared with the SAC and edits were made. The policy will be ratified at the next meeting and then shared with the school community and uploaded to the school website.

Next Meeting - Wednesday 24th May

Parents as Partners

The Feast of Richards last Friday was a truly wonderful occasion. As I reflect on the event, it reminds me of the essential role that parents play in the education of all students at our school. Parents have a significant impact on their children's learning and development during the school years and beyond. Therefore, it is vital for parents and schools to work together in partnership.

Research has shown that effective schools have high levels of parent and community engagement. Such engagement is strongly related to improved student learning, positive behaviors, and enhanced well-being. Effective partnerships between parents and schools focus on the needs of students and are driven by a common purpose. Partners recognize that they bring different knowledge, expertise, and resources to support children's education.

In recent weeks, we have been blessed to have so many parents involved in various activities, including Ride2School Day, The Colour Run, assisting with hearing children read, helping in our Kitchen Garden and Treat Friday, ratifying policies at the School Council level, coordinating the Easter raffle, organising the Subway Lunch, and attending sacramental nights and masses. Such a diverse range of roles that parents participate in affirms their crucial partnership with the school, parish, and broader community in supporting their children's learning and development.

To all those who have assisted in recent weeks, your contributions have been invaluable, and I would like to thank you sincerely. As we enter Holy week and the term break, I wish you all a blessed and restful time.

Distinti Saluti! (Kind Regards)

Rudy Vail

Deputy Principal

St. Richard’s Day was a fabulous celebration of our Catholic and School Identity. St. Richard of Chichester was a priest and later Bishop in England in the 12th Century who dedicated his life to helping those who were less fortunate and spreading the word of God. 

The day began with a Mass led by Father Joseph and our SRC students. During the day, the students shared in a Subway Lunch organised by the Parents’ Association and they met in their House Colour Teams to complete a collaborative art piece inspired by the Indigenous Australian symbol of Bunjil the Eagle. This will be collated and displayed in Term 2. Our fabulous day concluded with our fundraising event, the Colour Run. Both teachers and students alike enjoyed the messy spirit of the activity and did not leave in clean white t-shirts. 

Thanks to all who worked hard to raise money for the Colour Run.

Colour Run Update

You and your family are truly amazing! It is wonderful to share that our Colour Explosion School Fun Run was a huge success. It is fantastic to see the spirit and enthusiasm that was displayed in supporting our school. Of course, the true highlight is the smiles on the student’s faces as they ran their Colour Explosion School Fun Run. Today is the final day for anyone to add those last minute donations. As a school, we have raised approximately $5000 which will be used to enhance our school playground. 

Order your Prize

Every student who has raised $10 or more can choose a prize! Pick a prize from your highest category, or mix and match smaller prizes. Prizes can be ordered online: https://myprofilepage.com.au. 

If you get stuck, your sponsorship booklet contains everything you need to know. 

Check out the accumulative prize poster here: 

https://australianfundraising.com.au/wp-content/uploads/textbook.jpg 

Congratulations to all our fundraisers!

Prize ordering opens on Friday the 7th of April students will be able to order their prizes. All orders for prizes must be completed  by the 13th of April.

Congratulations to the Easter Raffle Class Winners who won a class prize of Easter Eggs. Our winners were:

• Foundation: Scarlett White
• 1/2 KM: Abbey Wyatt
• 1/2 VB: Zoe Iakovidis
• 3/4 GB: Addison Hennig
• 3/4 DJ: Ishaan Abhilash
• 5/6 BB: Alexis Pugh
• 5/6 NF: Julie Hang

Congratulations to the Easter Raffle Major Winners  Our winners were:

• Saige Elliott
• Alex and Annabelle Taylor
• Ayla Gillam
• Noah Depta
• Aston and Ethan Aldridge
• Harrison Jenkins
• Alexis Pugh
• April Schulz
• Ethan Myers
• Aslan Ghazali

We would also like to thank the Parents Association for all their hard work in organising our raffle especially Salika Dong, Samnang Robbins, and Chelsey Ironmonger for their efforst of collating tickets and putting Easter baskets together.

2023 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix – Grid Kid

Recently one of our Grade 4 students Levi Lord was one of ten drivers selected by Karting Australia and Eastern Lions Kart Club to represent Australian Karting as a Grid Kid at the 2023 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix.Levi was awarded this tremendous honour due to his commitment and dedication to the sport.

 As a Formula 1 Grid Kid, on Sunday, Levi toured restricted areas of the F1 paddock and had the privilege of standing beside the drivers on the F1 Grid prior to the race. In addition to meeting Lady Brabham (widow of Formula One Champion Sir Jack Brabham), Levi also met F1 drivers Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Sergio Pérez, Alex Albon and former World Champion Alan Jones and former F1 driver David Coulthard.

 During the day the Grid Kids were lucky enough to be interviewed by Channel 10, Channel 9 and the F1 Channel. The Haas team also hosted the Grid Kids in the pits and they were educated on the technical aspects of the F1 steering wheel (which is valued at AU$150,000).

During this education session the Grid Kids were also allowed to hold the steering wheel and ask questions. The Grid Kids also had the honour of greeting the drivers on the pass as the headed for the podium after the F1 race.

 We congratulate Levi and thank him for sharing this amazing adventure with our school community. To keep track of Levi’s racing journey you can follow him on Facebook and Instagram @LRL50racing.

Yoda Best Mum

In a galaxy far, far away, We all became mothers, grandmothers, aunties The Force Is Strong...

Please join us for a night of fun

All important females welcome

Thursday 4th May 2023 ● 5.30-730pm - Mary MacKillop Hall.

Photo booth, arts and crafts and lots of fun and laughter Finger Food and Drinks provided Door Prizes and Raffle.

RSVP By Friday 28th April (Please ask your eldest for the notice).

A Facebook group  “St. Richard’s Primary School - Uniform Buy/Sell Group” has been set up for selling and purchasing second hand uniform items. This will be the forum for selling and purchasing items. If there are families who are not on social media and would like to purchase second hand uniform items please contact  Jess Murphy Jkmurphy10@gmail.com 0401515018 or Laura Robson  laurarobson@outlook.com 0422401143 who will assist you with finding the school uniform item you require.

Online Lunches will be available every Tuesday beginning February 7th

The online orders daily cut off time is now 10:00pm the night before.

Therefore If you want to order the cut off time will be Monday night at 10:00pm. 

The menu is attached. To order go to balancedlivingcatering.com.au for more details