Dear Parents and Friends of St Kevin’s,

I write this newsletter watching the smoke roll in, surrounding the Jacaranda trees in a shroud, creating an eerie feeling blocking out the rays of sunshine and brilliant blue sky. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people in communities right around Australia, who are continuing to battle the threat of fire or adjust to a very different life following the fires. Times of disaster make us all stop and reflect on what is truly important to us, and how we live our lives as members of a community. The Mini Vinnies Christmas appeal this year will be even more important as it may well help someone in our community who has been touched by the fires or ill health as a result of the smoke we are currently experiencing. As adults you may like to make a cash donation to St Vincent De Paul Society, knowing that they will be called on to assist in many varied ways this Christmas due to the fires. Cash donations can be made online by searching Saint Vincent De Paul, or if you would like to send cash to school, we will ensure it gets to our local group and receipts can be issued for you.

Today saw the final transition morning for our 24 kindergarten students for 2020. They were all very excited, with many proudly wearing their “I’m off to Big School at St Kevin’s next year!” shirts. Our new kindergarten students and their parents also got to meet their Year 5/6 buddies for next year. Treat bags were shared and lots of fun was had by all. After visiting the uniform shop, one new kindergarten student blended in beautifully with our current kinders and was very happy and proud of her new uniform! I don’t think even Mrs Albury noticed she had 1 extra student!!! Our transition programme finishes tonight with an information evening for parents from 6pm in the school library.

At this time of year staffing for 2020 is also being finalised. Some changes that I can notify you of at this stage is that Mr Taylor is stepping down as Religious Education Coordinator and has made the decision to reduce his teaching days to 1 day per week. He will continue as our Aboriginal Education Teacher in 2020. Mrs Kim Hogan has been appointed as our Religious Education Coordinator, and we congratulate Mrs Hogan on this promotion as part of the School Executive Team. 2020 class allocations and extra staff have not yet been finalised. 

Enjoy the weekend with your beautiful children …..is it too early to put up the Christmas Tree??

Mary-Anne Jennings

Principal