2024 - Term 4, Week 6

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

Welcome to our Week 6 Newsletter! The sunshine this week has been a true gift, lifting our spirits and brightening our days. It’s been heartwarming to see our students’ smiles shining as brightly as the sun! As we look ahead, we’re excited about the many upcoming events and celebrations that bring us together as the Emmaus family. The end of the year offers a unique opportunity to reflect on a year of growth, express gratitude for our supportive, faith-filled community, and celebrate our collective achievements.

Children’s University

Last Tuesday, 25 of our Year 4–6 students proudly graduated from Children’s University Australasia, a program that inspires learning beyond the classroom. The graduation ceremony, held at the magnificent Bonython Hall at the University of Adelaide, celebrated their hard work and dedication with certificates of achievement.

Since introducing Children’s University in 2022, we have been thrilled to see so many students embracing new activities and developing a lifelong love of learning. Congratulations to all our graduates for their commitment! A special thank you goes to Kristy McKay for her outstanding coordination of this program.

If your child is entering Year 4 next year and is interested in joining Children’s University, please contact Kristy or inquire at the front desk for more information.

Uniform

I am kindly reaching out to remind all families of the expectation that students arrive at school in the correct school uniform each day. Beginning in 2025, students not in correct uniform will be gently reminded by staff. If the uniform infringement continues, students may be assigned a community service activity to encourage them to abide by the school policies.

We ask that families familiarise themselves with the Emmaus School Uniform Policy and support the school by ensuring that all students arrive to school in the correct school uniform. The uniform policy can be found further along in the newsletter.

Please remember!

• Sports shoes are to be predominately black or white in colour.
• Jewellery is to be one set of earrings, either a sleeper or a stud. Necklaces are only worn if there is a religious symbol.
• Sport uniform is only to be worn on PE days.
• There is to be no intermixing of Sport and Formal uniforms.
• Hats and schoolbags are to be the Emmaus bucket hat and school bag.

If there is a reason as to why your child isn't in correct school uniform, please contact the classroom teacher. We understand that there are some valid reasons as to a child not being able to wear a particular item. If this is the case, we will include it as an adjustment in your child’s PPL.

School holidays are only a few short weeks away. It’s the perfect opportunity to ensure you have the correct uniform items for your children.

Don’t forget that Lowes regularly has 20% off school wear sales. We are lucky enough to have a second-hand uniform shop on site, and we have a Families Facebook page where outgrown uniforms are often for sale.

I look forward to seeing everyone in correct uniforms at Emmaus soon!

Celebrating Literacy and Numeracy Growth

We’re again, I am excited to share some exceptional progress in literacy and numeracy across the school, reflecting the dedication of our students, teachers, and parents. This semester, we’ve seen significant improvements in both PAT (Progressive Achievement Test) M and R scores and DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) assessments. These results highlight the strength of our learning environment and our commitment to providing a high-quality education for all.

Our tailored approach allows teachers to monitor growth, gather evidence, and provide personalised support. In particular, DIBELS assessments help us identify and address literacy needs early, enabling targeted interventions where they are most needed.

This success is thanks to the expertise and dedication of our Learning and Wellbeing Assistant Principal, Kate Thompson; Assistant Principal Learning Diversity, Danielle McNab; and Pedagogical Coaches, Alicia Sandercock and Kieren Gulpers. Their commitment to excellence has been instrumental in achieving these outcomes.

As we celebrate these achievements, we’re excited to build on this momentum in 2025. Thank you to our students, staff, and parents for your invaluable contributions to our shared success. Together, we continue to strengthen our commitment to excellence in education.

New Specialist Subject

In 2025, we are delighted to introduce The Arts as a new specialist subject, covering Visual Arts, Dance, Drama, and Media Arts for students from Reception through Year 6. Our talented Art teacher, Andrea de Dezsery, will lead this program with her expertise and creativity. Andrea is already preparing an engaging curriculum for next year, and we are fortunate to have her championing this exciting new initiative. Please join us in congratulating Andrea on this endeavor!

End-of-Year Activities

As we approach the end of the year, our students and staff are busy preparing for a range of special events, including the End-of-Year Mass, Carols Night, Graduation, excursions, and more. While these celebrations bring joy and excitement, our focus remains firmly on maintaining high-quality teaching and learning right up until the final day of term.

We understand that as discussions around class placements and transitions begin, many children may start to anticipate the holidays and the changes that follow. To support them during this time, we aim to provide as much consistency and predictability as possible, which helps foster a sense of stability.

Parents and caregivers play a vital role in this process too. The end of the year often brings new challenges and emotions for children as they navigate transitions. Your own attitudes and actions can have a powerful influence. If you’re feeling anxious, your child is likely to pick up on this, which can heighten their own stress. Instead, approach these changes as opportunities—encourage your child to embrace new friendships, experiences, and the growth that comes with change.

Change is an inevitable part of life, and while we can’t control everything that happens, we can guide how we respond to it. Together, let’s help our children end the year with confidence, curiosity, and a positive mindset.

Warm regards,

Suzanne Budd

VINNIES CHRISTMAS APPEAL 

Our Mini Vinnies Team are once again coordinating the collection of items to support the Vinnies Christmas Appeal. We are asking Emmaus families to donate generously to help the Morphett Vale Vinnies Conference fill hampers for more than 120 families in our local area! Items could be gifts or non-perishable foods, especially for Christmas! (Please check expiry dates before donating foods.) This year St. Vincent de Paul have expressed the need for food items particularly. Fewer donations of gifts are received for teenage children and adults, so families might like to consider how we can support them in our collection. 

It would be great to have all donations received by Tuesday 10th December.  

ADVENT- A TIME OF WAITING  …A TIME TO ‘SLOW DOWN!’ 

It is quite ironic that one of the most important seasons of preparation in the Catholic year, which calls us to slow down and open ourselves to God’s deep and unconditional love for us- the coming of Jesus, God With Us in our world; falls at the busiest time of the year! How can we slow down? How can we help our families to slow down? 

‘Advent’ is Latin for ‘a coming or arrival.’ It is the time in our Liturgical Calendar when we prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus. In fact, the season of advent is the beginning of our Church year. We prepare and celebrate the coming of Jesus in us and with us, and we know he will journey with us throughout the year. We are not waiting for Santa and presents- as exciting as these parts of Christmas are. We are waiting with hope for peace and justice in our world. We are waiting with hope for Jesus. 

Advent calendars and wreaths are a great way for children to engage with this time of waiting –something that is very hard for so many! This emphasis on waiting enables children to stop and reflect; and know that there is a time for everything and everything has its time.  

True Advent calendars are very hard to find. Most calendars on our supermarket shelves don’t portray what we are actually waiting for…Jesus. Try to find or make a calendar that helps children remember the true meaning of waiting. Advent wreaths are a beautiful way to prepare.  

An Advent wreath is a green wreath with four candles, three purple and one pink. These can be purchased or easy made. At each of the four Sundays of Advent a new candle is lit; first a purple, then another purple, then the pink and finally the last purple. A white candle is added at Christmas to remember the light of Christ in our world. It could take pride of place on the dinner table and the candles lit while grace is said. 

INVITATION TO JOIN THE ALTAR SERVING TEAM IN 2024 

We warmly invite our year 3-6 students who have completed their Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Reconciliation, Confirmation and first Holy Communion) to join our Altar Serving Team. The team will be trained over a few training sessions led by a parent volunteer and Fr. Christopher. They then will take turns Altar Serving at our Thursday morning Masses in 2025. Being an Altar Server is a wonderful way to learn more about Holy Mass, to participate more deeply, to serve God and our school community and be an example of Discipleship. 

If parents or students wish to know more or become involved, please email

Nicola Gill ngill@emmaus.catholic.edu.au 

We are excited to know that parents and caregivers are now starting to receive notifications about SEQTA assessments. SEQTA is a tool designed to keep you informed about your child's academic progress and upcoming assessments. If you are not yet able to access SEQTA, please email kthompson@emmaus.catholic.edu.au for assistance.
Please keep in mind that the marks or grades you see in SEQTA Engage reflect a single point in time—a snapshot—and are not representative of your child’s final overall grade. They are part of a broader picture of your child’s learning journey. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these grades, we encourage you to contact your child’s classroom teacher for further clarification.
Below is an overview of what each grade means:

If you have questions about your child’s progress or need help interpreting the feedback, we encourage you to contact their teacher for clarification.

Mindfulness is our ability to be present at any given moment. We practise this by using intentional awareness and concentrating on what you are doing when you are doing it. 

Indo Club is still on at recess on Thursdays! So far this term we have been getting out lots of Indonesian dress ups, toy animals, play money, have making stations with the help of year 6 students and the usual colouring and drawing options too! All year levels are welcome!

Also, a reminder, if you are travelling to Bali, see Pak Jordan for a little Bingo card challenge you can choose to complete! 

Ensuring the safety and well-being of our students is a top priority here at Emmaus. As such, we would like to remind all parents and guardians of the multiple avenues available to report student absences or late arrivals.

To report your child's absence or late arrival, please use one of the following methods:

Reply Text to 0417 038 063. Please note that direct messages to this number will not be received.

Phone (08) 83227211: Speak to our friendly staff or leave a message on our answering machine if calling before 8:30am.

Email: Send an email to absent@emmaus.catholic.edu.au or information@emmaus.catholic.edu.au.

We kindly ask that you contact the front office for any absenteeism notifications. Due to the morning activities in classrooms, it may not always be possible for teachers to relay messages to the office before 9 am.

For extended leave requests of 5 days or more, please complete the absenteeism form at the front office.

Late Arrivals and Early Departures:

If your child arrives late to school or needs to leave early, they must be signed in/out via the iPad at the front office by a parent or guardian.

It's important to note that if a student is late to class and the arrival hasn't been reported to the front office, they will be marked as absent, and a text will be sent to parents from 0417 038 063.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in ensuring the safety and well-being of all our students.

The Kiss and Drop zone is the yellow marked area as you enter the carpark from Todd Street, that enables you to drop off and pick up your children safely and quickly.

The intention is that drivers do not wait in these zones and that you stay in the vehicle to ensure traffic is streamlined and traffic queues are minimized.

In reality, it only takes one or two inconsiderate drivers to overstay in the zone and the system breaks down, leading to frustration and delays.

Please familiarise yourself with our Kiss and Drop guidelines:

• Kiss and Drop zone is a NO PARKING zone. If your child is not ready and waiting for you, please continue to lap the carpark. Alternatively, park your vehicle in a carpark and wait. Please do not park in the kiss and drop zone to wait for your child as this builds up traffic on Todd Street where accidents have occurred. The aim of Kiss and Drop is for free flowing traffic.
• It is an expectation that drivers continue to the end of the kiss and drop zone, to allow room for others.
• For safety, it is recommended that students exit and enter the vehicle kerbside only. Children should have their schoolbags on their lap to ensure the driver does not need to exit the vehicle.
• Do not get out of your car.
• If you are required to get out of your vehicle to assist your child with their bag or seatbelt, please do not use Kiss and Drop. Park your vehicle so you can assist your child safely. 
• Staff will be on Kiss and Drop duty to assist with free flow of traffic and child safety from 8.30am - 8.45am and 3.05pm - 3.25pm. Please ensure your child is collected by 3.25pm.
• Please use the pedestrian crossing when walking between the carpark and the Kiss and drop area.
• Please ensure you remain under the speed limit of 10km/h at all times.

Staff have been advised to remind all families to use the crossing correctly. If you choose not to use the crossing, you will be redirected by staff on duty. Please do not take this personally; it is their job to keep everyone safe.

Bucket Hats can be purchased from Lowes at Colonnades or there is a small supply available in the front office that can be purchased for $21.

Hats are now to be worn during recess and lunch breaks when outside.

Please visit the link to the Emmaus Catholic School Uniform Policy

In line with our SunSmart policy, students are required to wear the Emmaus bucket hat during Terms 1, 3 and 4. 

Students without a hat will be required to play under the shelter only at recess and lunch times. 

Emmaus hats are available for purchase at Lowes, Colonnades. A small number of hats are available for sale in the Front Office for $21. Sizes small or medium.

A reminder to OSHC families that fees are due to be paid in full at the end of each fortnight. 

OSHC statements are generated fortnightly and notifications are emailed to families with a link to your Fullybooked accounts where you can view your latest statement. If you do not receive a notification, it is still your responsibility to check your account to view your latest statement.

Please ensure you stay on top of your OSHC payments as accounts not paid in full may be suspended and OSHC bookings may be cancelled.

Payment can be made via QKR! or via direct deposit BSB 066-782 A/C 100002617.

We thank you for your ongoing support in keeping our OSHC service running.

QKR is a convenient app that simplifies and speeds up the process of paying for school-related items.

Emmaus Catholic School utilises QKR to make it easier for parents to pay for various expenses, including School Fees, OSHC Fees, Enrolment Fees, Instrumental Hire, P&F Events, Special Lunches, Excursions and Camps, and more.

To help you get started with the app, we've provided the QKR Guide, which you can download here!

Download QKR for Apple here

Download QKR for Android here