Dear Parents and Caregivers,
This term has put a spring back in our steps with the sun coming out to play peek-a-boo with us all! It is so lovely after such wintery days to see and smell the blossoms that have sprouted.
I would like to give a warm Emmaus welcome to several new students to our school: Isabella, Lucas, Alice, Angus, Albi, Taj and Eleanor. We welcome you and your family to the Emmaus community, and we hope you will feel at home very soon! We hope Emmaus is a place where you will thrive, grow and create wonderful memories.
Book Week Celebration at Emmaus Catholic School
What a ’magical’ week we've had celebrating Book Week at Emmaus! The highlight, of course, was our Friday morning parade, where creativity, imagination and colour took centre stage. Our students and teachers put in so much effort, bringing their favourite book characters to life with vibrant and imaginative costumes. It was a joy to see our little learners, including our new Reception students and even younger siblings, fully engaged in the parade.
A special shout-out to Wendy Moulder, whose passion for Book Week brings this event to life year after year, inspiring us all to embrace the joy of reading and creativity. Thank you for making Book Week such a memorable experience for everyone!
A massive thank you to all the families for their wonderful support of the Book Week parade…from helping their children choose a book, to creating their child’s costume and then for those who were able to come along to enjoy the parading! What a joyful morning it was!
And finally, thank you to our passionate and dedicated Emmaus staff who led the way, ensuring our little ones felt supported as they proudly paraded around the courtyard.
Exciting Maths Incursion Sparks Enthusiasm!
This week, our students had the privilege of participating in a remarkable maths incursion that truly stretched their minds and expanded their thinking. The hands-on mathematical learning sessions, led by our visiting presenters, provided an exciting opportunity for our young mathematicians to engage in creative problem-solving and collaborative teamwork.
Maths is a vital and dynamic part of our curriculum, and we are committed to making it not only educational but also fun and engaging for our students. During this incursion, students were encouraged to think outside the box and work together to solve complex challenges. It was inspiring to witness the rich discussions, the innovative thinking, and the way they built on each other’s ideas to eventually conquer each task.
A special thanks to our senior students, who mentored and supported our younger learners, ensuring everyone could fully participate in the activities. We are truly fortunate to have such a wonderful cohort of seniors who consistently step up to help whenever needed.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Alicia Sandercock for coordinating this event, and to our Gifted and Talented Enrichment@Emmaus team for bringing such enriching experiences to our school. Events like these reinforce our belief that maths can be both educational and immensely enjoyable, and we look forward to more opportunities to promote this engaging area of our curriculum!
The Right to Disconnect
We know that parent and caregiver involvement is key to student success and well-being. Effective communication between home and school is essential for a positive school environment. Digital tools like apps, social media, our school website, SEQTA, and email have made it easier to stay in touch. We appreciate that these tools have raised expectations for how and when staff can be reached.
However, these digital communication options can sometimes lead to staff being contacted outside of work hours, on weekends, or even during their leave, when they should have time to disconnect from work. Recent laws now give school employees the right to disconnect from work during their personal time.
To respect our staff's well-being and ensure healthy communication, we are introducing the following guidelines during term time:
Our staff spend most of their workday teaching or handling their responsibilities. They will aim to respond to parent or caregiver messages within 48 hours. If an issue is urgent, staff will decide if a quicker response is needed.
For general information, we encourage parents and caregivers to contact the school front office first.
We ask for your understanding and support in following these guidelines. Thank you for helping us maintain a positive and respectful school environment.
Playground use
Just a gentle reminder that our playgrounds are specifically designed to suit different age groups. The Early Years playground is specifically for our Reception to Year 2 students whilst the bigger playground near the basketball court is for our older students. This applies before and after school as well as in school hours and is for the safety of all children.
Thank you for your understanding on this matter.
Health at Emmaus
As we navigate through the winter season with its inevitable coughs, colds and other more serious conditions, we kindly ask that you keep your children at home if they are unwell. Lately, we've seen a rise in the number of students needing attention in our first aid room, and it's a reminder of how quickly illnesses can spread in a school environment. We fully understand the challenges this may present, especially with the limited number of sick leave days available. However, by keeping unwell children at home, we can better protect the health and safety of all our students and staff, ensuring that our school community remains a safe and healthy place for everyone.
Thank you for your understanding, care, and continued partnership in keeping our community healthy.
Well-being and the Pulse Check-In
The link between student well-being and academic outcomes has been well researched. As educators, we know how important wellbeing is for learning. Evidence shows that when students develop their social and emotional skills for wellbeing, health and safety, there is a direct impact on their learning outcomes.
The staff at Emmaus believe our role is to help every child to be a thriving person, capable learner and a leader for the world God desires. Children recently took part in the termly Classroom Pulse Check-In. This Check-In has been developed to ascertain how students are currently feeling about their experience in school. We want to ensure the success and happiness of all Emmaus students and we believe the Pulse Check-In plays an important part in supporting that goal and your child. You will have noticed that alongside academic data, we referred to the pulse check-in during our recent Learning Conversations. There is a symbiotic relationship between wellbeing and learning, and we therefore value both aspects of a child’s development.
Looking forward to seeing some moving and grooving on the dance floor at our disco Friday night!
Take care,
Suzanne Budd
THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY…
Saint Mary MacKillop: Making her mark today
Next week, the staff of Emmaus will retreat from the day to day routine of school life to reflect on their faith and where they are on their spiritual journey. This annual retreat is an important aspect of maintaining the formation of our staff in their work as Catholic educators. The program will be facilitated by myself and Justine Raponi and will be held here at School in the MacKillop Chapel and Centre. Our theme for the retreat is: ‘Breaking bead together: Communion with Christ.’ This rich theme reminds staff that we are surrounded by stories of our faith…treasures that have been handed to us. Whether Catholic or not, practising or not, because we are working in a Catholic school, we are custodians or keepers of these stories.
BAPTISM
God calls each of us to a closer relationship with God where we can gain clarity, fulfillment and true happiness. It can be hard to hear this call and there is certainly enough noise to distract us. But when the time is right, something opens us to a deeper understanding and we are transformed. May we each take time to listen more closely to God’s call. What awesome things has God got planned for you?
There have been a number of parents and families asking about Baptism in the parish and seeking baptism for their children. The parish is certainly here to support families on this very important stage on their faith journey. If there are any other families interested in baptism, please contact the parish office on 8326 1555 or visit the website: http://www.morphettvalecatholic.com/ . I may also be able to answer any of your questions.
RCIA (RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS)
Adults who are interested in Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion prepare and celebrate through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA.) In the Morphett Vale Catholic Community, the program begins in the second half of the year and the sacrament is celebrated on Easter Saturday the following year. If anyone is interested or just wants to find out more about the program, please contact the parish office on 8326 1555 or visit the website: http://www.morphettvalecatholic.com/ . I may also be able to answer any of your questions.
Nicola Gill
APRIM (Assistant Principal –Religious Identity and Mission)
ngill@emmaus.catholic.edu.au
Mrs Moulder has announced the winners of our Book Week Competition!
Design a bookmark based on the Book Week theme: Congratulations Addie from RS!
Draw your favourite book: Congratulations Mila from 6MR!
Write a short story based on the Book Week theme: Congratulations Aisha, Elena and Holly from 6MR and 6SC!
Congratulations also to Mrs Groeschel's Receptions who have been authors and illustrators making their own books during Book Week!
Reading is Magic – Book Week Short Story By Aisha, Elena and Holly (6MR AND 6SC)
Celena awoke, stretching her arms, it was a Sunday morning, her favourite day of the week, as she got out of bed and admired the old, wooden bookshelf she dearly loved. It was the place she went to when she was upset or hurt, when she felt mad and angry at the world and her surroundings. She frowned when she saw a new book on her shelf that wasn’t there last night, “That’s strange, I’m sure that book wasn’t there last night.”
Still frowning, she got out of bed. “But I probably shouldn’t investigate it until I have done all my chores.” She sighed. Although the house needed cleaning, her curiosity won, and she decided to walk over to her wooden bookshelf to just take a quick glance.
She picked up the book, and opened it, but it was blank. “You’re full of secrets,” Celena whispered to it quietly. It sparkled magically, but Celena didn’t notice and put the book back on the wooden shelf.
She got dressed, walked out of her lavender-scented room, and into the smoky, wood smell of the living room. Her dog, Pandora, ran up and greeted her with warm, wet licks on her legs and Celena laughed with happiness, “Stop, Pandora! That tickles!”
She walked over to the table, her dad had already made her breakfast, “Thanks dad!” she called out. On her plate was bacon, which had been painted brown, dripping with oil and sizzling with delight. Next to it were scrumptious, yellow and white eggs that were just begging to be eaten.
She dug in, devouring the delicious delight and munching on it happily. Pandora barked so she could have her share, and Celena dropped some bacon down on the floor for her to eat.
When she was done, she washed her plate with hot water and cleaned the house with a scrawny and scratchy broom, the taste of runny yolk still lingering in her mouth. Once she had finished all her chores, she decided to check out the book, so she raced upstairs pushing past her 15 year old brother, Pearson, her 17 year old sister, Blair, and her 6 year old brother, Callum.
“Oops, sorry guys, move please!” She called back as she ran into her room and looked down with a sigh.
She then briskly walked over to her bookshelf and opened her new curious book. First, she kicked off her red boots, letting them hit her wall. When she shut the door, she heard a growl of protest from Pandora, so she opened it again, letting her in. “Oops, sorry Pandy” Celena laughed sitting down on her comfy bed across from Pandora.
When she opened the book, a cloud of pink sparkles engulfed her and Pandora, then she felt a funny feeling in her stomach.
She suddenly screamed as she was falling and falling, down, down, never stopping. She heard a weird whining sound, then she noticed Pandora, she was falling too. She lunged out and grabbed the fluffy white dog and Celena thought forlornly, ‘What is happening? Will I ever be able to stop?’
Then, much to her surprise she fell on a patch of fluffy, green grass. She lay there for a few minutes, with her eyes closed, trying to process what had just happened. Then she looked up and dazed at the sight of the baby pink sky and fiery green clouds. Where was she? And what was with that mysterious book?
So, Celena finally decided to get up and explore the area. As she got to her feet, the first things she noticed were the odd colour of the trees… were they pink? She had never seen anything like it. And wasn’t it just weird that she couldn’t see the hole that she fell from? It was as if she had teleported to somewhere just by opening a book.
Then, Celena felt a tugging sensation on her trouser leg. She looked down and noticed it was Pandora trying to get her attention. “What is it Pandy?” She asked her little Pomsky. Pandora led her to something she had noticed floating in mid-air.
When they came closer to it, Celena squinted and recognised the image. It was her curious book! What was it doing here? Pandora ran right up to it, excited to show her owner what she had found. Celena picked it up and felt the cover and spine of the book, identifying that it was the same one she had previously opened. She took a dep breath, getting prepared for whatever would happen if she opened it.
She then quickly opened the book, allowing the scent of fresh paper to fill the air. She looked down at the pages, they were still blank, not filled with strange runes or mysterious writing. “This is so weird” she said aloud to herself and Pandora.
There were lots of mysteries about this book, some with explanations, some without. Then Celena noticed that the book was glowing and shimmering with magic like when it swallowed her into this strange world but….brighter. Celena had always believed that reading was magic, but not like this!
Suddenly, she and Pandora were falling through the hole again, but this time they were not scared, only hopeful that they would return home. Celena held Pandora in her arms, hugging her tightly. She closed her eyes, and let herself be engulfed by the magic, falling into nothing. Then she opened her eyes again and found herself staring at her red boots that she had kicked over to the wall, the book was sitting in front of her, glimmering, Pandora was in her arms, and she was sitting on her bed, just like she had been before all this happened.
If she wanted to, she could go back to the wonderous world where she needed space and read, using the book to come back. Celena decided to check the book one more time, and when she did it held the words, ‘Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it – Roald Dahl’
Celena smiled, closed the book and lay on her bed. It was only 3pm but so much had happened. I guess reading really is magic!
THE END
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.
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!
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.
At Emmaus, we believe that all students have the right to learn and develop socially and emotionally in a safe environment. We offer a variety of ways to ensure this happens for our students.
The Resilience Project
The Resilience Project is a dedicated program that focusses on positive health strategies aimed at preventing mental health issues and enhancing children’s ability to manage challenges. Rooted in the principles of gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness, this evidence-based program includes content tailored for students, staff, and parents/carers. Through the school partnership program, we aim to promote mental health awareness and support in classrooms, staff environments, and in family settings.
Good Beginnings
The Good Beginnings program offers an engaging program to begin the school year, nurturing positive relationships and laying the framework for a successful year. Through a range of lessons and activities, students engage not only with their classmates but also with peers across different grade levels, their assigned buddy class, and their house team, fostering connections and collaboration.
Wellbeing Officer
At Emmaus we have a dedicated Wellbeing Officer available two days a week to support children in developing their social-emotional skills, building confidence, and fostering resilience. Our officer runs programs such as "Cool, Calm, and Confident Kids" and "What's Buzz," which are designed to enhance students' abilities to manage emotions, build self-assurance, and develop resilience.
Miss Molly
At Emmaus, we have Miss Molly, our Groodle, who plays a special role in supporting the wellbeing of our students, staff, and families. Miss Molly helps to create a positive and comforting atmosphere, offering companionship and emotional support to everyone in our school community.
Oasis
In the bustling environment of a school, filled with activity and noise, it can sometimes become overwhelming for certain learners. The Emmaus Oasis is a tranquil place to support the wellbeing of our children and can be accessed when they need time to gain control of their emotions. The Oasis has calm music and activities to promote regulation so they can reset and return to their learning.
Lunch Time Clubs
At Emmaus we have lunchtime clubs running in terms 2, 3 and 4 as part of our ongoing commitment in supporting our students and fostering a positive school environment. Offering a structured play option during lunch breaks can greatly benefit students, particularly those who may find play challenging or need a quiet space to relax and recharge. These include:
- Dance Club
- Book Club
- Lego Club
- Gardening Club
- Minecraft Club
- Making Club
- Let’s Be Active
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 085005 A/C 456083799.
We thank you for your ongoing support in keeping our OSHC service running.
Please visit the link to the Emmaus Catholic School Uniform Policy - about-us/uniform
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.
Important Dates
Disco!
Assembly Year 5
P&F Meeting 9am
Touch Carnival Yr 4-6
Board Meeting 6pm
Year 3 Zoo Excursion
PUPIL FREE DAY
Ensemble Showcase 6.30pm
Assembly 1V
School Hours
Grow Free Cart
Garden Club
Volunteers at Emmaus
Social