Dear Parents and Friends of St Kevin’s, 

During the school holidays the Sunday Gospel was from St Luke and told the Parable of The Good Samaritan. This is a very familiar story to us as adults and to our students as well. I walked that road to Jericho through the desert, and it was truly eerie and yet at the same time inspiring as I too recalled this parable.  

This parable calls us to act justly and with mercy.  It challenges us to consider whom we love, what we see, and what we do about it. Father Joseph put it beautifully and asked us to be people of peace. So, peace be with you each day in everything you do and say. 

Let’s Make Every Day Count! 

Attendance & Punctuality Matter 

At St Kevin’s, we believe that every school day is a chance to learn, grow, and connect. When students arrive on time, they start the day with confidence and calm—and they don’t miss a moment of learning! 

Why Being On Time Matters 

• Ready to Learn: The first minutes of the day set the tone for success. 

• Social Connections: Arriving early gives kids time to settle in and connect with friends. 

• No Missed Moments: Lessons begin right away—don’t miss the magic! 

What Our Students Say 

“When I get to school early, I feel ready to learn and I don’t miss anything.” – Year 4 
“I like being on time because I get to talk to my friends before class starts.” – Year 6 
“It’s easier to understand the lesson when I’m there from the beginning.” – Year 3 

Top Tips for Parents 

• Set a bedtime routine to help your child wake up refreshed. 

• Pack bags and lunches the night before to avoid morning stress. 

• ⏰ Use alarms or timers to keep mornings on track. 

• Aim to arrive 10 minutes early for a calm start. 

• Talk positively about school to build excitement and motivation. 

• Reach out to us if mornings are tough—we’re here to help! 

Let’s Work Together! 

Every minute at school matters. Thank you for helping your child start each day strong, happy, and ready to learn! 

Warm regards, 

Mary-anne Jennings 
Principal 

Building Update – July 2025 

• Bottom Classroom Renovation: The renovation of the bottom classroom is well underway and progressing smoothly. We’re excited to see the transformation taking shape. 

• Playground Landscaping: Landscaping work has commenced in the playground area, bringing fresh energy and new spaces for students to enjoy. 

• Student Adaptation: Our students are adapting remarkably well to the ongoing changes, showing resilience and enthusiasm. 

• Administration Building: The foundations for the new administration building are nearing completion, marking a significant milestone in our campus development.  

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Gastroenteritis Awareness 

NSW Health provides clear guidelines for managing and preventing the spread of viral gastroenteritis, especially during outbreaks: 

Hygiene Measures 

• Handwashing: Wash hands thoroughly with soap and running water, especially after using the toilet, before eating or preparing food, and after removing gloves or PPE  

• Sanitising: While alcohol-based hand sanitiser can be useful, it’s less effective against some gastro viruses like norovirus. Soap and water are preferred when hands are visibly soiled

Isolation Guidelines 

• Stay Home: Individuals who have had vomiting or diarrhea should stay home for at least 48 hours after symptoms cease. This is crucial to prevent spreading the virus, as people can still be infectious during this period.  

According to NSW Health, the common symptoms of viral gastroenteritis include 

• Vomiting 

• Watery diarrhea 

• Nausea 

• Fever 

• Abdominal pain 

• Headache 

• Muscle aches 

• Dehydration (from fluid loss due to vomiting and diarrhoea) 

Symptoms typically begin 1 to 3 days after exposure and usually last 1 to 2 days, though they can persist longer depending on the cause. 

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Kindergarten 2026 Play House
School Hall 
August 14, 21, 28 
⏰ 9:15 AM – 10:15 AM 

Come join us for a fun and welcoming morning of: 

• Games to play 

• Chats to have 

• New friends to meet 

• Treats to eat 

Parents, grandparents, and children — all are welcome! 
Let’s celebrate community, connection, and play! 

Welcome Back to Term 3 

Dear Parents, Carers, and Students, 

Welcome back to what promises to be an exciting and action-packed term at St Kevin's! I hope everyone had a restful break and is ready to dive into the many opportunities ahead. 

This term is shaping up to be one of our busiest yet, with a vibrant mix of activities across both sports and the creative arts. Our primary students will be participating in tennis, touch football, and netball gala days, and will also enjoy lessons in touch football and netball throughout the term. Unfortunately, due to the complications of our ongoing building project, we won’t be able to set up for tennis lessons this term. We appreciate your understanding and rest assured our tennis convenor has indicated that the students will enjoy the experience, regardless. We would appreciate if you could please keep up to date with these activites and consent and/or pay for the events via the due date on Compass.

On the creative front, rehearsals are in full swing for our much-anticipated school musical, which will be the grand finale of the term. Today, Aspire Dance Director Lauren worked with students and teachers to choreograph dance routines for each class, bringing energy and creativity to the stage. More information regarding our school performance and costuming will be released in the coming week, so please keep an eye out for updates. 

Tomorrow, we are thrilled to be celebrating 100 Days of Kindergarten—a special milestone for our youngest learners! Kindergarten students will share a morning tea with their parents and grandparents from 10:00am to 11:00am, marking this joyful occasion with smiles, stories, and a few surprises. We look forward to seeing many of you there to celebrate this wonderful journey. 

As always, thank you for your continued support. Let’s make this term one to remember! 

Kim Hogan

Co-Principal / Assistant Principal

Kaayi (Hello – Awabakal)

Yaama Ngindaay (Hello everyone - Gamilaraay)

Nungamanladi (Hello - Bardi)

Worimi (Hello – Dharug. Pronounced ‘Wurramee’)

Welcome to Term 3. I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday break.

We finished Term 2 on a high note with our school celebration of NAIDOC Week. It was so good to have some of our former students return to St Kevin’s to speak with the children about their experiences and pathways in the last few years. Lily, Emme, Giesela and Cristiano are making great progress with their sporting pursuits, and Antonio is doing further study to pursue his chosen career path. They are involved in their school and community cultural life, some currently working in childcare and hospitality. All are members of the next generation of Indigenous leaders, showing strength, vision and building upon the legacy of their Elders.

Term 3

There are several important days coming up in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education this term.

• Monday 4 August    National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
• Saturday 9 August   International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
• Wednesday 3 September   Indigenous Literacy Day

What is National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day?

Children's Day is a time to come together and celebrate the incredible strengths, stories, and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. This year’s theme is Little Footsteps, Big Future. This theme honours the journeys our children take as they grow - each step guided by culture, community and connection to Country.

It is the initiative of SNAICC – National Voice for our Children and has been held every year on 4 August since 1988.

Why is it important?

The majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are thriving and growing up strong in their cultures, with support from their families and communities.

However, a significant number of our children continue to face ongoing challenges stemming from colonisation and its effects. This includes discrimination, poverty, systemic removal, intergenerational trauma, dislocation from land and culture, and community disempowerment.

To achieve equality, we must approach these challenges through a holistic approach, considering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s wellbeing, safety and development.

© SNAICC – Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care, the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child and family services.

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

9 August 2025

What is International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples?

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is celebrated annually to honour and recognise the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Indigenous peoples worldwide. This day is about appreciating their unique way of life and acknowledging their important role in our shared history and society. It's a time to celebrate diversity and learn more about the customs and traditions of these vibrant communities.

In 1994 the United Nations General Assembly decided that the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples would be observed on 9 August every year. The date marks the first meeting, in 1982, of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations.

As we commemorate the World’s Indigenous Peoples let’s acknowledge their ongoing physical and spiritual connection to their lands, care for the environment and respect for their Elders.

It’s clear that there is an over-arching theme across 4 significant events on the National Calendar, emphasising the strength and continuity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures across many generations.

Reconciliation Week: Bridging Now to Next

NAIDOC Week: The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day: Little Footsteps, Big Future

Indigenous Literacy Day: Strength In Our Stories - For Now & Future Generations

The children will learn about these special days in class in coming weeks.

Enjoy Term 3

Yaluu

Phil Taylor

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Teacher

FAITH LIFE – CLASS MASS and LITURGIES 

Welcome back to Term 3! This term, our parish masses will be more student-centered, with our Primary classes having the opportunity to proclaim the Word and lead the prayers of the people. Parish mass is celebrated on Thursday mornings at 9.30am in St Kevin's church. We warmly invite our families to join us in celebration.  

Dates and Classes Attending: 

• Week 2 (July 31): Year 6 

• Week 3 (August 7): Year 3 

• Week 4 (August 14): Whole School 

• Week 6 (August 28): Kinder - Year 2 

• Week 8 (September 11): Year 5 

• Week 9 (September 18): Year 4

Throughout Term 3, our school liturgies will take place on Friday (odd weeks). These special gatherings provide an opportunity for our students to come together in worship and reflection. Some of our liturgies will focus on themes such as belonging, Mary MacKillop, the patron saint of Australia, and Father's Day. We encourage all families to join us in these meaningful celebrations, as they offer a chance for our community to connect and grow in faith. The liturgies will be led by different classes each fortnight, ensuring that every student has the chance to participate and contribute to the spiritual life of our school. 

Donna Morgan

Religious Education Teacher

In this edition of SchoolTV - Sibling Relationships

Sibling relationships are often a child's first and longest-lasting social connection. These bonds can offer companionship, support and opportunities to develop important life skills such as empathy, negotiation and conflict resolution. However, like all close relationships, sibling dynamics can be complex. Differences in temperament, age, needs and parental attention can all contribute to tension or rivalry. It's not uncommon for children to compete for attention, especially during times of change or stress.

As a parent or caregiver, your role in shaping the tone of sibling relationships is vital. Creating a home environment that celebrates each child's unique strengths and avoids direct comparisons helps reduce rivalry and fosters mutual respect.

By listening without judgement, teaching emotional regulation, and supporting each child's individuality, you can create a family culture where siblings feel secure and valued. This edition of SchoolTV offers insights to support young people in developing positive, lasting sibling bonds that can remain strong well into adulthood.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact the school counsellor for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to the Sibling Relationships edition of SchoolTV
https://cardiff.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/sibling-relationships-au