Filter Content
- Principal News
- Co-Principal / Assistant Principal News
- Religious Education News
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education News
- Library News
- PB4L - Positive Behaviour for Learning
- Father's Day Celebrations
- 2025 School Photos - Wednesday 10th September
- Mission Team - Oodies and Hoodies
- Found Ring
- Parish News
- School TV
- First Nations Recipe -Kangaroo Spaghetti
Dear Parents and Carers of St Kevin’s,
As your child grows, they move through important developmental stages that shape how they think, feel, and interact with others. One of the most powerful tools to support this growth is play. Whilst doing playground duty, I observe where the students are in their development through the games they choose to engage in. Watching children learn and play tells us so much about where they need assistance in areas such as sharing or teamwork, or perhaps they demonstrate leadership qualities through their patience and explanations of rules to younger students. Sometimes the competition gets rather intense during play, but this too is a learning opportunity for all - following rules, turn taking, fair play and being aware of different skill levels of peers.
Understanding Child Development
Children develop in stages—physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively. Each stage builds on the last, and play is a key part of this journey. Through play, children learn to:
- Explore their environment
- Solve problems
- Express emotions
- Build relationships
Jesus always had time for children and his response to His disciples when trying to keep them away “Let the little children alone, and do not stop them from coming to me.” Mathew 19:14. Making Jesus real in our everyday lives is all about relationships, exploring our environment and caring for it, getting along and solving problems when we are playing or working.
Why Play Matters
Play is more than fun—it’s how children learn. Whether it's imaginative play, building with blocks, or playing games with others, children develop:
- Creativity and curiosity
- Language and communication skills
- Emotional resilience
- Motor skills and coordination
Development from Ages 5 to 12 with Game Examples
Ages 5–7: Learning the Basics
Children at this age are developing foundational social and cognitive skills. They benefit from games that encourage imagination, cooperation, and simple rule-following.
Examples:
- Duck, Duck, Goose – Encourages turn-taking and physical activity.
- Pretend Play (e.g. shops, superheroes) – Builds creativity and social understanding.
- Simple board games (e.g. Candy Land, Snakes & Ladders) – Teaches patience and rule-following.
- Building blocks or LEGO – Supports fine motor skills and problem-solving.
Ages 8–10: Expanding Social Skills
Children begin to enjoy more structured and strategic play. They are better at understanding rules and working in teams.
Examples:
- Team sports (e.g. soccer, netball) – Builds teamwork and communication.
- Board games with strategy (e.g. Uno, Connect Four) – Enhances planning and decision-making.
- Group projects or scavenger hunts – Encourages collaboration and leadership.
- Creative games (e.g. Minecraft, drawing challenges) – Fosters imagination and cooperation.
Ages 11–12: Building Independence and Identity
Older children seek more independence and complex challenges. They enjoy games that involve strategy, leadership, and peer interaction.
Examples:
- Debate games or role-playing scenarios – Develops critical thinking and empathy.
- Sports with positions and tactics (e.g. basketball, hockey) – Strengthens teamwork and strategic thinking.
- Collaborative board games (e.g. Codenames, Pandemic) – Promotes communication and shared goals.
- STEM challenges or coding games – Encourages problem-solving and innovation.
Sharing, Taking Turns, and Teamwork
These social skills are essential for healthy relationships and success in school and life. Through group play, children learn:
- Sharing – Understanding fairness and empathy
- Taking Turns – Practicing patience and self-control
- Teamwork – Collaborating, listening, and respecting others' ideas
As educators and families, we can support children by encouraging cooperative play, modeling positive behavior, and celebrating small successes in social interactions.
Thank you for partnering with us to nurture your child’s growth. Together, we can help them build the skills they need to thrive—now and in the future.
Warm regards,
Mary-anne Jennings
Principal
Staff on leave
Mrs Jennings is on leave September 5 – September 24
Miss Wiseman is on leave September 15 – October 14
Mrs Morgan is on leave from September 15 – September 24
Please contact the school office if you have any questions about your child during this time.
Dear Parents and Carers,
Uniform Expectations Moving Forward
At St Kevin’s, we believe our school uniform plays an important role in helping students feel a sense of pride, belonging, and equality. It also helps create a calm and focused learning environment where children can thrive.
We understand that in the past, supply chain issues made it difficult for some families to access parts of the school uniform. Because of this, we’ve been flexible in our expectations. However, we’re pleased to share that these issues have now been resolved. With our move to Lowes, uniform availability has improved significantly.
As we move towards the end of Term 3, we kindly ask for your support in ensuring students wear the correct school uniform each day. This includes appropriate footwear, school colours, and any items outlined in our uniform policy. Please ensure children are not mixing summer and winter uniform items or making individual decisions about what to wear. Consistency in uniform helps maintain a sense of fairness and reduces distractions or comparisons among students. It also supports staff in applying expectations fairly and avoids confusion or unnecessary conversations about what is or isn’t acceptable. As the weather warms, we will advise when students may transition to the summer uniform.
If you’re unsure about any part of the uniform or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office—we’re here to help. Thank you for your continued support in helping our students look and feel their best.
Exciting Changes to Our Learning Spaces
Today is moving day, and our Year 3–6 students are excited to be settling into their new classrooms. This move also includes the creation of a diverse learning area in the former Year 4 classroom, which will support a range of student needs. From early to mid next week, our administration team will temporarily relocate to the old Year 3 classroom until the end of the year. This shift will allow for the renovation of our current admin space and the connection of the old and new buildings—making St Kevin’s a more accessible site. Once complete, staff and visitors will be able to move from the new front office to the Infants block without using stairs. Similarly, visitors requiring accessibility will be able to use the lift to reach our primary classrooms without encountering any steps.
The release of the first stage of our building project is an exciting milestone, and we’re looking forward to unveiling our newly renovated playground by the end of October—hopefully just in time for the warmer weather!
God Bless
Kim Hogan
Co-Principal / Assistant Principal
Catholic Mission Socktober Launch – Tuesday, 17th September
We’re excited to announce that this year’s Socktober will kick off with a special liturgy at St Joseph’s Church, East Maitland on Thursday, 18th September.
This year, Catholic Mission is focusing on the incredible country of Zambia—a land rich in culture, stunning landscapes, and vibrant communities in the heart of southern Africa. From the majestic Victoria Falls to wildlife-filled plains and warm-hearted people, Zambia is a place of beauty and resilience.
Catholic Mission aims to support Sharon’s family and her community by providing vital resources to help overcome hunger and poverty. Your support will help ensure access to regular, nutritious food, create opportunities for sustainable farming, and assist parents like Sharon and Victor in earning a stable income. Most importantly, it will give their children the chance to stay in school, grow up healthy, and build a brighter future.
Your support during Socktober can make a real difference. To learn more about Sharon’s story and the beautiful country of Zambia, visit Socktober - Zambia
Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to a cause that helps children grow strong and healthy!
Season of Creation 2025: “Peace with Creation”
Each year, from September 1 to October 4, Christians around the world unite to celebrate the Season of Creation—a time of prayer, reflection, and action for our common home. This ecumenical celebration begins on the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation and concludes on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology.
The theme for 2025 is “Peace with Creation”, inspired by Isaiah 32:14–18, which envisions a world transformed from desolation to restoration through justice and peace. This year’s theme calls us to reflect deeply on the broken relationship between humanity and the Earth, and to respond with hope, repentance, and solidarity.
In the words of the Season of Creation Steering Committee, “Creation will find peace when justice is restored.” This theme invites us to move beyond despair and take bold steps toward ecological healing and reconciliation
The 2025 logo features a dove carrying an olive branch, bringing life to a symbolic Garden of Peace. This powerful image draws from the story of Noah, where the dove returns with an olive branch, signalling the end of the flood and the beginning of renewal (Genesis 6:13). It reminds us that peace is possible—even after destruction—when we choose to care for creation.
Donna Morgan
Religious Education Teacher
Kaayi (Hello – Awabakal)
Yaama Ngindaay (Hello everyone - Gamilaraay)
Nungamanladi (Hello - Bardi)
Worimi (Hello – Dharug. Pronounced ‘Wurramee’)
Congratulations Conor
Congratulations to Conor for receiving a Medal of Excellence for his creative design entry in the Koori Kids ANZAC Day Competition this year. Conor was presented with the medal last week by Aunty Louise Campbell and Mrs Jennings. His proud parents Lehetta and Jade, and sisters Lily and Emme were on hand to congratulate him on this fine achievement also. Well done, Conor!
Sharing the diversity of First Nations languages and cultures with audiences across Australia.
Yesterday and today the students will view a short film showing an adventure through 3 remote Aboriginal Communities to learn about the diverse ways storytelling makes their communities strong. They then viewed a livestreamed performance at Sydney Opera House where Indigenous Literacy Foundation Ambassadors and special guests hosted performances celebrating Aboriginal storytelling.
Parents and students may be interested in the Term 3 Programs being offered. See information and contact details for Donna, below.
Yaluu
Phil Taylor
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Teacher
St. Kevin’s is a PB4L school which means we have a focus on the promotion of positive behaviours.
Our PB4L focused are based around our four main rules:
- We are Respectful
- We are Responsible
- We are Safe
- We are a Learner
Under each of these rules we have behaviour focuses. These are specific areas to help children understand what is expected when following that rule. Our rules and behaviour expectations are displayed in posters around the school.
Each 2 - 3 weeks we focus our attention on just one rule and behaviour expectation. The rule is presented to the school community by a selected class at different times throughout the school year. As a community we discuss what the expected behaviour will look like in different places around the school. When children return to class the rule and behaviour expectation, are taught specifically and displayed in the classroom as the focus for the week. Teachers look for students displaying the focus behaviour throughout the week and award tokens when children display the rule. The Student Representative Council takes ideas from all the classes on what to have as the students reward for reaching our goal. This is displayed by tipping the tokens into our large glass jar at assembly each fortnight. Please see the photo below of where we are up to so far. The reward we are working towards at the moment is: a half day of play down at Cardiff netball courts followed by an ice cream on their return to school.
PB4L focuses on reinforcement of positive and negative behaviours. We are using "Positive Behaviour" chronicles, which are sent home via email and SMS to parents. Please discuss these with your child and celebrate positive incidents that have occurred at school. When children make behavioural errors, we will work with them to rectify these behaviours and encourage them to make positive behavioural choices. There will be times that children may also have consequences for their actions such as community service, time off the playground etc. These are discussed with children to ensure the consequence of the behaviour, is relevant to the behavioural errors, as well as being age-appropriate.
As a staff we continually reflect on current data and observations to revisit particular behaviour expectations when data shows the need. This is the reason for open weeks allowing for “alternate” focuses when required.
This week, our wonderful Year 2 class led us in a dramatisation for our focus for the rest of the term. Our focus for the rest of the term is: Following instructions in a timely manner.
We would like to invite all Dad's, Step-Father's and Grandfather's to celebrate Father's Day with a BBQ breakfast on Friday 5th September at 8am followed by a liturgy at 9am in the hall led by Year 4.
The Father's Day raffle will also be drawn. There are some fantastic prizes on offer:
1st: Family Pass Taronga Zoo
2nd: Family Pass Hunter Valley Gardens
3rd: $100 voucher Iron Horse Inn Cardiff
4th: $60 Bistro Voucher, Teralba Bowling Club
5th: $50 Voucher Iron Horse Inn Cardiff
All money and tickets should now have been returned to the school office.
St Kevin's whole school photos will be on Wednesday 10th September. All photos must be ordered online through Newcastle School Portraits https://photos.newcastleschoolportraits.com/fmi/webd/NSPOrdering.fmp12 using the unique shoot code 520480. Please see the flyers attached for more information.
Students must be in FULL WINTER SCHOOL UNIFORM. They must have long-sleeved shirts and long pants, or long-sleeved shirts under their winter tunics. Stockings must be worn under tunics. There cannot be a mix of summer and winter uniforms, therefore, NO short-sleeve shirts or shorts are to be worn.
On Monday 8th September (Week 8), students are invited to come to school dressed in their favourite oodie, hoodie, tracksuit or pyjamas to help shine a light on the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness and hardship during the colder months.
We kindly ask each student to bring
in either:
- A gold coin donation or,
- A long-life food item
To contribute to this important cause.
Please see the attached note for more information.
With all the moving happening this week, a 18ct gold ring has been found. If you think this might belong to you, please call the office on 4954 0036 to give the description of your missing ring, so we can return it to its rightful owner.
SPECIAL REPORT: Celebrating Father's Day
For many years now, the role of fathers has changed and evolved. During the industrial revolution, fathers were often considered detached and distant due to working long hours in factories. However, today things have changed dramatically with many dads being celebrated for being sensitive, caring and more hands-on.
Recent studies have shown that children benefit greatly from having fathers who are present and interacting in everyday activities. This has transformed the understanding of how fathers shape children’s lives from the start, challenging conventional ideas of parenthood and gender.
Research also suggests that fathers influence their sons and daughters in different ways, which is especially true during their transition to adolescence. Engaging in regular physical activities can play a key role in influencing children to learn self-control, face challenges, regulate emotions and take manageable risks.
In this Special Report, fathers will learn about the positive impact they can have on their child’s mental health and wellbeing, whilst also ensuring they indulge in a little self-care.
Multilingual videos now available on SchoolTV!
Because wellbeing shouldn’t get lost in translation, SchoolTV has introduced a powerful new feature — multilingual videos.
Until now, families could access written content in more than 60 languages. Now, expert-led videos are also available in Chinese, Hindi and Arabic, with more languages to be added next year.
This new feature ensures every family can access trusted, practical guidance in a way that feels familiar, inclusive, and easy to understand.
Explore this feature for yourself by clicking the link below to view SchoolTV content in your preferred language.
http://cardiff.catholic.schooltv.me/stv-multilingual-feature