Term 1, Week 2 Newsletter

Father in heaven,
may the faith you have given us
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame of charity enkindled
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,
reawaken in us the blessed hope
for the coming of your Kingdom.

May your grace transform us
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel.
May those seeds transform from within both humanity and the whole cosmos
in the sure expectation
of a new heaven and a new earth,
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished,
your glory will shine eternally.

May the grace of the Jubilee
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,
a yearning for the treasures of heaven.
May that same grace spread
the joy and peace of our Redeemer
throughout the earth.
To you our God, eternally blessed,
be glory and praise for ever.

Amen

The 2025 Parent Handbook is an important NEW document for ALL parents of Emmaus. You are urged to read through this thorough document with highlights all the Emmaus CPS processes and important information. Included are essential links for documents, forms, background resources, etc.

Please access the 2025 Parent Handbook here:

Have emotions been running high in your household?

This can feel frustrating, but it is also because going back to school, adjusting to new teachers, new schools and learning the ‘what’s what’ and the ‘whose who’ in a new year takes a LOT OF ENERGY.

So here are FOUR easy tips for parents with kids who seem a little ‘off’ right now:

1. Allow it. Trust this isn’t bad behaviour or disrespect, and it won’t be like this forever. They are tired and emotions are overflowing. Let them let it out.
2. Wind it back. Do less. Ditch a swimming lesson or allow them to ‘not’ do something when it’s all too much.
3. Increase mini moments of connection and humour. Humour and connection will lower cortisol levels and allow your child to sleep better.
4. Focus on what’s going well. It’s so easy to focus on the fights or the lost sports bag, but if we focus on what’s ‘going well’ instead- the rest pulls together in time.

Students with allergies, asthma, prescription medication or epipens are required to provide a Health Action Plan and up to date medication and Medication Request Plan. Parents of children in Year 1 – 6 with epipens – please note that you are also required to provide an insulated medication bag with your child’s epipen as children in these classes are needing to carry their epipens to specialist classes / Sport/ playing times throughout the day. Please visit https://www.theallergyshop.com.au/insulated-medical-waist-bag for suitable options.

Please provide all medication/epipens/ventolins and Action Plans to Admin without delay.

Please see below to download the form for your child to be administered medication at school if required.

All parents should have received the following 2025 forms from their child to complete and return:

1. Medical Information form
2. School Excursion/Incursion Permission form
3. Media Release form
4. Internet & ICT User’s Agreement (Pre-Primary to Year 6 students only)

If you have not received these forms, please ask your child for them or alternatively, download them from below this message. Forms were due to be returned today, Friday 14 February so if not returned yet, please do so as soon as possible. Extra hard copies are available from Administration.

Mrs Hannah Thomas has been welcomed with open arms to Emmaus! Mrs Thomas has been appointed as our School Social Worker and already in these few days has buzzed around meeting students across the classes and explaining her role in helping students who have “big emotions”.

Mrs Thomas provides professional support to address the diverse social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students, fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child can flourish. The attachment below gives examples of the work Mrs Thomas does in our school.

Our Social Worker, is onsite every Wednesday and Friday, collaborating closely with students, educators, the Wellbeing Coordinator, Leadership staff, and community partners. This teamwork approach enhances students’ wellbeing, academic achievement, and personal growth.

Should you wish for your child to access Mrs Thomas’ service, please direct your query to your child’s teacher and directly to Mrs Thomas.

We continue our lunch order arrangement with ‘Pasta in the Valley’ this year, with online lunch orders available on Tuesdays and Fridays. Students in Pre- Primary to Year 6 will be able to have lunch orders provided (Note: not Kindy students).

Please follow the instructions on the attached document to place your child’s lunch order. Note that a SMS will be sent if your lunch order is processed. Should you not receive a SMS, this indicates that the order did not process and you will need to place the order again.

Please note in your diary that all students on Monday 31 March (Week 9) will be dismissed at 1:20 pm. This will allow for Parent/Teacher Interviews to occur for children in Pre-Primary to Year 6 with interviews starting at 1:45 pm.

More information regarding the interviews will be sent closer to the date.

Are you active on Facebook and Instagram…? So is Emmaus CPS!

Join us for latest updates, reminders and snapshots of all the Emmaus fun!

Scan the QR codes below.

Please note the term dates and pupil-free dates for 2025. There is one Pupil Free date change (Term 3) which differs to that advertised in the last newsletter:

Term Dates 2025

Term 1 – Wednesday 5 February (Monday 3 February for staff) to Friday 11 April.
Pupil Free Day – Monday 24 March.
Term 2 – Monday 28 April to Friday 4 July.
Pupil Free Days – Monday 12 May and Tuesday 3 June.
Term 3 – Monday 21 July to Friday 26 September.
Pupil Free Days – Friday 15 August (new date) and Monday 18 August (no longer Tuesday 19 August as advertised in last newsletter).
Term 4 – Monday 13 October to Friday 12 December (Friday 19 December for staff).
Pupil Free Day – Monday 17 November.

Please see the Term 1 Parent Calendar attached below.

At Emmaus, we believe that wellbeing is the foundation of successful learning. Wellbeing means that students feel safe, happy, and supported in both their emotional and physical health. It’s about fostering positive relationships, developing self-awareness, and building the skills to navigate the world with resilience and confidence. Without a strong sense of wellbeing, students simply cannot reach their full potential. That’s why we continue to prioritise the wellbeing of every child in 2025, creating an environment where students can thrive, both in and out of the classroom.

This year, we’re excited to continue implementing several key wellbeing initiatives that support our students’ social, emotional, and physical development. One of these is the URStrong Friendology, which teaches students from grades one to six important relationship skills. This program helps students build strong friendships, resolve conflicts, and understand the importance of kindness and respect in all their relationships.

We are also using Kimochis to promote social and emotional awareness in the early years. Kimochis teach students how to identify and manage their emotions, helping them develop self-regulation skills that support healthy interactions and a positive mindset.

To support classroom culture, we are implementing Berry Street Initiatives, including starting each day with a Morning Circle. This allows students to connect with their peers, share their thoughts, and set a positive tone for the day. We will also continue to incorporate brain breaks throughout the day to help students stay focused, re-energised, and ready to learn.

In every classroom students are encouraged to bring Crunch ‘n’ Sip. This is a program where students enjoy nutritious snacks and water to fuel their bodies and minds. This helps ensure they have the energy needed for learning, while also promoting healthy eating habits that support long-term wellbeing.

Physical activity is also a key component of our wellbeing program. Many of our classes will start the day with Morning Fitness sessions that get students moving, help them develop teamwork skills, and teach important lessons in sportsmanship. Engaging in physical activity not only supports physical health but also has significant benefits for mental clarity and focus in the classroom.

Throughout the year, we will focus on four key wellbeing themes: Relationships, Social Emotional Awareness & Regulation, Physical Activity & Nutrition, and Sleep & Relaxation. These themes will guide our wellbeing programs and will be highlighted during some P&F events, ensuring that students, families, and staff are all involved in creating a supportive and nurturing environment.

We know that wellbeing is essential for learning and development. When students feel emotionally supported, physically healthy, and socially connected, they are better able to concentrate, engage in lessons, and grow as individuals. Wellbeing helps them develop the skills they need to navigate challenges, form positive relationships, and achieve their academic goals. Our focus on wellbeing in 2025 is all about equipping our students with the tools they need to be successful, both in school and in life.

We are thrilled to celebrate the completion of our very first whole-school collaborative art project for 2025! Every student from Year 1 to Year 6 contributed a self-portrait, and when placed together, these unique artworks formed a beautiful rainbow. This vibrant display not only showcases individual creativity but also symbolises the unity and diversity of our school community.

A huge well done to all our young artists for their hard work and imagination. You can see the completed display, where each piece comes together to create something truly special, in the school hall.

WE NEED YOU! Our amazing P&F are looking for additional nominations for 2025. Please see the P&F Update Flyer below for more information. Without volunteers, the fun community building events that your children love, such as school disco, colour run and beginning of year foam party will not be possible. Please do think about putting your name forward to assist.

Class Reps are also needed across the grades. This can be a shared role!

Please contact us if you need assistance!

Please download the document below outlining the activities being held at the Dayton Community Hub organised by the City of Swan.

See the advert below for information on trying out Calisthenics.