Emmaus Catholic Primary School

Dear Parents and Guardians

A big welcome back to all our families.

I hope that you all were able to spend some valuable family time together over the break.

This term as you are all aware will be a little longer than normal terms and run over 11 weeks. I would imagine that by the end of this term the students will be well and truly ready for another break!

Over the holidays I was able to spend some time here at school as most of us do, however, I was also fortunate to go over to Sydney and visit my son and his family and spend some valuable time with them.

While in Sydney and travelling around the place, I was engrossed with the number of children throwing tantrums in shops or on devices while shopping or in a restaurant with their families and not talking to each other.

This led me to reflect on an old newsletter article that I wrote many years ago at my previous school. It also reminded me of a saying that I occasionally use with our students. My little blurb to the students is a simple one that states…’CREATE GOOD HABITS, THEN THOSE HABITS WILL CREATE YOU’.

The habits children form early in life quietly shape the direction of who they become later in life. Each small, repeated action—whether it’s telling the truth, showing kindness, finishing what they start, or staying curious—begins as a simple choice guided by parents, teachers, and their environment. Over time, these choices stop feeling like effort and start becoming part of who they are. However, we as adults assisting the children need to be consistent with this.

When children practice good habits, they are not just learning behaviours, they are building a framework for decision-making. A child who learns to be responsible grows into an adult who can be trusted. A child who develops discipline gains the ability to pursue long-term goals. Even something as small as learning to listen carefully can grow into empathy and strong relationships later in life.

What makes habits so powerful is their quiet consistency. They don’t demand attention or praise every day, but they steadily reinforce character. In the same way that a path forms by being walked again and again, a person’s identity forms through repeated actions. Children may not realise it, but every habit they build is like casting a vote for the kind of person they will become.

That’s why guiding children toward positive habits matters so deeply. Encouragement, patience, and good examples help those habits take root. And once they do, those habits begin to take over—shaping attitudes, influencing choices, and ultimately creating the adults those children will grow into.

THANK YOU & FAREWELL

Kylie Robertson, Special Needs Education Assistant will leave us at the end of next week. Although her time with us has been brief, she has made a meaningful contribution, and we are grateful for the dedication, professionalism, and positive impact she has brought to our team.

Thank you Kylie for your great work. We wish you and your family all the very best for the future.

Sandro Coniglio

Principal

School Start and Finish Times

Pre-Kindy (Thurs and Fri) 9:00 am (doors open) - 3:00 pm

Kindy (Mon - Wed) 8:45 am (doors open) - 3:00 pm

Pre-Primary - Year 6 (Mon - Fri) 8:30 am (doors open) - 3:00 pm

Administration 8:15 am - 4:00 pm

Dear Parents and Guardians

As a school community, we are incredibly proud of the generosity shown throughout our recent support of Project Compassion during the Lenten period. Through your donations and commitment, we have raised over $3, 000 and contributed to life-changing initiatives that provide access to clean, safe water for school communities in Tanzania. For many children, access to clean water means more than health—it means time in the classroom, improved wellbeing, and the opportunity to learn and thrive. Our students' participation in the Annual Big Water Walk and the generosity and compassion of our families truly makes a tangible difference, helping to transform lives and bring dignity and hope to those most in need.

We now invite families to continue this spirit of generosity as we move into two significant outreach opportunities this term. Our St Vincent de Paul Society Winter Appeal will support those in our local Guildford community, and we warmly encourage donations of winter essentials such as jeans, jumpers, blankets, scarves, beanies and gloves. Our Year 6 Discipleship Leaders will be launching this project at the next assembly, and we kindly ask families to donate any pre-loved, clean clothing and winter items in good condition.

Later in the term, we will support the Archbishop’s LifeLink Appeal, with a PJ Day held in conjunction with our International Day of Play—students are invited to participate with a gold coin donation. Each of these opportunities allows us to live out our faith in action, responding to the needs of both our local and global communities with compassion and care.

We also extend our heartfelt congratulations to our Year 3 students, along with those from other classes, who reverently received the Sacrament of First Reconciliation this week at St Helena of the Holy Cross Parish. This is a special milestone in their faith journey, and we are proud of the reflection and commitment they have shown. At the same time, our Year 4 students are currently engaging deeply in their learning about the Sacrament of Eucharist. We look forward to celebrating with many of these students later in the term as they receive Holy Communion for the first time - another significant and joyful step in their spiritual growth.

In gratitude

Loretta Hackner & Emma Fernandez

Assistant Principals

Yesterday's Cross Country Carnival at Dayton Open Space was a fantastic celebration of participation, perseverance and school spirit, with students from Pre-Primary through to Year 6 embracing the challenge of long-distance running. Events such as these are a highlight of the school calendar, bringing together students, staff and families in a shared experience that encourages resilience, determination and a willingness to give things a go. It was inspiring to see so many students step outside their comfort zones, push through some challenging distances and proudly cross the finish line.

Congratulations in particular to the following students were awarded medallions for Champion & Runner Up for their year groups:

Year 3

Champion Boy: Earl Rey

Runner Up: Levi M

Champion Girl: Addie

Runner Up: Elsie

Year 4

Champion Boy: Harry

Runner Up: Antonio

Champion Girl: Emme

Runner Up: Lydia

Year 5

Champion Boy: Adom

Runner Up: Anotida

Champion Girl: Chloe

Runner Up: Isla

Year 6

Champion Boy: Setto

Runner Up: Lucas

Champion Girl: Violet

Runner Up: Mackenzie

Congratulations are also in order to Bardan, the winning faction for the 2026 Cross Country Carnival.

We extend our sincere thanks to all students for their outstanding effort and positive attitude throughout the day—you demonstrated determination, encouragement and true sportsmanship. Thank you also to the many parents who came along to cheer and support, creating a wonderful atmosphere for our runners. We are grateful to the P&F for providing delicious treats, and to our parent volunteers who generously gave their time to assist with the smooth running of the carnival. A special thank you to Mr Curkoski for his organisation of the event, and to Miss Jones for enthusiastically leading and guiding our runners around the course.

A truly successful day enjoyed by all—well done everyone!

Our annual school photo day is scheduled in Week 4. Please take note of the date: Tuesday 12 May and the uniform requirements for your child/ren.

Every student will have their individual photo taken

on Tuesday 12 May whether parents order a photo or not.

All students will also be included in their class photo and whole school photo.

The whole school photo will be taken at approximately 12:30 pm on the day.

All photo order forms have been sent home with students in the first week of this term. The sheet includes your child's individual shoot key which is required when ordering photos whether online or on a hard copy form.

Family packs - if you wish for your Emmaus children to have a family photo (only Emmaus siblings), call into the office to pick up a family pack. Family photos can only be ordered using these hard copies and these order forms must be submitted to the photographer on the day. Family photos will be taken from 8:00 am - 8:45 am only.

Cash orders - If you would like to pay for photos using cash, you must collect a special Pre-Pay Envelope from the office, the cash placed inside the envelope and given directly to the photographer on photo day.

Children in Pre-Kindergarten will have their photos taken in Term 3.

Last Friday, our Year 6 students led a truly moving ANZAC Day Assembly, delivering a superb and informative performance that captivated all in attendance. Through their thoughtful presentation, they took the audience back in time, helping us to better understand the experiences of those who lived through the realities of war and the profound impact it had on so many lives.

The assembly not only shared historical insights but also encouraged a deep and reflective response, prompting us to consider the intensity of these experiences and the courage shown by service men and women. ANZAC Day remains a significant occasion in Australia, calling us to remember and honour the sacrifice of those who served and to reflect with gratitude on the freedoms we enjoy today.

We commend our Year 6 students for the respectful and engaging manner in which they led the assembly, and for guiding our school community in a meaningful time of remembrance and reflection.

On Thursday afternoon, we officially opened our Yarning Circle and Bush Tucker Gardens to our school community. As stage one of this area is now complete, we look forward to seeing this space used as an outdoor classroom space, a quiet area at recess & lunch for children to yarn, share stories and spend some time together, and families to enjoy whilst on the school grounds.

This space holds deep significance as a place of connection, to each other, to Country, and to learning. The Yarning Circle provides a respectful environment for listening, sharing ideas, and building understanding, reflecting the importance of storytelling and community in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Surrounding bush tucker plants create opportunities for students to engage with First Nations knowledge, explore sustainability, and develop a deeper appreciation for the land and the resources it provides. Together, these elements make this space not just a physical area, but a meaningful place for reflection, learning, and belonging.

Once again, thank you to those who contributed to this vision. SEDA College, Breeanna Haynes, WA State Government’s PALs Grant and Bunnings Ellenbrook for your monetary and services support throughout the first stage of this project.

Thank you to the Parents & Friends Committee, Parents, Family Members, Staff and Students for your hard work throughout the first stage bringing this project to life.

We warmly invite all mothers and mother figures to join us for a relaxed and special afternoon with their child/children from 2:00 pm on Wednesday 6 May as we celebrate Mother’s Day. After the end of lunch bell, Mums are welcome to collect their child directly from their classroom and then make their way together to the various activity areas outlined on the chart below. It will be a wonderful opportunity to spend quality time together, enjoy some fun activities, and celebrate the important role mothers and mother figures play in our students’ lives. Please note: Younger siblings are able to attend!

Thank you to the P&F for once again organising the Mother's Day Stall. Children are invited to make a small purchase for their Mums or Mother-figures. The stall will be on Wednesday 6 May - No more than $10 to be brought to school in a labelled purse or zip-lock bag along with a re-usable shopping bag.

The start of Term 2 for the Year 2s started off with creative fun. The students have spent the week learning how to create dioramas of various food farms they had learnt about last term. The students have learnt how to create models with salt dough and using the resources around the school such as grass, leaves and rocks. The students have created some amazing farms!

• Do you have a child who is due to enter Pre-Kindergarten (3K) or Kindergarten (4K) in 2027?

• Have you lodged an Application for Admission form yet?

Interviews for 2027 places will be held throughout May and June so applications should have already been submitted.

If you have not yet lodged an application, do so without delay! We have received more applications than places available so there will be a waiting list and you may miss out on a place for your child.

The Dental Therapy Staff will be visiting for Dental Screening on Friday 29 May. Dental Screening is a growth and development check for all enrolled students in Pre- Primary, Year 3 & 6 (and anyone who has missed their screening). This is not a thorough check-up, so parents will not need to be present. If a follow-up appointment is required parents will be contacted.

Parents of enrolled Pre-Primary children will receive appointments for initial check-ups in the upcoming months. Please ensure all outstanding enrolment forms are returned promptly as only enrolled students will be seen. For any further information or if your contact details have changed, please contact the clinic.

BRABHAM DENTAL THERAPY STAFF

(08) 9265 1850

C/- Brabham Primary School, Lakefield Drive, Brabham

Emmaus Wellbeing Coordinators 2026

Ms Kate Cameron (Wellness & SEL Coordinator) & Mrs Hannah Thomas (Social Worker)

This term, our whole-school wellbeing focus is Sleep and Relaxation. Quality sleep is essential for children’s growth, learning, concentration, mood and overall health, while relaxation strategies help students manage stress and feel calm and ready to learn. Throughout the term, students will be learning about the importance of healthy sleep habits and practical ways to unwind, such as reducing screen time before bed, following consistent bedtime routines, and creating calm environments for restful sleep. Families can support this focus at home by encouraging regular bedtimes, limiting devices in the evening, and modelling healthy relaxation habits. By building these positive routines together, we can support students to thrive both at school and at home.

This term, in alignment with our whole-school Wellbeing Plan, students across all year levels will continue to engage in programs designed to support their social and emotional growth, strengthen relationships, and help them flourish as whole people.

Our Early Childhood students will begin working with the Kimochis program. Kimochis is a highly engaging social-emotional learning program that uses characters, stories and practical strategies to help children understand and manage their feelings, develop empathy, communicate respectfully, and build positive relationships. Through age-appropriate lessons, students learn important life skills such as recognising emotions, solving small problems, showing kindness, and using their words effectively.

Students in the middle and upper primary years will continue their learning through the URStrong Friendology program, which many parents may remember from previous years. Friendology provides students with a common language and practical tools to build healthy friendships, manage conflict, include others, and navigate social situations with confidence and resilience. It empowers students to recognise the qualities of positive friendships and develop the skills needed to maintain them.

These programs form an important part of our overall Wellbeing Plan as a school. We believe that education is about far more than academic achievement alone. It is about nurturing each child socially, emotionally, spiritually and academically so they can become the best version of themselves.

This also strongly aligns with our beliefs in Catholic education, where we recognise the dignity of every person and seek to develop students as compassionate, respectful and responsible members of the community. By teaching students how to care for themselves and others, build healthy relationships, and make positive choices, we are helping them live out Gospel values in their everyday lives.

We look forward to seeing our students continue to grow in confidence, kindness and resilience throughout the term. Each fortnight in the newsletter, different classes will provide updates and share examples of their learning in these areas.

In Year 6, as part of our Health Curriculum and in alignment with our school Wellbeing goals, students have begun learning the URSTRONG Friendology program.

Our first focus area has been exploring character strengths. Character strengths are the positive qualities that make each person unique and help them thrive. These include strengths such as kindness, bravery, honesty, teamwork, creativity, perseverance, gratitude, leadership and many more. Everyone has strengths, and understanding them can help students recognise what they do well and how they contribute positively to the world around them.

Students have also been learning that strengths can sometimes be overused or underused. For example, bravery can become risk-taking if overused, while kindness may mean not standing up for yourself if overused. On the other hand, underusing strengths such as perseverance may look like giving up too easily, while underusing gratitude may mean not noticing the positives around us. Learning to use our strengths in a balanced way is an important life skill.

Throughout our lessons, students discussed what each strength means and the many ways people can demonstrate them in everyday life. They then reflected on themselves and selected the three strengths they believe are most prominent in their own character.

Students are now working on creating a visual representation of their top three strengths. This will become something they can revisit throughout the year as they continue to grow, challenge themselves, and develop both personally and socially.

We are proud of the thoughtful discussions and self-awareness our Year 6 students have already shown, and we look forward to seeing how they continue to build on these important wellbeing skills throughout the year.

On 21 April, our Year 3 students participated in a meaningful and engaging Reconciliation Retreat, thoughtfully facilitated by Mrs Bateman. Throughout the day, students were guided in exploring the concepts of wrongdoing, forgiveness and the importance of repairing relationships with others and with God. Through a variety of interactive activities and discussions, they developed a deeper understanding of how our choices can impact relationships and how reconciliation brings healing and a fresh start.

The Year 3 class thanks Mrs Bateman for providing an enjoyable and interactive day helping them to reflect on ways they can live out forgiveness in everyday life.

Congratulations to these students who received the Sacrament of First Reconciliation on Wednesday evening: Sebastian, Earl Rey, Rhea, Helena, Stephanie, Boston, Levi M, Jamin, Addie, Micaela, Ana, Drayden, Thea, Zildjian and Liam T.

Issue 3 of the Scholastic Book Club was distributed to all students last week. Please note that the final day for orders is Friday 8 May.

A digital copy of the most recent Term 2, 2026 Parent Calendar is included below: Please see important dates for Term 2, 2026. Please note that any revised changes to the school calendars are updated and will be posted on our online calendar and in newsletter attachments.

👉 TERM 2 👈

Week 3

Monday 4 May

• 4K Speech Screening

Tuesday 5 May

• 4K Speech Screening continues
• Memory Cafe - Year 5 & PPB
• P&F meeting 6:00 - 7:30 pm

Wednesday 6 May

• 4K Speech Screening continues
• 4K - Y6 Mother's Day stall
• Mumma Mania Afternoon 2:00 - 3:00 pm

Friday 8 May

• Assembly (Mother's Day) Y2 & Mother's Day Raffle

Week 4:

Tuesday 12 May

• School photo day (4K - Y6)

Friday 15 May

• Interschool Cross Country Carnival (Y4 - Y6) at Good Shepherd, Kelmscott

With our Yarning Circle now officially open and the school building program continuing to take shape, the revitalisation of our green spaces has become an exciting and important focus for our community. Research shows that school gardens not only enhance the beauty of a school environment, but also foster a sense of pride, connection and belonging among students and families, while supporting wellbeing and hands-on learning.

To bring this vision to life, our Sustainability Team, guided by Mrs Freeman and supported by our P&F, are proud to launch the Plant, Grow, Thrive initiative. We warmly invite all Emmaus families to purchase a seedling or plant for $5, which will be planted within our school grounds to help create a vibrant, flourishing environment for all to enjoy. Together, we can grow a greener, more beautiful school that reflects the spirit of our community.

Please see the flyer below for further details and information on how to pre-purchase your family plant.

OSHClub are excited to have been selected as the dedicated onsite provider at Emmaus CPS!

OSHClub offers care for students before and after school, on pupil free days and school holidays.

click on the link below for more information!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mr Sandro Coniglio

Principal