Queen of Apostles School
Term 4 Week 4 - Thursday 5 November 2026
Prayer
Thank you, God,
for the tremendous sacrifices made by those who have gone before us.
Bless the memories of your saints, God.
May we learn how to walk wisely from their examples of faith, dedication, worship, and love.
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
As we move further into our final term, our attention is turning towards the future of Queen of Apostles. While there is still plenty to look forward to before the end of the year, we are also beginning some important work that will help shape the direction of our school over the next three years.
Help Shape Our School's Future!
At Queen of Apostles, we are committed to continually improving and ensuring our school is a place where every child feels known, valued and inspired to achieve their best.
We are currently beginning the development of our new three-year Strategic Plan, which will guide our school improvement priorities from 2027 to 2029.
Thank you for helping us shape an exciting future for Queen of Apostles. Our school is strongest when we work together.
An important part of this process is listening to the voices of our school community. We want to understand what families value most about Queen of Apostles, what we are doing well and where we have opportunities to improve.
We invite all parents and caregivers to complete a short survey reflecting on five simple questions:
Why did you choose Queen of Apostles for your child or children?
What are the three most important things you want your child to experience or gain from their time at Queen of Apostles?
What would you like us to do more of?
What would you like us to do less of?
What would you like us to keep the same?
There are no right or wrong answers. We genuinely want to hear your thoughts, ideas and aspirations for our school.
Your feedback will help inform our strategic priorities and ensure that the decisions we make reflect the needs and hopes of the families we serve.
Please take a few minutes to have your say.
A Brief Absence from the Principal
I'll also be taking some personal leave during Week 5 as I undergo the removal of all four wisdom teeth. Apparently, I've decided that having four teeth removed at once is an excellent way to embrace Wellness Week!
During my absence, Mrs Jennifer Anderson will step into the role of Acting Principal. I know our school community will be in excellent hands, and I thank Jen for her leadership and support.
As always, thank you for your continued partnership and support as we work together to make Queen of Apostles a place where every child feels known, valued and inspired.
Educate with Energy. Inspire with Spirit.
Jesse Yock
Looking Ahead to 2027: Staffing
Staffing for next year is progressing well, and I am excited about the new staff who will be joining our Queen of Apostles community in 2027. We are finalising the remaining positions, and I look forward to sharing our staffing arrangements with families before the end of the year.
Mr Alphonsus Chui and Miss Jess Jensen will be moving on to pursue new opportunities in 2027, with Jess making a ‘tree change’ and heading to the country! I sincerely thank them both for their contributions to Queen of Apostles and wish them every success and happiness as they begin their next chapters.
Week 5: Wellness Week!
Next week is Wellness Week at QOA, an opportunity for our students, staff and families to focus on wellbeing, connection and taking care of ourselves and one another.
Sometimes wellbeing is about doing a little less, finding time to recharge and remembering that a healthy school community is a happy one!
To help us embrace the week:
Students may wear their sports uniform all week.
There will be no homework for students.
Staff will enjoy a meeting-free week.
On Friday 13 November, we will have a coffee van onsite from 8:00 am to 9:00 am, giving parents and caregivers the opportunity to purchase a morning coffee before our Gathering Assembly.
Nothing says wellness quite like caffeine!
We hope families enjoy the opportunity to slow down a little, reconnect and make the most of the week.
Raising Kind Children: How to Encourage Empathy, Inclusion, and Compassion
As a parent of young children, I focus on four core values: kindness, compassion, inclusion, and empathy. Although young children are naturally self-centred as they develop perspective taking skills, these qualities can be nurtured from an early age.
It is important to intentionally foster kindness, compassion, empathy, and inclusion in everyday family life. Children learn these values by observing the behaviour of the adults around them, making it essential for parents and caregivers to model the attitudes and actions they hope to see in their children.
8 Ways to Encourage Compassion, Empathy, and Kindness in your Child
1. Be Vulnerable
Admit when you don’t know the answers and include your children when seeking the answers. When you make a mistake, say sorry to your children.
2. Be Kind, YOURSELF
Exercise patience and give people the benefit of the doubt. Narrate when you do daily kind acts. Say “Look that lady has her hands full, let’s open the shop door for her!”. Directing your child’s attention to kindness is key.
3. Be Kind TO Yourself
Demonstrate the importance of self-care by engaging in activities you enjoy and that support your wellbeing. Looking after yourself helps build the capacity to show kindness, empathy, and compassion towards others.
4. Exercise Gratitude and Kindness
Starting a gratitude practice can be simply talking about what each member of the family is thankful for during dinner.
5. Celebrate Differences and Include Others
Expand your circle by building meaningful relationships with people from different backgrounds. Attend community events, school functions, public parks, or local activities that bring diverse people together.
6. Show Empathy
When you watch a movie, read a book or see a situation play out at the park, ask your child “How do you think they feel?” Tell your child to look at the other person’s face or their actions to give them clues about how the other person feels.
7. Read Books
But not just any book - books that spark conversations about kindness, compassion, and inclusion.
8. Strengthen Family Bonds by Working Together to Help Others
When families combine quality time with acts of service, the impact is even greater. Consider participating in a family fundraising activity for a charitable cause, helping children learn empathy, generosity, and the value of giving back to their community.
Sharlene Epis
Reference
Walt, R. (2024). Raising Kind Kids: How To Encourage Empathy, Inclusion, and Compassion. Nurture and Thrive Blog.
🐝 Congratulations to our Year 6 student Shay, who placed equal first at the Interschool Spelling Bee at Corpus Christi College. The competition was so close between the final two competitors! 🏆 Well done to all our Queen of Apostles students who took part. You’ve made us proud! 💙
100 Years of Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary
You are invited to a Celebration of
100 Years
Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary
Sunday, 22 November 2026, 3.00 pm
Holy Mass with His Grace Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB.
Program, Refreshments
at the Schoenstatt Shrine, 9 Talus Dr. Mt. Richon
Please visit TryBooking via the link below to complete individual or group registration.
https://www.trybooking.com/DQFPU
RSVP by 13/11/26.
SECOND-HAND UNIFORM DONATIONS WANTED
If you have any school uniforms in reasonable condition that your children have outgrown or no longer require, please consider donating them to our Second-Hand Uniform Stall.
Our second-hand uniforms are always a greatly appreciated option for families, especially with how quickly our children grow!
All money raised through the Second-Hand Uniform Stall goes directly back into supporting our school community.
Donations can be dropped off at the school office.
Many thanks for your support,
Queenies P&F
🎉 HELP OUR SCHOOL RAISE FUNDS & WIN $5,000 CASH!
With Black Friday sales coming up, now is a great time to make the most of your Membership! Save even more with discounted gift cards, making it easier to snap up a bargain and get extra value on your everyday shopping.
More savings now means extra money in your pocket for Christmas shopping!
If our school sells just 3 Memberships this month, we’ll go into the draw to WIN $5,000 CASH!
That’s 3 sales → 1 entry → $5,000 for our school!
For just $75, an Entertainment Membership unlocks thousands of savings across Australia, New Zealand and Bali.
From big-name brands…
To neighbourhood cafés, restaurants, family attractions around Riverton, there’s something for everyone!
Explore popular WA destinations like Rottnest Island, Margaret River, Bunbury, Dunsborough, Busselton and the Swan Valley, with great offers on dining, activities, travel and accommodation.
💙 EVERY MEMBERSHIP MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Every Membership purchased during the double-donation campaign helps fund Classroom Technology, Sports & PE Resources, and our Community Garden. Plus, every Membership purchased this year goes into the draw to win an unforgettable expedition to Antarctica!
👉 GET YOUR MEMBERSHIP AND SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL TODAY!
Thank you for your support!
See Your Potential Savings
Try the online Savings Calculator to find out how quickly an Entertainment Membership could pay for itself.
Welcome to the latest edition of our Schoolzine eNewsletter!
Visit the link below to view your newsletter:
https://cspwa.schoolzineplus.com/enews?nid=77
Calendar Dates 2026
Term 1: Monday 2 Feb to Thursday 2 April
(Break from Friday 3rd April until Sunday 19th April)
Monday 2nd March - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Thursday 2nd April - PUPIL FREE DAY - Interviews
Term 2: Monday 20 April to Friday 3 July
(Term break from Saturday 4th July until Sunday 19th July)
Monday 20 April - PUPIL FREE DAY
Monday 27 April - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Monday 1 June - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
Tuesday 2 June - PUPIL FREE DAY
Term 3: Monday 20 July to Friday 25 September
(Term break from Saturday 26th September until Sunday 11th October))
Friday 21 August - PUPIL FREE DAY
Friday 25 September - PUPIL FREE DAY
Term 4: Monday 12 October to Friday 11 December