Padbury CPS Newsletter

Show you care for others in your words and actions

A copy of our Bushfire Plan can be found here on our website - https://www.padcath.wa.edu.au/formsandprocedures

A copy of our Snake Season Policy can be found here on our website

https://shorturl.at/gFVFR

Please check the PCPS community calendar for upcoming and future dates as the calendar is regularly updated https://www.padcath.wa.edu.au/community-calendar

If your child is not returning to PCPS in 2027 you are required to give a terms notice.

Please advise the office in writing via email at:

admin@padcath.wa.edu.au

As we move closer to the conclusion of another wonderful year at PCPS, we have much to celebrate as a school community. From faith-filled celebrations and student achievements to exciting opportunities ahead, there is an unmistakable sense of pride in all that has been accomplished throughout the year.

This term is always one of reflection, gratitude and anticipation as we prepare students for the year ahead and celebrate the many people who make our school such a special place.

As you are now aware, Mrs Lisa McClue has been appointed as the next Principal of Padbury Catholic Primary School as of next year. On behalf of our students, staff, and families, I warmly welcome Lisa to our community. We are excited for her to begin this new chapter at PCPS and know she will be embraced by the wonderful spirit that makes our school so special.

Although Lisa officially commences in 2027, she has already begun preparations for a smooth transition and is currently overseeing the recruitment and appointment process for our Assistant Principal positions for next year.

Lisa will be visiting PCPS in early December to meet staff, tour the school, visit classrooms, and begin getting to know our students and community. During her visit, we will also begin a comprehensive handover process to ensure a smooth transition into her new role.

As we prepare for 2026, there are also several staffing updates to share - Mr Darby and Mrs Prior will be taking leave in 2027 to explore opportunities in another school setting and will be back in 2028. At the end of this year, Mrs Mullen, one of our valued Pre-Kindy Education Assistants, will be finishing her time at PCPS. Mrs Mullen has provided outstanding care and support to our youngest learners and has been a much-loved member of our school community.

After being on parental leave, Mrs Ashleigh Remigio (G&T teacher) and Mrs Kathryn Carter (class teacher) have officially resigned from their positions. We thank them for their service over the years and wish them both the very best in their next chapters.

Further staffing updates for 2027 will be shared with families as arrangements are finalised.

Last Friday, our school community came together to celebrate All Saints' Day Mass with Father Cornelius. It was a lovely celebration and a chance for our students to reflect on the saints and how we can follow their example in our everyday lives.

I was very proud of the way our students participated in the Mass. They were respectful, joined in enthusiastically with the responses and singing, and helped make it a special celebration. Father Cornelius even commented afterwards on how impressed he was with the students and their participation.

A big thank you to everyone involved in preparing the Mass and to our students for the wonderful way they took part.

On 11 November, Australians pause at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to remember and honour those who have served and sacrificed for our country.

As a school community, we will gather for a special Remembrance Day Prayer Service to reflect on the courage, dedication and sacrifice of the men and women who have served Australia during times of war, conflict and peacekeeping.

Parents and family members are warmly invited to join us for this important occasion. The service will be held in the school hall at 11am.

Together, we will pause in prayer and gratitude as we remember those who have given so much in service to others.

Lest We Forget

Our Year 6 students will be showcasing their curiosity, creativity and scientific thinking at our annual Science Fair on Friday 20 November between recess and lunch.

Working in pairs, students investigate topics of interest and design engaging, hands-on activities for other students across the school to enjoy. The event is a wonderful celebration of inquiry learning and provides students with an opportunity to share their knowledge and enthusiasm for science.

A special thank you to Mrs Ewen for her passion and dedication in this learning area and for coordinating the Science Fair.

Recently we celebrated World Educators Day, taking time to acknowledge the wonderful staff who make such a positive impact on our students every day.

At PCPS, every staff member plays an important role in nurturing, guiding and supporting our students to achieve their best. I thank our dedicated staff for their professionalism, patience, enthusiasm, teamwork and unwavering commitment to the children entrusted to our care.

A special thank you also to our P&F, who generously provided a delicious morning tea and coffee van for staff to enjoy. Your thoughtfulness and support were greatly appreciated.

All PCPS families are warmly invited to attend the Christmas Outdoor Mass at Our Lady of the Missions Church on 24 December at 6.00pm.

Children wishing to participate in the Nativity Play are asked to attend the rehearsal on Saturday 20 December at 10.00am in the church. Roles will be allocated during the rehearsal, therefore attendance is essential.

For any further information, please contact the Parish Office directly.

Teachers will shortly begin the process of finalising class placements for 2027. These decisions are made collaboratively and with great care, taking into consideration the needs of every child.

Factors considered include:

· Academic needs

· Social and emotional wellbeing

· Gender balance

· Special educational considerations

· Positive relationship dynamics

Parents who believe there are significant pastoral circumstances that need to be considered are asked to arrange a meeting with their child’s class teacher before Friday 20 November at 3.00pm. Following this meeting, parents are asked to send a brief email to the Leadership Team, via the school administration email address, outlining the circumstances for consideration.

While parent input may be considered, requests for specific teachers cannot be accommodated. The final decision regarding class placements remains with teaching staff and the Leadership Team, who consider the needs of the entire cohort.

Once class placements have been finalised, changes will not be made.

Teacher allocations will be communicated via SEQTA on Friday 18 December.

If your child will not be returning to PCPS in 2027, please notify the school office as soon as possible.

A smooth transition between year levels is an important part of preparing students for future success.

Our annual Transition Morning will take place on 3 December, providing students with an opportunity to spend time in their next year level, become familiar with teachers and experience their new learning environment.

Kindergarten students will participate in transition activities on their regular attendance days, while our Pre-Primary students will take part in additional experiences designed to support their move into the wider school environment.

Mrs Fisher will continue to provide support to students and families who may require additional assistance during this process.

Pre-Kindy 2027 Parent Meeting

17 November 2026

Pre-Kindy 2027 Orientation

26 November 2026

9.30am – 10.15am

Kindergarten 2027 Parent Meeting

16 November 2026

Kindergarten 2027 Orientation

Kindy Gecko: 23 November 2026, 1.30pm – 2.15pm

Please contact Mrs Ellen in the office should you require any further information regarding these sessions.

Further information regarding enrolments, Pre-Kindy and school fees can be found on the PCPS website or by contacting the school office.

Do you have a younger child who will be attending school in future years?

We encourage families to submit enrolment applications as early as possible. Demand for places continues to be strong, and early applications assist us with future planning.

Even if your child is still very young, we encourage families to lodge an application now to avoid disappointment in future years.

Have a wonderful weekend with your family and enjoy the beautiful warm weather ahead.

Warm regards,

Mrs Margaret Williamson

Principal

If a family would like to place a note in the Pastoral Care section of the newsletter in relation to a birth or death, or if a family would like the whole school community to pray for any special intentions e.g. a family member who is ill, please send a message to please let your child’s class teacher or Mrs Ellen at the front office know or send an email to admin@padcath.wa.edu.au

The Advisory Council and Finance Committee would like to sincerely thank those families who have maintained their fee commitments throughout the year.

Families with outstanding accounts are asked to arrange payment as soon as possible. As outlined in the school fee policy, the Finance Committee may take action to recover unpaid fees where necessary.

A variety of payment methods are available, including direct debit, internet banking, EFTPOS, cash and credit card facilities. Families requiring assistance are encouraged to contact the Finance Office to discuss available options.

Thank you for your continued support.

Ms Hiwan Mehari

Finance Manager

This Christmas, more families are experiencing poverty and homelessness with the cost of living. Our support of the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal will not only provide much needed relief to so many who are currently burdened by a daily struggle of survival, comfort and dignity, but will also be a gift of joy and hope this holiday season.

These food items will be collected on Monday 30th November by St Vincent de Paul volunteers. We ask that all food items are bought into school by no later than Friday 27 November.

There are baskets/boxes in each classroom and items can be added to these.

Below is a list of items that St Vincent de Paul have requested for the food hampers that will be distributed to families experiencing hardship.

It is important to remember that the hampers must contain food items that have a long expiry date and are non-perishable. Please do not include any chocolate items, as St Vincent de Paul do not have refrigeration facilities.

Thank you and God Bless

We are delighted to announce that Padbury Catholic Primary School has partnered with Officeworks for our 2027 student booklists.

Officeworks provides a convenient online ordering service, making it easy for families to purchase the required school supplies and have them prepared ahead of the new school year.

The School List Service will be available from 1 December 2026 until 1 February 2027. To ensure your child's booklist is delivered before the commencement of Term 1, families are encouraged to place their order by 4 January 2027.

To complete your child's 2027 booklist, please click on the link below and follow the prompts.

https://www.padcath.wa.edu.au/booklists

We thank you for your support and look forward to another successful year of learning in 2027.

We would like to remind all families that the grassed/lawn area at the front of the school is not a designated parking area and should not be used for parking during drop-off or pick-up times.

We have recently observed an increase in vehicles stopping and parking in this area. With large numbers of children and families moving through the front entrance before and after school, this creates a significant safety risk for pedestrians, particularly young children who can be difficult for drivers to see.

We ask all parents and caregivers to please:

• Use only designated parking areas and bays.
• Follow all school traffic and parking signage.
• Drive slowly and remain alert to children and families in the area.
• Avoid stopping or parking on grassed areas, footpaths, or in locations that may obstruct visibility.

We understand that pick-up and drop-off times can be busy and parking may sometimes be challenging. However, ensuring the safety of every child in our community relies on all of us following the established procedures.

Thank you for your support and cooperation in helping us maintain a safe environment for everyone.

Mrs Bonny

Assistant Principal

A massive congratulations to Mason R, Kai B, Tommaso D and Jayden B on achieving 2nd and 3rd place in the National Young ICT Explorers Competition! Their outstanding submissions explored Life Below Water and Life on Land – The Importance of Ecosystems. As Year 4 students, to achieve such incredible results and earn a place in a national competition is an exceptional accomplishment.

We are so proud of their creativity, dedication and hard work! What an amazing achievement! Congratulations to all of you, it's been a pleasure supporting you over the year.

This week was so exciting for our Robotics Students building and coding our new robots. With many issues connecting and activating the programs, together we ran trouble shooting steps. The smiles on the student’s faces were priceless. Robots walking, running, rolling and even dancing. Such a highlight for all involved.

Student Comments about Robotics

Amelia D: Robotics is so much fun; I love the learning. It’s made me think I’d like to do Engineering. Thanks Mrs Bottega

Skyla D : Robotics is the best thing, building robots is challenging and fun.

Ben Z: Robotics is the best program at Padbury. It’s one of my favourite subjects and I’ve learned so much about coding.

Patrick C: Robotics is so much fun and the challenge to build a robot and code it properly is a bit hard, but once I got it, it felt great.

Seamus C: Robotics is as fun as it is challenging. I’ve learnt so much.

Callum E: Robotics is so much fun and I now want to program more Lego items. I might want to be an engineer.

Rylan B: Robotics really makes us think and solve problem. It makes me feel like a real engineer. It teaches us so many things to work and think like an engineer.

In extension this term we are creating critical thinking puzzles that lead to an outcome. We are currently building qr codes that are interactive. And can respond. This is proving to be quite challenging. It’s been very rewarding watching the students collaborate their ideas in solving this problem. The outcome of this challenge will allow students to create their own cryptic clues in a continuous puzzle that leads to an interactive qr code. The qr code will allow an array of responses and will inform the user if they are correct or incorrect in solving the puzzle. Our Floating City inventions are also in the design mode and will be created by select students this term.

Maths extension in term 4 is all about problem solving, maths terminology, understanding circles and triangles. Our maths extension students have had a great start to the term and are now using terminology like “quadrant, chord, tangent and arc”

A fantastic start to Term 4 and a big thank you to all of the students involved.

Mrs Bottega

Teacher

Our next Parents & Friends Meeting will be held:

· Wednesday 11th Nov @ 6.30pm – (2027 Planner & Budget endorsed)

We warmly invite all parents and carers to join us. It’s a great opportunity to hear what’s planned for the year ahead, share ideas, provide input (including feedback from recent events), and connect with other families in our community.

Whether you’re a regular attendee or joining for the first time, you are very welcome.

We’d love to see you there!

There are plenty of exciting P&F events coming up over the next few weeks, so be sure to keep an eye on the P&F Facebook page and the school newsletter for the latest updates, volunteer opportunities and event information.

Kids End of year Celebration – Foam Party (Free Event)

• 20th Nov from 4-5.30pm

Reserve your spot by booking tickets here - https://www.trybooking.com/DPLCP

Get ready for an afternoon of colour, foam and loads of fun as we celebrate the end of another fantastic year at PCPS.

Our PCPS Colour Foam Party will transform the school oval into a colourful, foam-filled wonderland for our kids to enjoy with their friends. With mountains of bubbles and foam, plenty of colour and music adding to the atmosphere, it’s all about laughing, dancing, getting a little messy and having lots of fun!

Expect lots of foam, lots of colour and plenty of smiles!

Keen to advertise your business in our upcoming School Business Directory? We still have limited spots available, so now is the time to lock yours in! We’ll confirm the booking cut-off shortly to allow time for printing, but don’t wait for the deadline—get in touch today to secure your place.

We are offering 3 different advertising size options:

• Full A5 Page - $200 (1700 x 2430px)
• Half A5 Pag - $100 (1700 x 1215px)
• QTR A5 Page - $50 (850 x 1215px)

Subject to sufficient interest, the directory will be distributed to every PCPS family as a printed copy in Term 4 2026, with a digital copy also available on the school website.

This is a great opportunity to promote your business within our school community. You’re also welcome to include an exclusive discount or special offer for PCPS families.

Don’t leave it until the last minute—secure your spot today! To book your advertisement or find out more, contact Sophie Roberts (sophie-green@live.com.au) or Cait Oxlade (caitoxlade88@gmail.com).

Thank you from the P&C

Our next Parents & Friends Meeting will be held:

• Wednesday 11th Nov @ 6.30pm – (2027 Planner & Budget endorsed)

We warmly invite all parents and carers to join us. It’s a great opportunity to hear what’s planned for the year ahead, share ideas, provide input (including feedback from recent events), and connect with other families in our community.

Whether you’re a regular attendee or joining for the first time, you are very welcome.

We’d love to see you there!

Get ready for a fantastic night of fun, food and entertainment as the PCPS community comes together for our Family Fun Night!

Don't forget to support our Containers for Change program!

If you're collecting eligible cans and bottles at home, we'd love you to consider donating your refund to the PCPS P&F. Every container helps raise funds for projects that benefit our school while also making a positive impact on the environment.

Simply use our Scheme ID: C11483224 when you return your containers.

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we can make a difference for our school community and our planet—one container at a time!

As one of our valued Entertainment Members, you have the opportunity to share the savings by gifting an Access All Areas Entertainment Membership for just $60! Enjoy a full year of dining, travel, family fun and everyday savings.

Mrs Cathy Farrell

P&F Chair