Queen of Apostles School

“Lord, we ask you to open our eyes so that we may value and appreciate all people,

recognizing what we have in common rather than focusing on what our differences might be.

Amen.”

Dear Queenies Community,

It has been a wonderful start to the year, with a real sense of energy, connection and positivity across the school. Thank you for the warm welcome you have extended to me and for the strong support shown already this term.

Shining the light on what is bright at Queenies
This week we are excited to launch our refreshed school social media presence. Our aim is to “shine the light on what is bright” at Queenies by celebrating learning, faith, community moments and the everyday successes that make our school such a special place. I encourage all parents and community members to follow and engage with our updated Facebook and Instagram pages so we can continue to share our story with pride and purpose.

Confirmation commitment Masses
This weekend we celebrate the Confirmation commitment Masses for our Year 6 candidates. These are significant moments in the Sacramental journey of our students and their families. I will be attending the Sunday evening Mass at 7.00pm, which is my regular weekly Mass time, and I look forward to sharing this important celebration with our parish and school families.

Year 6 leadership
Our Year 6 leadership process is now underway, with student speeches in motion and a refined leadership structure being introduced this year. The changes are designed to ensure leadership roles are meaningful, focused on service and responsibility, and supportive of learning in the classroom. We are looking forward to seeing our Year 6 students step into these opportunities with confidence and pride.

Before school reminder
A reminder that students who arrive at school before 8.30am are asked to wait in the Undercover area until classrooms open. This helps us ensure student safety and appropriate supervision each morning. Thank you for your support with this routine.

Bees on school grounds
You may have noticed an increase in bee activity around the school, particularly near flowering trees. We have investigated this and have been advised that it is seasonal and

should settle within the next couple of weeks. Staff are aware of the situation and are actively monitoring student areas to ensure safety.

Finally, I look forward to seeing many of you at the P & F Sundowner this Friday 13 February from 5.00–7.00pm. It will be a relaxed opportunity to connect, enjoy a sausage and have a chat as we continue to build strong relationships within our Queenies community.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. It is a privilege to work alongside such a positive and engaged community, and I am very much looking forward to the weeks ahead.

Wishing you all green lights,

Jesse Yock | Principal

Jesse Yock

Principal

Celebrating 70 Years of Queenies

This year marks a very special milestone for our community as we celebrate 70 years of Queen of Apostles Primary School.

For seven decades, Queenies has been a place of faith, learning, friendship and belonging. Generations of families have walked through our gates, grown in confidence and character, and carried the spirit of our school into the wider community. It is a journey we are incredibly proud of.

Throughout the year, we will be celebrating this remarkable anniversary in a number of meaningful ways. Plans include a special Celebration Day and Mass, where we will gather as a community to give thanks for the past and look forward to the future. We will also create a “70 Years of Queenies” timeline display, capturing significant moments, memories and milestones that have shaped our story.

You will notice anniversary branding appearing across the school, including special email signatures and visual elements that reflect this important year. We will also be sharing community shout outs, inviting past and present families to share memories and reflections, and creating time capsules that will preserve this moment in history for future generations of Queenies students.

We are excited to honour the wonderful journey of Queenies - the people, the stories and the spirit that have made our school what it is today. As we celebrate 70 years, we do so with gratitude for the past and great confidence in the future.

Here’s to 70 years of faith, friendship and excellence at Queenies.

Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent
Ash Wednesday is coming up and marks the beginning of the season of Lent. We will celebrate Mass at 9.00am on this day with students from Year 1 to Year 6. Families are very welcome to join us as we begin this important time of reflection, prayer and service together as a community.

Our Faction Swimming Carnival for Year 4 to Year 6 students is coming up soon. This is always a highlight of the term and a wonderful opportunity for students to demonstrate perseverance, sportsmanship and school spirit. More information will be shared with families shortly.

School Social Media: "Shine the Light on What is Bright"

Our focus will be on the story of learning and community - posts will highlight classroom moments, school events, faith in action, student work and everyday joy, using collage-style images. No names, tags or personal details will be shared, and all content will be carefully reviewed and moderated. Our aim is to provide a positive, faith-centred window into school life - building connection and pride across our community, one story at a time. Only students with permission for use of images will featured.

Click here for our Facebook

Click here to our Instagram

What is bright: Year 6 explore character strengths

Year 6 exploring their character strengths and learning how to find their golden means in everyday choices. 🌟

Welcome back for 2026! I hope you had an enjoyable and relaxing holiday. Here is some information about what is offered in our Music Programs for 2026.

JUNIOR AND SENIOR CHOIR

We were thrilled to begin the year with an amazing turnout at our first choir session on Monday. More than 40 enthusiastic students from Years 2 to 6 joined us, filling the Music Room with energy and excitement. It was wonderful to see so many returning faces and pleasing to see some new members.

If your child would like to join the choir, please complete the enrolment form sent home last week, with payment and return to the class teacher by Monday 16th February. We look forward to a year filled with beautiful singing and joyful music-making.

Please note that Choir Practice will take place on Monday mornings from 8.30 to 9am in the Music Room and will commence in Week 3.

ONE BIG VOICE 2026

I am very excited to share this news! We have registered to participate in the One Big Voice Concert at RAC Arena on Friday 21st August. The students from Years 3 to 6 will be performing at the evening session.

Please note, Friday 21st August is a Pupil Free Day. Parents will be required to bring their child to school in the afternoon, and the bus will transport us to RAC Arena. An exact time of our departure from school will be confirmed closer to the date. I estimate that we will departing school around 3pm. Our final rehearsal for the concert will take place the day before. Detailed information will come out closer to the date in Term 3. It is important to note that parents will be required to give permission for their child to be photographed and recorded at the concert.

INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM

If your child is interested in joining our Instrumental Program, please complete the Instrumental Agreement form that was sent out last week. Completed forms should be returned to your child’s classroom teacher by Monday, 16th February. Once enrolled, music tutors will be in contact with you to introduce themselves and discuss the details of the program.

This year, we are pleased to offer tutoring in guitar, piano, drums, and vocals. Please note that all past students are required to re-enrol in the program for 2026.

JRS SINGERS

Jenelle Russo Studio will continue to provide our vocal tutoring. Both private and group singing lessons will be available. The program will involve two group classes:-

- Kindy to Year 2

- Years 3 to 6

Private lessons are also offered for students in Years 3 to 6.

Enrolment into this program, will need to take place through Jenelle Russo Studio’s website. https://jenellerussostudio.com.au/schools/

Please feel free to come and see me if you have any questions. Looking forward to an awesome year in The Arts!

Warm wishes

Sheryl Perry

PARTY TIME! QUEENIES TURNS 70

This year is an anniversary year for our school, its 70th birthday. On the 13th of February 1956, Queen of Apostles opened its doors to 34 students from the area.

Did you know?

The Schoenstatt Order were founded by Father John Kentenich, a Pallottine Father in 1926? In Western Austyralia, the Sisters have served in a teaching capacity at only Tardun, Wandering, and Queen of Apostles - that makes us one of the elite few!

Over this anniversary year, we will be focussing on our ‘story’ and keeping it alive with snippets from our 70-year history. As part of our celebrations, we would like to establish a display in the Library to highlight our past. If any of our families have memorabilia of our school, please bring it to reception.

Striving for Work–Life Balance at Queen of Apostles and the Right to Disconnect

The staff at Queen of Apostles are a dedicated and committed group of professionals who care deeply about the wellbeing and education of the children they serve. As a school, we are also committed to supporting staff wellbeing and sustainable work practices.

In line with current Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) and Fair Work provisions, teachers’ working conditions include the right to disconnect outside of work hours. These arrangements recognise the professional responsibilities of staff during the school day and the importance of balance beyond it.

Unless a matter is urgent, families can reasonably expect a response to emails within a 48-hour timeframe during the school week. Teachers are often unable to respond during the school day as they are teaching and have a legal duty of care to the children in their classrooms.

Teachers have the right to disconnect from 4:00pm each day until 8:00am the following morning. In addition, teachers are not expected to respond to emails or SeeSaw posts on weekends. Part-time staff are not required to respond to communication on their non-working days.

These expectations acknowledge that our staff are also parents, family members and community members. Outside of work hours, they are entitled to personal time without interruption, in line with professional standards across many industries.

We are grateful for the strong, supportive partnership we share with our parent community and thank families for their understanding and respect in supporting these arrangements. By working together, we help ensure that our staff are well supported and able to bring their best to their work with students each day.

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