St Kieran Newsletter Term 2, Week 1 - 1st May 2025

Principal's Message

God of compassion, 
You gave us Pope Francis as a light in dark places, 
a leader who reminded us to smell like the sheep, 
to care for the planet, to welcome the refugee, to stand with the poor. 
As we grieve, help us carry forward what he began. 
Let his legacy live on in our lives, in our schools, in our Church. 
May he rest in Your peace and rise in Your glory. 

A Heart that Changed the World 
Pope Francis didn’t lead the Church from a throne. He led from the streets. From refugee camps, 
prisons, slums, and soup kitchens. He walked with the poor. Sat with the broken. Listened to the young. 
He reminded the world that the Church is not a museum for saints, but a hospital for sinners. 
That faith isn’t about being perfect – it’s about being real, being kind, being brave enough to care. 
He told us, “Go make a mess.” Not a reckless mess – but the kind that comes when you stir things up for justice. When you speak out for those no one listens to. When you live with purpose, not just for yourself, but for something greater. Pope Francis didn’t just talk about love – he lived it. Love for creation. Love for the forgotten. Love for the whole human family. He’s gone now. But his mission? That’s not over. It’s ours to pick up. So let’s not just remember Pope Francis. Let’s live like he did. With heart. With hope. With guts. That’s how we honour his legacy – not with statues or silence, but with action 

God of Eternal Life, 
You have called Pope Francis home. 
We entrust him to Your loving arms – 
With all the saints, with all the holy ones, with all the people he served. 
May his example burn brightly in the heart of every young person here. 
May we live simply, love deeply, and walk humbly, just like he taught us. 
Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord. 
Let perpetual light shine upon him. 
May he rest in peace. 
Amen. 

Welcome back to everyone for the start of Term 2 and especially those new families joining us this term and we know you will enjoy your journey with us here at St Kieran. We hope you had a restful break and look forward to seeing you back at school over the next term. 

 Best wishes and take care. 

 Mr Daine Burnett 
Principal 
daine.burnett@cewa.edu.au 

School Calendar

A reminder to all families to continue to check the school calendar on our website for dates and events that are coming up during the term. We conclude Term 2 for students on Thursday 3rd July. We also have professional development days and public holiday on the 30th May and 2nd June. 

Kindy 2026 Enrolments

We are accepting Kindy Enrolments for 2026, with interviews have begun for students to start at St Kieran next year. All parents need to submit an application to make sure your child is enrolled at St Kieran Catholic Primary School for 2026. 
If you have any questions or would like clarification, please ring the School Administration. 

Uniform

Just another friendly reminder to make sure that you have written your children's names on items, such as jumpers to ensure that they can be returned to the rightful owner. Labels or tags can be cut off as they maybe annoying for the children so please look at other options for putting the children's name on these items. 

A reminder to all parents that for the academic uniform the below shoes are to be worn - black lace up school shoes for both boys and girls. I would ask all parents to refer to the Uniform Policy on our school website from the beginning of 2024 for any further clarification. https://stkierancps.schoolzineplus.com/_file/media/2824/2024_school_uniform_guidelines.pdf 

Code of Conduct

The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to describe minimum standards of conduct in all behaviour and decision making to ensure the safety and well-being of students. The Code of Conduct applies to staff, students, volunteers, parents and guardians in our community.  The document is available on our school website and everyone in our community is expected to abide by this. https://www.stkieran.wa.edu.au/st-kieran-code-of-conduct-and-guidelines 

A breach of the Code may constitute a failure to follow a lawful direction from the Principal and therefore the Principal will have the discretion as to what action to take, which may include counselling, professional development or sanctions under any agreement between you and the Principal. If you are a parent, volunteer or visitor, the Principal may take such action as is appropriate in your circumstances to maintain the safety and well-being of students. If at anytime members of our community feel that a person has breached the code the forms for breaching or notification are located here on our school website https://www.stkieran.wa.edu.au/reporting These forms report directly to the principal. 

Packed with Goodness

Packing children's lunches is like trying to predict the weather—one day they love sandwiches, the next day they act like you’ve packed them you don’t know what they eat. To help out, Mrs Pusey has organised a presentation for parents from the Packed with Goodness team. During this session, parents will be provided with new ideas to make lunchbox packing easier.  

There was so much positive feedback from the session last year, Mrs Pusey has worked hard in getting the team back. 

Date: Friday 16th May  
Time: 9am 
Location: Upper Learning Area 

Communication

Our staff are committed to the best interests of your child and value the relationships they have with both students and parents. For any matters, communication should be made directly with the child’s teacher. This may be referred to the Assistant Principal or Principal on a needs basis.  

Staff will respond to parent concerns in a manner that takes into consideration their workload and teaching hours when receiving the communication. Please be aware that there is no expectation for staff to check or respond to electronic communication outside of school hours, over the weekend or during school holidays. 

The staff at St Kieran are very approachable and are very easy to contact - each staff member has their own professional email address firstname.surname@cewa.edu.au for example daine.burnett@cewa.edu.au that you can use or you are also welcome to call the office and leave a message for them to return your call. 

Allergy Aware

A reminder that we are Allergy Aware at St Kieran, we have many of our families that rely on our vigilance, which means we all need to be mindful of the following life threatening allergic reactions at the school. Below is a list of allergies we are aware of: 

• All Nuts 
• Eggs (raw or cooked), meringues   
• Kiwi fruit, bananas, figs 
• Mosquito bites 
• Insect repellents 
• Honey and Bee venom 
• Legumes  

Parking

Please be aware that Servite College has completed the works opposite St Kieran CPS. The grounds and gardens look fantastic - we do ask that parents do not park on the verge and are mindful of the environment that has bene created. At no time is parking on any of the verges or neighbours property - please be respectful of these areas. 

Unwell Students

As we are moving into the colder months can we please ask that unwell students are not sent to school. Our staff will call parents if a child is unwell or presents unwell. Sending an unwell child to school in turn has an impact on the other students, as well as the staff and of course the families at St Kieran. Your consideration around this matter is appreciated. 

Mobile Phones and Smart Watches

Smart watches can be worn to school; however, we ask parents to turn off any features that allow the watch to be used for anything other than telling the time while at school. If a student is using it for any other reason, then it is exactly like a mobile phone and it MUST be handed in to the front office. If your child is required to bring a mobile phone to school, for instance they walk home or catch the bus, then a mobile phone permission form must be completed and the phone needs to be handed in to the office each morning and collected at the end of the school day. At no time is a phone permitted to be left in a students bag.

Keeping Our Kids Safe Online – ySafe Sessions Coming Soon

On Wednesday, May 15, we’re taking a proactive step to help our students navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. Students will be participating in interactive sessions delivered by ySafe, one of Australia’s leading providers of cyber safety education. These sessions are tailored to the needs of young students and are designed to empower them with the knowledge and strategies needed to stay safe online. 

Later that same evening, we will be hosting a parent session delivered by ySafe. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to gain valuable insights into the latest online trends, apps, and potential risks—along with practical tips on how to support your child’s safe use of technology at home. 
We’ll be sending out an attendance form closer to the date, so please keep an eye out and be sure to register your interest. 

Why This Matters 
|In a world where devices are in our kids’ hands before they can even tie their shoelaces, learning about internet safety is no longer optional—it’s essential. Children are more connected than ever, and while the online world offers amazing opportunities for learning and fun, it also comes with real risks, including cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and interactions with strangers. 
At our school, we believe that prevention is the best protection. By educating students early and partnering with families, we can create safe, informed digital citizens who know how to spot red flags and make smart choices online. 
We strongly encourage all parents to attend the evening session—because keeping our kids safe online takes a team effort. 

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Thank you to all of the families who participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation Parent and Child Workshops which occurred the end of Term 1. It was wonderful to see the children engaging in learning about the Sacrament with their parents.  

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be occurring tomorrow,  Friday May 2, at 6pm. The Sacrament will be celebrated at St Kieran Parish.  

Sacrament of Holy Eucharist Commitment Masses

The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is a special moment where children receive Jesus truly present—Body and Blood—under the form of bread and wine. It strengthens their friendship with Christ, deepens their place in the Church, and nourishes their souls with God’s grace. Receiving Holy Communion teaches children to live with gratitude, love, and a strong sense of belonging to their faith community. 

Learning about the Sacrament will take place in class as part of their religious education program. 

Please take note of the following key dates: 

• Sacrament of Eucharist Commitment Masses @ St Kieran Parish 
  • Saturday, 3 May at 6:30 pm 
  • Sunday, 4 May at 9:00 am 
   
• Retreat Day 
  • Friday, 27 June at St Kieran Catholic Primary School 
   
• • Tuesday, 24 June at 4:00 pm or 5:15 pm 
  • Thursday, 26 June at 4:00 pm Parent and Child Workshops (at St Kieran Catholic Primary School)   

Enrolment: 

Please complete the enrolment form via this link  

May - Month of Mary

"The world being unworthy to receive the son of God directly from the hands of the Father, he gave his son to Mary for the world to receive him from her." - Saint Augustine 

As we enter the Month of May, a time traditionally dedicated to honouring Mary the mother of Jesus, we should also reflect on the significance of women in our lives.. Mary, as the first disciple, exemplifies strength, compassion, and unwavering faith. Just as she played a pivotal role in the life of Jesus and the early Church, women continue to play vital roles in shaping our families, communities, and faith. 

Let's take this opportunity to recognize and celebrate the remarkable women who nurture, guide, and inspire us every day. Whether it's our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, or teachers, their love, wisdom, and sacrifices enrich our lives in countless ways. Let us express our gratitude and appreciation for their immeasurable contributions to our families, community and our faith journey. 

Our school is blessed with dedicated educators, administrators, and staff, many of whom the majority are women, who embody the spirit of service and devotion exemplified by Mary. They tirelessly work to educate, mentor, and empower our students, instilling values of compassion, integrity, and justice. Let's honour their commitment and recognize the profound impact they have on shaping the hearts and minds of the next generation.

Staff Professional Learning: Trauma-Informed Practice & Understanding PDA

On the first day, we were privileged to have Fiona Currans, CEWA Psychologist and expert in trauma-informed education, present to St Kieran. Fiona brought rich insight and practical strategies for engaging students who have experienced trauma or face significant challenges regulating their behaviour. 

Fiona reminded us of the importance of labelling the behaviour, not the student, reinforcing that language matters. By describing what we see rather than attaching judgement, we help students feel safe, supported, and capable of change. 

Fiona also led staff in exploring the three tiers of behaviour in our school setting and how our collective response can be more consistent, proactive, and restorative: 

Tier 1: Whole-school practices that promote positive behaviour and inclusion, 

Tier 2: Targeted supports for students who need additional guidance or co-regulation, 

Tier 3: Individualised, intensive interventions for students with complex needs. 

Staff collaborated to reflect on real examples and began mapping out how we currently respond to behaviours across these tiers. This work will feed directly into the development of an updated whole-school behaviour support plan, ensuring our approach is unified, evidence-informed, and grounded in empathy. 

In addition, our staff have been engaged in online professional learning on Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), delivered by Laura Kerby author of the book, "The Educators Experience of Pathological Demand Avoidance." offered on renowned educator and autism expert Sue Larkey's website. Sue is a highly regarded teacher, author, and consultant who specialises in supporting children on the autism spectrum. Her training combines current research with practical strategies that are classroom-ready and responsive to individual needs. To explore more about Sue Larkey’s work or access her parent-friendly resources on Autism, PDA, and behaviour, we encourage families to visit her website www.suelarkey.com.au 

 At St Kieran, we remain committed to deepening our shared understanding and practices to ensure every child feels safe, supported, and able to thrive. 

Sign of the Week

Learning one Auslan sign a week is a simple but powerful way to increase our awareness and inclusion at St. Kieran. By committing to learning just one sign each week, we break down barriers and build empathy. It reminds us to be more mindful of accessibility and gives us the tools to connect with more people. Over time, these small efforts add up, leading to greater fluency and a more inclusive environment for everyone.

Kieran Connect - Mother's Day Breakfast

Before-School Tennis Coaching

Exciting News – Before-School Tennis Coaching at St Kieran Primary School! Year 1 - 6

We are excited to announce that Tennis Excellence will be offering before-school tennis coaching at St Kieran in Term 2 for students in Year 1 - 6

Every Tuesday morning at 7:30AM, Tennis Excellence will be on the courts serving up a fun tennis coaching session all about skill building and providing fantastic opportunities for your child to learn tennis, improve coordination, fitness and make new friends! Tennis Excellence’s experienced coaches will make sure every child feels supported and engaged throughout the session. 

Spaces are limited, so be sure to secure a spot here: School Programs | Tennis Excellence

Behaviour Tonics

Murdoch University After School Program