Term 2 Week 8 of 10
Friday, 12th June 2026
Message from the Acting Principal
This term, our prep students have been learning about living things. Through hands-on activities such as their excursion to Animal Land Farm, they have been able to learn about the living things and the basic needs including air, water, food and shelter that living things need to survive.
While there was some incredible literacy, numeracy and science skills being developed through this activity, what really struck me was the sense of curiosity, wonder and awe. Our students had the opportunity to experience the beauty of God's Creation.
As an educator, I feel truly blessed to be on this journey with your children.
Winter has Arrived!
The days are becoming shorter, colder and darker. As we move into the winter months, it is important that we continue to prioritise self-care and ensure children are dressed appropriately to remain warm and comfortable during outdoor play times.
While I know that this has been mentioned in previous newsletters. I do ask that families take the time to ensure that their child has the appropriate winter uniform. Too many children are arriving at school not dressed appropriately for the weather.
A reminder of our school winter uniform -
The cooler weather often means extra layers, so please ensure that all jumpers and outerwear are clearly labelled with your child’s name. This helps us return misplaced items quickly and reduces the growing collection in lost property.
Semester 1 Reports - nForma App
Our wonderful teaching staff are working hard to develop our Semester 1 student reports. Like last year, we will only be providing digital reports. This means your child will not come home with a paper report, and you can conveniently access the school report via the nForma app when they are made available to you on the last day of Term 2 at 3pm (Friday 26th June).
We have attached a guide on downloading the nForma app and accessing the school report. Please familiarise yourself with this guide so that you can access your child’s school report with ease when they are made available.
Digital reports are very common in most school settings, and we are happy to be able to save paper and have your reports readily available on your personal device for ease of access and reference.
The guide will be attached to our future newsl
Please note - reports are not available until Friday 26th June at 3pm
Attendance and Absences
We have noticed a high rate of unexplained absences. While we appreciate you keeping your child home if they are unwell, unexplained absences and extended holidays are not ok!
We know from both research and experience that a key foundation of academic success is consistent, daily attendance. There is no safe number of days to miss - everyday counts!
If your child is absent for any reason:
● Parents/guardians must notify the school via the absentee line at 03 8312 6312, option 1.
If your child must miss school due to extended leave:
● Please inform both the school office and your child’s class teacher in advance, providing details of the leave in writing.
EARLY REMINDER
A reminder that Term 2 will conclude at 3:15pm on Friday 26th June! Children will return to school on Tuesday 14th of July.
2027 Prep Enrolments Are Closing Soon
We are already receiving many enrolment applications from new families, which is a wonderful sign!
To assist us in our preparation and planning, we are
encouraging our current parents to please collect and
complete an enrolment form and to return it as soon as
possible.
Best wishes
Wellbeing, Child Safety & Community Leader
The Parents & Friends Committee has come up with a ‘’Donating pre-loved uniforms initiative’’ that will not only help families but also raise money for other areas that will support our students. When a piece of CLEAN uniform is donated in GOOD CONDITION a raffle ticket will be provided. 3 pieces of clothing = 3 raffle tickets to go into a draw. At the end of every term, we will draw the raffle, and a lucky family will receive a thank you gift.
We are in the process of collecting uniform donations to set up for future sales that may commence at the end of Term 3.
Come to school with a fun hairstyle for Crazy Hair Day
On Friday 19th of June
Bring a Gold Coin donation that will go towards Project Uganda
Here are some ideas… Start planning… Can’t wait to see your crazy hair creation
Enhancing & Celebrating Our School Community
A huge congratulations to Isla from Year 6 whose hip-hop dance crew KNG came 2nd place at the UDO National Street Dance Competition and 3rd place at the ADCC dance competition!
Families, please feel free to let us know about any accomplishments your child may have as we would love to include it in the newsletter.
Supporting Our Local Treasure —
European Bakery
There’s something special about a bakery that feels like part of the family and in our community, European Bakery truly is. Run by members of our own school family, this local favourite brings the flavours, traditions, and heart of Croatian baking right into the centre of Deer Park.
A Taste of Tradition, Made Fresh Daily
European Bakery specialises in authentic Croatian baked goods, crafted by hand with care and skill. Each morning you’ll find:
Handmade breads with that perfect crust and soft, warm centre
Burek filled with savoury goodness
Cevapi and other traditional favourites
A tempting range of sweets
Freshly brewed coffee to start your day right
If you haven’t stopped by yet, now’s the perfect time. And if you’re already a regular, bring someone along and share the experience.
SUNDAY GOSPEL
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Matthew 9:36 – 10:8
We Reflect
The way the commissioning of the Twelve begins is very significant: ‘When Jesus saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.’ This is the gospel writer describing the people of Israel as a whole – harassed and dejected and without a shepherd. For the Matthew community, Jesus was that shepherd the Jews needed. But Jesus also knew that one person alone could not bring about the change within Judaism that was required. He chose the Twelve and named them as apostles (those who are sent) to continue the work that he had begun.
The gospel writer describes Jesus as giving the apostles ‘authority’ over unclean spirits. For the Matthew community, authority was a defining question. They had recently been expelled from the Jewish synagogues and the authority of Jesus had been called into doubt. Yet, for this community, real authority lay with Jesus and those whom he sent out to do his work. Throughout this gospel, Jesus is described as exhibiting ‘authority’ so as to reaffirm to the original community that they were right in choosing to follow the way of Jesus and not bend to the authority of the Jewish leaders who were oppressing them.
REFLECTION by Greg Sunter
We Read
When Jesus saw the crowds he felt sorry for them because they were harassed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.’
He summoned his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits with power to cast them out and to cure all kinds of diseases and sickness.
These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James the son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, the one who was to betray him. These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them as follows:
‘Do not turn your steps to pagan territory, and do not enter any Samaritan town; go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is close at hand. Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out devils. You receive without charge, give without charge.’
Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ
Parish News
Confirmation Passports Due – 21 July
If you have a child preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, please note that their Confirmation Passport is due back on 21st July. Kindly return it to the parish office or your child’s classroom teacher.
Sacramental Formation Evening – Tuesday 21 July at 7pm
There will be a Sacramental Formation Session for all children receiving their First Holy Communion and Confirmation on Tuesday, 21 July at 7pm in the church.
We are delighted to welcome Michelle Newland, who will be sharing how her faith carried her through some of life’s toughest challenges.
Thank you for your support in preparing our young people for these important sacraments.
Communion to the Sick & Housebound –
Thank you to all those who volunteered to be part of this ministry.
If there is someone you know who is sick, housebound, or frail and would like to receive Holy Communion at their home please contact the office.
REFLECTION FOR YOUNG PEOPLE – by Lisa-Marie Calderone-Stewart
God’s love has been abundant in our lives. Moses, Paul and Matthew, all want us to be aware of that.
How has God’s love been abundant in your life?
How have you given back to God without thought of being paid? Jesus asked twelve inexperienced, uneducated people to travel all over the countryside preaching, healing and spreading the good news about God’s love. It must have seemed like an impossible task.
Would you have gone along with this plan if you had been alive during those days and had been invited to be an apostle? Why or why not?
What are some ways of spreading the good news about God’s love that are available to us today but were not available to the original twelve Apostles two thousand years ago?
Which task seems more impossible – for the twelve Apostles to go out and preach and heal and bring people back to God’s way, or for today’s church members to go out and preach and heal and bring a modern people back to God’s way? Explain your answer.
REFLECTION - by Fr Michael Tate
Guts in a Knot
When Jesus saw the crowds ‘he felt sorry for them’. The Greek original actually says ‘his guts were in a knot’. When Jesus saw a desperate need he found it stomach-churning stuff.
Our bodies often tell us what we should pray for. Another good signal is tears, not only of sadness but also of joy.
Body-felt impulse and prayer go together, whether celebrating good things or confronting bad things. This is what our Lord wants and, where possible, leading to action… labourers in the harvest.
So, when our body gives us the signal – stomach in a knot, or tremendous joy flooding into our lives – follow the body’s signals. Pray for the person or the situation concerned. You can be sure that your prayer will be authentic.
The Bishop’s view of outreach by the parish
VISITATION TO THE SICK AND HOME BOUND:
I had the opportunity to visit several people who were housebound and to pray with them, anointing them with the Oil of the Sick and bringing them the Lord in Holy Communion.
Observation:
I was made aware of the many volunteers, Communion Ministers of the Sick and Housebound
Commend:
It is wonderful to see the dedication of all involved in reaching out to those who are in special need and vulnerable. By your efforts you bring Christ’s love close to our brothers and sisters in their need.
MEET WITH SPECIAL MINISTERS TO THE HOUSEBOUND AND MINISTERS TO THE KAYLA CARE NURSING HOME:
There were some at the meeting who were special ministers to the housebound and there were those who went to Kayla Care Nursing home. You have several other volunteers from the Parish who assist as well.
Observation:
There is a real commitment by the Parish in caring for those who are in need a being visited in their homes or the Nursing home.
Commend:
I commend the generosity of people in the Parish in reaching out to people in their homes and the nursing home. You have meetings to organise the visitations that are needed.
Morning Tea with members of St Vincent de Paul:
It was good to hear of the work carried out by the members of St Vincent de Paul in your Parish. As members you all shared stories of hardship being experienced by many around your Parish community and indeed the broader community. You are engaged in many visits. There are those who are lonely and those who are poor and from listening to your stories, there is a great deal of gratitude expressed to you for visiting them in their time of need and vulnerability.
Observation:
You seem to have one of the largest groups of St Vincent de Paul members within our Western region and for good reason.
Commend:
I commend you for you dedication and commitment in reaching out to the needy irrespective of their background, religion or culture and responding with the love of Christ. I also commend members of the faith community for supporting St Vincent de Paul at Christmas and various other occasions during the year.
TERM TWO DATES 2026
Week 10
Monday 22nd June
Years P-2 Assembly at 2:30pm
Tuesday 23rd June
Leadership meeting at 3:30pm
Wednesday 24th June
Thursday 25th June
Staff Meeting at 3:30pm
Friday 26th June
Final Day of Term 2 for staff and students
Saturday 27th June
Sunday 28th June
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Week 9
Monday 15th June
Year 3 - 6 Assembly at 2:30pm
Tuesday 16th June
Student Engagement Team Meeting all day in the parish
Wednesday 17th June
Thursday 18th June
Prep and Buddies Year Level Mass 9am
Staff Meeting at 3:30pm
Friday 19th June
Prep 2027 Applications close today!
P&F: Crazy hair & Casual Clothes Day (gold coin donation)
Saturday 20th June
Sunday 21st June
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Timed
