St Luke the Evangelist School Newsletter

Good afternoon families and Friends,

This week, we are ending on an absolute high note having enjoyed the third and final Prep orientation session that our 2026 Preplings have attended. Brooke Madden and Angie Um, our Prep teachers for 2026 planned a wonderful range of activities to welcome in these most beautiful little people, helping them to feel safe and comfortable in a new environment. It is also a real joy watching the excitement and enthusiasm of our Year 5 children as they engage, connect and embrace their new Prep buddy. These are friendships that are guaranteed to last a lifetime. My thanks to brook and Angie, to barb, Sue, Emily Roberts and Julie Inglese who assisted in each session and to other staff members like Marie Kennedy who created beautiful library bags as she has done for many years now. Debbie always does such a great job with processing all the paperwork, answering the many questions and being that reassuring person to the many worries parents may have. 

We had a simple but lovely day yesterday celebrating the incredible, creative and unique children in our care. For International Children’s Day, teachers got to turn the focus on their children during prayer and our Getting Ready to Learn time and many enjoyed a cinnamon donut or a bag of popcorn at recess. The blessings are many with the children in our care, Thank you for entrusting them to us.

Our Pupil Free Day- 2026 Planning Day was a great success for our teachers. We were able to reflect on the growth our learners have made this year, the direction we will take in 2026 and begin to look at the Respectful Relationships program we will introduce into our weekly curriculum. On top of this, we took time to further immerse ourselves into the Science of Learning, planning how to implement knowledge rich units in our 2026 academic year. We are feeling excited at the prospect of next year’s learning and engagement. 

As mentioned in the last newsletter, the School Advisory Council AGM is on this coming Tuesday 25th November at 7 pm. PLEASE DO COME ALONG. We need new members to join and l know if you do, you will be so pleased that you did. Bring along a friend if you want.

What a perfect way to end the week with the Year 5 Leadership Speeches. They were outstanding! Every child spoke, regardless of how nervous or how challenging it was. The speeches were well written and well rehearsed. I am so proud of each and every one of these wonderful Year 5 children and l know you families are too. We are looking forward to announcing and presenting the Student Leadership Team for 2026 at the Mass of Thanksgiving on Friday 12th December at 9.15am. Thank you to the Senior teachers and families who supported the children as they prepared their speeches.

Have a lovely weekend. Enjoy the sunshine and being with the family. I look forward to seeing you all next week.

Clare

Get ready to be blown away! 

We’re excited to invite you to our St. Luke’s Got Talent Show, where our students will showcase their amazing skills!  If your child is participating, they may bring a change of clothes or costume in a labeled plastic bag to change into before performing.

2025 School Fees and Levies are due Friday 28 November 2025.  Thank you to families who have paid their 2025 Fees and Levies.  If you have not finalised accounts, please action by Friday 28 November.

Our swimming program is just around the corner - Monday 01 to Friday 05 December.

Children will need to bring the following items in a separate bag to their school bag:

• a towel
• a shopping / extra bag to put wet items into 
• thongs or slip on footwear (Students will change into these before they leave for swimming)  
• goggles (optional)
• swimming cap (optional) 

Additional information:

• Please have ALL clothing, towels, caps, goggles and shoes/thongs clearly labelled with your child’s name.
• All students will need to be able to independently dry and change themselves.  Students will not be showering after swimming so shampoo and conditioner is not required (as was stated in permission letter on Operoo).
• Students should wear their bathers underneath their school sports uniform for the week.  
• Please refer to the Operoo permission form for the class schedules.

Throughout Terms 2 and 3, our Years 3–6 students took part in the Australian Problem Solving Mathematical Olympiad competitions, completing a total of four contests. Depending on their year level, students participated in Math Explorer (Years 3–4), Maths Games (Years 5–6), or Math Olympiad (Years 5–6). Each of these programs is designed to strengthen mathematical problem-solving skills, deepen understanding, and encourage flexible thinking whilst also building confidence.

Students worked towards developing a wide range of strategies and approaches, tackling challenging problems each week during practice sessions. Their persistence, creativity, and teamwork were evident as they refined their thinking and pushed themselves to new levels.

Congratulations to all our participants—you have shown wonderful resilience and growth as mathematicians!

Below are the names of our Maths Stars from the Math Explorer and Maths Games programs. These students have been recognised for their enthusiasm, improvement, and consistently positive attitude throughout the program. 

A special mention goes to Jayden and Billy, who achieved results in the top 10% of individual scores in the Math Olympiad.

A huge thank you and well done to every student who took part this year. If your child’s name is mentioned, they will receive a Maths Star Patch or an Olympiad Achievement Pin during Monday’s Assembly. Pop in if you can.

Emily Chlebica,

Numeracy Leader

Ciao a tutti!  Term 4 has been lots of fun!  It is such a pleasure to teach Italian through games and I believe this helps the students to recall certain vocabulary.

The juniors have learnt, ‘Che ore sono signor Lupo?’ (What’s the time Mr Wolf?).  This has not only got us out of the classroom but revising, ‘telling the time’ vocabulary and it’s just the best when you hear signor Lupo yell out, “E` ora di mangiare!”

The middles have also enjoyed our version of the ‘Pappagallo’ game. This game enables us to revise the colours and certain related vocabulary. Such as, “Siete pronti?” (Are you ready?) Most importantly, we play this outside which adds an extra bit of fun for all.

The seniors have been enjoying, “Trova il tuo amico”. (Find your friend). They are required to match up the English and Italian vocabulary.  For example, if you have the ‘il dente’ card you need to find the student who has ‘the teeth’ card.  To change it up a bit, we have had competitions between the girls and boys to see who can match the list up in the least amount of time.  Nothing like girls against boys to bring it on!  We also time each group to see how quickly they can find their friend and if we can improve on the last game’s result.

And the Preps have so enjoyed our book study, ‘Il Piccolo Capitano’ (The Little Captain).  They looked very cute with their captains hats on after we made them.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the students and let them know it is such a pleasure to teach Italian.  I learnt early on in my teaching career that you can’t please everyone but hopefully each student has enjoyed at least one aspect of what we have covered this year.  Wishing you all un Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo!

Signora Phillips

How Parents Can Get Ready for the Great Digital Detox

By Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, Adolescent Psychologist

The Albanese Government’s upcoming social-media ban for under-16s has divided the nation. Whether you cheer it or curse it, one thing is certain — it’s coming this December. And it won’t be the politicians who determine its success. It’ll be parents — in kitchens, cars, and living rooms — deciding whether this becomes a public-health breakthrough or a household breakdown.

This isn’t punishment — it’s protection. Let’s stop framing this as some draconian move. This is about protecting developing brains from platforms built to hijack attention and distort self-worth. As the World Health Organization warned in 2024 “Excessive screen use in adolescence is linked to sleep disruption, anxiety, and poor academic outcomes."

Neuroscience tells the same story. Every ping and like fires dopamine in the brain’s reward system — the same neural pathway lit up by gambling. As Professor Jonathan Haidt of New York University puts it starkly:
“We gave teenagers slot machines disguised as phones.”  So yes — when those apps vanish, expect withdrawal.

Here are five ways parents can prepare:

1️⃣ Talk early — and often.

Don’t wait for December 10. Start the conversation now. Explain why this is happening:  social-media companies have prioritised profit over kids’ wellbeing.   This isn’t about control — it’s about care. As eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant said: “It’s not about banning childhood curiosity — it’s about curbing corporate exploitation.”

2️⃣ Expect pushback.

There will be outrage, sulking, maybe tears, a door slam or two. That’s normal. Stay calm and consistent. You wouldn't negotiate over seatbelts or cigarettes.

3️⃣ Fill the void.

Replace scrolling with something purposeful — sport, art, music, volunteering or part-time work. Without purpose, boredom becomes the enemy; and that's when kids find workarounds.

4️⃣ Lead by example.

If you’re glued to your own phone, your message won’t stick. Teenagers don’t learn from lectures; they watch lives...with a front row seat at yours.

5️⃣ Make a digital family plan.

Create shared rules: no devices in bedrooms, no screens at meals, regular screen-free time. Put it in writing and stick it on the fridge. Consistency creates calm.

A national reset moment

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine childhood in the digital age. For too long, we’ve handed kids devices that deliver endless validation from strangers — and then wondered why they’re anxious, distracted and lonely. If we get this right, Australia could become a world leader in protecting young minds — and we might just rediscover the joy of being fully present.

Because sometimes, the most radical thing we can give each other is not more information…but our undivided attention.