Newsletter Term 4 Week 2 2025

From the Principal

Celebrating Grandparents Day at St Kieran’s

Dear Families,

What a fun and heartwarming afternoon we shared together for Grandparents Day at St Kieran’s yesterday! The school was filled with love, laughter, and the wonderful sound of stories being shared between generations.

Many grandparents and special friends travelled great distances to be with us —from as far as NSW, Melbourne and Bairnsdale were locations I heard as many families crossed at the school crossing.  It was truly special to see so many smiling faces across our classrooms, hallways, and playgrounds as families came together in faith and celebration.

Throughout the afternoon, classes welcomed grandparents with little prayers, thoughtful reflections, and fun learning activities that showcased our students’ creativity and joy for learning. The sunshine in the playground made for the perfect setting as families enjoyed afternoon tea, conversation, and connection.

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible teachers and support staff for their creativity, care, and planning that made the day so memorable. The engaging activities, warm hospitality, and spirit of welcome were a beautiful reflection of our St Kieran’s community and our shared faith in action.

Grandparents are such a blessing in the lives of our children — offering wisdom, love, and gentle guidance. We give thanks for their presence, their prayers, and the precious gift of time they share with our students.

With gratitude and joy,
Peter McKenna
Principal
St Kieran’s Primary School, Moe

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Understanding Anxiety in Children

At St Kieran’s, we know that supporting our students’ wellbeing is just as important as supporting their learning. One area we are seeing more frequently in schools is anxiety — a normal human emotion that can become overwhelming for some children.

What is Anxiety?

Anxiety is our body’s natural alarm system — it helps us prepare for challenges or danger. However, when a child feels anxious frequently, intensely, or in situations where there’s no real threat, it can interfere with their learning, friendships, and day-to-day enjoyment of school.

According to evidence-based research from the Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) initiative, mild to moderate anxiety is one of the most common mental health challenges in primary-aged children. The good news is that schools and families can play a powerful role in helping children manage it early and effectively.

How Anxiety Might Show Up in Children

Children don’t always have the words to express how they’re feeling, so anxiety can appear in different ways, such as:

• Frequent stomach aches, headaches or feeling “sick” before school
• Avoidance of certain situations (e.g., speaking in front of others, separating from parents).
• Perfectionism or fear of making mistakes.
• Difficulty concentrating or “blanking out” in class.
• Irritability, tearfulness, or outbursts.

What the Research Says

MHiPS research highlights that when children experience anxiety, the most effective supports include:

• Safe, supportive relationships with adults who listen and validate their feelings.
• Predictable routines and clear expectations at school and home.
• Teaching emotional literacy — helping children name and understand their feelings.
• Evidence-based coping strategies, such as calm breathing, mindfulness, and positive self-talk.
• Early intervention through collaboration between teachers, wellbeing staff, and families.

How We’re Supporting Students at St Kieran’s

We are building teacher capacity to identify, understand and respond to early signs of mental health challenges. We promote strategies such as:

• Calm corners and regulation breaks.
• Classroom wellbeing check-ins.
• Explicit teaching of coping and self-regulation strategies.
• Strength-based conversations that build confidence and resilience.

How Parents Can Help at Home

Here are some practical ways families can support a child who might be feeling anxious:

• Stay calm and listen — Acknowledge their worries without minimising them.
• Encourage small steps — Gently support them to face fears rather than avoid them.
• Build healthy routines — Sleep, exercise, and nutrition all support emotional balance.
• Model coping — Talk about your own strategies for calming down or handling stress.
• Work together with the school — Consistency between home and school makes a big difference.

Parent Resources

If you’d like to learn more about how to support your child’s mental health, the following resources provide practical, evidence-based information for families:

• Be You (Parent Hub) – https://beyou.edu.au - Offers tools and information for parents on promoting children’s mental wellbeing.
• Beyond Blue – Healthy Families – https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au - Practical advice on recognising and managing anxiety in children.
• Raising Children Network – https://raisingchildren.net.au - A trusted Australian parenting resource with articles and videos on child development and emotions.
• Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800) – Free, confidential counselling and support for children and young people aged 5–25.

Public Speaking

 Lions Club Regional Public Speaking Success

Congratulations to Aria and Matilda, who represented St Kieran’s with excellence at the Lions Club Regional Public Speaking Championships held in Trafalgar on Sunday.

Students from across Gippsland competed, showcasing exceptional speaking skills and confidence — the standard was so high it would make even Year 12 students proud!

Matilda and Aria both performed extremely well, demonstrating poise, preparation, and passion in their speeches. We are very proud of the way they represented our school community.

A heartfelt thank you to Mr Hassett and to their families for the wonderful support and guidance offered along the way.

Division Athletics

Regional Athletics Success!

On Wednesday the 15th of October, some incredible St Kieran’s students represented our school at the Regional Athletics Carnival. Competing against talented athletes from across the region, each student did an outstanding job showcasing their skills and school spirit.

Congratulations to Isla Benbow, Harry Gray, Grayson Griffiths, Bailey Parniak, Tori Richards, Arlo Warner, Ivy Stewart, Ava Horton, and Eloise Harvey. Reaching the regional level is an amazing achievement, and we are extremely proud of their efforts!

A special congratulations goes to Tori Richards, who has qualified for the State Athletics Championships after finishing second in the 200 metres and Arlo Warner for finishing first in the shot put! An amazing effort from both of these students and good luck at State Athletics on the 6th November.

2026 School Fees and Levies

The 2026 School fees and levies have been set and please find below the 2026 School fee schedule. School fees must be paid in full by the end of October each year. We have a few payment methods available, and this includes EFTPOS, direct bank transfer, and Centrepay. Please contact our office if you have any questions regarding School fees.

School Fees Schedule 2026

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