Please note the following dates in your diary:
2025 dates are set as best as possible at this point in time.
Please be mindful they may be subject to change and continue to check.

Term 4

Week 10 Tues 9th Dec - Step up day (Prep -Yr 6 2026) Tues 9th Dec - Yr 6 secondary school transition day - no Yr 6 onsite Tues 9th Dec - Parent Teacher Chats (3.40pm-6.30pm) - note date change Wed 10th Dec - Parent Teacher Chats (3.40pm-6.30pm) - note date change Fri 12th Dec - End of year mass whole school Fri 12th Dec - Reports sent home via PAM

Week 11 Mon 15th Dec - End of year assembly 11:45am Mon 15th Dec - Year 6 Graduation (PM) Tues 16th Dec - Last day of the school year - Yr 6 exc. to Adventure Park - 3:30pm dismissal on the basketball court

2026 Wednesday 28th January - Year 1-6 Students Begin Wednesday 28th January - Prep testing Thursday 29th January - Prep testing Friday 30th January - Preps begin Wednesday 4th Feb - No school for Preps Monday 9th Feb - Whole School Mass 9:15 am all welcome Wednesday 11th Feb - No school for Preps Monday 16th Feb - Clairvaux Cross Country Yr 4-6 Wednesday 18th Feb - Ash Wednesday Wednesday 18th Feb - No school for Preps Wednesday 25th Feb - No school for Preps Monday 2nd March - Preps begin full weeks at school Monday 2nd March - Clairvaux Senior Athletics Yr 4-6 Wednesday 4th March - Reconciliation Family Faith Night Year 3 6:30pm Monday 9th March - Public Holiday Tuesday 10th March - School Closure Day Tuesday 10th March - Division Swimmming - selected students Monday 16th March - Year 6 camp (2 nights) Tuesday 17th March - Year 6 camp Wednesday 18th March - Yr 3 Reconciliation Celebration Wednesday 18th March - Year 6 camp Thursday 19th March - Yr 6 students no school Tuesday 24th March - Colour Run (evening) Wednesday 25th March - Prep 2027 information tours 9:30 am and 12:00pm Friday 27th March - Yr 6 Summer Lightning Prem Thursday 2nd April - Last day of term 1 - 2:30 dismissal Monday 20th April - First Day of Term 2 Thursday 23rd April - Prep 2027 information tours 9:30am  Friday 24th April - City to Surf Cross Country - selected students Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May - Sacramental Presentation Masses (Eucharist and Confirmation) Monday May 4th - Swimming begins for Yr 3 and 4 (all week) Monday May 11th - Swimming begins for Yr 1 and 2 Tuesday 19th May - Division cross country - selected students Wednesday 20th May - Eucharist Family Faith Night Year 4 - 6:30pm Friday 29th May - Yr 6 Winter Lightning Prem Tuesday 2nd June - Yr 4 Eucharist preparation day Monday 8th June - Public Holiday Tuesday 9th June - Year 5 Camp (one night) Wednesday 10th June - Year 5 camp Thursday 11th June - Yr 5 students no school Saturday 13th June and Sunday 14th June - Sacrament of Eucharist Celebrations Friday 26th June - Assembly Friday 26th June - Last Day of term 2 - 2:30pm dismissal

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On Friday at our beginning of year school mass, our Semester One CSC reps will be presented with their badges.
Each student is part of a smaller group that works to promote goodwill and awareness of important occasions and topics.

• The Arts,
• Social Justice and Cultural Awareness,
• Health and Wellbeing and
• Sustainability. 

Congratulations to the following students:

Camilla P 3ST

William F 3ST

Sam G 3AW

Mitchell E 3AW

Grace H 3MN

Max D 3MN

Oli S 3RB

Parker C 3RB

Lachlan B 4CM

Milla S 4CM

Lottie S 4MC

Owen S 4MC

Max M 4JH

Freya D 4JH

Ruby F 4SJ

Delcie C 4SJ

Mason D 5TD

William E 5TD

Siena D 5LO

Sophie H 5LO

Eli Y 5VR

Emmy J 5VR

Ethan H 5JK

Archer G 5JK

Sullivan M 6IB

Xavier S 6IB

Ruby N 6RM

Archie F 6RM

Nessa L 6MM

Sienna W 6MM

Eden B 6DC

Hugo C 6DC

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This week, our Prep students had the wonderful opportunity to meet their Year 6 buddies, marking the beginning of a meaningful partnership. The Year 6 students fully embraced the responsibility of their new mentor roles, confidently leading the first introduction. They spent valuable time getting to know their younger peers, sharing a storybook, and enjoying lunch together. This experience not only provides the Preps with guidance as they embark on their school journey but also highlights the leadership and compassion of our Year 6 students. By taking on the role of a mentor, they set an inspiring example of kindness and responsibility.

As the year progresses, we are excited to watch the bond between the Preps and their Year 6 buddies grow stronger. This partnership will continue to provide opportunities for the Preps to learn, engage, and feel supported, while the Year 6 students develop their leadership skills. Together, they will create lasting memories and a sense of community that will benefit both groups. We look forward to the many adventures and learning experiences that lie ahead as these young minds unite in friendship and guidance.

Bianca Giampaolo,

Prep/ 1 Middle Learning Leader
  

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School fee statements have now been issued for 2025. For those families who have elected to pay a lump sum annually, your fees are due in full by 28 February. For those who have elected to pay monthly or fortnightly by direct debit your payments will commence on 14/02 for monthly and on 13/02 for fortnightly payments.
If you have a health care card you may wish to apply for the CSEF payment from the government of $154.00 per child. The application form can be obtained through the school office.
For families who are experiencing financial difficulty paying their fees you may wish to apply for a fee concession. This can be done by making an appointment with Brendan Flanagan by calling Vanessa Watts on 52437102 or emailing Vanessa on vwatts@ccsbelmont.com.au

If you have any questions relating to your school fee account please do not hesitate to contact Vanessa Watts on 52437102.

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At Clairvaux, we strive to create a learning environment where all students can focus, participate, and thrive. One way we support student engagement is by incorporating sensory breaks and brain breaks into the school day. Sensory breaks are usually advised by Occuptational Therapists to address/support particular needs for a student.

These short, structured breaks help students regulate their energy levels, attention and focus. 

What Are Sensory Breaks and Brain Breaks?

• Brain Breaks are short activities that provide a mental reset, helping students shift focus and return to tasks with renewed concentration. These may include stretching, breathing exercises, quick movement games, or mindfulness activities.
• Sensory Breaks help students who may need additional movement or sensory input to stay regulated. Depending on their needs, these breaks can involve activities like using resistance bands, balance exercises, fidget tools, or calming techniques.

All students benefit from movement and sensory input throughout the day and general movement in the classroom will often cater for the needs of most students e.g. moving from floor to seats and vice versa, fruit snacks, drink breaks, toilet breaks and small set movement activities etc

There are some students who require extra breaks to help them manage class time effectively. This year we are aiming to make these breaks more structured and purposeful, typically lasting between 5-10 minutes. As mentioned above, some students may need more specific sensory breaks as identified by their Allied Specialist teams and these will be incorporated when possible.

By incorporating these strategies, we aim to enhance student attention, participation, and overall well-being in the classroom. If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact your child's class teacher or Christine Brennan.

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School Photos 2025 – Clairvaux Primary School
School Photos 2025 – Clairvaux Primary School
Annual school photos have been taken by Arthur Reed Photos.
To view the images of your child and order photos, you will need to first register online.
1. Go to https://order.arphotos.com.au and enter the 2025 image code for your child (from
their personalized flyer)
2. Tap on ‘Add another child’ to enter the image codes of any siblings
3. Fill in your email and mobile details and then review all details before confirming your
registration
That’s it! When 2025 photos are ready, you will be notified by email and SMS.
Even if you registered last year, it’s important that you do it again each year using your child’s new
image code to link their photos for the current year with your contact details.
To ensure you are ordering school photos for the current year, please wait for notifications that
2025 images are online before placing orders.
In the webshop you can view photos and customize your photo package; Choose ANY layout, ANY
image and purchase multiple digital image downloads.
All photo orders will be sent directly to the address you provide when ordering.
REGISTER ONLINE NOW to be notified when 2025 school photos can be viewed and ordered.

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All Familes are welcome to begin the school year at a Whole School Picnic hosted by our P&F.
We invite all families to the Barwon Valley Playground on Tuesday 4th March between 5pm and 7pm.
There will be flags with year levels for you to congregate with families in like year levels and staff will be in attendance for the first hour.
Please bring your own food, drinks and picnic blankets.

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Don't forget all student's wear their sports uniform with any teeshirt the colour of their house on Monday 17th Feb.

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Please take note of the below information and pass onto babysitters and/or grandparents that pick up your children.

Recently we have had the Geelong city council at school at both pick up and drop off time and they have issued fines based on their observations. 

PICK UP/DROP OFF ZONE

For those who use the drop off/pickup zone or drive down Reynolds Road you would understand that more often than not it becomes very congested.

We have had the Geelong Council review the situation and there has been a LEFT TURN ONLY sign installed at the exit closest to the staff car park. Cars will not be able to turn right or drive straight ahead when exiting the drop off/pick up zone. You will need to go up to the Laura Avenue roundabout to turn back the other way.

We appreciate this is a change but it is very welcomed by the school and we hope it makes a significant difference to the flow of traffic.

Please do not double park on the right hand side of the drop off zone. This is a two way street for bus access and it is illegal to park or stop on the right hand side of the road. Children are not permitted to cross the road to enter a vehicle which is parked illegally. If you are unable to pull in to the left hand side of the curb please drive on and come around again.

STAFF CAR PARK

Another reminder that we consistently need to be communicating is for parents NOT to park in the staff car park at any time. This is clearly signed. We have staff coming and going at all times of the day and especially at pick up and drop off time we are trying to keep the movement to a minimum. Children should not be walking through the staff car park other than on the yellow crossing from the gate to the footpath.

CHURCH CAR PARK

Please ensure you are conscious of where your children are playing in this space and keep ball use under control. We keep children behind the yellow line until they are with their parent/s. It is important that you as parents are also reinforcing safety in this area and keeping in mind that cars have right of way.  Ideally we would like children walking on footpaths at all times.

ACCESSIBLE PARKING

We have some accessible parks around our school at gate 2 and also in the church car park. Please do not park in these parks unless you have a permit displayed. We do have families who require these parks and it can be difficult to collect children if access to these is not available.  We appreciate your respect and consideration for those who rely on these spaces."

BIKES
If your child rides their bike to school could you please have a conversation with them about bike safety and expectations in the school yard. We love seeing children being independent but ask that they be respectful of after school crowds particularly along the path to McDonalds Reserve and around the Church car park. We also do not allow any scooters or bikes to be ridden in the school yard.

PLAYGROUND
We welcome parents into our yard after school however ask that toddlers and all school children are not on the play equipment. We kindly ask this from a risk point of view in regards to accidents, supervision and children who should be waiting at gates for their parents to arrive.  

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We are looking to fill the role of P&F President.

Last week we held our first meeting for the year. We already have many willing parents who have volunteered to run different aspects of our P&F including our uniform shop, social events, fundraising opportunities and our family support network to name a few. We have also filled the roles of secretary and treasurer. The role of President is open.
If you think this is a way you are able to contribute to our school community please do not hesitate to reach out to Brendan if you have any questions or to express an interest in the role.

PRESIDENT

The President is responsible for the coordination of the Clairvaux P&F.

Duties include:

• Setting the Meeting schedule for the year in conjunction with the principal/deputy principal
• Making sure that meetings are conducted in an orderly fashion
• Chair the meetings and often the mediator of the group
• Accepts matters for “Business Arising”
• Ensure those present at the meeting can discuss each item on the agenda prior to a decision being made
• Work towards a collaborative approach with other members of the school community
• Generate enthusiasm and interest to join and contribute
• Main contact for agenda items
• Embracing the principles of impartiality, tact, respect, inclusiveness, and common sense
• Ensuring the school community is kept informed of activities and developments

Time Commitment: estimated 6-8 hours per month

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Iona College warmly invites all prospective families to join us for our annual March Tour and Information Sessions. These sessions provide an opportunity to hear from our Principal, Mr Damian McKew, explore Iona, learn about our programs and meet our passionate staff.

The tours are student-led, giving families the opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from our students about life at Iona.

Bookings for the Tour and Information Sessions are now open. Secure your spot online via this link: https://iona.vic.edu.au/tour-and-information-session/

Iona College Year 7 2026 Enrolments Now Open
Enrolments for Year 7 2026 are now open! Applications can be submitted online via the following link: https://iona.vic.edu.au/enrolment-form/

Enrolments close on Friday 9 May 2025.

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Sam, our school counsellor will this year continue to run parent forums focused on a range of aspects we find many of our parents are looking for information on.
Our first one this year will be focused on Anxiety and held on Tuesday 25th February at 2:50pm just before school pick up in our staff room.
Please register your interest here

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