Dear Parents,

As I write this for the final newsletter of the year I am reflecting on the academic year of 2024. 

This year has been a significant change for staff and students. 

There has been an introduction of new assessment platforms and much preparation for the introduction of the new Mathematics 2.0 curriculum which will be implemented and reported against for 2025.  

I would like to thank all the parents and families who attended our Family picnic carols. The weather was magnificent and it was delightful to see our students perform.   There was a huge number of people involved in “the behind the scenes” work that is not always evident on the night. 

The final event from  the sports day was run on Friday morning. This event is a tradition at St Catherine's but as is with all traditions sometimes they need to change to suit the current context and circumstances.

Congratulations to Yana, William K, Destiny W, Hudson B for being the winner's of the championship race's for 2024. 

Staffing 

Mrs Rebecca Callanan will be leaving to continue her teaching career at another school.

We wish her well and thank her for her contributions throughout her time at St Catherine’s 

We have employed 3 new teachers to start at the beginning of 2025. 

Ms Natalie Kechichian, Ms Ashadhi Athukoralage and Mrs Ashlea Rettalick.

We welcome them to the St Catherine’s team.

The teachers will be teaching in the following levels/areas in 2025. 

This information is not an invitation to request a teacher as all of our teachers are qualified to teach in all areas and we do not take teacher requests.  All decisions are made in the best interests of all students and not one student alone. 

Leadership structure;

Principal - Anna Viney 

Deputy Principal / Re Leader- Rian Prestwich

Curriculum Leaders - Victoria Donlan and Rebecca Cox 

Learning Adjustment  Leader (Gr 3-6) - Victoria Donlan

Learning Adjustment Leader (Gr Prep-2 ) - Rebecca Cox ( Mon- Thurs)

Prep-2 Curriculum Support Leader - Debbie Carpentier 

Mental Health and wellbeing Leader - Jasmine Bentley (Mon- Tues)

Prep - 2 Level Leader - Debbie Carpentier

Grade  3 & 4 Level Leader - Gavin Balzary

Grade 5 Level Leader - Ella Bell

Grade 6 Level Leader -  Deearne Mellor

Specialist Leader - Vanessa Jennings

Our Christmas hat fundraiser for our Shade Sails and Jungle playground raised $200, thankyou to all those who participated.  

As we lead into the Christmas festive season, we ask that all  Christmas decorations, hats and earring's etc, that they align with our uniform policy. This policy is as much about the safety of our students as the pride students take in wearing their uniform. 

As I have mentioned previously, it is quite normal for students to feel a little anxious about what the next year will bring. Our children often take their lead from the adults around them, so it is important to reassure your children and talk to them about the positives that come with the next year and the next step of their schooling life.

We will not have a final newsletter in the final week of term but will send out a brief bulletin with reminders for the new year and a Christmas message.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very joyous and safe Christmas and New Year period. I look forward to seeing all students back at the beginning of 2025 ready to learn. For those families not returning, I wish you all the very best and thank each and every one of you for the contributions to our school community.

Regards and warm wishes for the Christmas period. 

Anna 

Library overdue books

There is a total of 112 book's still outstanding to be returned.  Please check  at home and return them as soon as possible.  Costs will incur for the replacement of these books if they are not been returned.