Dear Parents, Students, Staff and all associated with St Catherine's Community

In the coming weeks, Andrea Kershaw, Pauline Moran and I will be meeting with parents who are seeking to join our community for their child in Prep in 2022. Many of these parents, whose child is just beginning their educational journey, talk about choosing a Catholic school because of the sense of community, the commitment to social justice and a recognised standard of values and behaviours that a Catholic school offers. Many parents of other faiths also seek a Catholic school. For some it is because our values, although grounded in the teachings of the Catholic faith, are shared by all members of the community. For others, there is a need to provide an environment that will support both their own and their children’s search for meaning and spiritual awakening.

As a Catholic community, we promote Gospel values and strive to develop lifelong learners who actively contribute to society. The Catholic school shares in the mission of the church to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. St Catherine's seeks to nurture the faith of young people through its religious education program and through the faith environment it cultivates. Our challenge is to endeavour to be a community that believes, worships and celebrates together, is welcoming and accepting, and offers quality teaching and learning.

“Catholic schools have grown more complex, but at their heart lies a great and simple truth . . . .  they exist primarily to give saints to the world.”  (St John Paul II, 2000)

Happenings Around the School

• Year 5 Camp - Year 5 students were recently involved in a 3-day/2-night trip to Sovereign Hill.  The trek to Ballarat provided a wonderful opportunity for students to explore a little more about Australia’s history.  Students (as well as staff and volunteer parents) returned a little more weary than when they departed, but a great experience was had from all accounts received.
  
  A huge thank you to staff and parents who looked after and assisted with the camp, going over and above to support such initiatives. and giving generously of their time.
  
  
• Celebrating the Feast of St Catherine of Siena – Thursday, 29 April provided an opportunity for the school to come together and to celebrate in a special way the feast day of our Patron Saint, St Catherine of Siena.  The day commenced with a Mass for Years 3-6 and a liturgy for our Junior School in the Chapel followed by student participation in a range of activities shared with buddies.
  
  
• New Facilities Open to Families – As part of our Feast Day celebration, an opportunity was afforded to parents to come along and have a look at the new facilities - particularly the MacKillop Building and the new front build.  The evening was very low key and casual with some very positive feedback being received from attending parents.
  
  
• First Reconciliation - First Reconciliation has been celebrated by our Year 4 students over the past two weeks.  Due to ongoing restrictions, these ceremonies have been undertaken within class groups during school time in our Chapel.  Many thanks to Frs Jeff, Hiep and Sunil for presiding over these celebrations.
  
  
• 2021 NAPLAN – This week, students in Years 3 and 5 are participating in the  2021 NAPLAN Testing. The assessment is undertaken online, except for the Year 3 writing task. It is anticipated that schools should receive results  from mid Term 3.
  
  
• Mother’s Day Stall – The opportunity for students to purchase something  special for their mums for Mother’s Day was well received (particularly given that students didn't have the opportunity in 2020). A huge thank you to our P&F Executive for organising this event as well as  to parents who were generous with their time in preparing and manning the Stall on the day.
  
  
• Staff News - Earlier this week, families of 5LA2 were advised that Daina Balnionis will remain on leave for the rest of Term 2. Replacing Daina for this time,  Mr Peter Haidamous will take the class for the remainder of the term.  Peter is a familiar face to our school community and is regularly called on for emergency relief teaching and short contract work and so will seamlessly transition into this space and ensure the continuity of the Year 5 teaching and learning program.
  

General Reminders

• School Fees - Just a reminder that schools for Term 2 are required to be settled by Friday, 21 May unless alternative arrangements have been made.

Families who hold an eligible Health Care Concession Card, may be eligible for CSEF (Camp, Sports and Excursion Funding).  If eligible, this would also entitle families to make an application for a fee remission, which effectively would see a significant reduction of fees to be paid.  For more information, please speak with Margaret Lonergan or alternatively email accounts@stcberwick.catholic.edu.au. 

General Information

• Visitors Onsite - Parents are welcome to bring their children into the school grounds before school including rebound wall, oval area and vines area. Density limits require the Courtyard area and classrooms to be visitor free before and after school.  Parents are also welcome to access the Uniform Shop or the school office for general enquiries.
  
  
• School Website - Our school website has recently been reviewed and refreshed.  It has a new look and is well worth a look at some stage.  The website address remains the same: www.stcberwick.catholic.edu.au.

Yours in Catholic Education

Kevin Browning
Principal