PRINCIPAL NEWS

Dear Parents,

It is hard to believe that we are at the end of Term One already!  Whilst there have been many challenges along the way with COVID, it is great that we can reflect upon a whole term of onsite learning without having to enter any remote learning periods. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff for their commitment to the students and flexibility they have shown throughout the course of the term.  It has not been easy and I hope that they enjoy a relaxing holiday period.  We are blessed to have the committed, professional staff that we have here at St Catherine’s.

We wish all families a wonderful break and a lovely Easter.  We look forward to working with you all again next term.

Easter Raffle

Thanks to all families who donated eggs for the Easter Raffle.   It is great that we can again start to hold fundraising events.  A special thanks to the Parents and Friends Committee for the effort they put into the raffle. Prizes will be distributed on Thursday.

Harmony Day.

As part of our school Harmony Day celebrations which will be held on Friday the 8th of April (last day of term), we are asking students to wear their school uniform with a Touch of Orange.

This could be a hair ribbon, socks, a cap or something similar. 

There is no money involved but this is an acknowledgement of students working together and being inclusive of each other and all cultures, religions and differences. 

Students will be conducting activities within their grade levels on these themes on that day too.  

Grade 4 Camp

Grade 4 camp information Night will be held via google meet on Thursday 7^th of April – You should have received this link via email.

Grade 6 Camp

Due to COVID impacting our plans to take the Grade 6 students to Canberra on camp, we have had to source a camp within Victoria.

The logistics of getting positive COVD cases and close contacts back from interstate are quite complex and as a result, we have been advised that this is not something we can do as a school at this time.

Staff have worked hard to ensure a camp can still go ahead for the Grade 6 students and have managed to secure a booking at Grantville Lodge in Grantville. This camp will go ahead from the 18^th- 21^st of October, 2022.  We know that this camp offers different experiences to one in Canberra but in this uncertain climate, we are pleased to be able to offer something unlikely to be impacted by the changing rules and regulations around COVID.

Enrolments

We are now taking new enrolments for 2023.  We have already been experiencing a demand for spots. If you are an existing family and have not yet completed your 2023 enrolment form please do so asap in order to confirm a place. Enrolments are now open to all. If you know of anyone wanting to enrol at St Catherine’s please encourage them to contact the Office and book a tour.

Important 2023 Prep Enrolment Dates for Your Diary

Orientation sessions

Drop Off / Pick Up

A reminder that classes commence at 8.50am.  Gates will be locked at 8.50am and children arriving after this time will need to come through the Office to be signed in. 

Parents need to ensure that they have appropriate arrangements organised for their children at the end of the day, particularly students that are waiting for siblings from SFX.

Please ensure the pedestrian crossing is being used by all parents and students, for the safety of all.

Staffing News

Congratulations to Cameron Witt who got married last Friday.  We wish him and his wife well and hope for many happy years together in the future.  Friday we will farewell Jasmine Bentley as she heads off on maternity leave and prepares for the upcoming birth of her child.  We wish her all the very best and look forward to hearing the news of the birth.  A big welcome to Angella Cha who will be teaching Jasmine’s grade in her absence. 

School Closure Dates

Listed below are the 2022 School Closure Dates for your diary;

Listed below are the most recent procedures;

• Camps and Excursions - Camps and Excursions are now able to proceed. Information will be forwarded to parents as the dates become closer.  Please note that it will be only school staff that attend the camps.
• Student Drop Off – Parents are welcome to walk their children into the school; however, we ask that you drop your child off at the door and please do not enter the buildings.
• Carline Pick-up – This remains the same as has been in place. Parents collecting children in cars need to enter the driveway and follow around through the basketball courts.  The line will then split into an A-K line and an L-Z line that you enter according to your surname.  The children will be waiting for you.
• School Office – The Office is open, however, if it is not essential to come onsite then please email info@stcberwick.catholic.edu.au or phone 9702-1466. All adults coming indoors must wear a mask.
• Walking Pick-up – Parents walking to pick up their children are asked to remain at the rebound wall area and the students will come up to you for the safety of all. I remind parents to cross the road and collect your child, please do not call them across from the other side.
• Meetings with Teachers – Remain by appointment only and parents will need to sign in at the Office with proof of vaccination and wear a mask when indoors.

Families remain encouraged to test their children twice weekly with the RA tests provided. RA tests will be sent home tomorrow Thursday 7 April. If your child tests positive please inform the school and they must isolate for seven days. Alerts will be sent to families via email if there is a positive case within the school. If your child is a household close contact they are required to isolate for seven days. Work is available for those children that are isolating and can be accessed via your child’s teacher.  I remind families that this is work that they can complete at home but it is not a remote learning program.

School Fees

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 the year.  For more information, please do not hesitate to contact Margaret Lonergan in the Office.

For any queries, either ring Margaret Lonergan on 9702 1466 or email accounts@stcberwick.catholic.edu.au

Contact Address

If you have changed your address recently, could you please contact the school office on 97021466 or alternatively info@stcberwick.catholic.edu.au

Kind Regards,

Simon