PRINCIPAL NEWS

Dear Parents,

Welcome back to Term Two!  I hope that all families have enjoyed a wonderful holiday and are looking forward to the term ahead.  As a staff we are again focussed on working together with all families this term.

Feast of St Catherine’s

Last Friday we celebrated the Feast of St Catherine’s with Kilometres for Compassion and activities related to St Catherine.  A big thanks to Nerida Byrden and all of the staff for their organisation and facilitation of the day.

Camps

The Grade 4 students have just enjoyed a wonderful camp at Phillip Island Adventure Resort enjoying activities such as canoeing, raft building, ropes courses, flying fox and many other adventure activities. Grade 5 students will head off to Sovereign Hill on the 16-18.   It is wonderful that we can again offer these opportunities to the students and it is an expectation that they attend as it is a part of our curriculum.  Parents with any questions about camps should contact their child’s teacher.   I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the staff for attending the camps, it is a huge commitment to take time away from their own families to take the children away.

Easter Raffle / Bunnings BBQ

Thanks to all families who donated eggs for the Easter Raffle, as a school we raised $4,475.05 – a brilliant effort.  A special thanks to all of the parents who assisted the Parents and Friends at the Bunnings BBQ last Saturday, almost $1000 was raised for St Catherine’s.  I have been very impressed by the work of the Parents and Friends Committee since I have been at St Catherine’s and I thank them for their efforts.  Currently we are deciding what the fundraising will be put towards this year and we will inform all families after our next meeting.

Mother’s Day Stall – Friday 6 May

The Parents and Friends will be running a Mother’s Day Stall for the students this Friday 6 May. There’s gifts and Mother’s Day cards for every Mum and/or Nan and prices start from $1 - cash only and please send a plastic bag with your child (so gifts can be well hidden!) Any queries please contact Jo Riley on 0438316842

Lunchtime Clubs

This term we have organised lunchtime clubs for the children to participate in if they choose.  A huge thanks to all of the staff who have taken on extra responsibilities to run these clubs and to Jess Ornsby for her organisation.  Jess has provided further details of the clubs within this newsletter.

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,

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.

Staffing News

Congratulations to Jasmine Bentley on the birth of her child Ayla.  We wish Jasmine and her family all the very best in this most special time in their lives.   

Year 6 Camp update and fee refunds

As you may be aware, we have been fortunate enough to secure an alternative camp to Canberra that is in line with current DOSCEL and COVID requirements. We are currently finalising itinerary and bus arrangements. Once this has been confirmed Grade 6 families will be advised of school fee refund arrangements.

Uniform & Hats

As per our uniform policy, hats are no longer required. Winter uniform is to be worn in second and third term. There is a changeover period of 2 weeks at the beginning of second term when summer or winter uniform may be worn. By beginning of week 3, all students should be in full winter uniform.

Sports Team Jersey’s

At St Catherine’s we have a school tradition where students can wear their jerseys’ for winning sports team on Monday’s following the weekend games.

Child Safety

Child Safety is a core priority at St Catherine’s and at the forefront of all decisions.

Photographing students

Some students at St Catherine’s do not have permission to be photographed, and this closely monitored by school staff. Because of this we ask parents to please refrain from photographing or videoing any students while onsite.

Dogs & Pets onsite

Pets are not permitted on school grounds, inclusive of the rebound wall. We ask that parents please wait outside the school gates if you have a pet with you.

COVID Procedures

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 office@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. 

Families remain encouraged to test their children twice weekly with the RA tests provided. 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 welcome to attend school, however, the school must be informed, your child must test daily and wear a mask when indoors throughout the stipulated close contact period. 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

School Closure Dates

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

Friday 24 June

Kind Regards,

Simon