Dear Parents,

Welcome Back Fr Jeff Kleynjans

Last week the Parish welcomed back Fr Jeff after his sabbatical leave. Fr Jeff enjoyed his time away and is looking forward to reacclimatising himself with parish life. We look forward to having him back at school. Thanks to Fr Peter Bickley who performed such a wonderful job filling in for Fr Jeff while he was away.

Confirmation

This weekend will be a very special occasion for our Confirmation Candidates and their families as they celebrate the Sacrament. We are very blessed to have Bishop Greg Benet Confirming the children. Thanks to Fr Jeff, Tara and the Parish Sacramental Team, Anna Viney and the school staff for the effort that has gone into preparing the children and coordinating the celebration.

Reports & Digital Portfolios / Family Learning Conversations

Reports and Digital Portfolios will be live for parents to access on Wednesday 21 June via the SIMON platform. If you have any questions about your child’s report please contact their classroom teacher.  Our Family Learning Conversations will be held on Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 July.

End of Term

Term concludes for the students next Thursday 22 June, weather permitting we will be holding an Assembly at 2.50pm in the Courtyard.  Parents are welcome.  You will need to sign in at the school office.

Friday 23 June is a school closure day for data review.

Staffing Update

This week we welcomed Mrs Kathleen Dullabh to the school. Kathleen is teaching grade 5LA3. Kathleen is an experienced teacher who brings many gifts and skills to St Catherine’s. We look forward to working with her.

It is with pleasure that we can announce Mrs Kalpana Jayashankar has been appointed to the teaching position in Grade 4S6. Kalpana is relocating from the ACT with her family and she will commence at St Catherine’s on Monday the 24 July. Kalpana is an experienced teacher and I sure that she will be made to feel welcome by all.

Attendance

As mentioned in our previous newsletter attendance at school is crucial to your child achieving the best results they can. The start of the day is a most important time, being only ten minutes late means that your child can miss explicit teaching time. Ten minutes per day adds up to 50 minutes per week of lost learning.

It is much harder on your child to have to come in late to the class rather than settle in and commence the day with all of the other students. The school gates open at 8.30am and classes begin at 8.50am. We ask that all parents please make a concerted effort to have your children at school on time.

Playground Fundraiser that was held on Friday 2 June                           

Thanks to all of our families who donated a gold coin to assist in funding our new playground. This activity was coordinated by our SACE Leaders and they can be exceptionally proud that $1172.55 was raised.

Installation will commence on the 6 September. A concept design of our new playground is attached with this newsletter. The final design was selected by our student leaders.

Changes to Morning Routine

Classroom doors are now open from 8.30am and when children arrive at school they are instructed to head straight into their classrooms. Lessons commence at 8.50am.

SFX Students

SFX students are not to enter St Catherine’s at the end of the day unless they are collecting siblings. This is in place for child safety reasons.

Carpark

Carpark rules are in place purely and simply to make it as safe as we possibly can for our children. I ask that parents please respect the rules, following the signs and ensuring that pedestrians cross at the allocated areas so they are predictable to the traffic.

2024 Enrolments

Our 2024 Prep enrolments are exceptionally close to being full. If any existing parents have not yet completed enrolment forms for a 2024 prep you need to do so asap or we will not be able to provide a place.

School Gate Opening Time 2023

As mentioned in the last newsletter to allow us to cater for the new EBA that Catholic teachers in the Diocese of Sale have entered into for 2023 we will be opening the school gates at 8.30am this year.

Children arriving before 8.30am must be enrolled in before school care.

Bike Shed

The bike shed has been relocated next to the northern portables. We are awaiting a fencing company to install this as a permanent fixture.

COVID Advice

Please see the latest COVID advice regarding students who are unwell;

It is strongly recommended that students:

• Who test positive to COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for five (5) days;
• Should not attend school after five (5) days if still symptomatic;

• Who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school until their symptoms resolve;

• Parents, guardians or carers advise the school of the COVID-19 positive test result.

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.

Kind Regards

Simon Dell'Oro

Term Dates, School Closure Days and School events 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

In Term 2 all students will be looking at “The Sacramental Church Strand" and in RE lessons through different lenses.
Our whole school inquiry question is “Belonging Matters”. This will incorporate many
views and be drawing on student experiences from all perspectives, cultures and
backgrounds.

The Church constantly draws life from Christ at work in its midst. The Church was born from the mission of Jesus Christ and entrusted to the apostles in his death and
resurrection. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the early Christian
community was empowered to continue the saving mission of Christ in the world.
Enlivened by the Holy Spirit, the community of disciples continues to make Jesus Christ visible in the world today.

As we work through the term , we will integrate the important days and celebrations into these lessons.

• During the school holidays – NAIDOC Week-this will be looked at during this term.

Important
Sacramental dates for Term 2

RECONCILIATION AND COMMUNION

Reconciliation and Communion Enrolments - St Michael's Parish Support Centre - 121-123 High Street Berwick

Commitment Masses

Reconciliation and Communion Workshops                           

• A parent & child required to attend one Workshop

Ceremonies                          

Reconciliation: During last 3 weeks of Term 3, dates and times to be confirmed. Communion: During October, weekends, 7/8, 14/15, 21/22 & 28/29

CONFIRMATION

Confirmation Ceremonies

Kindest regards,

Anna Viney
Deputy Principal
Leader of Learning and Teaching, RE and School Operations.

A huge congratulations to our 5 students who ran in the Southern Metropolitan Cross Country today! 

Annabelle F

Sienna P

Alfie C

Hudson B

William K

What an amazing effort to reach this stage!

Japanese is in the SPOTLIGHT!!

Our Canteen runs from Tuesday - Friday. To register please follow the following link Quickcliq registeration,  then once registered you can login to Quickcliq.  When registering if your child is in Prep you will need to click foundation.  Your UID (student ID) number can be found on the home page of your Simon App. For further information please see the attached flyer.  Ordering cut off times will be the day before at 8pm, to receive your child's order the very Our next day, any orders placed after 8pm will automatically be placed with orders placed the following day, this allows for time to purchase any extra items needed on the day.  For those children with dietary requirements there will be a folder placed in the school office outlining ingredients of certain items. Please see the attached Menu, which will also be available when ordering through Quickcliq.