While the start to the term has been busy, it has been very enjoyable. Book Week was excellent and we thank parents for their assistance in making the day possible. We did suffer some technical issues during the music for the Year 3s. We had an overwhelming number of parents and will change the layout next year to spread parents out better. 

Religious Education

Curriculum

We are beyond half way through the term and it’s been exciting seeing the learning that has happened across the school. Here is a short summary of what year levels are working on at the moment:

• Preps are focusing on how, despite our differences, God loves us and this is shown by the way we interact with others. It helps connect us - rather than separate us.

• Year 1s are looking at how they can care for our common home by using resources from Caritas. They are looking at a case study of Janice, who is an Aboriginal artist from the Northern Territory.

• Year 2s are looking at the ‘Golden Rule’ from Matthew 7:12 “In everything you do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law of the prophets”. They will use a story book to help relate it to their lives.

• Year 3s are looking at different scripture and parts of the bible and will focus on our Scripture for Term 3: Genesis 1:26-27

• Year 4s are at a stage where the students will look at two Catholic Social Teachings to explore more in depth before they begin researching it.

• Year 5s are looking at how they can support Human Dignity in their everyday lives and respond to God’s call to love one another

• Year 6s are researching local organisations, and those outside of Australia, and how they support the Church’s work on caring for the Human Dignity of everyone

Year 3 Level Mass

On Tuesday, 16 September, we will be holding the Year 3 Level Mass in our shared chapel. We warmly welcome all parents to attend as it will be the final mass for the term. Our Year 3 teachers are preparing their students with the readings and songs so it will be an excellent celebration.

Family Prayer Afternoons

Thank you to everyone who has been able to make it out to our Family Prayer Afternoons in the Chapel. Our Year 4s are this coming Friday 29 August, then our Year 5s are Friday 5 September. This is open to everyone to attend and would love to see you join us. It is less formal than a level Mass and, just like a Mass, everyone is welcome. Please see the attached flyer

Regionals Girls Soccer Finals

On Monday 25 August the Year 6 Girls Soccer team competed in the Southern Metro Regional finals. The competition consisted of eight schools split across two different pools, with St Catherine's being drawn in Pool A.

The girls first played against St Peter’s Bentleigh East and picked up where they left off from Divisionals. Some excellent link up play saw Koah open the scoring inside five minutes. Soon after she added a second and the girls were well on their way to victory.

The second game saw a much more resilient defensive team. The opposition were resolute in their defending and made it difficult for our girls to create any clear cut chances. However, Syierra was able to break the deadlock on the stroke of half time by placing the ball strategically into the net with her right foot.

The third and final pool game was against Hampton Primary School. It finally looked like there was a team that matched the quality of our girls. The opposition team were well structured and coached and did tremendously well to nullify any attacking threat that our girls possessed. On the other hand, St Catherine’s stood up defensively once again with Shumi showing explosive speed to quash anything coming towards our defensive goals. The girls managed to keep another clean sheet making it the 16th game in a row. The game ended up in a nil all stalemate.

 Semi Final

The girls played Rowellyn Park Primary School in the first Semi Final. As the opposition goal keeper played the ball out from a goal kick, Aurora casually lined up with her left foot and placed the ball into the corner of the net with a wonderful strike. Koah scored an absolute thunderbolt from 20 metres out, the keeper had no chance. St Catherine’s dominated from start to finish piling on the goals and running out 5-0 victors.

Final 

The girls played Hampton Primary school in the final. Clearly the two best teams in the competition were at it again trading blow for blow. In the 12th minute the girls conceded their first ever goal for the entire series. Being one nil down and with their backs against the wall, the girls were resolute in fighting for the Championship. They kept on pushing hard and would have gone down two nil just before half time if it wasn’t for a brilliant close range double save from Charlotte. This kept the girls in the match and with a fighting chance. As time progressed into the second half the girls began to tire physically, however they kept willing themselves from contest to contest. In the 13th minute, the girls conceded another goal, but it was not finished yet. Koah managed to pull one back for St Catherine’s immediately from the re-start as the crowd cheered loudly for an equaliser. The girls fell agonisingly short of victory, going down by 2 goals to 1.  

A big congratulations to the following Year 6 girls; Emilia, Koah, Syierra, Aurora, Shumi, Tianna, Cailtin, Clara, Chloe.S, Briella and Charlotte on becoming Regional Runners-up! The whole St Catherine’s community is so proud of you! Amazing achievement girls! 

I would like to thank all the parents that came and supported the team and in particular to Dora, Syierra’s mum for providing oranges for the girls. I would also like to thank Miss C for coaching and leading the girls throughout the whole competition and congratulations on the tremendous achievement. 

District Athletics

On Wednesday 20 August, a bus load of Year 3-6 students represented St Catherine’s at the District Athletics Carnival at Casey Fields. It was a sunny and bright day as the program began with the 1500m run followed by the rest of the track and field events. The students competed against the likes of Strahaird, Narre Warren P-12 College, Waverley Christian College, Tulliallan, Courtenay Gardens and Hillsmeade. 

A big thank you to Lauren and Adam Brown for helping out Mrs Coe with the Boys Triple and Long Jump events for the day. Thank you to all the staff that took time out of their normal schedule to come and lend a hand. 

Congratulations to all the students that competed and represented St Catherine’s so well, you should be all proud of yourself. 

Congratulations to these students; Maddi.C, Munesu.C, Kashmere.K, Wenyasha.C, Emilia.J, Jacob.O, Aurora.P, Kepler.P, Chloe.S, Syierra.TH for qualifying for individual events and the 12/13 Boys and Girls 4x100 relay teams that have progressed through to Divisionals, which will take place early next Term. 

Results:

As we progress through term 3, it is now time for us to start considering class groupings for 2026. A large amount of information and considerations goes into setting up classes, including parent requests. Please note the following carefully:

-Parents may submit a separation request.

-We do not consider pairing requests as this is managed by the learning buddies process outlined below.

-Separation requests must be submitted every year.

-If you submitted one last year, they do not roll over. 

-All requests are considered a one off. 

-Separation requests must come via the office to info@stcberwick.catholic.edu.au. 

-Requests submitted verbally, via individual teachers or staff may not be included, please submit your request via this email. Please clearly state your child and the person you would like your child separated from (full name).

-Separations may be for personal reasons or because of a pre existing relationship such as family friendship, family members, etc.

-Parents of twins are also asked to advise the school their preference for their children being placed together or separately.

-The deadline for requests is the end of Term 3. 

We do our best to cater for parent requests but cannot guarantee as there are many factors which must be taken into consideration.

Later in the year, students will nominate 5 Learning Buddies that they learn well with and would like to have in their class. We ensure they are placed with at least one of these. 

VICTORIA DONLAN

Curriculum/ICT Leader and Learning Adjustment Leader 

St Catherine's School, Berwick

73 Ridgemont Drive Berwick VIC 3806 

 P O Box 557 Berwick VIC 3806

Phone: 03 9702 1466

AGC School Assessment Workshop Flyer 2025