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Dear Parents, Students, Staff and all associated with St Catherine's School Community
The school year for 2020 is very quickly drawing to a close. Hard as it is to believe, this time next week, our students will be attending their final day before breaking for the Christmas holidays.
For all concerned, 2020 can in no way be considered typical. It has presented us with periods of uncertainty and disruption, whilst also affording us with opportunities to challenge ourselves, grow and change in ways that we could not have imagined 12 months ago.
The year that has been 2020 has certainly been very different. However, despite its turbulence, I believe that we have all done remarkably well and indeed need to acknowledge and celebrate having reached this point. In particular, I would like to make reference to our students. Their ability to adapt and be resilient in the midst of so much going on is something is to be commended.
Happenings Around the School
- 2021 School Leaders - Last Friday, the school community came together for the announcement of our 2021 school leaders.
Our congratulations go to the following students:- School Captains:
Tahlia Shu & Sam Milton
- School Vice Captains:
Ali Kuster & Rajveer Chandra
- House Leaders
- Gallagher Gold - Marlee Cabansag & Hayden Campos
- Sweeney Green - Olivia Taranto & Fletcher Watts
- Tuohey Blue - Miley Schade & Jacob Wraight
- Regan Red - Tania Thomas & Mason Cassar
- Social Justice Leaders
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- Marla Boukter
- Abel Joshy
- Franz Jundis
- Rachael Lee
- Shine Leaders
- Brenlie Oliver
- Oli Pereira
In announcing our 2021 School Leaders, I would like to also commend all those who summoned the courage and put themselves forward for these significant positions of leadership. We truly are blessed with some outstanding leadership here at St Catherine’s School and we certainly look forward to working with our leaders in the coming year.
Student leaders will be presented with their badges as part of the Commissioning to be held during the beginning of year school Mass, to be advised.
General Information
- Year 6 Graduation Presentations - Next Tuesday evening, our Year 6 students, along with two guests, will celebrate their graduation from primary school with a special presentation evening. Our 76 Year 6 students are soon to make their way onto the next stage of their education journey as they begin secondary studies.
Like all those who have gone before them, our prayer is that they go forth from St Catherine's with having deepened that love of God and of others that their parents have always endeavored to give them. As they head into Year 7, may they always continue to live and proclaim the ideals of our school's motto - Our Faith is Our Strength. Congratulations on almost having reached this significant milestone. - 2021 Teaching Staff - Whilst not 100% finalised, it is with pleasure that I announce the teaching staff as so far confirmed:
- Daina Balnionis
- Jasmine Bentley
- Daniel Bishop
- James Bortolus
- Cassandra Burke
- Rebecca Callanan
- Debbie Carpentier
- Mandy Collingwood
- Rebecca Cox
- Claire Culpitt
- Victoria Donlan
- Ashlee Dow-Philcox
- Charmaine D'Silva
- Assumptha Gozmao
- Vindy Gunasekera
- Mary Hall
- Peggy Harvey
- Monica Henshaw
- Kylie Hudson
- Sigrun Hurren
- Meg Ichikawa
- Vanessa Jennings
- Justin Kenez
- Elisha Langdon
- Jason Lester
- Rachel Long
- Delia McCarthy
- Jessica Ornsby
- Amanda Pleydell
- Rian Prestwich
- Samantha Smith
- Marie Takahashi
- Daniel Thatcher
- Laura Thorne
- Yveie Tonks
- Yu-Chun Wang
- Cameron Witt
- Thea Woodhead
In announcing the known teaching staff for 2021, I would also like to mention that we will be seeing a small number of staff moving on:- Taylor Tocchetto
- Hayleigh Dunn
- Jennibeth Aguilar
- Maritta Abraham
- Natasha Fox
- Jodi Kennedy
- Louise Allen
- Hitomi Matsumura
- 2021 Leadership Structure - The new year will see a slight adjustment to the leadership structure of the school:
- Principal:
- Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning:
- Deputy Principal Administration:
- Leader of Catholic Identity & Religious Education
Kevin Browning
Pauline Moran
Andrea Kershaw
Nerida Byrden- Leading Teachers (1 day/wk):
- Kylie Hudson
- Cassandra Burke
- Jasmine Bentley
- Learning Adjustment Leader:
- Positive Behaviour Support:
Kathy van Leusen
Yveie Tonks
- 2021 School Closure Days - Please note the following school closure days for the coming school year:
- Friday, 12 February
- Monday, 15 February
- Term 2 (TBA)
- Monday, 26 July
- Monday, 1 November
General Reminders
- Final Day of Term - Please note that the final day of term will be Wednesday, 16 December with students finishing up at the usual time of 3:10pm.
- 2021 Starting Dates - Please be advised of the following commencement dates for students in 2021:
- Thursday, 28 January 2021 - Preps and Year 6 ONLY (Not Year 1-5)
- Friday, 29 January 2021 - Years 1-5
Thank-You
As we do complete our school year, a year which has certainly been like no other, I would just like to the opportunity to sincerely thank all parents and carers for the support and understanding that has been extended as we have endeavoured to do our very best under enormously challenging circumstances. You, the parents and carers, are an absolutely vital ingredient in the success of this school, contributing richly to the quality of what students experience here and supporting their efforts to grow and learn. We truly appreciate all the help and involvement, and look forward to your ongoing participation in 2021.
I would also like to thank all the staff for their tireless work throughout the year. This last term has been particularly busy for them and they have worked many extra hours. The phrase “going the extra mile” is often used but never more fittingly than when applied to the staff of St Catherine’s School.
…..and a Final Word
May each of you celebrate this beautiful season with love in your home, joy in your world and peace in your heart. I pray that this Christmas will be a time of celebration in which Christ is born anew and truly present, and that the New Year holds everything that you wish it to be.
Yours in Catholic Education
Kevin Browning
Principal
Spotlight on Learning
Year 2
The teachers are really proud of the way the Year 2’s have settled back into onsite learning. The students continue to engage in Literacy, Maths and Religion. We have also been participating in weekly workshops focusing on Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships.
As we wind down to the end of the term, the students have been participating in Christmas rotations. Students have made Advent Wreaths and discussed the importance of preparing for Jesus’ birth.
We would like to congratulate the students on their amazing attitude towards their schooling in 2020.
Below is a snapshot of what we have been doing.
Religion ~ Advent
Resilience Rights & Respectful Relationships
Literacy
Maths
Special Celebration Days
ART ~ Advent/Christmas Craft
Year 6
End of Year Review
Wow! What a journey it has been through our primary school years, and now we are in Year 6, entering our last ever year at primary school. 2020 was a very unexpected year with many magnificent memories!
Term 1:
We were all so excited to start our final year at St Catherine’s as the leaders of the school. In Term 1, we finally got to meet our Prep buddies! It was so exciting! We all enjoyed our learning and being able to connect as a Year 6 cohort. The leaders also enjoyed doing leadership activities. We had a successful term and couldn’t wait for Term 2!
Term 2:
Who would have imagined that this term would be spent at home. In Term 2, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. This caused a major impact all over the world, especially in schools. Due to the lockdown, schools had to start a new phase of Remote Learning. Through Remote Learning, we gained our independence as we were learning by ourselves at home. We had varied experiences all throughout Remote Learning; we felt very alone but at the same time we were connected as a class through Google Meets each morning. All teachers and students did an amazing job of transitioning to Remote Learning. We had bumpy starts, but we soon all adapted to the change.
Term 3:
Remote Learning continued for the whole of Term 3. We faced many challenges throughout our second experience of online learning. We enjoyed many of the activities that we did in class and continued to SHINE even at home. After the second wave of the pandemic eased, we were so excited knowing we would be returning to school in Term 4, keeping the restrictions in mind.
Term 4:
Yay! We were back at school and couldn’t be more grateful for that! We were finally connected as a school community again. Back at school, as a Year 6 cohort, we had a Parliament incursion, where we learned about our Australian Government. We enjoyed dressing up on Book Week, and wearing footy colours on footy day! We even started PAL, which included running structured games at lunchtime for the juniors!
We are very excited to begin Graduation Week, which will include a movie day, sports day, fun activities/games, and will end with a Graduation Ceremony and liturgy! We are so lucky to have this experience and it wouldn’t be possible without our amazing Year 6 teachers. We couldn’t have made it this far without them!
This year has been a great year, and a fun experience that we will never forget. We are proud of the 2021 leaders that have been chosen, and we are sure that they will continue to lead our school with pride. Our advice to them is to follow the footsteps of St Catherine of Siena and remember to ‘Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.’
Written by:
Year 6 School Captains; Rachel Joseph, Angela Joy, Luke McCann and Charlie Cooper
Hello Everyone
This week is the Second Week of Advent where we light the Peace Candle and think of how we can be more peaceful during this time of preparation.
The Gospel Reading for this week focuses on John the Baptist preparing not only himself but others for the mission of Jesus. I often wonder how we can continue Jesus’ mission in our lives.
This year has been very challenging for many people and the St Vincent de Paul Society has asked for our help in donating food items to those in need. Where in the past we have donated gifts as part of our Giving Tree, this year we will be donating food items as this has been identified as a more pressing need.
We are gratefully accepting all non-perishable food items, which your child/ren can bring in and place in their classroom. This is an opportunity to express our kindness and care towards our neighbours, even when we do not know them. This may be one way that you can continue Jesus’ mission this Advent Season as your generous donations will make an enormous difference to the lives of those who are struggling in our local area.
This week, the teachers and students will be participating in an end of year liturgy. This is an opportunity to come together to give thanks for all that we have achieved throughout the year. With current restrictions, we will be holding a Prep, Junior, Middle and Senior end of year liturgy.
We also pray for our Year 6 students who will be celebrating the end of their primary school journey with a Graduation liturgy. This will be a very special celebration for them as they come together to reflect on the past seven years of primary school and look forward to new beginnings in 2021. I would like to wish all of the Year 6 students the best of luck as they continue their educational journey. It has been an honour and a privilege working with you this year.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in our school community for all of your support throughout the year and I wish you and your families a very happy and holy Christmas.
Yours in Faith
Nerida Byrden
Leader of Catholic Identity and Religious Education
Final Day of Term 4
- The final day of term for students in Prep - Year 5 is Wednesday 16 December.
- Dismissal time is the same as every other school day: 3:10pm
- The last formal day of school for our Year 6 students is Tuesday 15 December.
- Students in Year 6 are not required to attend school on Wednesday, with formalities completed.
Bump Up Day
On Wednesday 16 December, students will learn of their 2021 class and meet their 2021 classmates.
All current students will be in a class with at least one of their nominated 'Five Friends'.
Parents of children who are continuing at St Catherine's in 2021 but are not at school on Wednesday 16 December, will learn of their child's class and teacher via email late Wednesday afternoon.
Timetables and Specialist Days 2021
- Parents will be advised of specific details around 2021 timetables during the Christmas break via Operoo.
- Timetable A and B will continue to operate, however in 2021 different year levels will be on each.
New Building Name
The Diocese of Sale Catholic Education have advised us that there is a 'Building Naming Policy'. Understandably, this is a policy that ensures that buildings are appropriately named and that there is rigour around the process for doing so.
What we have done:
- We have closed the naming competition.
What we will do:
- A short list will be created by the Leadership team based on
- Frequency
- Criteria - significance / importance befitting
- Criteria - no longer living
- Criteria - a name not currently in use at St Catherine's
- Another vote or poll of stakeholders: parents, teachers, students and members of the community
What next?
- 2 or 3 names are submitted to the Director of Catholic Education - Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Ltd
- Recommended name/s submitted to the Bishop of the Sale Diocese by the Director of Catholic Education
- Approval or selection of the name by the Bishop of Sale Diocese
- Director of Catholic Education - Diocese of Sale Catholic Education Ltd advises the school of the 'approved' name
- We have a name for the building
We are confident that we will have a wonderful and appropriate name after this process next year.
The last day of Canteen for 2020 is tomorrow,
Thursday 10 December.
The first day of Canteen for 2021 is Tuesday 2 February 2021.
Shannon J | Abel J | Mikayla A |
Juliana A | Schakelle B | Jaxon C |
Harrison N | Evelyn W | Levi D |
Lisara P | Harper M | Jourdan B |
Melishi R | Bonnie A | Valentina C |
Joshua C | Hawi O | Kayla D |
Benjamin K | Milla M | Daelen S |
Ayana F | Madeleine W | Rishika C |
Guinevere S | Sion T | James W |
Riley C | Georgie G | Alexander P |
Tino N | Eden P | Claire R |
Nathaniel T | Marzeus J | Zoe S |
Joshua S | Dakota V | Juan E |
Matteo I | Liana L | Olivier P |
Jersey A | Yavin D | Annabel J |
Erin D | Benjamin D | Daniel G |
The school uniform expectations return to normal in 2021.
Normal means that students wear their FULL summer uniform, four out of five days.
On one day of the week, students will wear their FULL sports uniform, this day is their sports day.
Summer Uniform Girls
- Dress, plain white crew socks or knee high socks black shoes
- Grey skort and yellow dress shirt, plain grey crew or knee high socks and black shoes
Note: A school hat is required
Summer Uniform Boys
- Grey shorts, yellow dress shirt, plain grey crew or knee high socks and black shoes
Note: A school hat is required
Sports Uniform
- School sports shorts or tracksuit pants, school sports polo, plain white crew socks and runners
Note: A school hat is required
The Uniform Shop located at St Catherine's will not be open during the upcoming term break. It will be important to order and purchase uniform items via QKR or a phone order on 0448 060 100.
A current Summer Uniform Price List is linked to the school's website along with the contact details of Jan Kennewell, the owner of the St Catherine's Uniform Shop.
1. Orders using QKR!
- QKR! - download the App at Google Play or the Apple Store
- Search for St Catherine's Uniform Shop and select your items
- Please be sure to record your phone number when ordering via QKR!
2. Phone orders
- Have your order details ready
- Phone Jan on 0448 060 100 during business hours
- Have your card details ready for payment
2021 DATES |
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Thursday 28 January
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Friday 29 January
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Tuesday 2 February
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Wednesday 3 February
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Friday 5 February
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Tuesday 9 February
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Wednesday 10 February
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Wednesday 17 February
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Monday 8 March
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Wednesday 31 March – Thursday 1 April
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Thursday 1 April
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Monday 19 April
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Wednesday 28 April – Friday 30 April
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Friday 28 May
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Friday 25 June
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Monday 12 July
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Monday 9 August
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Friday 17 September
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Monday 4 October
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Friday 17 December
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