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Friday 5 March |
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Monday 8 March |
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Thursday 11 March |
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Friday 12 March |
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Dear Parents, Students, Staff and all associated with St Catherine's Community
It was only the other day a parent mentioned to me how impressed they had been with their child in the way they had settled into school this year. As we reach Week 6 and the countdown to the Easter break is now in earnest, the freshness and excitement of ‘day one’ has begun to wear off and students are becoming familiar with the school routines – including waking up early! For parents, the daily routine of getting your children out of bed, dressed, fed and ready for school, lunches organised, and school bags packed makes for a very hectic schedule.
Preparation, punctuality and organisation are behaviours that all students should practise. As parents, we need to teach these skills to our children as they enable them to begin the day without anxiety. Students need assistance with this formation and this is where parents can be of tremendous influence. Simply having your child at school on time and ready for the day ensures they have the best chance of succeeding with their learning tasks for that day.
Children have a responsibility in this regard as well. As teachers are required to be well prepared for their lessons each day, so too, are the children. At St Catherine's we are trying to teach the children independence. This means that as parents, we need to step back occasionally and let our children ‘stand on their own two feet’. Children will be as capable as we let them! If we are always running to their aid, so to speak, they will never learn to be responsible.
Of course, we need to be mindful of their age as the responsibility and independence levels vary. However, children enjoy the challenge and meeting the expectations set by mum and dad as well as their class teacher. By implementing some of these practices from early on, it will go a long way to ensure that our children are given every possible opportunity to achieve as well as enjoy their day at school.
Lent
On Ash Wednesday, which this year occurred during our most recent lock down, the Catholic Church marked the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of reconciliation, reflection and prayer, which prepares us for Easter Sunday. This period we call LENT means ‘spring’, and we celebrate it in memory of the forty days Jesus spent alone praying in the desert. Lent is a time for strengthening our faith, a time to reflect on who we are and where we are going. It is a time for quietness and prayer, a time of penance and meditation, a time to become aware of our strengths and weaknesses.
The Season of Lent is one of those times when the Church gives us the opportunity to address the important elements of our life in a practical way. For example, there would be little point “giving up” sugar in our coffee if we continue to speak unkindly about people. Nor is there much value in giving up lollies and sweets if we are going to be real ‘grumps’ to the rest of our family.
Lent provides many opportunities for people to choose to do renewing activities, such as visiting someone who is lonely, giving up something on television, remembering to say our prayers and/or as a family, attending Mass as a family or perhaps even making the Stations of the Cross throughout the period of Lent. We need to remember that if we are choosing to do some- thing this Lent it needs to lead us to a positive change, which in turn has a positive effect on the people who are daily in our lives.
Lenten Thought
Remember the concept of not only giving up during Lent, but taking up.
What can we take up that will improve our lives and the lives of others this Lent?
Happenings Around the School
- Meet and Greet - It was terrific to see families take up the opportunity to meet with teachers to ensure firm foundations for the school year ahead. Such opportunities are about nurturing the partnership between home and school which is just so critical to the learning that takes place for our children. Thank you to all for the time given to this process.
- Year 5 & 6 Students are in the New Building - Over the past couple of weeks, our Year 5 and 6 students have transitioned into their new learning spaces. There has been great excitement from both students and staff as they have settled in, embracing the new facilities along with the new and modern furniture. We look forward to providing an opportunity for parents to check the spaces in the not too distant future.
General Reminders
- Prep Enrolments 2022 - Prep enrolments for existing families will close THIS Friday, 6 March 2020. Applications received after this date cannot be guaranteed a placement.
General Information
- 2021 Student Residential Address Collection - All families will have received a letter from the Australian Government (via CareMonkey) advising that all schools are being requested to provide a statement of addresses for students enrolled in 2021. This process informs Federal education policy and reassessment of non-government schools funding.
Yours in Catholic Education
Kevin Browning
Principal
Whole School Approach to
Positive Behaviour Support
With the change of seasons also comes a transition and growth within our school community. Summer gives way to Autumn and we continue our Lenten journey through prayer, reflection and the call to almsgiving. Everywhere you look, there are signs of students engaging in their learning in a myriad of ways. At 2.30pm on Wednesday the 23rd February, this is what our learning areas looked like from Prep to Year 6 and in Specialist classes. Can you see evidence of SHINE and a Growth Mindset displayed?
Everywhere you look, you can’t help but notice students tuning in to their learning, collaborating with their peers, listening and taking turns in conversation, trying new things, stepping outside their comfort zone, realising that making mistakes are an important part of their learning and actively taking charge of their learning. You can see students trying their best, developing their creativity, showing persistence and being respectful. What a dynamic place to be a part of!
We also know when students feel safe, then they can learn more effectively. Students learn how to use equipment and tools safely and to listen and look out for unsafe situations. Utilising technology is just one tool in which learning to use it safely is important. All members of our school community sign an ICT Agreement at the beginning of the year. The agreement ensures we all adhere to the guidelines to keep ourselves and others safe. The start of the year also affords us with an opportunity to remind students about using equipment out in the yard safely. Older students help teach younger ones and role-model positive play behaviours. Looking after our trees, gardens and equipment means we all can enjoy the beautiful yard we have. Helping one another to sort out problems or locate missing items or friends are other visible ways of students staying safe in the yard.
Here are the Shine expectations for us to focus on during the next two weeks. Why not spark a conversation with your child and ask them how they show a growth mindset in the classroom or what games they play out in the yard?
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” ~ Matthew’s Gospel
Warm regards
Yveie Tonks
Leader for Positive Behaviour Support Implementation
Fortnightly Parent Learning Overviews
Be sure to check out the overview from each year level to see what learning will be taking place over the next fortnight.
Sports News
Last Thursday 25 February, 23 students from years 3-6 competed at the Narre Warren District Swimming Carnival at the Pakenham Outdoor Pool.
It was a very successful day for the students recording many placings.
St Catherine’s finished second overall by only five points! That was a fantastic result considering we only had one 11 year old girl swimming on the day.
Many of our students finished first in their individual and team events! What a fantastic achievement!
Those students qualified for the Casey South Division Carnival on Wednesday 10 March at Noble Park Aquatic Centre.
A big thankyou to all the parents who drove their children and supported them on the day.
Below is a list of the students who finished first or second on the day.
Boys 9/10 | Freestyle | Domenik P | 1st |
Girls 9/10 | Freestyle | Naomi D | 1st |
Boys 12/13 | Freestyle | Larry K | 2nd |
Boys 11 | Backstroke | Matteo I | 1st |
Girls 12/13 | Backstroke | Sierra B | 2nd |
Boys 12/13 | Backstroke | Jacob B | 2nd |
Boys 9/10 | Breastroke | Dominik P | 2nd |
Girls 9/10 | Breastroke | Naomi D | 2nd |
Girls 11 | Breaststroke | Sianna D | 1st |
Boys 11 | Breaststroke | Matteo I | 1st |
Boys 12/13 | Breaststroke | Larry K | 2nd |
Boys 9/10 | Butterfly | Alexander P | 2nd |
Boys 11 | Butterfly | Callum P | 1st |
Boys 12/13 | Butterfly | Daniel P | 2nd |
Boys 9/10 | Freestyle Relay |
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1st |
Girls 9/10 | Freestyle Relay |
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1st |
Boys 11 | Freestyle Relay |
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2nd |
Boys 12/13 | Freestyle Relay |
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1st |
Girls 12/13 | Freestyle Relay |
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1st |
Boys 12/13 | Medley Relay |
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2nd |
Other Sporting News
We have had a busy start to the year in PE!
Kilometre Club
Has been running every Thursday morning from 8:20-8:40 for all students. It has been great to see such a huge turnout!
St Catherine's Cross Country Carnival
Many students from Years 3-6 have been using this as practice for the St Catherine’s Cross Country Carnival which is coming up on Friday 26 March.
Friday Senior Sport Special
This year, our Years 5 and 6 students have been involved in lunch time sports on a Friday in the Multi Purpose Room. This year an Olympic theme has been selected for our sports. The sport for this term is table tennis. It has been fantastic to see the enthusiasm of the students thus far.
Keep it up everyone!
Justin Kenez
PE Teacher and Sports Coordinator
At St Catherine’s we have Meika the 9-year old Golden Retriever who visits our school every Tuesday and Friday afternoon. Meika has been part of the St Catherine’s community for 5 years and is well known by many students and staff.
This year Meika will be joined by her little sister Daisy who has just completed her training and accreditation for Story Dogs.
Thank you to the Beaconsfield Veterinary Clinic for their ongoing sponsorship of Meika and the Officer Veterinary Clinic for sponsoring Daisy. This sponsorship is extremely important for the continuation of Story Dogs.
Currently, Story Dogs assists over 2350 children at 316 schools with 470 volunteer dog teams.
We believe Story Dogs improves children’s reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method - reading to a dog. But not just any dog.
Story Dogs are accredited companion animals who volunteer with their owner/handler as a team, going to schools and libraries.
Why dogs?
Learning to read is often less about intellectual limitation than about overcoming fears. Animals are ideal reading companions because they help increase relaxation and lower blood pressure, listen attentively, do not judge, laugh or criticise, allow children to proceed at their own pace, and are less intimidating than peers or adults. (Source: www.therapyanimals.org/read/)
Which dogs?
All breeds can be used except for restricted dog breeds. The dog’s temperament, obedience, willingness and other training is of utmost importance. Dogs must pass a certification test carried out by a certified dog trainer, as well as being immaculately groomed, vaccinated, with regular vet checks.
A Story Dog reading session
Reading sessions take place in a quiet area of the school grounds, such as the library or a quiet place outside the classroom.
A large part of the first session with the dog team is introductions so the child gets to know the dog and handler and vice versa.
A reading session is approximately 20 minutes long, where each child is one-on-one with the dog team. Books are chosen to suit the child’s reading level.
During the session, the handler often speaks through the dog, such as: “Lassie doesn’t quite understand what is happening on this page could you help him out?” The child becomes the teacher; confidence climbs!
The Magic
The non-judgmental, loving nature of dogs gives this program its magic. Children relax, open up, try harder and have fun reading with a dog.For more information regarding the program the website details are: http://storydogs.org.au/.
Story Dog Day
This year Story Dogs Day will be celebrated on Friday 7th May 2021
All children are invited to celebrate by wearing their sports uniform with crazy socks! You might like to wear orange socks as the Story Dog colour is orange or odd socks would be fun.
The school has kindly offered to make a donation to Story Dogs on behalf of the students to assist in the program continuing to grow around Australia.
Hello Everyone
Reflecting on this week’s readings I have noticed that the images of mountain tops are significant throughout all three readings. Mountaintops were places of special and dramatic encounters with God and the disciples’ experience of the transfiguration is clearly no exception! In this instance, the disciples suddenly see Jesus’ powerfully revealed but they fail to fully understand what is going on.
It was important for Jesus to reveal himself to the disciples in order to prepare them for what was to come. The disciples needed to change their thinking of who Jesus was to give them the courage to face what was going to happen to Him.
Rather than allowing the disciples to set up tents and remain in the ‘high’ of this experience, Jesus immediately leads the boys back down the mountain. This is perhaps the greatest message of this passage: that life is not lived on the mountaintop but back down in the valley.
Although the mountaintop experience may have provided some new insight and new energy, it is back down in the valley that the world waits; that the real work needs to be done; that the sick and the poor are crying out for God’s love and mercy.
Lent is about change; it is about us in the valley and how we interact with each other. Are we trying to change how we live our lives in a positive way? Or do we find this too difficult? I guess we are challenged to love those who we find difficult and be kind to those who reject us. Lent is not easy, it is hard, however nothing of importance ever came by taking the easy road.
If you are finding Lent ‘easy’ then you might need to rethink how you can be challenged during this time.
Yours in Faith
Nerida Byrden
Leader of Catholic Identity Religious Education
Uniform Matters
Girls Summer Uniform
- Dress, white socks and black school shoes OR
- Lemon shirt, grey skort, grey socks and black school shoes
- V neck school jumper
Boys Summer Uniform
- Lemon shirt, grey shorts, grey socks and black school shoes
- Lemon shirt, grey trousers, grey socks and black school shoes
- V neck school jumper
Girls Sports Uniform
- Sports polo, school sport shorts, white socks and runners OR
- Sports polo, school tracksuit pants, white socks and runners
Boys Sports Uniform
- Sports polo, school sport shorts, white socks and runners OR
- Sports polo, school tracksuit pants, white socks and runners
If there is a valid reason as to why your child cannot wear the correct uniform, a note from a parent is required.
CHILD SAFETY
The care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people is a central and fundamental responsibility of Catholic education. The CECV is committed to strengthened practice for the protection of children in line with the Victorian Government child safety reforms.
The CECV commits to providing a safe and nurturing culture for all children and young people in Victorian Catholic schools through:
1. Upholding the primacy of the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
At all times, the ongoing safety and wellbeing of all children and young people will be the primary focus of care and decision-making, with particular attention paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability.
To create and maintain a safe and nurturing culture, schools will actively and continually develop and review all policies, processes and practices, informed by emerging thinking and evidence.
2. Empowering families, children, young people and staff to have a voice and raise concerns.
Schools, in partnership with families, will ensure children and young people, are engaged and active participants in decision-making processes, particularly those that have an impact on their safety.
This means that the views of staff, children, young people and families are taken seriously and their concerns are addressed in a just and timely manner. Children and young people are also provided with the necessary skills and knowledge to understand and maintain their personal safety and wellbeing.
3. Implementing rigorous risk-management and employment practices.
Schools will systematically and continually identify and assess risks to child safety and will eliminate (where possible) or reduce all potential sources of harm. Effective risk management will be embedded in school life through effective, transparent and well-understood policies, procedures and practices.
Schools will employ highly competent and professional staff who are formed and challenged to maintain the safety of all students. The high-quality of staff appointments will be upheld through rigorous employment and staff review processes and practices.
Catholic education will stay abreast of current legislation and will meet their legislative duties to protect the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in their care, including the Victorian Child Safe Standards (Victorian Government 2016), mandatory reporting, grooming, failure to disclose and failure to protect requirements.
Preventing and responding to child abuse requires a whole of community response to bring about broad cultural change. To this end, the Victorian Child Safe Standards apply to a broad range of organisations that provide services for children, including schools, churches, sporting clubs and youth services.
For schools, these child safe standards represent holistic education and organisational preventative measures in ensuring the safety of children and young people.
The Catholic sector’s response to the Victorian child safe reforms reflect our commitment to ‘lead the way’, not only by meeting our compliance and legislative requirements but through cultural change and strategies that ensure child safe practices are embedded in everyday practice.
What are the Child Safe Standards?
There are seven minimum child safe standards with an overarching principle of inclusion which applies to each of the Standards.
The intention of these new Child Safe Standards is to make organisations, including schools, consider and address child abuse situations and risks in an integrated and proactive fashion.
Principle of inclusionMinisterial Order No. 870 ensures that school governing authorities must take account of the diversity of all children, including (but not limited to) the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, children with disabilities, and children who are vulnerable. |
The Diocese of Sale Catholic Education schools have adopted SIMON, a learning management software solution.
St Catherine's has begun its journey, with teachers now using SIMON for attendance requirements, staff and student notifications. As of today, we began using SIMON for First Aid notices.
PAM: Parent Access Module
The benefits of PAM or Parent Access Module
Engaged parents help improve learning outcomes for students
The Parent Access Module (PAM) provides real time access to keep parents updated with their children’s progress, important dates and messages.
Bookings Online
Parents can easily book Parent Teacher Interviews through PAM when up and running.
Reports
Student Formal Semester Reports will also be accessed through PAM, allowing parents to view all reports for their child in the one location.
Consent and Permissions
Later in the year, we will use PAM for excursion and or camp consent and permissions. Until such time, we continue to use Operoo.
Preparations
Parents will be sent further information via Operoo around student medical profile requirements and levels of access for the parent or parents in situations where the parents no longer reside together.
St Michael's Parish Mass
Book via the Parish Support Centre OR
BOOK ONLINE from 10:00am Monday
https://www.trybooking.com/BOGUJ
Bookings close 3:00pm Fridays
QR Codes are to be used where possible but we still require you to be checked off the register.
All Covid safe procedures must be adhered to.
Please note: If you choose to come to a weekend mass without a booking and the church is at capacity you will NOT be able to remain.
All Masses will start on time!
Please be on time as you will not be able to enter the church once Mass has commenced, regardless of numbers.
At this stage bookings are not required for Weekday masses.
Sunday mass will once again be live streamed on our Facebook page from 6pm Saturday.
Thank you for your patience.
Thank you,
Tara Bau
Sacrament Coordinator
St Michael’s Parish
Phone: 9707 1355
Our school Canteen operates on Tuesday and Thursday.
- Orders are online only.
- Orders are via CDFPay.
- Orders must be complete by 8:45am on the day.
- Orders can be placed in advance.
- Please ALWAYS check the date BEFORE you continue with your order to ensure that the date is correct, so that your child gets the order on the correct day!
Please see the link below. Create a CDFPay account and then simply place your order.
Cancelling Orders
If your child is sick or will not be attending school and you have placed your order you need to:
- Contact the School Office to advise that you wish to cancel the order.
- Your CDFPay account will be credited.
- No refunds are possible.
Aarav M | Levon R | Esther-Maria G |
Emily J | Anastasia L | Jonathan D |
Rochelle O | Alexandra E | Ethan J |
Ella L | Sienna D | Isabella P |
Sienna V | Benjamin W | Nithindu D |
Aidan K | Tyler K | Eamon F |
Koah P | Jacob R | Harvn S |
Liam D | Alexandra K |
The Uniform Shop is Open
Location: Multi-Purpose Room
Times of Operation:
Monday 8:30 – 10:45am
Tuesday 8:30 – 9:00am
Wednesday 8:30 – 9:00am
Thursday 8:30 – 9:00am
Friday 8:30 – 10:45am
Access
- Enter the school grounds via the gate near the School Office, opposite the Chapel
- Sign in at the School Office
- Go to the Multi-Purpose Room.
- Purchase and pay. Note: Payment is by credit card only. NO CASH.
- Sign out at the School Office
- Exit via the same gate
ONLINE Ordering
Order online using QKR!
- Download the app
- Create a login
- Locate St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School
- Add a profile
- Order
Orders will be sent home via your child
Additional Opening Times
Open Tuesday and Friday afternoon from 2:30 – 3:30pm in the FIRST two weeks of every term and the LAST two weeks of every term.
Book Club Issue 2 is now open for orders.
Before placing your order you will need to update your child's class and year level.
Once your child is set up there are drop-down boxes for both the year level and the class code with the teacher's name.
If your order is a gift for your child, you can click on GIFT ORDER and the order will be delivered to the St Catherine's Office not your child's class. The Office will contact you directly to arrange a collection time.
P&F General Meeting
WHEN: Wednesday, 10 March 2021 via Google Meet
TIME: 9:30am
WHERE: Google Meet via link below
2021 DATES
Monday 29 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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Thursday 13 May
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Friday 28 May
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Monday 14 June
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Wednesday 16 June
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Friday 25 June
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Monday 12 July
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Friday 23 July
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Monday 26 July |
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Friday 30 July
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Friday 6 August
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Monday 9 August
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Thursday 12 August
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Friday 13 August
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Friday 20 August
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Friday 27 August
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Tuesday 31 August
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Thursday 9 September
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Friday 10 September
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Wednesday 15 September
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Friday 17 September
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Monday 4 October
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Thursday 14 October
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Wednesday 27 October
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Monday 1 November
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Tuesday 2 November
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Thursday 11 November
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Wednesday 15 December
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Thursday 16 December
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Friday 17 December
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