Filter Content
Monday 1 November
|
|
Tuesday 2 November
|
|
Wednesday 3 November
|
|
Thursday 4 November
|
|
Friday 5 November
|
|
Wednesday 10 November
|
|
Dear Parents and Friends
We approach the middle of the term and these last few weeks have certainly been eventful: full of excitement, disappointment, and some uncertainty.
This coming weekend provides many with the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones, move beyond the home, for others continued restrictions and some time to recharge, catch up or just catch their breath.
We are aware that many in our community are doing it tough at this time. Even in times of darkness and challenge they are filled with hope, with the promise of sunshine and normal on the horizon.
School Photos
School photos will be distributed to students next week on their return to face-to-face learning.
Staffing
At St Catherine’s we have both ongoing staff and fixed-term contract staff. Fixed-term positions exist because ongoing staff are on leave or return from parental leave in a part-time capacity.
Each year those staff members holding fixed-term positions are invited to apply for available positions in the upcoming school year.
We are delighted to advise that the following staff will continue with us next year.
- Rian Prestwich
- Cameron Witt
- Rebecca Callanan
- Carly Williams
- Justin Kenez
- Dawn Heldt
Recruitment interviews continue for other available positions, including leadership positions: Learning Adjustment and Student Support Leader and Level Leaders. The community will be updated when finalised.
Departing Staff
We will soon bid farewell to Mrs Ashlee Dow-Philcox who leaves us in preparation for the impending birth of her third child. We thank Ashlee for her contribution to the learning and lives of our Prep students. Mrs Sigrun Hurren will increase her workdays to ensure consistency of the learning program.
We extend our best wishes to Ashlee and husband Carlton and we look forward to sharing the news of the birth of their child soon.
Mrs Delia McCarthy and Mrs Cassandra Burke will leave us at the end of this school year to take up positions at Trinity Catholic Primary School in Narre Warren South. Delia, currently a Year 2 teacher, will have a new role in 2022, that of LOTE (Italian) teacher. Delia is excited by this new and exciting opportunity. Cassandra Burke, currently a Year 5 teacher and Leader in our school, is looking forward to her new role, full-time classroom teacher in a level yet to be advised.
Recently we advised that Ms Pauline Moran, currently on Long Service Leave had decided against extending the Deputy Principal component of her contract, instead continuing on in a classroom teacher capacity. Since that advice Pauline has secured a new position at Holy Family, Doveton: Leader of Learning and Teaching and Religious Education. Pauline is very excited about this wonderful opportunity and looks forward to starting this role in 2022. Pauline has worked tirelessly in the space of Deputy Principal Catholic Identity Learning and Teaching at St Catherines to lead and support teachers and improved student outcomes.
We thank Delia, Cassandra and Pauline for their contribution to the learning of our students, their commitment, and their contribution to our community. We extend our very best wishes.
Class placements
At this time of year, we begin planning and considering teacher placement. Placement is determined by the needs of the students, the needs of the school, the skill set, and the strength of each valued staff member.
Information about teachers and classes will be shared at the end of the year when this process is complete.
Buildings
We continue to wait on the delivery of the remaining furniture items of the new Administration building. Some furniture has trickled through during recent restrictions.
Given that students have relocated to the new learning spaces in the new building, the old portables stand derelict. There are plans underway for the removal of the five portables located closest to Clyde Road. Once removed rectification works will be undertaken.
Playground
Each year the school is required to undertake audits of the playground, trees, paths, and roof points. The playground, while admittedly a little tired, still has a few years of life left in it - time enough to save our pennies for a new playground. In the meantime, the playground has passed the audit with a few repairs now complete.
During the recent holiday break, soft fall (mulch) was added to the playground, to both freshen up the area and to ensure safety for falls.
Safety
The school is currently upgrading our security with the installation of SALTO locks on each building’s doors. The SALTO system is a fob system with the functionality to cancel fobs should they be lost or stolen. Tampering with the fob is not possible, unlike a traditional lock.
Canteen
The canteen after a long period of closure will open again for business on Thursday 4 November. Orders are online only and via CDFpay
Sun Hats
Our school is a SunSmart school. All students and staff are required to wear a hat when outside. We have a ‘no hat, no play’ policy. Please check with your child that they have their hat and their hat can’t be found, hats can be purchased online via the uniform shop - refer to the website for details. It is important that hats are clearly labelled with your child’s full name. When a name can be seen, a hat can be returned to its owner if misplaced.
School Advisory Committee AGM
Unfortunately, the AGM scheduled for Thursday 14 October was rescheduled. An update will be shared in the next newsletter.
Parents and Friends AGM
The AGM for the Parents and Friends Committee approaches. The Parents and Friends Committee plays a very important role in the school community, promoting connections amongst community members, fundraising to support school improvements such as the shade sails on the Adventure Playground, and purchasing resources for our students such as marquees for sports days and much much more. Information around the roles and responsibilities, how to nominate follows in the newsletter.
2022 Enrolments
A reminder that families who will be transferring at the end of the year are asked to please notify the school as soon as possible. This information is important to planning and preparation for the forthcoming school year.
Andrea Kershaw
Acting Principal
Hello Everyone
Next week sees a very special event taking place which will be the opening of the St. Catherine’s Time Capsule.
A time capsule with items from each of the classes was put into this vessel and buried 25 years ago; not to be opened until the 28th of October, 2021.
This year marks twenty-five years of St. Catherine’s Primary School, from its humble beginnings with 62 students
Principal: Shane Regan
School Secretary: Marilyn Shinners
Teachers:
Arthur Loughrigde - Deputy / REL
Helen Donohoe
Donna Sutton.
St. Catherine’s was known as ‘the school with gates, but no fences, surrounded by green pastures, with Clyde Rd being an old farm road, one lane each-way with tractors rumbling past several times a day.’ Hasn’t time changed!
Fast forward to now and our teachers and students will have the opportunity to explore, discuss and understand the relevance and importance of the time capsule to us today.
Next week we will also be celebrating Catholic Mission Week. This will be a fantastic opportunity for everyone at St. Catherine’s to come together as a faith-filled community to show our commitment to helping others in need.
This year Catholic Missions are focusing on Thailand and the work of the Good Shepherd sisters kindergarten in Bangkok. We are devoting next Friday 5th November to educating our students about the importance of Catholic Missions and how we can make a difference in the lives of others. We have organised a fundraising initiative for our students which is Crazy Socks Day; students will be able to wear any type of colourful socks to school for a gold coin donation.
All money raised will go to the Good Shepherd kindergarten in Bangkok.
I have included a link to Catholic Missions website for more information. https://www.catholicmission.org.au/
Remembering that Jesus said ‘love one another as I have loved you.’
Yours in Faith
Nerida Byrden
Leader of Catholic Identity and Religious Education
October marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month and so its timely to remind ourselves of the need to be diligent with the ever-increasing number of cyber-scams that are targeting Australians.
Most recently, mobile phones have been an increased focus of scammers. You may have noticed a significant number of suspicious text messages about missed calls, voicemails, or deliveries. These messages must be handled with care as they contain something called a ‘Flubot’ scam which may have significant impacts for all Australians.
The current scam involves receiving a text message asking you to tap on a link, to download an app, to track a delivery, or hear a voicemail message. However, the message is fake and there is no delivery or voicemail waiting for you. Instead, malicious software called ‘Flubot’ is installed on your device.
There is concern that this malware may also start to impersonate a banking message directing you to a fake bank login webpage or mobile app to enter your personal banking details. This would result in infected users having their banking credentials compromised.
If you receive one of these messages, do not click or tap on the link. Delete the message immediately.
Protecting your data
A cyber security incident that impacts a small business can be devastating. Luckily, cyber security doesn’t have to be difficult. There are simple measures that, if understood and implemented, can significantly avoid, or reduce the impact of the most common cyber security incidents.
This Australian Small Business Cyber Security Guide has been specifically designed for small businesses to understand, take action, and increase their cyber security resilience against ever-evolving cyber security threats. The language is clear, the actions are simple, and the guidance is tailored for small businesses.
If you want to improve your cyber security further, you can find more information and advice on the ACSC website at: www.cyber.gov.au.
We’d like to remind you that CDF will never send an SMS or email asking you to click on a link to log into CDF Online. We also won’t ask you to share your sensitive bank details, such as password, over the phone or via SMS or email. You also shouldn’t share these details with anyone.
We’re here to help
If you have any further questions or concerns regarding cyber security for your business, please contact your Relationship Manager, or our Customer Service Team at csg@melbcdf.org.au or call 1800 134 135.
- Orders are online only.
- Orders are via CDFPay.
- Orders must be complete by 8:45 am 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.
YEAR 6 COMMEMORATIVE BADGE 2021
IN STOCK NOW $10
Uniform Requirements
When students return to face to face learning they need to:
- wear their formal summer school uniform on all days except their Sports day where they wear their full sports uniform.
Students on return to face to face learning must:
- wear their school hat when outside and at playtimes.
The school is Sunsmart and so has a 'no hat, no play' policy.
Socks
- Girls wear WHITE socks with their summer dress
- Girls wear GREY socks if wearing the grey skort
- Boys wear GREY socks with their summer shorts
- All students wear WHITE socks with the sports uniform
Graduation Polo Shirts: Year 6 2022
Our current Year 5 students have the opportunity to order and purchase a special Year 6 Graduation Polo for 2022.
Ordering information was sent to all Year 5 families on Monday via email.
Orders close this Friday.
P&F Committee Meeting
Meeting: Wednesday 13 October 2021 via Google Meet
Main items discussed:
- Connectedness activities will continue in the first few weeks of term with additional Google meets for Literacy and Numeracy
- Book Club issue 7 & 8 will be swapped around, Issue 8 will be delivery only Issue & will be sent out via brochure mid term
- P&F Procedures Guidelines being reviewed to sign off and AGM
- School Marquees finalised and signed off by Committee
- Executive roles are up - Information to be distributed to the school community about applying for the roles
Next meeting Wednesday 17th November @9:30am Via Google Meet - AGM
The following P&F roles are up for renewal at the upcoming meeting :
- President
- Vice President
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- Fund raising and events co-ordinator
PRESIDENT
Role
- Establishing good relationships- respect rights and responsibilities
- Ensuring P&F has purpose and direction being guided by the school Strategic Improvement Plan
- Developing a P&F plan for the year
- Encouraging wide participation
- Developing a strong collaborative relationship with the school Principal and Strategic Leadership Team
- Planning meetings in consultation with the Principal and Secretary
- Ensures the good governance of the P&F (decision making and accountability, full reporting and transparency, records, etc)
- Being impartial, firm, tactful, respectful, inclusive and using common-sense
Duties and Responsibilities
- Convenes and chair meetings using the agenda as the meeting tool
- Ensures meetings run according to established guidelines
- Follows up action from the previous meeting
- Gives all an opportunity to contribute
- Liaises with the Principal
- Ensures activities are sanctioned by the Principal
- In collaboration with the Secretary, ensures financial accountability
- Provides opportunities for parent education
- Maintains relationships with Principal, Staff and other members
- Ensures all community members are informed
- Sets a good personal example
- Prepares and tables a summary overview of P&F’s activities at the Annual General Meeting
VICE PRESIDENT
The Vice President will support the President by:
- Chairing the meeting in the President’s absence
- Sharing duties and responsibilities as agreed, eg being responsible for coordinating the activities of sub-committees
- Being supportive and attending meetings
- Ensure the Vice-President has a role to play - not just an understudy
TREASURER
Role
- Oversee the financial management of the P&F, including all subcommittees and approved initiatives
- Maintain required processes and standards for money handling and record-keeping
- Reporting and maintaining transparency
- The treasurer is a position of trust and responsibilities
Duties and Responsibilities
- Ensures that accurate financial records of all receipts and expenditures are maintained
- Ensures required procedures for managing cash and financial records
- Liaises with the Manager for Human Resources and Finance to ensure incoming and outgoing monies are appropriately managed
- Liaise with the Manager for Human Resources and Finance for a monthly statement/report to be presented at the monthly General Meeting
- Present a monthly financial report for the previous month
- Provide the Secretary with a copy of tabled statements/reports for appropriate file-keeping
- Ensures that expenditure of monies has appropriate approval given by the Committee and the Principal
- Prepares and tables a summary overview of incoming and outgoing funds at the Annual General Meeting
SECRETARY
Role
- Prepares the agenda for meetings by liaising with the P&F President and Principal
- Collects reads and reports P&F correspondence to meetings
- Prepares correspondence to be sent
- Takes minutes
- Takes and types up the minutes at all P&F meetings
- Ensures minutes capture attendance and are an accurate reflection of the discussion
- Forwards the minutes and tabled reports to the P&F President and Principal for authorisation prior to circulating them to all P&F members and the wider school community
- Keeps and maintains records
- Participates in the good governance of the P&F
- Is often the point of contact between meetings
- Is the link with the school office staff
Duties and Responsibilities
- Be informed and alert to guide and advise the President
- Be prepared in advance of a meeting by:
- Notifying date/time/venue of the meeting
- Preparing and publishing an agenda in cooperation with the President and Principal
- Obtaining reports from sub-committees
- Sorting correspondence
- Noting apologies
- Checking minutes of the previous meeting
- Is organised - files and ensure necessary documents are readily available
- After the meeting, completes the minutes
- Writes correspondence in accordance with the instructions of the meeting
- Prepares brief report for the school newsletter
- Confirms attendance of those present at a meeting
- Keeps all records and files for the Committee
FUND RAISING & EVENTS CO-ORDINATOR
Role
- Presents fundraising suggestions to the committee
- Is the leader of the fund-raising committee
- Works with a team of helpers in organisation of all aspects of fund-raising events
- Seeks sponsorship from external providers as prizes or incentives for events
- Works in conjunction with the Fair Co-ordinator
Duties and Responsibilities
- Collects all fundraising information provided to the school and presents to P& F committee
- Collates & distributes Events Calendar for the year in conjunction with the President
- Integral leader in all Fund-raising events hosted by St Catherines
- Delegation and collation of work to the Fundraising team
- With the President, Principal, and assistance of the P& F committee, ensure all aspects of an event are covered from insurances, ticket sales, permits, Covid Safe plans
Nomination form for AGM - use the QR code
Book Club
Issue 8 is now available for delivery only
The closing date for this issue is 3 December
What happened to Issue 7?
Issue 7 will actually come out after issue 8.
Confused?
Traditionally Issue 7 is Book Club's BUMPER issue.
This BUMPER issue will come out in hard copy / brochure format.
The release of Issue 7 has been timed for when students return to face to face learning.
Shaun T | Hudson B | Blake C |
Ameerah R | Alessandra S | Isaac S |
Helena V | Sherwin D | Devin W |
Teagan G | Emma S | Aiden I |
Nathan R | Annabelle V | Densil B |
Sara G | Karl D | Eleena M |
Siena D |
Thursday 11 November
|
|
Friday 12 November
|
|
Wednesday 17 November
|
|
Friday 19 November
|
|
Wednesday 24 November
|
|
Friday 26 November
|
|
Friday 3 December
|
|
Monday 6 December
|
|
Tuesday 7 December
|
|
Wednesday 8 December
|
|
Friday 10 December
|
|
Wednesday 15 December
|
|
Thursday 16 December
|
|
Friday 17 December
|
|