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Thursday 25 November
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Friday 26 November
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Wednesday 1 December
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Friday 3 December
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Monday 6 December
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Tuesday 7 December
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Wednesday 8 December
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As we approach the beginning of Advent
Change brings with it a range of emotions; excitment, uncertainty, anxiety and worry. As the term progresses and the end of the 'known' looms, students react in very different ways. Many students become increasingly unsettled resulting in behaviours that can be challenging.
We have an exciting few weeks ahead with excursions, sports days, end of year mass and more. We need to keep excitment down a little to promote calm where possible.
As a Catholic School our priority around Christmas is the story of Christmas, the meaning of Christmas. This is our faith and so our priority. Much of Christmas whilst secular, is tradition and sometimes these traditions mean we can lose sight of our faith and meaning.
We will prioritise our Catholic Faith and we will maintain as much calm as possible rather than unsettle unnecessarily our students.
Students and staff given this, are able to wear Christmas accessories in the last week of the school term beginning Wednesday 8 December
Christmas candy cane (individually wrapped) and card giving can be facilitated by the teacher in the afternoon upon readying for dismissal beginning this date also. Students can eat these candy canes when home and with the permission of their parents.
Class Placement
An enormous amount of requests were received from parents this year. So many so, that we cannot guarantee that students will be placed in a class with one of their five nominated friends. It is mathematically impossible. Unfortunately, some levels would require five or six classes to do so, which if course is impossible.
We feel strongly that rather blame others for poor choices, we instead have to promote good choices and accept personal responsibility. There will be considerable work done around choices in 2022.
Staff News
Kathy van Leusen is currently on Long Service Leave. Kathy will extend her leave for the 2022 school year. We look forward to Kathy's return in 2023.
End of Year Reports
- Parents and carers will receive end-of-year student reports outlining levels of achievement attained over the second semester of the school year. Reports will be accessible in PAM late Tuesday 7 December.
- Although interviews will not be organised formally, parents and carers are always most welcome to contact individual teachers, should they wish to discuss their child/ren's performance.
- Teachers may request an opportunity to further discuss any concerns with you personally.
School Uniform
At St Catherine's we demonstrate pride in ourselves and in our school by the wearing the correct uniform.
During COVID-19 we remained flexible with uniform worn given limitations around access to the Uniform Shop and because we were very aware that some within our community were doing it tough.
We have noticed a growing number of children who are in incorrect uniform.
IMPORTANT
- Black school shoes should be worn with the formal summer uniform. NO RUNNERS
- White socks must be worn by girls wearing the summer dress
- Grey socks must be worn by boys or girls wearing the grey short/skorts and lemon shirt
- White socks must be worn with the school sports uniform. NO BLACK SOCKS. NO SOCKS WITH LOGOS, NO GREY SOCKS
If your child is unable to wear the correct school uniform a note is required. Please send this note to your child's classroom teacher.
Level Excursions
- Each level has worked hard to coordinate an end of year excursion to celebrate the end of year and to continue to build and develop connectedness.
- Please refer to your email advising of this upcoming activity.
- You will need to go to PAM to give your child consent to attend.
- Parent/s Carers who are available to support the group can apply to be a volunteer. Applications for volunteers close soon for most of the groups given the impending departure dates. Please note, late applications cannot be considered. Don't miss out.
New Building
The Building name rests with the Bishop, and so we have no news on this at the moment and expect given the postponement of the opening that this will now happen in 2022. We await advice.
25 Year Celebration
- This year marked the 25th anniversary of the school’s opening, and had it been a normal year we would certainly have celebrated this important anniversary
- 2022 will be the year to celebrate this occasion
- In the new year it is expected that there will be opportunity for members of the community to celebrate this special occasion
2022 Prep School Visits
- Prep visits began this week
- Kinder children visit the school in small groups of 15. These visits are after hours to mitigate against COVID risks
- The 2022 Prep students will have their second visit in Week 10, during which time they will learn of their 2022 classroom teacher
- A presentation was shared with the 2022 Prep parents and carers given that we were unable to hold the Parent Information Workshops. Link to the presentation.
Bump-Up Day
- Bump-up day for 2021 Year 1 to Year 6 students will be held on Wednesday 15 December and will be a similar format to last year time to be finalised but likely to be 11:45 am - 12:45pm
- Bump-up day is a time where students will meet their 2022 teacher where possible and the students who will be in their class next year.
2022 Dates
- In a email communication, parents/carers were advised of tentative dates for school closures in 2022, along with term dates and camp and program dates. School Closure dates have now been approved by DOSCEL. Dates can be found towards the end of this newsletter in 'Dates Ahead'.
- Please note: one school closure date is yet to be advised. This particular school closure date is one the diocese provides professional learning in Religous Education. When this professional learning date is advised, the school closure date will be communicated to the community.
OPEROO
- The school no longer uses the Operoo Platform.
- All communications, excursion consents, forms, assessments and medical information will be via PAM. Please ensure that you can access PAM as reports will soon be accessible on this platform
- Operoo profiles are owned by parents. Please remove St Catherine's from your child's Operoo profile or 'unshare' your child's profile. A 'How To' is linked here for your convenience.
General Reminders
- Final Day of Term - Please note that the final day of term will be Wednesday, 15 December with students finishing up at the usual time of 3:10pm.
- Library Books - All library books and take home readers are due to be returned by Thursday 25 November. This enables library personnel to undertake a stocktake of resources. If books are not returned, an invoice for replacement costs will be issued
Kind regards
Andrea Kershaw
Acting Principal
This Sunday we begin the Advent season which is a four week period before Christmas that celebrates the anticipation and coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. The origin of "advent" is from the Latin word adventus which simply translates "coming" or "arrival". Not only is the Christian meaning for preparation and celebration of the coming of Jesus Christ, his birth at Christmas, but also to celebrate the new life when someone accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior, and lastly, the anticipation of Jesus returning again. The first candle on the Advent Wreath symbolizes hope and is called the "Prophet’s Candle." The prophets of the Old Testament, especially Isaiah, waited in hope for the Messiah’s arrival. So let us wait in hopeful anticipation this Advent season.
The Giving Tree
This year’s Giving Tree Appeal will look a little different from the previous years, I have been speaking to members of St. Vincent De Paul Society and they have asked for toiletries and food not toys as there is a greater demand for these items. We will begin our Giving Tree Appeal next week beginning Monday 29 November. More information will follow soon.
Parish Sacramental Program
The Parish Sacramental Program has seen our Year Five students continue to celebrate their First Holy Communion. The students were very respectful and reverent throughout the Mass and I would like to congratulate them on their efforts. This years current Year 6 students will have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in February 2022. Please refer to 'Future Dates' at the end of this newsletter.
Below is a prayer for the First Week of Advent which you might like to pray as a family.
Advent Family Prayer
God of Love,
Your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us.
He is a sign of your love.
Help us walk in that love during the weeks of Advent,
As we wait and prepare for his coming.
We pray in the name of Jesus, our Savior.
- Author Unknown
Yours in Faith
Nerida Byrden
Leader Catholic Catholic Identity and Religious Education
Week 7 - ENGAGE IN LEARNING
Throughout week 7 the students of St Catherine’s focused on engaging in learning, specifically in the classroom. When students are engaged and driven with their work, they find themselves enjoying the lesson and consuming a great amount of knowledge. Some examples of how students Engage in Learning are…
Taking responsibility for their learning.
Taking risks and always being up for challenges
Having a growth mindset
Supporting and encouraging others in their learning
Engaging in class discussions and sharing their ideas
Along with many others who displayed these significant aspects during class time, our SHINE raffle winners for week 7 were:
-Ava from Pm2
-Hawi from 6LA6
Week 8 - STAY SAFE
Nearly at the end of the year, children at St Catherine’s had the shine focus, stay safe, in order to stay safe at our school, children had to.
- Use sports and learning equipment properly
- listen to announcements and follow instructions
- reporting unsafe situations to staff members
YEAR 4 ENJOYING TODAY'S LOVELY DAY OUTSIDE!
This week we have commenced our annual library stocktake. All students will need to return their library books tomorrow. Overdue notices, with replacement costs, will be issued at the start of next week. Thanks for your support in ensuring the return of all the books.
Year 4 made cards for our 'Health Heroes'. We sent the cards home with the students whose parents work in healthcare. Crystal B’s mum sent this in.
Child Safe Standard 7: Empowering Children
Online Safety for Parents and Carers
Thursday 9 December will be the LAST DAY for Canteen in 2021
Our school Canteen operates on Tuesday and Thursday.
- 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
The Uniform Shop
Owned and operated by Jan Kennewell
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
- Located in the Multi-Purpose Room
- Purchase and pay. Note: Payment is by credit card only. NO CASH.
ONLINE Ordering
Order online using QKR!
- Download the app
- Create a login
- Locate St Catherine’s Catholic Primary School
- Add a profile
- Order
Access
- Enter the school grounds via the gate near the School Office, opposite the Chapel
- Sign in VIA the QR code at the MPR or at the uniform shop
- Exit via the same gate
Online via QKR!
There are a lot of jumpers in Lost Property. Please check that your child has their school sports/woollen jumper.
- All Executive positions were up for Nomination plus Fundraising and Events co-ordinator
- All current positions were retaken up by the current committee
- We would like to welcome Kym Thomas to the P&F committee. Kym has been attending our meetings throughout the year and has become a valued member of the team. Kym will be working with Jacki Manser as Fundraising/ Events Co-ordinator.
- President - Jo Riley
- Vice President - Deb Jackson
- Secretary - Melissa Musgrove
- Treasurer - Stacey Odwazny
- Fundraising/ Events Co-ordinator - Kym Thomas/ Jacki Manser
- Documentation passed by the Committee
- P&F Event application
- Parents & Friends Committee Guidelines
- P&F Structure & Position
Our committee welcomes ideas for fundraising and events to be held at St Catherine's. The hope is next year within COVID Guidelines we will be able to host/run events.
There is an Event Application Form that can be submitted by the school community - To obtain a copy please email - parentsandfriends@stcberwick.
- This year the P&F committee has purchased 6 Marquees for St Catherines. These are to be used for sports days/ events and can also be taken offsite for example for swimming carnivals.
- The marquees were delivered to the school last week. There are five large, one in each house colour and one in school maroon and one smaller one in school maroon. All have St Catherine's logo.
The next Parents & Friends meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 8 at 9:30am.
David D | Anvika G | Harper M |
Amilia C | Shalom M | Deyana P |
Naomi D | Kahlon D | Gouthami B |
Jaide N | Lana P | Andre M |
Lena T | Hannah G | Peyton H |
Jonah V | Isabel C | Amaya T |
William B | Ava K | Dilneth P |
Colin L | Ollie B | Tessa J |
Kaeka C | Poppy C | Morgan W |
Alex U |
Thursday 9 December
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Friday 10 December
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Friday 14 December
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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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2022
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