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Dear Parents,
I remember several years ago when my father turned 70 I asked him, somewhat cheekily, what does it feel like to be that old. He responded by saying that he woke up that morning and said to my Mum, “What on earth happened to that 70 years!” It was a sound reminder to me how quickly time passes.
As we head towards the end of the year it will be another year of primary school gone for our children. My youngest will turn 10 in a few weeks, if the next ten years goes as quickly as the first ten did, then she will be 20 and off living her own life before I know it.
The primary school years are so precious for our children and they are at a very impressionable age. Whilst we can give our children all the material gifts in the world, the most precious gift we can give our children as parents is our time. I remind myself regularly to try and give my children as much time as I can because in the blink of an eye they will be adults themselves.
End of the Year Arrangements
Please keep the following dates free in your diary;
| Monday 28 November 10:30 – 11:30am | Grade Six Graduation Mass | St Michaels Church |
| Wednesday 7 December | End of Year Mass | SFX Hall |
| Thursday 8 December | Christmas Carols / Family Picnic | A family carols night and picnic. Details of the evening will be forwarded to parents closer to the date. |
| Monday 12 December | Meet Your Teacher Day | Between morning tea and lunch the children will go up into their new classroom space and meet their 2023 teacher. |
| Thursday 15 December afternoon / evening | Grade 6 Graduation | Details of the Graduation will be forwarded to parents over the coming weeks. |
| Thursday 15 December | Final Day | School Concludes for all Students |
Christmas Apparel – Clothing such as Christmas ribbons / head bands etc may be worn in the last week of school.
Crazy sock Day
Last Friday was a great success with the wonderful socks the children wore and creative designs they came up with! We raised $846.40 which will go directly to Catholic Missions. Well done!
Year 6 Camp
Our Year 6 students enjoyed a fantastic camp at Grantville Lodge Camp. The weather was lovely and the students enjoyed cycling, canoeing, high ropes, low ropes, giant swing, flying fox and many other activities. Their behaviour was exceptional and they were a wonderful advertisement for our school.
A huge thanks to the staff that attended the camp, Gavin Balzary, Rebecca Callanan, Victoria Donlan, Sam Smith, Jessica Ornsby, Cameron Witt, Rian Prestwich, Vikki Lewis, Michelle Ewan and Patrick Pawlukowski . It is a huge effort for them to leave their own families for the week, their sacrifice is very much appreciated as it allowed us to provide this opportunity for the students.
First Communion
Congratulations to all of the children who celebrated the Sacrament of First Communion. Thanks to Fr Jeff, Tara Bau and Nerida Byrden for their organisation. They were lovely ceremonies.
Student Absences
A reminder that all absences from school must be reported to the school. If you are planning an extended absence of 5 or more consecutive days from school written permission must be sought.
New Playground / Parents and Friends Funding
Planning is underway to create an extra playground for our children to enjoy. A huge thanks to the Parents and Friends Committee who will be donating money raised from their fundraisers to assist with the purchase. We expect that this should be constructed some time into the New Year.
Summer Uniform / Hats
A reminder that now we are in Term Four the students need to be wearing their summer uniform and hats.
Uniform Shop
A reminder that Noone in Beaconsfield is now operating as our uniform shop. We thank Noone for their willingness to come on board and we look forward to working with them. Further information is contained within this newsletter.
2023 Planning
Over the last week the students will be given the opportunity to select five friends/learning partners that they would like in their class next year. Throughout the large task of creating the grades the students will be guaranteed one of their selections. Please note that the teachers put an enormous effort into the selection of grades.
Leaving Families
To assist with our 2023 planning we ask that if you know that your circumstances are changing and you are leaving the school that you please inform us asap. We have a waiting list for several areas of the school and your spot can be offered to someone else.
The following rules are in place for the safety of all students in the school. We ask that parents please respect the following rules;
- Children should not be arriving at school before 8.25am as they are not supervised. The gates will be locked until 8.25am. Parents requiring supervision prior to this time need to contact after school care.
- All cars leaving the roadway must turn left into Ridgemont Drive.
- Students waiting for siblings from SFX must wait inside the school grounds near the entrance gate. They are not to wait out the front of SFX.
Prep Enrolments
We still have a very limited amount of Prep spots available for 2023. If you are an existing family and have not yet completed your 2023 enrolment form please do so asap in order to confirm a place. If you know of anyone wanting to enrol at St Catherine’s please encourage them to contact the Office and book a tour.
Important 2023 Prep Enrolment Dates for Your Diary,
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2024 Prep Enrolments
We have started the process of 2024 Prep Enrolments for existing families. Please contact the school Office, via 9702 1466 or alternatively enrolments@stcberwick.catholic.edu.au The enrolment application can be accessed via www.stcberwick.catholic.edu.au Documents required along with the application form are Birth certificate, baptism certificate, immunisation statement (downloaded from the medicare website), copies of drivers license from both parents, and a $50 application fee.
Important Dates
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Thursday 15 December |
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Friday 16 December |
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Monday 19 December |
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Tuesday 20 December |
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CAMPS 2023
| 2023 - February 6 - 9 | Year 6 Camp |
| 2023 - May 1 - 2 | Year 4 Camp |
| 2023 - TBC | Year 5 Camp |
Kind Regards,
Simon
Hello Everyone
Last week we launched Catholic Missions Week where the students learnt about the work that Catholic Missions do and how they are helping other people all around the world. This year there was a particular focus on Ethiopia and the town of Emdibir, as they look to establish a goat rearing centre to provide nutritious milk for families in most need. In addition the centre will provide opportunities for agricultural training and employment.
Last Friday the students wore crazy socks to school and gave a gold coin donation and we raised $846.40 which will go directly to Catholic Missions. Pope Francis writes in his message for World Mission Day that “mission is carried out together, not individually, in communion with the ecclesial community, and not on one’s own initiative.”
So on that note, I would like to thank everyone for their generous donations and support with Catholic Mission Week. Together we can make a difference.
Next Friday is Remembrance Day, it is an opportunity for us to remember and pray for all that have served in war. Below is a prayer that you might like to pray as a family or on your own for Remembrance Day.
Yours in Faith
Nerida Byrden
Catholic Identity and Religious Education Leader
| Siena D | Teagan G | Vibudha P |
| Shaun T | Hudson B | Lara M |
| Alessandra S | Sherwin D | Jaysheev K |
| Emma S | Blake C | Isaac S |
| Devin W | Aiden I | Kashmere K |
| Nathan R | Densil B | Eleena M |
| Kingston C | Rose P | Charli G |
| William C | Isla S | Manna S |
| Tania T |
OUR CANTEEN WILL BE CLOSED
THURDSAY 10 NOVEMBER
DUE TO A STAFF SHORTAGE
- 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 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.
Vision Portraits Fundraiser
Sunday 4 December
Vacant positions available for 2022/2023
Secretary, Meal Bank Co ordinator, Book Club Co ordinator - for position details or to nominate yourself please emailjoanne_riley@bigpond.com
| Parents & Friends AGM | 7.00pm |
| Wednesday 7th December | 9.30am |
Week 5 - School Leaders Newsletter
Hello parents and students and welcome to week 5. In Week 3 all grade 6 students went on year 6 camp to Grantville, all students enjoyed camp and showed excellent teamwork. We thank all teachers and esos for helping on the camp. Most importantly all students showed appreciation for all the staff at grantville.
At lunch, on Tuesday and Thursday, preps, 1s and 2s are invited to join PAL, Also with the weather most days we are having a wet play timetable so parents please remind students to be respectful to teachers, students and the equipment during this time.
Thank you from the School and Vice Captains, Alicia, Aidan,Sienna, Luke, Mia and Oscar
St Catherine's Sports Day will be on
Friday 25 November
St Francis Oval
Further details to come!!
In Term 4 all students at St Catherine's will have the opportunity to participate in a personal safety session run by Kids ROAR. These sessions are designed to provide tools and strategies that empower children to help reduce their vulnerability to abuse, neglect and unsafe situations. A parent session will be run on Zoom to allow parents to be informed about the program and ask any questions that they may have. Please see the attached flyer for details.
Remembrance Day Appeal
11 November
The remembrance day Appeal raises funds to support former and serving members of the Australian Defence Forces and dependants when in need. We have Poppies, key rings and wrist bands for sale in the school office. Below are the prices for these items.
| POPPIES | $2, $3 AND $5 |
| KEY RING | $4 |
| WRIST BAND | $3 |
If anyone can assist with pick up at the end of each day from school to go to the Minta Estate for one of our children, could you please call the office 97021466 or alternatively info@stcberwick.catholic.edu.au and we can connect you with this family in need.
