Filter Content
Dear Parents,
Welcome back to school!!!! One of the great privileges of working within a school is watching the children arrive on the first day. They come in with such enthusiasm and excitement as they get to greet all of their friends and teachers. We especially welcome all of our Prep students as they commence their schooling life and wish our Grade 6 children all the very best for their last year at Primary School.
As a staff we are looking forward to working closely with all families over the year ahead. If parents have any issues or concerns please feel most welcome to contact your child’s teacher. I remind families that if your circumstances have changed and there are issues that may impact on your child at school please contact us. We can provide support for your family and if necessary put adjustments in place at school to help your children. The school is also very well connected to services that may be of assistance. All concerns will be treated with the upmost respect and confidentiality as required.
Jess Ornsby is our Student Support / Learning Adjustment Leader and her role is to directly assist families. She can be contacted either via the school number 9702-1466 or email jessica.ornsby@stcberwick.catholic.edu.au
The Leadership Team for 2023 is listed below;
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Principal
Simon Dell'Oro
Deputy Principal/Religious Education Leader
Anna Viney
Student Support/Learning Adjustment Leader
Jess Ornsby
CURRICULUM LEADERS
Victoria Donlan & Rebecca Cox
LEVEL LEADERS
Prep – Debbie Carpentier
Grades 1 & 2 – Kathleen O’Leary
Grade 3 & 4 – Victoria Donlan & Rebecca Cox
Grade 5 & 6 – Rian Prestwich
Specialist Leader – Vanessa Jennings
Start of the Year for Prep
A reminder that Prep students have Wednesday the 8, 15 and 22 off in February as they adjust to school. The teachers will contact parents about bringing their child in for an assessment on one of these days.
Specialist Classes / Library
There will be no Specialist classes (STEM, Japanese, Art, Performing Arts, PE) this week. Teachers will be in touch with families to inform you of what day of the week your grades specialist lessons are. All Specialists and Library commence next week.
Hats
Please ensure that your child has their hat for Term 1.
Staff Update
We welcome onto the staff Karla Giuliano (Prep), Nicola Finch (Grade 6), Sarah Watson (Grade 6), Claire Faulkner, (Prep), Bethany Peterson (Grade 2), Vanessa Keenan ( Grade 5), and Dorina Barrett (ESO). They are all very excited to be joining St Catherine’s and I am sure that they will be made to feel welcome by all. We also welcome back Jasmine Bentley, Gabby Mifsud, Assumptha Gozmao and Lexie Weber (covering Thea Woodhead LSL for Term One).
Family Details on SIMON
We ask that all families please ensure you have created a new account/ password for the Simon Platform for 2023, over the holiday period all passwords and accounts were reset. This includes all student medical data as well as contact details of parents and emergency contacts. This platform is a vital part of school communication for all parents for things such as "Whats happening at school", SMS's, emails, Activities (Camps and excursions), school reports, canteen, newsletters, Absence notifications etc.
School Gate Opening Time 2023
As mentioned last year to allow us to cater for the new EBA that Catholic teachers in the Diocese of Sale have entered into for 2023 we will be opening the school gates at 8.30am this year. Children arriving before 8.30am must be enrolled in before school care.
Canteen is currently closed
We are still coordinating the canteen for 2023. We will let parents know when it is back up and running.
Camp Dates for 2023
Grade 6 | 6 – 9 February | Urban Camp Melbourne |
Grade 5 | 17 – 19 May | Lady Northcote Camp Glenmore |
Grade 4 | 1 – 2 May | Phillip Island Adventure Resort |
Improvement Work Over Holidays
Over the holidays the following works were undertaken;
- Refurbishment of the Northern Portables to bring them up to a usable condition.
- Improvements to the school fire services.
- General maintenance and cleaning.
Bike Shed
Due to the refurbishment of the Northern Portables the bike shed has been relocated to in between the STEM and Japanese portables. It is temporary fencing at the moment whilst we are awaiting the installation of new fencing.
Playground
Planning for the new playground is underway. We will hope to have this installed as soon as possible this year.
COVID Advice
Please see the latest COVID advice regarding students who are unwell;
It is strongly recommended that students:
- Who test positive to COVID-19 should stay home and isolate for five (5) days;
- Should not attend school after five (5) days if still symptomatic;
- Who are symptomatic but have not tested positive should not attend school until their symptoms resolve;
Parents, guardians or carers advise the school of the COVID-19 positive test result.
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.
2023 School Closure Days
The following School Closure days are planned for 2023;
Friday 17 March | School Closure Day – Staff De-escalation Training |
Monday 24 April | School Closure Day |
Tuesday 25 April | ANZAC Day |
Wednesday 26 April | School Closure Day - Learning Adjustment Day with Trinity, St Patricks and Mary Mackillop |
Monday 12 June | Kings Birthday Holiday |
Friday 23 June | School Closure Day – RE |
Friday 15 September | School Closure Day |
Monday 2 October | School Closure Day – Data Review |
Monday 6 November | Cup Weekend School Closure |
Tuesday 7 November | Cup Day |
Friday 15 December | Students Last Day |
Monday 18 December | School Closure Day 2024 Planning |
Tuesday 19 December | School Closure Day 2024 Planning |
Kind Regards,
Simon
Welcome to 2023 and the new school year.
In Term 1 all students will be looking at “Triune God” in RE lessons through different lenses.
Our whole school inquiry question is “My Name , My story”.
This will incorporate many views and be drawing on student experiences from all perspectives, cultures and backgrounds.
At the heart of the Christian faith stands the person of Jesus Christ who proclaimed the nearness of the Kingdom/Reign of God. Christianity professes faith in the Triune God, revealed as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three divine persons, equal in nature and dignity, and bound together in one communion of love.As we work through the term , we will integrate the important days and celebrations into these lessons.
February 13 is National Apology Day and classes will be discussing the impacts of this significant day on all Australians.
On the 22 of February is Ash Wednesday, we will have liturgies for different levels tomark this important day in the liturgical calendar.
We then enter the Lenten period, incorporating Project Compassion, Palm Sunday,which leads into Holy Week and Easter which celebrates the beginning and foundation of Christianity, which culminates with The Resurrection of Jesus. Jesus dying and being
Resurrected back to life, overcoming death and sin.
Harmony Day will also be incorporated through these units of work and will be celebrated as a whole school in an appropriate way.
Important Sacramental dates for Term 1
Confirmation Enrolments: 21, 22 and 23 March
Confirmation Commitment Masses : 1 April
Kindest regards,
Anna Viney
Deputy Principal
Leader of Learning and Teaching, RE and School Operations.
A message from Jess Ornsby - Learning Adjustment Leader
Welcome back to a new year!
It has been wonderful to see all our students back and excited to get to know their teachers and classmates.
Whether it is starting school for the first time, moving up to a higher grade or embarking on a journey through secondary school, there is no doubt that any school transition is a very exciting time for children and parents. It means your children are growing up!
However, transitioning is an ongoing process. It can continue long after students have entered their new environment and may encounter difficulties at a number of different stages. These stressors may appear as anxiety and frustration and result in negative or disruptive behaviours. Such behaviours can become problematic making the transitioning process even more difficult for children and parents.
School TV
St Catherine’s School TV is an online resource online designed to empower you as parents with credible and sound information with realistic, practical ongoing support strategies.
In the latest edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn practical strategies to assist your child during the transition process and reduce stress and anxiety levels.
We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this edition of SchoolTV and we always welcome your feedback. If you have any concerns about your child, please contact your child’s classroom teacher or Jess Ornsby (Learning Adjustment Leader & Student Support) for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to the School Transitions edition of SchoolTV
https://stcberwick.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/school-transitions
LUNCHTIME - LIBRARY DISCOVERY CENTRE
Each day the Library will be open at lunch time. The Library is space where students can engage in quiet reading, puzzles or drawing. Below are some additional activities that will be supervised by teachers each day.
The Library is a quiet space.
Jess Ornsby
Learning Adjustment Leader and Student Support
First Week Back: Learning to Learn
Daniel J | Shivraj D | Megan R |
Antonio I | Cristiano I | Veronika S |
Xavier B | Chloe D | Esther D |
Maita M | Kyle D | Meehall M |
Catherine A | Jostin D | Jayden N |
Olivia H | Sophia H | Destiny W |
Thomas J | William K | Ariana S |
Pashmina K | Advaith K | Ekas S |
Noah K | Crystal M | Emmanuel J |
Ezekiel P | Tia C | Charlie E |
Kyson F | Xavier O | Sarah C |
Ethan C | Lachie Q | Rocky G |
Teofano M | Tiffan M |