As a school we continue to offer our deepest condolences and pray for the Robbins family after the passing of James. James was laid to rest on Monday at a very moving ceremony at the Victorian Police Academy. The service can be viewed online via Tobin Brothers for the next 30 days. Our dedicated prayer space and condolence book will remain in the school foyer until the end of the week for any families who wish to pay their respects and write a message. We will pass the book on the Kelly and the girls next week.

Dear Parents,

It has been a pleasure to walk around the school and see the children so settled into a great working routine. Starting 2023 without the restrictions of the last few years has been terrific and as a staff we are busy planning many different events and activities. Please keep the following dates free in your diary, it is exciting that we can put these types of activities back on the agenda.

SIMON Platform/PAM

As mentioned last week most of our communication now is sent to parents via PAM and is also connected to the SIMON Everywhere APP.  Again, I ask parents please check that all of their details are correct.

Year 6 Leaders

Congratulations to the following students who were presented with their leadership badges on Monday afternoon;

School Captains: Charlie Ellis and Rishika Chandra

Vice Captains: Marley De Guzman and Evan Danny

SACE Leaders: Jett Pathiraja, Kayla De Kauwe, Sena Park, Kahlon D’Rozario, Isabelle McCarthy

Sports Captains:

Sweeney Green: Alfie Clarke and Annabelle Furness

Touhey Blue: Emma Boyle and Kundai Muvimi

Regan Red: Sienna Prizmic and Henry Vogrig

Gallagher Gold: Ariana Smith and Harrison Hackett

Grade 6 Camp

The Grade 6 students enjoyed a wonderful urban camp in Melbourne last week. They enjoyed activities such as the Museum, MCG Tour, Museum of Sport, Queen Vic Market, Shrine, Skydeck, ACME, Fed Square and Cooks Cottage. The children were a wonderful advertisement for St Catherine’s and the camp was a great success.
A huge thanks to Rian Prestwich, Jessica Ornsby, Anna Viney, Nicola Finch, Daina Balnionis, Sarah Watson, Ben Brennan, Vikki Lewis, Loretta Manuel, Hannah Carr and Samitha Perera who attended the camp. Their efforts to sacrifice a week away from their own families to ensure that the camp can go ahead is very much appreciated.

Ash Wednesday Mass

Next Wednesday 22 February, Grades 1-6 will be travelling to St Michael’s Church to celebrate Ash Wednesday Mass at 12.00pm (Prep students will not be at school on this day). A big thanks to Fr Jeff for celebrating the Mass and affording our children the opportunity to attend the Church. Thanks to Anna Viney for her preparation and organisation. Students will not be able to attend unless parents have acknowledged the permission form on SIMON. Unfortunately, we will not be able to invite parents to attend as we will have difficulty just accommodating all of the students in the Church.
Please note that the Prep students will have an Ash Wednesday liturgy in the classroom on Friday 24 February.

Start of the Year for Prep

A reminder that Prep students have Wednesday 22 February off from school as they adjust to their new surroundings. Preps will also now begin to use the main school gate at the beginning and end of each day.

Hats

Please ensure that your child is bring their hat to school each day in Term One.

School Gate Opening Time 2023

As mentioned in the last newsletter 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

We are still coordinating the canteen for 2023. We will let parents know when it is back up and running.

Camp Dates for 2023

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.

Fee Statements

Fee statements will be emailed to families by Friday next week (24 February ). If any families have an eligible Health Care Card please contact the Office if you have not already. If any families require a discussion regarding fees please contact Margaret Lonergan at the School Office.

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.

victorian School Term Dates are on our website as shown below

2023 School Closure Days 

The following School Closure days are planned for 2023;

Last weekend, Charlie Ellis, Hudson Brown, Annabelle Furness, Farrah Smith and Parker Pearson represented Berwick in the State Relay championships at Albert Park. 

Charlie and Hudson  got bronze in the Under 11 boys 4 x 200 metres and Hudson also got another bronze in the under 11 boys Swedish medley relay. 

Annabelle Furness ran in the 4 x 100m relay and finished in a 2nd place finish, 

And the medley relay where she ran the 300m leg, her team finished 3rd.

Congratulations to all the runners on a fantastic effort!

Mr Kenez

“We didn’t realise we were making memories as we just knew we were having fun.”

Winnie the Pooh

Oh and the fun we had! Firstly, thank you to all of the Year 6 families who attended our early Camp Information session, returned hard copy forms and persevered with SIMON permissions.

The Year 6 students attended Urban Camp in Parkville from Monday 6 February to Thursday 9 February. In this time, they participated in the following activities:

• Melbourne Sports Museum tour where students viewed the museum itself and were able to release some energy and excitement on the activities within.
• Melbourne Museum where they walked around with their teachers and explored the dinosaurs, science and life exhibits and the Triceratops display.
• Queen Victoria Market where they were able to browse all that the vendors had for offer and even spend some small money on items.
• Old Melbourne Gaol exploring the courtyard, cells and the area where Ned Kelly was hanged.
• National Gallery of Victoria and all of the contemporary, international and European paintings and displays.
• Eureka Skydeck at night where students could gaze out at the beautiful city under lights.
• Shrine of Remembrance including the museum downstairs where students learnt about our history of war and payed their respects.
• ACMI to explore the games and activities within.
• Cook’s Cottage and the history behind its significance to Australian history.
• Urban Quest adventure which saw students working together to solve problems and find clues.

On top of this, they explored Flagstaff and Fitzroy Gardens whilst enjoying lunch. As you can see by the itinerary, students were kept very busy and on their toes the entire time. All of the staff who attended were very proud of the way students represented the school in the city, especially whilst taking a train (despite the grey hairs this caused the staff). At the end of the day, the students’ enjoyment and smiles makes it all worth it.

We want to thank all the staff who took time away from their families to help create lasting memories with our Year 6 students. Also, we want to thank the families for their assistance and well wishes.

Please see some images from our adventures below.

Kind regards,
Year 6 Team
Daina Balnionis, Rian Prestwich, Sarah Watson and Nicola Finch

Hay fever