Dear Parents,

At St Catherine’s we highly value strong lines of communication between home and school, it is why we place such importance on our Family Learning Conversations that are happening at the moment.
We thank all families that have attended. It was great to be able to conduct these meetings in a face to face format again. Our next set of FLC’s will be early in third term, due to this being in the winter months it will be an online meeting. For parents of Grades PM1, 3S1, 4S6 your FLC’s will be next Tuesday 7, and Wednesday 8 as they had to be postponed due to illness.

Please know that you are welcome to make an appointment at any time to discuss any issues or concerns, however, when approaching these meetings, it is important to remain respectful and have an open mind. The story you heard from your child will be from one perspective only and there maybe more to the story. Our objective as a school is to ensure a fair process for all. For all of us the end goal is exactly the same, for your child to be enjoying school and progressing academically. To achieve this, we need to work together, we are on your side.

Traffic Congestion

The reality of all schools is there is traffic congestion at the drop off and pick up times. In our case, being a large primary school situated on the same site as SFX, it increases the traffic. We ask that all families please be respectful of each other, allow enough time for drop off and pick up, and follow the signs. Predictable traffic is easier for us to manage and safer for our children.

Ash Wednesday Mass

Last week all Grade 1-6 students travelled to St Michael’s Church and celebrated Mass for Ash Wednesday (the Preps enjoyed a wonderful Ash Wednesday Liturgy in the Chapel last Friday). A big thanks to Fr Jeff for celebrating the Mass and Anna Viney for her organisation. The students are learning about Lent in the classrooms as we enter the very important season.

Family Prayer Afternoon – Thursday 9 March 2.50pm

On Thursday the 9 March we are inviting parents into the classroom to join in a Family Prayer Afternoon at 2.50pm in the classrooms. Please allow yourself enough time to get signed in at the Office on your way through.

2024 Enrolments

We are currently taking 2024 Enrolments. If you are an existing family please get your forms in asap to guarantee you a spot. If you know of anyone considering St Catherine’s for their child please ask them to contact the Office for a tour.

District Swimming

Congratulations to all students who swam in the District Swimming today. They competed exceptionally well and were a wonderful advertisement for St Catherine’s. Thanks to Justin Kenez for his organisation of the event.

NAPLAN

The Government administered NAPLAN testing for Years 3 and 5 will be conducted in the week beginning the 13 March. Thankyou to our Curriculum Leaders Victoria Donlan and Rebecca Cox for their organisation. The tests will be in an online format. There is more information contained in this newsletter.

Staffing News

It is with pleasure that we can announce Miss Lexie Weber will be in 3S7 for the remainder of the year. We thank Lexie for her commitment to the school and I am sure she will continue to do an excellent job. Thea Woodhead has chosen to extend her period of leave and will return one day per week in Term 3.

Hats

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

Family Details on SIMON/PAM platform - updated addresses

We ask that all families please ensure that their details are correct on our SIMON platform. This includes all student medical data.   If you have changed your contact details, emergency contact's or contact numbers, please email reception on info@stcberwick.catholic.edu.au with updated information.

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

Grade 5  17 – 19 May  - Lady Northcote Camp Glenmore
Grade 4  1 – 2  May  - Phillip Island Adventure Resort

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.

Term Dates, School Closure Days and School events 

Kind Regards

Term Dates, School Closure Days and School events 

SPECIALIST TERM 1 OVERVIEWS

VISUAL ARTS