Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students of St Catherine’s,
In what has been a tumultuous few weeks globally, it has been heartening to see the kindness, compassion and care that the students show to one another during their time at school.
As you would be aware, there have been a growing number of Covid positive cases in our school community. I hope that for those families suffering with the virus that you recover quickly. It is vitally important that all families adhere to the advice provided regarding testing and quarantining.
COVID Safe Procedures
The ongoing safety and wellbeing of our students and staff continue to be our highest priority and so ask that all families note the following:
- Parents should not be entering the school buildings at this time.
- DO NOT send your child to school if they are unwell, no matter how mild the symptoms.
- If your child tests positive to COVID19, please communicate this as a matter of urgency via the school absence email address - info@stcaths.catholic.edu.au or via phone (8238 8238).
- Students who are COVID positive must not attend school, and follow all SA Health advice (isolate at home for 7 days as of 12th March 2022). Parents of any students that are deemed ‘classroom close contacts’ (to a COVID positive case at school), will be notified and provided with advice about any required action. We will continue to work closely with SA Health and CESA to ensure that all necessary health advice is closely followed. While we recognise that COVID safety measures can be disruptive and inconvenient, it remains vital that we take all necessary precautions to minimise the risk of ongoing transmission within our community.
The Season of Lent
Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Lent in the Catholic Liturgical Calendar. The following reflection captures beautifully the importance of taking time to be still and listen as well as challenge us to enhance our awareness of others.
Living Lent Attentively and Gently
Lent is the most important time of the year to nurture our inner life. It is the time during which we not only prepare ourselves to celebrate the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus, but also the death and resurrection that constantly takes place within us. Life is a continuing process of the death of the old and the familiar, and being reborn again into a new hope, a new trust, and a new love. The death and resurrection of Jesus therefore is not just an historical event that took place a long time ago, but an inner event that takes place in our heart when we are willing to be attentive to it.
Lent offers a beautiful opportunity to discover the mystery of Christ within us. It is a gentle but also demanding time. It is a time of solitude but also community, it is a time of listening to the voice within, but also a time of paying attention to other people's needs. It is a time to continuously make the passage to new inner life as well as to life with those around us.
When we live Lent attentively and gently, then Easter can truly be a celebration during which the full proclamation of the risen Christ will reverberate into the deepest place of our being.
Taken from (Called to Life, Called to Love: Lenten Reflections from the Works of Henri J.M. Nouwen)
School Captains
I am pleased to share that Year 6 students Lochie, Milly, Saxon and Isla have been appointed as our School Captains for 2022. Mrs Dawe and I have met twice with the captains so far this term and they have started to put together a plan to support Project Compassion through this time of Lent.
SRC and ECO students
Congratulations to the following students who have been nominated as SRC and ECO members for Semester 1.
Class |
SRC Students |
ECO Students |
ROW |
Mason & Georgia |
Isla & Tess |
R/1BD |
Abby & Banjo |
Harper & Poppy |
1/2F |
Xavier & Holly |
Seb & Hayley |
1/2J |
Lucy & Ted |
Orlando & Quinn |
3/4KF |
Matisse & Ollie |
Lottie & Finn |
3/4LD |
Paul & Harlow |
Harper & Spencer |
5K |
Alfie & Lucia |
Adele & Jasper |
6CD |
Hugo & Sophia |
Seb & Isabelle |
Stage 2 Building Works
We have been extremely lucky with the weather so far and the building works are progressing well. Currently Harrold and Kite are waiting on the steelworks that will be used to create the new entrance and classroom breakout space structure. This week I have met with contractors who will be replacing the external cladding on the Treehouse. This is scheduled to take place in the holiday break at the end of this term so we are expecting minimal disruption to the school environment during this work. The mottled green ACP cladding is being replaced with metal cladding which will be Basalt in colour, tying in with the other new building works that are taking place.
AGM/ School Board
On Tuesday evening the School Board held our Annual General Meeting(AGM). The AGM report along with the 2021 School Performance Report is available on the school website at: https://www.stcaths.catholic.edu.au/our-school/current-policies-reports-and-guidelines
Carpark
Currently our carpark arrangements, including drop off and pick up seem to be working well. Thank you to everyone for your ongoing support of these arrangements.
Parent Teacher Learning Conversations
Thank you for taking the time to talk with your child's class teacher during Parent Teacher Learning Conversations last week. I know the teachers appreciated getting to know the students and their families a little better. Strong home and school partnerships we know, leads to better outcomes for students. We hope that by the time our next meetings are scheduled that we will be able to meet face to face.
75th Anniversary Facts
The Parish of Stirling was established in 1957 and the Parish Priest, Father Gavan Kennare, set up home conveniently close by at the Lodge house by the convent gates. He also became the Dominicans' Chaplain. Gradually the links between the sisters and the local Catholics increased and the parish became more involved in the school. (Taken from St Catherine's Stirling 1947-1997 A School History by Elisabeth Anderson)
R/1BD Assembly
R/1BD are aiming to host an outdoor assembly next Friday, 18th March at 9.15am. This will enable us gather all students and to invite parents to attend. Registration to attend the assembly will be via our school website: https://www.stcaths.catholic.edu.au/community/parent-attendance-registration-form Please note however, that should the weather not be appropriate, we will move the assembly to the hall and unfortunately visitors will be unable to attend.
Pupil Free Day/ Staff Professional Learning Tuesday 15th March
We will be joined (online) by teachers from St Joseph's, Kingswood and St Raphael's, Parkside to engage in Professional Learning focused on assessment design of student work.
Have a happy and safe extra long weekend.
Warm regards,
John Low
Principal
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