Term 2 Week 10 Newsletter 2021

Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students of St Catherine’s,  

It has been a very busy last few weeks of term. We have had our Term 3 Reception students visit for three transition mornings where they have spent time with their classmates in Reception OA. Our choir students have participated in a hub assessment in preparation for their Catholic Schools Music Festival performance which takes place in the last week of Term 3. This week our year 3-6 students participated in the SACPSSA Netball Carnival. Today we have concluded the term with our Year 6 Dominican Leadership students leading whole school prayer, a parent cuppa morning, a morning tea for our Semester One SRC and ECO students and a sampling of our first harvest of rainbow trout, cooked by Gerry. 

With the various events, carnivals and excursions that have taken place throughout the term, I'd like to acknowledge and thank all our parent volunteers for their ongoing support for each of these occasions.  

Thank you to our School Captains for planning and coordinating our 'Cosy Clothes' day which took place today. The donations received both in the form of warm clothing and money will be used to support this year's Vinnies Winter Appeal. I was reminded at a recent Parish meeting that there are many families in our local 'Hills' community who are doing things tough and so your generosity in support of this appeal is very much appreciated. 

Congratulations to our students who received the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Matthew's Church last Friday evening. It was a beautiful celebration for the children and their sponsors and we continue to pray for these children and their families as they continue their journey of faith. 

On Thursday, 10th June, we had a visit from Federal Member of Parliament, Rebekah Sharkie. Rebekah came to see our newly renovated hall kitchen which was made possible through a Federal grant which we received in 2020. Rebekah also visited our year 5 and 6 classes and will be returning to share a lesson about Australian Government next term. 

Thanks to a group of very dedicated parent volunteers, our tuck shop has re-opened for recess on Monday each week and the students have been extremely excited to be able to make a purchase for their recess over the past two Mondays. Next term, the parent volunteers will also be offering lunches on Fridays. Please note that Tuck on Monday is cash only and that orders for lunches on Friday will be via Qkr only. 

I am so pleased to be able to share that following the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools (SACCS) meeting held in May, that we have received approval to proceed with Stage 2 of our capital development works. Stage 2 focusses on the upgrade of the front entry and administration spaces at our school along with the creation of some break out spaces for our current Early Years classrooms. Initial start up meetings have commenced with our planning committee which includes our architects from SwanburyPenglase, CESA Design and Projects Officer,  Russell Gwynne (School Board rep), Gina Kennedy (School Finance Officer) and myself. The current anticipated schedule sees building works commence in the last week of Term 4 with a 6 month build time. I look forward to sharing further details and images with the community as we progress. 

Student Achievement Reports have been sent home with students this week. I encourage parents to talk through the report with their child and highlight their strengths along with one or two areas to work on in the second half of the year. If you wish to discuss any element of your child's progress, please make a time to meet with your child's teacher early next term. 

Our Term 3 Calendar of events was sent via Skoolbag to families this week. Whilst every effort is made to ensure that all our events are included in this calendar, inevitably there are changes from time to time.  

Families should also have received a letter this week regarding a One Uniform - Activewear proposal which includes a link to a survey for feedback. Thank you to those people who have provided a response already to this.   

A reminder to all families that if your child is unwell that they should not attend school. For prolonged absences, it is important that you seek advice from a medical practitioner and provide a sick certificate to the school to account for the absence. 

CESA Covid Updates 

We are again facing the challenges that the COVID pandemic presents us across Australia. I remind families that the two sources for CESA updates in relation to COVID-19 are: 

The CESA website ‘COVID-19 Alerts’ page - https://www.cesa.catholic.edu.au/alerts 

The CESA Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/CatholicEducationSA/ 

Finally, a reminder that we have a Pupil Free Day early next term on Monday 2nd August.  Staff will be engaging in our system professional learning area of 'Clarity' (a focus on school improvement) along with a session on supporting students with sensory needs. 

I hope amidst these uncertain times that you find time to relax and stay safe during the holiday break and I look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Monday 19th July for the start of Term 3. 

Warm regards, 

John Low
Principal 

Sacrament of Confirmation 

On Friday 25th June, students from St Catherine's School and surrounding areas completed their Sacrament of Confirmation at St Matthew's Church. Archbishop Patrick presided the celebration along with Fr Fred. We were blessed to be able to celebrate the occasion with the students, surrounded by their family and friends.  We look forward to seeing these students live out their sacrament and to see the Holy Spirit come alive in them each day. In thinking about the words shared by Archbishop Patrick I share the prayer with our school community, over these students "Come, Holy Spirit" 

Vinnies Winter Appeal 

This term our fundraising focus has been St Vincent de Paul Society and their Winter Appeal. At this time of year, as the weather cools down and becomes more challenging, our work in this area becomes increasingly more important to the wellbeing of the wider community. The Winter Appeal helps provide men, women and children with warmth, food on the table and a safe place to sleep.  Each night, over 25,000 children are experiencing homelessness across the country. Their safety, their education, their emotional and physical health are all suffering. By supporting this appeal, you will help ensure that families at risk of homelessness get the financial and emotional support they need to keep their children safe. Our collection of warm items will continue until the end of week 2, Term 3 so please give generously during this time.  Thank you also for your financial support this week through the 'Cosy Clothes' day. We were pleased to raise $470 which will also assist St Vincent de Paul Society in their work. I would like to congratulate our School Captains on their work with this initiative. 

Interview with Father Fred

Written by Clare, Poppy, Lachie and Benny

Dominican Study Group – Term 2

This Term, as part of our work in the Year 6 Dominican Leadership Program, we the Study Group decided that we wanted to do something different and interview someone connected to St Catherine’s School – but who? We thought about it for a while and then thought about how good it would be to interview Fr. Fred and find out more about what it is like to be a Priest. We interviewed Fr. Fred at school after Mass one day and below are his answers to our questions. We hope you enjoy reading!

As a child what did you want to be when you grow up?

Fr. Fred wanted to follow in his Grandpa’s footsteps and work in the family bakery.

Did you think you were going to become a Priest when you were a child?

When Fr. Fred was around 13 years of age, he went to a college which was run by Priests and it was then he considered the idea of becoming a Priest. It was just a thought though and it was subject to change.

What does being a priest mean to you?

For Fr. Fred, being a priest is the most important thing in his life. He is happy to be a priest and he has tried to be a good priest and be a good example. For him, being a priest means that you can help those who are most in need and give Jesus to people.

Why did you become a priest?

It’s not easy to become a Priest in the Catholic Church because you can’t get married and have a wife and kids. Fr. Fred made the decision to become a priest because he wanted to dedicate his life totally to God and to other people in the Church.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

In Fr. Fred’s spare time he likes to do gardening, manual work and rear budgies.

What’s your favourite song?

Fr. Fred’s favourite song is Raise Me Up.

What’s your favourite thing to have for dinner?

Fr. Fred’s favourite thing to have for dinner is rabbit stew with chips.

If you could change something about the earth, what would it be?

Fr. Fred would like to leave the Earth exactly how God created it.

If you could give a message to everyone in the world, what would it be?

If Fr. Fred could give a message to everyone in the world, it would be to respect and love one another because we are children of God.

This term in 3 / 4 H we have been working with Indigenous Artist Chris Crebbin. He has been teaching the students Aboriginal art and explaining Aboriginal culture. The students created wonderful artwork and we even got to share our knowledge with our buddy class R/1 B. The buddies worked together to create a display for NAIDOC week which will be celebrated in the holidays.

Cuppa & Chat

Come along for a quick cuppa and an informal chat with other parents in the staff room after school drop off on Thursday July 22, August 19 and/or September 23 next term.  

P & F committee meetings

Term 3 meetings are scheduled for Week 2 Friday 30th July at 2:30pm and Week 7 Friday 3rd September at 2:30pm. All parents are welcome to come along and hear about what's happening at school and what the P&F committee is working on. Joining the P&F is a great opportunity to be part of a team working with the Principal and teachers to build a wonderful community for our students. Look forward to seeing you! 

Canteen

We were delighted to re-open the canteen for recess this term, although the format is a little different as we haven’t been able to accept baked goods from families' homes. It is a wonderful sight to see students come along with their small change and make a choice on what they would like to eat. 
In Term 3 we will see Tuck continue on Monday, as well as bringing back a regular Friday lunch-order Canteen. To launch back into it, we are organising a sausage sizzle lunch on Friday 23rd July. Funds raised will go towards some much-needed items to stock the canteen such as plates, bowls, cups and cutlery. Sausages in bread, together with a special drink will be available on Qkr! Stay tuned for the Friday lunch menu! 

If you would like to volunteer in the canteen on either a Monday morning or Friday Lunch, please email Jane; janemccaffrey1974@yahoo.com.au. Alternatively, if you cannot physically help but want to assist in some way, we have a canteen wishlist which Jane will happily email to you.  

     
 
Elise Campbell-Hand, on behalf of the P & F Committee.

Throughout Term 2, the students of St Catherine's have been focusing on building on their key capabilities. Here are some of the activities the classes have been doing:  

Reception and year 1 students have been looking at the language of being self-aware, collaborative and socially adept. In Term 3 they will be looking at being collaborative. 

Year 1/2 students have plotted where they think they were sitting in Term 1 on the self-aware continuum. In Term 2 they have also plotted where they think they are, showing their progress. Teachers have been breaking down the language and giving examples to help the children with their understanding of the continuum. In Term 3 the students are working on the collaborative part of the continuum. 

Year 3/4 students concentrated on being self-aware, collaborative and socially adept. In Term 3 they will work on activities to help them develop their skills in being literate, numerate and effective communicators. 

The year 5 and 6 students have been focusing on being knowledgeable, inquisitive and innovative. The students have plotted where they are at on the continua and continued to access activities to help build their capacity in these areas. The year 6's have used these capabilities to self assess their efforts in the Dominican Leadership Program. The year 5 teacher have introduced these capabilities as a skill on Seesaw. In Term 3 they will be continuing to develop their skills in being literate, numerate and effective communicators. 

What you can do at home 

You can help your child at home by looking at the capabilities, discussing with your child their capabilities and suggesting ways they can grow in their capabilities. If you would like to know more about the Key Capabilities go to https://kcc.cesa.catholic.edu.au/resources/information-for-parents-and-caregivers 

Corey Lewis 
Leader of Learning – Curriculum 

Positive Education 

This week, Kerry and I joined the entire staff from Christian Brothers College, to participate in the professional development ‘Foundations of Positive Education”. The work that we did continues on with the learning that our staff have been doing throughout the year with students focussing on the foundations of flourishing.  

We further developed our learning about Positive psychology, which quite simply is the scientific study of what makes our lives worth living! We look forward to working with staff next term to deepen the students understanding of how to flourish and work on positive traits that reflect our thoughts, feelings and behaviours, known as Character strengths. Further information on Character Strengths can be found at http://www.viacharacter.org You can also take the free questionnaire to find out your own character strengths.  

By developing an understanding of ourselves and our traits we hope to be able to live lives that demonstrate our capabilities.  

“Compared to what we ought to be, we are only half awake. We are making use of only a small part of our physical and mental resources. Stating the thing broadly, the human individual thus lives far within his limits. He possesses powers of various sorts which he habitually fails to use.” 

Professor William James of Harvard 

Invitation to Parent Session with Bill Hansberry 

After Bill led our parent session 'Raising kids with Grit' we had many parents request another parent workshop facilitated by Bill. We have booked another evening parent session on Wednesday August 11th.  

More details will be sent out in Week 1 of term 3.  

Melinda James 
Leader of Learning: Wellbeing and Inclusion