Dear Parents, Friends, Staff and Students of St Catherine’s,
Welcome to Term 4
The students have settled back into the school routine and it is great to see them enjoying each other's company. In my experience, students feel especially safe and supported at St Cath's. It was pleasing to see the 10% increase from last term in students indicating that they feel safe at school. (Source: St Catherine's Classroom Pulse survey student responses).
I am pleased to share that our enrolments continue to grow, and we are already on track for 6% growth in student numbers next year. With several tours planned over the next few weeks, I am expecting that number to grow for 2025 and it will be great to have an additional Reception class next year. We will never lose the sense of community that comes from St Cath’s being a nurturing school but the increase in numbers allows to better serve and support families at St Catherines.
Our School and Parish community came together to celebrate Ecology Sunday where the parishioners of St Matthew's Bridgewater joined us for a Mass at St Catherine's School. It was good to see the school families who attended and special thanks to the staff who attended and helped set up and pack up Narelle Brine, Bianca Foote, Andrea Williams, Jessica Barolo and Stefan Butler. The Mass was a celebration of all creatures, great and small with families invited to bring their family pets to share in Mass and receive a blessing. Ecology Sunday compels us to build a sense of community while sharing in the beauty of God's creation and reminds us that we have a role to play in protecting the planet through positive change, fostering a deep sense of responsibility and an enduring commitment to the our responsibilities as custodians of this planet. Thank you to Fr Fred for leading us in this celebration and to the Parish for their efforts with the BBQ .
What a delight it was to have so many grandparents and special friends join our students on Thursday morning this week. The event was a success but we already have some improvements in mind for next year. Thanks to the students and staff who welcomed our special visitors to our school and our classrooms. Thank you to the many volunteers who supported our P&F with providing delicious scones for morning tea.
After School Sport
This term we have a soccer sports clinic on Monday afternoons available for students in Reception to Year 2 to participate in after school.
For further details about these clinics, please contact Steven DeGiovanniello (firstname.lastname@example.org)
Sun Smart - School Hats
To keep them safe, students are to wear their hats in Terms 1 and 4 when they are outside. Thank you for making sure your child has their hat at school and that it is clearly labelled with their name.
Pirates of Penzance the Musical
We are very much looking forward to the Musical next week. Special thanks to our Performing Arts teacher, Kathryn Thompson who has spent endless hours preparing the students for one of the highlights of the year. Thank you to the parents and friends who have supported with costumes and in other ways. I look forward to seeing you there.
Book Fair was another resounding success and thank you for your support. Special thanks to Mrs Cathy Fischle and Mrs Narelle Brine for their organisation of this event.
School drop off/ pick up reminders
In the morning, children can enter the building via the double doors under the entrance canopy and make their way through to the courts OR children can enter via the grey side gate and move directly to the courts.
At the end of the school day, students will gather under the entrance canopy and parents are welcome to continue to use the kiss and pick up driveway, or park and wait in the new garden space to collect their child/ren.
To ensure the safety of students, please do NOT gather in the driveway area.