School Closure Day - Friday 7th March 

MACSEYE providing care onsite at St Catherine’s

The school will be closed on Friday 7th March. Staff will be involved in Professional Learning in the areas of Spelling, Religious Education and Student Wellbeing.

MACSEYE will be providing care onsite at St Catherine’s for families from 7.00am to 6.00pm. Communication and information will be sent to families that are currently enrolled through the Xplor app and Email. All before school care and after school care bookings have been removed for Friday 7th March. Families will be able to book via the app or call 1300 501 029 or speak to the team (Jaimee & Laura) within the service. The CCS (Child Care Subsidy) has now been approved for the St Catherine’s MACSEYE Service. 

Parent/Teacher/Student Meetings 5th & 6th March (3.45-7.00pm)  

These meetings will be held in your child’s classroom. Please be on time and note that times will be strictly adhered to. Meetings are for 15 minutes. Parents are welcome to book another time to see the class teacher if more time is needed.

The purpose of Parent/Teacher/Student meetings is to foster a collaborative dialogue about your child's overall development, both academically and socially. These meetings provide an opportunity for parents to gain valuable insights into their child's progress and to address any questions or concerns they may have. It is a chance to explore how your child is progressing in various areas, including English, Mathematics, social skills, emotional growth, and behavioural development.

Students also play an active role in these discussions, sharing their achievements, reflecting on what they have learned, and setting personal goals for their continued growth. 

Before School Supervision 8.40-9.00am

A reminder that students are not supervised until 8.40am before school. If you need to drop your child/children beforehand, please book them into before school care. I will be reaching out to families who do not follow this requirement, as it is important for the safety of everyone involved. Thanks for your cooperation.

After School Playground Supervision

Students will be supervised from 3.20-3.30pm. Children may only play on the adventure playground if ACTIVELY supervised by their parents. 

Year 6 Leadership Presentations 

On Monday 24th February, the Year 6 Leaders were presented with their Leadership Badges and Certificates. Families were invited to a morning tea in the Learning Hub to celebrate this important milestone for our Year 6 students.

New Homework Policy                                                                        

The staff and the SAC (School Advisory Council) have worked in collaboration to update the St Catherine’s Homework Policy. Parents were also surveyed last year. Please see the attached and contact myself or Megan Moore if you have any questions.

Pancake Tuesday (4th March)  

On Tuesday morning, staff volunteers will cook pancakes for students. These will be available from 8.30am. The pancake mix was purchased from Aldi (Ingredients: wheat flour, sugar, wheat starch, whey powder, maltodextrin, thickener 1422 or 1442, raising agents 450 & 500, anti caking agent 341, salt).  

Why do we celebrate Shrove Tuesday? The name Shrove comes from 'shrive', meaning absolution for sins by doing penance. The day gets its name from the tradition of Christians trying to be 'shriven' before Lent. Pancake Day itself came much later as a way of using up rich foods, like eggs, milk and sugar before the 40 days of fasting - Lent. 

Ash Wednesday Parish Mass 10.00am 5th March                                                         

F-6 Students will attend Parish Mass this week. Lent begins on Wednesday with the marking of ashes, a sign to remind us to live the way Jesus wants. It is the beginning of our preparation for Easter when Jesus rises from the dead. Lent is a special time when we stop and think about how we can play our part in God’s hope for a world that is fair, just and peaceful. We think about our relationship with God, and how through serving others we can grow closer to him. We also think about the changes we can make in our lives, to be God’s love and mercy in our world, ensuring all people have a just future. 

Lenten Prayer

God of Justice, 

We come to you today as members of one family.

Teach us how to be your loving presence to others.

Help us understand the challenges others face. 

Be with us as we try to change, to be people who take action for others.

 Help us seek a world where everyone has a just future. 

We ask this in Jesus’ name.  Amen

This week the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which also marks the beginning of the annual Caritas Australia Project Compassion Appeal. Donations to Project Compassion allows Caritas Australia, the Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development, to work with local communities around the world to alleviate poverty, hunger, oppression and injustice.

We encourage you to put your compassion into action this Lent through your prayer, fasting and almsgiving by supporting Project Compassion. Each family (eldest child in the family) will receive a Project Compassion box for your donations or you can donate online via the Caritas Australia website at: lent.caritas.org.au The donation boxes will be sent home with your child on Ash Wednesday. If you choose to collect during Lent, please return the boxes to school by Monday 31st March, so donations can be sent to Caritas Australia by the end of term. 

Tha Earth & Spirit Year 6 Leaders will organise a fundraiser in the last week of term with money raised going towards Caritas. 

In alignment with the Lenten call to almsgiving, Caritas Australia launches Project Compassion 2025 with the theme “Unite Against Poverty.” This annual fundraiser supports vulnerable communities globally, empowering them to overcome poverty through sustainable development programs. It is also a call for all of us to play our part in making the world a better place by working together in finding long term solutions to global issues.

2025 Sacramental Program - Sacrament of Reconciliation

Reconciliation Family Workshop

On Wednesday 19th February, the Reconciliation candidates and their families participated in a family workshop.

The families:

• Learnt about the 7 Sacraments focusing on the Healing Sacrament of Reconciliation;
• Decorated their Reconciliation candle;
• Learnt about the Rite of Reconciliation (Process/Steps). 

Presentation of Reconciliation Candidates at St Catherine’s Parish Mass

On Sunday 23rd February, the Parish Community welcomed the Reconciliation Candidates and their families. Father presented the children with a candle which they will use for their First Reconciliation at 10.30am on Saturday 22nd March. 

2025 Student Shout Outs!

Please email me if your child has achieved an amazing milestone either individually or with their team. We will showcase them in our newsletter. Please include a photo of your child showing off their award/trophy/certificate etc. Please note we cannot add team photos to the newsletter as we don't have photo permission for the team members.

Term 1 2025 dates

Week 6

Tuesday 4th March 8:30am - Pancake breakfast (Shrove Tuesday)

Wednesday 5th March 10-11:00am - Ash Wednesday whole school mass

Wednesday 5th March 3:45-7:00pm - Parent/Student/Teacher conference

Thursday 6th March 3:45-7:00pm - Parent/Student/Teacher conference

Friday 7th March - School Closure Day

Week 7

Monday 10th March - Labour Day public holiday 

Wednesday 12th March - 24th March - NAPLAN Years 3 & 5

Week 8 

Wednesday 12th March - 24th March - NAPLAN Years 3 & 5

Monday 17th March - Dental visit (classes TBC)

Tuesday 18th March 10-10.45am - F/1/2 Fire Incursion

Wednesday 19th March all day - Year 3 Reconciliation students Reflection Day 

Wednesday 19th March 10-11:00am - 3/4 class mass

Thursday 20th March - Open Day for 2026 families

Friday 21st March - Harmony Day

Saturday 22nd March 10:30-11:30am - Year 3 Reconciliation students Reconciliation day

Week 9 

Wednesday 26th March 10-11:00am - Year 5/ 6 and Foundation class mass

Week 10

Wednesday 2nd April 9-9:30am - Easter Hat Parade, raffle & Caritas Fundraiser  

Friday 4th April 3:20pm - End of Term 1 (school resumes Tuesday 22nd April)

FJH and 1/2HB

A Visit from Highett Fire Station

On Friday 21st February, the Foundation and Year 1 & 2 students were lucky enough to be visited by some of the firefighters from Highett Fire Station. In our Integrated units, we have been learning about special places and the people who help us in the community, so we figured it would be an excellent opportunity for us to learn more about firefighters and fire safety. 

The firefighters talked to us about good fires and bad fires, and we learnt about the importance of having adults around when we are near fire, as well as lots of other safety measures we can take to make sure that the only fires we see are good fires. We also learned about smoke detectors and what they do. We now know that smoke rises, so if we hear a smoke detector, we should CRAWL DOWN LOW AND GO GO GO! We even got to practice this which was lots of fun!

Unfortunately our firefighter presenters were on call, so they had to leave very quickly and go to a fire. As the firefighters ran out, we were lucky enough to see the firefighters put on their safety boots and jackets, turn the lights and sirens on, and drive away to their fire.

Before they left, they asked us to do some special and important homework with our families where we can work together to decide on a safe meeting place in our homes if there ever happened to be a fire.

We are really excited for our second session with the firefighters on Tuesday 18th March. In our second session, we will get to look at the fire truck, and if we are really lucky, might even get to use the special hose!

3/4JB

Uncovering the Past in 3/4JB!

5/6AH and 5/6JD

Year 5/6 Beach Program

Last week, the Year 5 and 6 students participated in an exciting and educational beach programme at the Mordialloc Life Saving Club. The two-day event provided students with the unique opportunity to learn important water safety and life-saving skills that could one day help them in emergency situations.

Throughout the program, students were taught a variety of skills, including how to identify potential hazards at the beach, basic CPR and first aid techniques, and how to perform rescues in the water. They also learned vital safety procedures, such as understanding rip currents and how to respond effectively if they or someone else gets caught in one. Students had the opportunity to paddle on rescue boards.

The program was led by qualified instructors from the Mordialloc Life Saving Club, who emphasised the importance of beach safety while making the learning experience engaging and hands-on. Students participated in practical demonstrations and had the chance to practise the skills they had learned in a safe and controlled environment.

The event was not only educational but also fun, as students got to enjoy the beautiful beach setting and sunshine while gaining valuable knowledge that could make a difference in emergency situations. The Mordialloc Life Saving Club’s beach program proved to be a memorable and enriching experience for all involved, helping to foster a deeper appreciation for water safety among the students.

It has been an absolute privilege to work with the students at St Catherine's Primary School. Their enthusiasm and creativity have been truly inspiring. Here at St Catherine's, the Visual Arts program plays a vital role in nurturing creativity, confidence, and self-expression. Through hands-on artistic experiences, students develop problem-solving skills, fine motor abilities, and a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives. Visual Arts encourages them to think critically, experiment with new ideas, and take creative risks within a supportive environment.

This year, our Art Show will be a major highlight, centred around the theme of ‘Hope’ and showcasing the incredible artworks created throughout the year. The students will have the opportunity to explore a range of artistic techniques and mediums, allowing them to express their individuality and talent. We look forward to sharing their exceptional creations at the upcoming School Art Show later in the year, celebrating their hard work and artistic growth.

YEAR 3/4JB ARTWORK

The Year 3/4JB students have been creating self-portraits inspired by the abstract works of Dutch artist Marten Jansen. In Jansen’s abstract style, shapes and colours will be added to their artwork using chalk pastels. The students will explore the expressive power of colour, line, and form, reflecting the unique aspects of their own identities. Stay tuned to see the artwork come to life in the coming weeks!

Hello wonderful families,

We hope you're all doing well. It's been so heartwarming to see the children become more confident and comfortable with us. They’re really opening up and it’s been amazing to watch them come out of their shells. They’re not shy at all, and it’s wonderful to see them chatting away with us so confidently!

The children have been having a great time during before and after school care, getting creative and having fun. They love building with LEGO and are always helping each other out, whether it's making a new Bayblade or finding that perfect piece to complete someone else’s creation. They’ve also been enjoying making things out of paper and having fun with other toys like air hockey, Chess, or Guess Who.

We’re also excited to share that we now have access to the kitchen, which means we can offer even better snacks for the children in the afternoon. We’re thrilled to be able to provide a variety of delicious and healthy treats to keep them energized and happy throughout the day.

Every day is filled with so much joy, creativity, and a little bit of cheekiness. We hope you enjoy the pictures as much as we do!

Take care and thank you for being a part of our journey.