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HABEMUS PAPAM…We have a new Pope!
"Habemus papam" is a Latin phrase that translates to "We have a Pope." It is the traditional announcement made by the senior cardinal deacon to the world after the College of Cardinals has successfully elected a new Pope. The announcement, delivered from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, includes not only "habemus papam" but also the name of the newly elected Pope and the name he has chosen to use as Pope.
We pray for Leo XIV, our newly elected Pope, that he may be a faithful witness to God’s truth, a shepherd to all in need. We pray that he is a unifying presence in the Church and the world. Pope Leo, formerly known as Robert Provost was born in the United States in 1955. He joined the Order of the Augustinians and worked in different countries including in Peru, South America where he served as a priest and then Bishop of Chicago. He was later appointed to be one of the Cardinals by Pope Francis in 2023.
Happy Mother’s Day
I hope all our families had lovely family time with their mums, step mums, aunties, grandparents and special friends this weekend. It is also a special time to remember those that are no longer with us.
Dear God,
Bless our mothers, that their love may be deep and tender.
May their prayer for us, their children, help us to know what is good, encouraging us to love You and one another.
Amen
Family Week 2025
It’s with great joy that we welcomed families to St Catherine’s this morning to begin a beautiful celebration of Family Week. What a wonderful opportunity to come together as a school community and recognise the incredible role families play in the lives of our children – and in the heart of our school.
Each year, thousands of people and hundreds of organisations around the country come together for Australia’s annual celebration of families – National Families Week.
The aim of National Families Week is to not only celebrate the vital role that families play in Australian society, but to also reflect on the critical role that families play in teaching, supporting and nurturing children as they grow.
This year’s theme, Lending a hand to thrive: supporting each other, highlights the importance of connection, care, and resilience within families. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the strength of family bonds, reconnect with loved ones, and embrace activities that bring us together. No matter what family looks like for you, let’s celebrate the power of support and the difference we can make for each other.
As we celebrate Family Week here at St Catherine’s, let’s take this time to honour the unique love, strength, and support that family brings. May this week inspire us to deepen our connections, show appreciation for those closest to us, and continue building a nurturing, inclusive school community where every family feels valued. Thank you for being part of this celebration.
Thank you to families for coming along and sharing in some special activities with your children. It was great to see everyone so engaged and having fun.
Congratulations to the following families who won the Stem Tower Challenge. They went home with a Family Uno card game to have family fun at home.
- Veale Family(Archie & Molly)
- Tang Family(Isabell & Raymond)
- Greskie Family (Duke & Tex)
- Phillips Family (jack & Ellie)
Dear God,
Thank You for our families – for the love they give, the care they show, and the special moments we share together.
Help us to be kind to one another, to listen, to forgive, and to laugh together.
Bless our parents, carers, grandparents, and all who help us grow.
Be with families who are feeling sad, who are missing someone, or who are going through hard times.
May our school keep being a place where we feel safe, happy, and cared for – like one big family.
Amen.
A big thank you to Julia Runci and our P & F for their amazing work organising the school disco. Thank you to all families that lent equipment, DJ’d, set up, supervised and cleaned up. These events take time and organisation. Thanks so much to our amazing families who do all the extras so children can enjoy these events with their friends.
Year 6 Family Sacramental Workshop 6-7pm Wednesday, 30th April
Last Wednesday, our Year 6 families gathered to begin their preparation for Confirmation. On the night the following was discussed ?workshopped.
- What are Sacraments?
- Confirmation Ceremony
- Symbols/Gifts/Fruits of the Spirit
- Classroom Confirmation Program/Activities
- Parent Expectations & Questions
- Workshop Activity- Stole
We look forward to seeing families at the Confirmation Presentation Mass at St Catherine's this weekend. Sunday 18th May- 10.30am Confirmation Presentation Mass (St Catherine’ Church)
Thursday 24th July- Confirmation Reflection Day & Meet Bishop Tony Ireland (St Peter’s School)
Sunday 27th July- 2.00pm Confirmation (St Patrick’s Cathedral- Melbourne)
Playground Upgrades
The Bowen’s Bus Cubby is currently under construction. A big thank you to Megan Moore for all her work sourcing a $3000 donation from Bowen’s Timber. The P & F have also contributed $1000 to this project.
Thank you to Troy Walters and family for your expertise and time in constructing this new cubby. It will have internal seating and will look amazing once it's decked out and painted. Please contact Megan Moore if you are happy to help with the painting decorating stage.
ADVANCE NOTICE
Remaining 2025 School Closure days
Term 2
Week 7 Friday 6th June
Term 3
Week 9 Friday 19th September
Term 4
Week 5 Monday 3rd November (Day before Melbourne Cup Day)
Week 7 Friday 21st November
Last day of school for 2025
Week 11 - Yr 6 Monday 15th December @ 3:20 p.m.
Week 11 - Foundation - Year 5 & Staff 16th December @ 3:20 p.m.
Term 2 Dates
Week 4: National Families Week Australia
Monday 12th May - Walking club @ 8:40 a.m.
Monday 12th May - Family Week Activity @ 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Monday 12th May - School choir @ 1:45 p.m.
Tuesday 13th May - Playgroup 9-11
Tuesday 13th May - Chess club @ 1:45 p.m.
Tuesday 13th May - School Open Day @ 9:30-11:00
Thursday 15th May - Running club @ 8:15 a.m.
Thursday 15th May - Playgroup 9-11
Friday 16th May- HOLT Interschool Sport (Yr 5/6 students & select Yr 4 students) @ St Agnes, Highett, 1:00 p.m. start (netball St Agnes, football Peterson Street oval)
Sunday 18th May- Confirmation Presentation Mass (Year 6 confirmation students) @ 10:30 a.m.
Week 5:
Monday 19th May - Walking club @ 8:40 a.m.
Monday 19th May - School choir @ 1:45 p.m.
Monday 19th May - Student voice @ 3:00 p.m.
Monday 19th May - SAC Meeting at school @ 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Tuesday 20th May - Playgroup 9-11
Tuesday 20th May - Chess club @ 1:45 p.m.
Wednesday 21st May - Year 1/2 and Year 5 parish mass (Families welcome) @10:00
Wednesday 21st May - Simultaneous Storytime @ 12 noon - The Truck Cat
Thursday 22nd May - Running club @ 8:15 a.m.
Thursday 22nd May - Playgroup 9-11
Friday 23rd May- HOLT Soccer (Selected Yr 3-6 students) @ Caulfield Park, corner of Balaclava and Hawthorn Road - time tbc
Week 6: Reconciliation Week
Monday 26th May - Walking club @ 8:40 a.m.
Monday 26th May - Sorry Day prayer service (Families welcome) @ 10:40 a.m.
Monday 26th May - School choir @ 1:45 p.m.
Tuesday 27th May - Playgroup 9-11
Tuesday 27th May - Chess club @ 1:45 p.m.
Wednesday 28th May- Yr 5/6 Camp- ‘The Ranch’ Mornington
Thursday 29th May- Yr 5/6 Camp- ‘The Ranch’ Mornington
Thursday 29th May - Playgroup 9-11
Friday 30th May- Yr 5/6 Camp- ‘The Ranch’ Mornington
Week 7
Monday 2nd June - Walking club @ 8:40 a.m.
Monday 2nd June - School choir @ 1:45 p.m.
Monday 2nd June - Student voice @ 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday 3rd June - Playgroup 9-11
Tuesday 3rd June - Chess club @ 1:45 p.m.
Wednesday 4th June - Foundation / Year 6 parish mass (Families welcome) @ 10:00
Thursday 5th June - Running club @ 8:15 a.m.
Thursday 5th June - Playgroup 9-11
Friday 6th June- School Closure Day
Week 8
Monday 9th June - King’s birthday public holiday
Tuesday 10h June - Playgroup 9-11
Tuesday 10th June - Chess club @ 1:45 p.m.
Tuesday 10th June - P&F meeting at school @ 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Thursday 8th June - Playgroup 9-11
Thursday 8th June- HOLT Netball Lightning Premiership (Year 5/6) @ time and venue tbc
Week 9
Monday 16th June - Walking club @ 8:40 a.m.
Monday 16th June - School choir @ 1:45 p.m.
Monday 16th June - Student voice @ 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday 17th June - Playgroup 9-11
Tuesday 17th June - Chess club @ 1:45 p.m.
Wednesday 18th June - Year 3/4 parish mass (Families welcome) @ 10:00 a.m.
Thursday 19th June - Running club @ 8:15 a.m.
Thursday 19th June - Playgroup 9-11
Thursday 19th June - 5/6 Learning assembly
Week 10
Monday 23rd June - Walking club @ 8:40 a.m.
Monday 23rd June - School choir @ 1:45 p.m.
Tuesday 24th June - Playgroup 9-11
Tuesday 24th June - Chess club @ 1:45 p.m.
Thursday 26th June - Running club @ 8:15 a.m.
Thursday 26th June - Playgroup 9-11
Friday 27th June- Semester 1 Reports sent home
Week 11
Monday 30th June - Walking club @ 8:40 a.m.
Monday 30th June - School choir @ 1:45 p.m.
Monday 30th June - Student voice @ 3:00 p.m.
Monday 30th June - Parent / Student / Teacher meeting
Tuesday 1st July - Playgroup 9-11
Tuesday 1st July - Chess club @ 1:45 p.m.
Tuesday 1st July - Parent / Student / Teacher meeting
Thursday 3rd July - Running club @ 8:15 a.m.
Thursday 3rd July - Playgroup 9-11
Friday 4th July- Last day of Term 2 @ 3:20 p.m. (Term 3 begins Monday 21st July)
2025 Student Shout Outs! -
Please email Carmel Donlon 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.
Pace was lucky enough to play on the MCG as part of NAB Auskick on ANZAC day this year. Pace had a wonderful day representing Highett Auskick and St Catherine's primary. Well done Pace!!!
A Happy Return …..
The students of 5/6AH arrived back at school this term with a renewed enthusiasm to learn and grow, after a busy Term 1. They obviously all enjoyed their holiday break which refreshed them in mind and spirit. It was back to school work very quickly and I am proud of their dedication and approach. Recently we also welcomed a new student to our room and hope she is enjoying our class.
Anzac Day
5/6AH proudly presented the Anzac Day liturgy in the first week of term. We learned about ‘cairns’ which are the stone monuments speckled throughout our country to honour all service men and women. As a tribute to the bravery, velour and courageousness of these heroes, we created our own cairn and wreaths which were used as symbols during the prayer service.
Mathematics
Similarly to other subjects, we have adopted an approach in mathematics where students can work independently (challenging themselves and strengthening their understanding) by opening each lesson’s slideshow via the Google Classroom on their devices. Following the initial teacher instruction and demonstration, students can have the information on their own screen and progress to the next task as they conquer the skills and understandings required. It is wonderful to hear their enjoyment with this approach to learning maths. We have just completed our division and multiplication unit which covered indices, BIDMAS, vertical multiplication, division, powers of 10 and a variety of other concepts.
Writing
Being able to ‘show’ a setting or event without ‘telling’ is a challenging task that all students have tried to master in the past 3 weeks. Our writing lessons focussed on using a variety of figurative language techniques, noun groups, adjectives and visual elements to bring their writing to life. While this will be an ever evolving process (even through secondary school), the students have done a wonderful job of drafting, editing and publishing their first piece.
Reading
Paired reading has continued in the senior school and is proving to build confidence and fluency in all students. After the success of exploring the story of Anne Frank, we have begun our new novel for this term - The Explorer. In the coming weeks we will use various comprehension, analysis and evaluative strategies to examine this book with the goal of building our knowledge and understanding of text.
Busy Times in Semester 1
With learning how to play ‘jacks’, Cross Country running, Interschool Sport, senior school jobs, Religion, Inquiry and Wellbeing lessons, our days are full. We are thriving in our specialist subjects and are looking forward to spending time at The Ranch camp. Thank you to all family members who are supporting us in our learning journey as we strive to be our best selves!
